Is acupuncture with reusable needles safe?

I started a series of acupuncture treatments for soreness in my neck and upper back, which is causing some difficulties with my eyes because of a probable nerve impingement. The soreness is caused by a scoliosis in my thoracic spine.

The acupuncturist suggested that he will give me the needles he uses on me in a box, which I can carry back to the clinic every time and reuse. So far, I have asked him to use disposable needles only. But the treatment with reusable needles costs half of what the disposable needles cost, so I am wondering if I should try this.

Is it safe to reuse acupuncture needles, if I am the only one on who they are used, and they are kept in a sealed box with me? Or can they still get infected by the surfaces they touch in the box, or by the air, or anything else? Tweet