Unlicensed New York Acupuncturist Charged With Assault After Patient’s Lungs Collapse

Acupuncture is just one of the treatments integrative practitioners can use to improve the health and wellbeing of their patients. Africa Studio/Shutterstock

An unlicensed New York acupuncturist has been criminally charged after puncturing a woman’s lungs during treatment and leaving her hospitalized, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.

Yong De Lin, 66, who worked from a medical office in Flushing—and who prosecutors say was not a licensed acupuncturist and had never applied for the required state licensure—was arraigned and charged with assault in the first and second degrees, reckless endangerment in the first degree, and unauthorized practice of a profession on Sept. 18, the district attorney’s office said.