What are the acupuncture needle insertion techniques

Nowadays, the method of acupuncture treatment is accepted by more and more people, and acupuncture has been applied in many aspects. When acupuncture is used to treat patients, there are many ways of inserting the needle, mainly according to different acupoints and different disease symptoms, using different techniques. There are many techniques suitable for beginners. Sometimes the needle insertion technique needs to be fast so that the patient does not feel pain.

1. One-handed needle insertion method:

The operator holds the needle with the thumb and index finger, with the tip of the middle finger against the acupoint and the fingertip close to the lower part of the needle. When the thumb and index finger press downward firmly, the middle finger bends and the needle is inserted to the required depth. In fact, this method replaces the function of the pressing hand with the middle finger of the pricking hand. It is simple, fast and flexible. This method is mostly used for inserting shorter filiform needles.

2. Two-handed needle insertion method: that is, the left and right hands cooperate to insert the needle together. Depending on the different auxiliary movements of the pressing hand, there are four types of needle insertion: finger cutting needle insertion, clamping needle insertion, lifting and pinching needle insertion, and relaxation needle insertion.

(1) Finger-cutting needle method:

Press the acupuncture point with the left thumb or index finger nail, hold the needle with the right hand, and insert the needle into the skin close to the edge of the nail. Suitable for inserting shorter filiform needles into acupuncture points in thick muscles.

(2) Clamping needle insertion method:

Use the thumb and index finger of your left hand to hold a cotton ball, wrap the needle tip, and point it directly at the acupoint. While pressing down with the two fingers of your pressing hand, insert the needle into the acupoint. Suitable for insertion of long needles.

(3) Relaxation needle insertion method:

Use the thumb and index finger of the pressing hand to stretch and tighten the skin of the acupuncture area, and hold the needle in the right hand and insert it between the two fingers. It is mostly used for acupoints where the skin is loose or wrinkled, such as abdominal acupoints.

(4) Lifting and pinching needle insertion method:

Use the thumb and index finger of the pressing hand to pinch the skin of the acupuncture area, and use the acupuncture hand to insert the needle from the side or upper end of the pinched part. Suitable for acupuncture points on shallow skin areas such as the head and face.

3. Tube needle insertion method:

Use stainless steel, glass or plastic to make a needle tube instead of the plunger. Select a flat-handled filiform needle and insert it into the needle tube, with the needle handle exposed 2-3 fen from the upper end. Then quickly insert the needle into the acupuncture point, and then withdraw the needle tube and perform various techniques. This method causes less pain when the needle is inserted and is suitable for people who are sensitive to pain.