Many people experience nosebleeds in daily life. These can result from trauma or nasal conditions like a deviated septum, sinusitis, or tumors. Systemic factors such as high fever or hypertension may also trigger them. Women with hormonal imbalances may experience nosebleeds during menstruation, known as "reverse menstruation." Dry weather and high temperatures can similarly cause nosebleeds.Clinical Symptoms Nose bleeds typically occur unilaterally. Mild cases may show only streaks of blood in nasal discharge, while severe cases involve fresh blood flowing from one nostril, or even simultaneously from the mouth and the opposite nostril. Patients often feel anxious during episodes, but heightened anxiety can worsen bleeding. Generally classified into two types: lung heat and stomach heat. Below we address how to manage frequent nose bleeds and whether traditional Chinese cupping therapy can help. We hope this information proves beneficial.
I. Lung Heat
(1) Symptoms
Dripping nosebleeds with bright red blood, accompanied by nasal congestion, dry mouth and nose, coughing, or fever.
(2) Treatment Methods
(1) Selected Acupoints: Dazhui (GV14), Quze (LU5), Kongzui (LI11), Hegu (LI4), Shaoshang (LU11).
(2) Location: Dazhui (GV14): In the depression below the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra on the midline of the back.
Qizhu (LU5): At the center of the elbow crease, on the radial border of the biceps brachii tendon.
Kongzui (LI11): On the line connecting Taiyuan (LU3) and Qizhu (LU5), 7 cun above the wrist crease.
Hegu: Between the first and second metacarpal bones, at the midpoint of the radial side of the second metacarpal bone (locate by placing the transverse crease of one thumb's metacarpal phalangeal joint on the interdigital crease of the opposite thumb and index finger; flex the fingers until the thumb tip reaches the point).
Shaoshang: On the radial side of the terminal phalanx of the thumb, 0.1 cun from the nail corner.
(3) Cupping Method: At the Shizhe and Shaoshang points, use a three-edged needle to puncture and draw blood, with an appropriate blood volume of 2–3 milliliters. For the remaining points, apply flash cupping, performing 20–30 flashes per point daily. Two sessions constitute one treatment course.
II. Stomach Heat
(I) Symptoms
Profuse epistaxis with dark red blood, body heat and restlessness, thirst with bad breath, bleeding gums, and constipation.
(II) Treatment Methods
1. Method One
(1) Selected Points: Quchi (LI11), Zhigou (ST36), Hegu (LI4), Neiting (ST44), Lidu (ST36).
(2) Location: Quchi (LI11): At the lateral end of the elbow crease. When the elbow is flexed, it is located at the midpoint of the line connecting Shizhu (LU5) and the lateral epicondyle of the humerus (with the palm facing upward and elbow flexed at 45°, on the radial side of the elbow joint; the head of the elbow crease is the point location).
Zhigou: On the dorsal aspect of the forearm, on the line connecting Yangchi and the tip of the elbow, 3 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist, between the ulna and radius.
Hegu (LI4): Between the first and second metacarpal bones, at the midpoint of the radial side of the second metacarpal bone. (Place the transverse crease of the metacarpal phalangeal joint of one thumb on the interdigital crease of the thumb and index finger of the other hand. Flex the fingers; the point is at the end of the thumb tip.)
Neiting: On the dorsum of the foot, between the second and third toes, at the junction of red and white flesh posterior to the interdigital crease.
Lidui: On the lateral aspect of the distal phalanx of the second toe, 0.1 cun lateral to the nail corner.
(3) Cupping Method: For Neiting and Lidui points, use a three-edged needle to puncture and draw blood.For Quchi, lightly tap with a plum-blossom needle until slight bleeding occurs, then apply flash cupping. Perform 20–30 flash cupping strokes per point, once daily. Two sessions constitute one treatment course.
(2) Location: Shangxing: On the head, 1 cun directly above the midpoint of the frontal hairline. Juliang: On the face, directly below the pupil, level with the lower edge of the nostril, on the lateral side of the nasolabial fold (when sitting upright and looking straight ahead, the point where the vertical line below the pupil intersects the horizontal line of the lower nostril edge is the location).
Erjian: With a slight fist, locate the radial depression anterior to the second metacarpal phalangeal joint (the apex of the radial skin crease at the anterior border of the second metacarpophalangeal joint when fisting).
Tianshu: Located in the mid-abdomen, 1 cun lateral to the umbilicus.
Neiting: See previous section.
(3) Cupping Method: First massage the Shangxing, Erjian, and Neiting points. Then use a three-edged needle to quickly puncture each point, drawing out 5–10 drops of blood. Apply pressure with a cotton ball to stop bleeding. For the Juliao point, use flash cupping, performing 20–30 flashes until the local skin reddens. Apply simple cupping to the Tianshu point and leave the cups in place for 10 minutes.Perform once daily; three sessions constitute one treatment course.
III. Precautions
(1) Cupping therapy demonstrates efficacy for epistaxis. During bleeding episodes, remain calm and lie supine or sit upright. Apply cold compresses to the nasal bridge and forehead to achieve immediate hemostasis.
(2) Actively investigate and treat underlying conditions that may precipitate epistaxis.
IV. Case Study
Zhang, male, 24 years old. Habitually consumed spicy and stimulating foods. Experienced persistent nasal bleeding with heavy flow and dark red blood. Self-applied pressure failed to stop bleeding. Presented with constipation, thirst, and bitter taste in mouth. Selected acupoints: Shangxing (GV24), Juliao (BL10), Erjian (SI10), Tianshu (ST25), and Neiting (ST44).First, massage Shangxing, Erjian, and Neiting. Then use a three-edged needle for rapid puncture, extracting 5–10 drops of blood from each point before applying cotton ball pressure to stop bleeding. Apply flash cupping to Juliao for 20–30 flashes until local skin reddens. Use simple cupping on Tianshu for 10 minutes.Perform once daily for a 3-session course. Bleeding ceased on the day of treatment. After completing one course and observing for 3 months, no recurrence was noted. What to do about frequent nosebleeds? Can traditional Chinese cupping therapy help? We've covered the essentials here. We trust you now have a clearer understanding. Finally, we sincerely wish you good health and happiness.