Yes, there are some claims that acupuncture can cause nose bleeding. However, there’s no evidence that the nose bleeding is directly caused by acupuncture. Although this seems a very simple question, there are many factors that can contribute to bleeding from the nose and it is wise that you seek the advice of your GP or another health care professional.
There are a few theories as to how acupuncture may cause nose bleeds. Firstly, the needle could be placed too deeply and puncture a small blood vessel in the wall of the nasal cavity. Another possibility is that the needle inserted at just the right depth could damage a nerve that supplies sensation to one or more of the nasal blood vessels. In both cases, the sensation of pain from the needle may be mistaken for a nose bleed.
Another factor that can cause bleeding from the nose is irritation. Sometimes there are things going on in the nasal cavity which irritate it and this can lead to a nose bleed. If you have had acupuncture done recently and subsequently experience a lot of nasal discharge or a runny nose, start thinking about what types of irritants you have been exposed to in your environment. These include second-hand cigarette smoke, air pollution from factories or vehicle exhaust fumes, dust from building work etcetera. Some people respond more sensitively than others to these kinds of things and they will not always realize that their sneezing or stuffiness is being caused by irritants in their environment.
An important factor to consider, especially if you are having acupuncture to treat pain, is whether the needles are placed too close to any area of inflammation or swelling. Some acupuncturists use small amounts of electrical stimulation to help break up scar tissue and increase the flow of blood in these areas.
