Hi Soylady, I have had acupuncture several times in the last year-no trouble with bleeding. The needles are so small and in general don't go into veins-so don't bleed. I used it for pain-helped immensely, once I found the right practitioner.
Blessings, Teri

Thanks Teri! I assume your INR is under 3.0?

2-3, most of the time! Teri

Unfortunately, I had the opposite experience. The acupuncturist hit a vein or possibly a nerve, according to my doctor, just above my ankle in my DVT leg, resulting in a large hematoma that took several months to resolve. Shortly after the hematoma resolved, my leg was never the same, but I was diagnosed with PTS shortly after that, so I'm not sure if there's a relationship there.

I was so bummed. It was my first experience with acupuncture; I was doing it to try to relieve overall pain caused by my ulcerative colitis. I think finding the right practioner is key.

By the way, my Hematologist said it was fine to have acupuncture while being on warfarin. Like Teri said, the needles are so small. I mean, I've been vaccinated while being on warfarin and had no problems. To me, it's kind of the same thing.

Whoa... scary... maybe I'll try acupressure instead?

I don't know. I mean, I just think I had a particularly bad experience that is probably not common.

I have very veiny legs, lots of superficial veins, varicose veins, etc. So, I've got a lot of veins that are sort of right below the skin. Personally, I think the acupuncturist I used should have been in tuned with that. That's why I'm thinking with the right practioner, this can be avoided. My Hematologist thinks that he actually hit a nerve, because of the long lasting pain. Who knows.

But let's face it. We are on warfarin and we're puncturing our skin. Anything is possible.

I had accupuncture and electrolysis (lots of needles for hair removal) while on Warfarin, both with no ill effects.

You need to get a good practitioner - go for one you've been recommended. If that isn't possible, talk to them, if they seem to know what they are talking about, if they seem to know about what treatment (ie Warfarin) you would be on after a DVT then they might know what they are doing.

My overall experience was great - my accupuncturist gave me lots of TLC and general "look after yourself" advice that my GP just did not provide.