Watch CBS News

Board: Acupuncturist Negligent In Giving Bee Sting Therapy

ALHAMBRA (CBSLA.com/AP) — An acupuncturist in Southern California could have his medical license suspended by state regulators who say he used bee stings to treat patients and didn't have an allergic reaction kit in his office.

Xin Sheng "Tom" Zhou has been using bee sting therapy to treat diseases and chronic pain at his practice in Alhambra. Bee venom acupuncture has been used in eastern Asia since at least the 2nd century B.C.

The California Department of Consumer Affairs' Acupuncture Board filed an accusation against Zhou in July. State regulators say he "...does not have an allergic reaction kit, epinephrine, or over the counter medication on site..."

Zhou has since stated that he does have epinephrine in his clinic.

The board claims Zhou was repeatedly and grossly negligent in administering the bee stings by not having an emergency response kit or medication for patients who experience a severe allergy.

Meanwhile, some patients, including those with ALS, say they hope the issue is resolved quickly so that they can return to receiving the bee sting treatment.

"Prior to the therapy, she was not able to do anything," Rohan Nittianandan, whose aunt suffers from ALS, described. "So this has helped her a lot."

Zhou's attorney tells the Pasadena Star News no patients have suffered a severe reaction.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.