Acupuncture treatment refers to the systematic application of needles to acupoints on the human body under the guidance of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory. This aims to stimulate the flow of Qi in the meridians and regulate the functions of the internal organs, thereby preventing and treating diseases and promoting health. This methodological system, refined through long-term clinical experience and theoretical advancement, has formed a rigorous yet flexible technical process, covering key aspects such as acupoint selection, needle insertion, needle manipulation, needle retention, and needle withdrawal. Each step emphasizes syndrome differentiation and treatment, as well as safety assurance.
The first priority in treatment is acupoint selection. Based on meridian theory and the principles of syndrome differentiation and treatment, acupoints corresponding to the location, nature, and course of the disease are selected. Common methods include local acupoint selection, distal acupoint selection, and syndrome-based acupoint selection: local acupoint selection targets acupoints in the area of the lesion to unblock local Qi and blood; distal acupoint selection selects key acupoints farther from the lesion along the meridians to stimulate overall regulation through meridian conduction; syndrome-based acupoint selection adds specific effective acupoints or empirical acupoints based on the pathogenesis. After selecting acupoints, it is also necessary to determine the depth, angle, and direction of needle insertion to avoid damaging important deep structures.
Needle insertion requires stability, accuracy, gentleness, and speed. The practitioner holds the needle with the thumb, index, and middle fingers to stabilize the needle handle, and if necessary, uses the ring finger to assist in positioning the needle body. Needle insertion methods vary depending on the location and condition, and can be divided into rapid and slow insertion. Rapid insertion is often used in thin-skinned or sensitive areas to reduce pain, while slow insertion involves pausing briefly under the skin to allow the patient to adapt before gradually inserting the needle to the target depth. Needle angles include straight, oblique, and horizontal insertion. Straight insertion is suitable for areas with abundant muscle, oblique insertion avoids dangerous structures, and horizontal insertion is mostly used in superficial areas or near the bone surface.
Needle manipulation is the core step in stimulating the needling sensation and therapeutic effect. Commonly used techniques include lifting and thrusting, twisting, and vibration. Lifting and thrusting involves small up-and-down movements of the needle body to adjust the stimulation amount; twisting involves rotating the needle handle left and right to enhance the sensation of obtaining qi and guide the flow of qi; vibration involves rapid, small shaking of the needle body to create continuous stimulation. The sensation of "deqi" (the feeling of obtaining qi) refers to the patient's response, such as soreness, numbness, distension, or heaviness, while the practitioner also feels a deep, firm pressure under the needle. This is an important basis for judging whether the acupuncture point is properly positioned. The application of techniques must be tailored to the individual patient and the specific condition to avoid excessive stimulation that could cause discomfort.
The needle retention time depends on the condition and the acupuncture method, ranging from several minutes to tens of minutes. During this time, intermittent needling can be performed to maintain the effect. The needle should be withdrawn slowly, and a sterile, dry cotton ball should be pressed against the needle hole to prevent bleeding and qi leakage. Special caution is required for special locations or patients with coagulation disorders. Modern clinical practice generally uses disposable sterile needles and strictly adheres to aseptic procedures to ensure hygiene and safety. Acupuncture methods can also be combined with moxibustion, electroacupuncture, and warm needling techniques to form a multimodal comprehensive intervention and enhance therapeutic efficacy.
Overall, acupuncture is an important component of external treatment techniques in Traditional Chinese Medicine, integrating traditional wisdom with modern standards. It emphasizes accurate diagnosis, stable operation, and controllable safety. Supported by solid theoretical knowledge and skillful operational techniques, this method can play a stable and unique clinical role in the prevention, treatment, and health maintenance of various diseases.
