Differentiation of Needles

Question 1

Indications-Three-Edged Needle

Answer 1

• Promotes the smooth flow of Qi & Blood in meridians, dispel blood stasis & eliminate heat
• Treats blockage of the meridians, blood stasis, excess/heat syndromes, high fever, loss of consciousness, sore throat & local congestion or swelling

Question 2

Manipulation-Three-Edged Needle

Answer 2

Spot pricking
Clumpy pricking
Pricking

Question 3

Precautions-Three-Edged Needle

Answer 3

• Aseptic operation is applied to prevent infections
• For spot pricking, the operation should be slight, superficial & rapid. Bleeding should not be excessive. Avoid injuring the deep large arteries.
• Pricking shall in no case be applied for those w/ weak constitution, pregnant women and those susceptible to bleeding, anemic or hypotensive.

Question 4

Indications-Cutaneous (Dermal) Needles

Answer 4

• D.O. of the nervous system & skin disease

- HA, dizziness, vertigo, insomnia, GI disease, gynecological disease, skin disease, painful joints & paralysis

Question 5

Manipulation-Cutaneous (Dermal) Needles

Answer 5

• After routine & local sterilization, hold the handle of needle & tap vertically on the skin surface w/ a flexible movement of the wrist.
• The tapping may be light or heavy.

Question 6

Precautions-Cutaneous (Dermal) Needles

Answer 6

• The tips of the needles should be even & free from any hooks. On tapping, the tips of the needles should strike the skin at a right angle to the surface to reduce pain.
• Sterilize the needles & the local area to be treated. After heavy tapping, the local skin surface should be cleaned & sterilized to prevent infection.
• Tapping is not allowed to apply to the local trauma & ulcers.
• Acute infections & acute abdominal D.O.

Question 7

Indications-Intradermal (Embedding) Needles

Answer 7

• Treats some chronic or painful diseases, which need a long time of retention of the needle (HA, ST ache, asthma, insomnia, enuresis, abnormal menstruation, dysmenorrhea, etc.
• Neurasthenia & hypertension

Question 8

Manipulation-Intradermal (Embedding) Needles

Answer 8

• Grain-like needle applied to points or tender spots on various parts of the body.
• Thumbtack-type needle (ear region)

Question 9

Precautions-Intradermal (Embedding) Needles

Answer 9

-Length of time needle is implanted depends on the pathological conditions in different seasons. *In the summer, needles are retained for 1-2 days because of excessive sweating which is likely to cause infection.
In the fall or winter, the retaining duration may be longer according to the need in specific cases.
-Try to avoid embedding the intradermal needle at the joints (to prevent pain in motion).
-In infected areas or skin ulcers, do note embed the needle.
-During the embedding period, the area around the needle must be kept clean.

Question 10

Needle Description-Intradermal (Embedding) Needle

Answer 10

• Thumbtack type: 0.3 cm long w/ a head like a thumbtack.

- Grain-like type: 1 cm long, head like a grain of wheat.

Question 11

Needle Description-Cutaneous (Dermal) Needle

Answer 11

• Plum Blossom: five, long
• Seven Star: seven, short
• Make sure the tip of needles are not too sharp, but on the same level w/ equal space between them, otherwise pain or bleeding may happen during tapping.

Question 12

Needle Description-Three-Edged Needle

Answer 12

• Developed from the sharp needle, of the Nine Needles created in ancient times.
• Shaped in a round handle w/ a triangular head & a sharp tip.