Is it normal to have bruising after acupuncture?

Generally speaking, it is normal to develop bruising after acupuncture, and patients need not be overly concerned. The following is a detailed explanation:

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical therapy that uses fine needles to treat diseases. The needles are inserted into specific parts of the patient's body at certain angles to achieve therapeutic effects. In most cases, if bruising occurs after treatment, there is no need for concern, as this is considered a normal phenomenon. Since acupuncture is an invasive treatment, the insertion of needles through the skin may cause minor damage to capillaries. Bruising or subcutaneous bleeding may occur if pressure is improperly applied after needle removal or if treatment is performed in areas rich in capillaries. Typically, such bruising is mild and gradually fades within about 1–2 weeks without requiring special treatment. If patients wish to shorten the recovery time, they may apply warm compresses to the bruised area to help accelerate the dissipation of bruising.

Patients should maintain a light and healthy diet, go to bed early and rise early, ensure adequate sleep, and avoid staying up late.