Acupuncture, when carried out by a properly trained clinician using clean-needle technique, is very safe.
One-time use disposable needles are inserted into muscle tissue with the acupuncturist avoiding blood vessels and sensitive tissues whenever possible. Acupuncture needles are very thin, about one-third of the diameter of medical injection needles, and rarely cause bleeding when inserted or removed. A properly trained acupuncturist will ensure that needles are inserted at a safe depth in order to avoid penetrating organs or sensitive tissues.
Some people express concern that acupuncture relies on the blood’s clotting ability to avoid bleeding. If you are currently taking prescription blood-thinning medication you may wish to consult your physician before beginning a course of acupuncture treatments.