ACUPUNCTURE
NEEDLES
Needles made of stone, bone and bamboo were used to stimulate
acupuncture points on the body for getting desired response.
Stainless steel is Effective, Economical.
Used for manufacturing needles.
In ancient China, nine different types of needles were used but present
only three to four types of needles are common in use.
TYPES OF NEEDLES AND THEIR
USAGE
Common needle(filliform needle)
Triangular needle(sanlingchen)
Seven star needle(plum-blossom needle)
Press needle:
a) Thumbtack needle
b) Fish tail
c) Spherical press needle(ball bearing type)
d) Muscle embedding needle
COMMON NEEDLE
(FILLIFORM)
It has 5 parts.
Length varies from 0.5-8.0 tsun.
Diameter: range from gauge 26-
34.
Method: Size and depth should
depend on location of point which
has to be stimulated.
TRIANGULAR NEEDLE
Known as Prismatic needle.
It has 3 cutting edges(triple
cutting edge).
Indications-Acute emergencies,
high fever, coma, shock,
convulsions etc.
Technique: Used for bleeding
from Jingwell points.
PLUM BLOSSOM NEEDLE
This also known as the five star or
seven star needle.
Seven small needles are arranged`
like a star over hammer.
Indications-all skin diseases like
eczema,psoriasis,leucoderma,alop
acia,etc.
PRESS NEEDLE
Also called as Embedding or
Implanted needle.
Round in shape has small thorn
connected with round base.
Length of tip-1mm.
Used when continuously
stimulation is required.
On ear points-Conditions like
Bronchial asthma and
addictions.
Duration:3-5 days.
HIDDEN SUBDERMAL
NEEDLES
Needles are of small size.
Length-0.3-0.5 tsun.
Can be kept in place fpr 3-5 days covered with sticking plaster.
Indications-Asthma,hepatitis,myopia.
APPARTUS FOR THE ELECTRICAL
STIMULATION OF ACUPUNCTURE
POINTS VIA NEEDLES
Stimulated by the use of electrical
pulse.
This instrument is electro
acupuncture.
Regulate the amount of
stimulation required.
Produce stronger stimulation.
APPARTUS FOR THE DETECTION OF
ACUPUNCTURE
POINTS(ACUPUNCTOSCOPE)
Used for the detection of
acupuncture point on body
surface.
Point detector is also useful in
diagnosis and prognosis.
Electrical point detectors are
mainly used in ear acupuncture.
In electro acupuncture various
homeopathic remedies can also
be tested against the patient.
CARE OF THE NEEDLES
Needles must be carefully examined regularly during use.
Hooked, cracked, blunt, rusted or otherwise defective needles must
be discarded.
Needles which are bent after insertion can be straightened between
the fore finger and thumb.
Each time after they have been used they must be washed in clean
running water and then sterilized.
When the tip of the needle gets blunt after repeated insertion, it
could be sharpened with sand paper or on a jewelers’ polishing stone.
STERLISATION AND
DISINFECTION OF NEEDLES
Sterilization implies the elimination of all living organisms .
Disinfection means the destruction or the removal of pathogenic
organisms.
It may not destroy all micro-organisms and hence certain
bacteria,spores,and viruses may yet remain.
POSTURE OF THE
PATIENT
1. Sitting posture
With knee flexed and spine resting on the back of a chair
With elbow flexed, hands resting on a table in front
With hands on table in front and head resting on hands
2. Lying down posture
Supine
Prone
Recumbent
Lithotomic
Knee-elbow position
Methods of locating Acu Points
1. Anatomical landmarks
2. Finger measurement
3. Proportional measurement
4. Location of points by using a posture
5. Tender points
6. Location of points with accupunctoscope
7. Location by reference to another point
8. Cunometer
9. Skin changes
10. Combination of 2 or more of the above methods
METHODS OF PUNCTURE
1. Insertion
2. Retention
3. Stimulation
4. Withdrawal
1. Insertion
Grip the shaft of the needle with the thumb and forefinger of the
right hand so that about 0.2 cun of the needle at its tip is exposed.
Then aim at the point and insert the needle rapidly.
Pinch the skin with left forefinger and thumb and lift it up a little, with
the accu point exposed at the top. Then insert the needle with quick
movement of the right hand.
Stretch the skin beside the accu point with thumb and forefinger and
insert the needle rapidly with the right hand.
DEPTH AND DIRECTION
1. Perperdicular
900 to the skin
eg: Hegu (LI 4)
2. Oblique
45 to the skin
eg: Liangmen (St 21)
3. Horizontal
15 to skin
eg: Baihui (GV 20)
ORDER OF INSERTION
From above downwards
From proximal to distal
Away from or towards the accupuncturist
Less painful to more painful points
To encircle a lesion such as scar, ulcer or a skin eruption. (Encircling the
Dragon)
2. Retention
Minimum for 20 min.
Treatment is carried for 7 to 10 days daily, every day or every third day.
Then a peiod of 5 to 7 days, rest is given.
3. Stimulation
METHODS OF STIMULATION
1. Electrical stimulation
2. Manual Stimulation
Lifting and thrusting
Rotation
Combination of lifting and thrusting with rotation
Scraping the handle
Vibration of the needle
DEGREES OF STIMULATION
1. Strong stimulation
2. Medium stimulation
3. Weak stimulation
DURATION OF STIMULATION
1. Short ( 20 secs)
2. Intermediate (10-20 min)
3. Continuous (1-2 hrs or until patient gets relieved)
4. Withdrawal
The needle is removed at the end of the period of treatment rapidly
and gently.
The accu point is then massaged with a dry sterile piece of cotton.
Avoid any jerky movements as it may cause pain.
