Basic Acupuncture Techniques

Basic Acupuncture Techniques

Acupuncture is a traditional treatment method in Traditional Chinese Medicine that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body called acupoints. This stimulates the body’s response, helping to regulate bodily functions, reduce pain, enhance immunity, and provide other benefits.

1. Fundamentals of Acupuncture:

• Purpose of acupuncture:

• Pain relief

• Regulate overall bodily functions

• Enhance immunity

• Stimulate digestion

• Needling technique:

• Insert quickly, withdraw slowly

• Needle along the meridian direction

• Do not manipulate the needle

• Needling technique:

• Insert on inhalation, withdraw on exhalation

• Do not manipulate the needle

• Bổ (tonification) – Tả (reduction):

• A technique used to enhance the effectiveness of acupuncture after achieving “de qi.”

2. Needling Techniques:

• Lateral needling (a=15o):

• Often used on areas of skin close to bone, like the back and abdomen.

3. Moxibustion:

• Indications:

• Used in cases of deficiency and cold, neuralgia due to cold, chronic diseases with acute episodes, abdominal pain due to cold.

• Contraindications:

• Do not use in cases of excess heat, sudden onset of illness.

• Notes:

• To prevent burns, encourage the patient to endure the heat as much as possible.

• Closely monitor the patient during the process.

4. “De Qi” (Achieving Qi):

• Feelings:

• Heaviness, distention, numbness at the needling site, which may spread upwards or downwards.

5. Applications of Acupuncture:

• Primary indication:

• Pain management

6. Contraindications for Acupuncture:

• Absolutely do not perform acupuncture on:

• Exhausted individuals

7. Needling technique for Âún đường acupoint:

• Lateral needling, skin pinch technique.

8. Causes of needle breakage during needling:

• The practitioner fails to remove rust from the needle before needling.

Note:

This article provides basic information about acupuncture techniques. The use of acupuncture should be performed by qualified and experienced practitioners.