These five techniques are differentiated according to the relation between the five zang organs and five constituents( skin, vessel, tendon, muscle, bone).
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1. Semi-needling
Semi-needling means to needle the skin only. That is why it is called semi-needling.
Method
The needle is inserted only into the skin and then is quickly withdrawn like the pulling of a piece of body hair ( Fig. 3 - 26).
Clinical Application
To treat wind and cold attack of the superficies, fever, dyspnea and other diseases involving the lung as well as some skin diseases.
Note
This method is frequently used with cutaneous needle to treat children in modern times.
2. Leopard-spot needling
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This technique is characterized by multiple points of bleeding which looks like leopard markings.
Method
To select one acupoint as the centre and to needle sparsely around for blood-letting ( Fig. 3 - 27 ).
Clinical Application
To treat tumescent and pyretic pain.
Note
Since the heart controls blood and vessels, this method works on the regulation of cardiac qi.
3. Joint needling
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This technique means to needle the tendons around the joints of the body.
Method
This method focuses on needling the tendons around the joints. Since the tendons converge around the joints, the tendons and muscles of the four limbs all end near the joints (Fig. 3 -28).
Clinical Application
To treat obstructive disorder of the tendons.
Note
Cares should be taken not to impair the vessels and cause bleeding.
4. Hegu needling
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This kind of needling refers to the needling of the region with thick muscles. The Chinese Character"Gu"means major muscular convergence.
Method
To insert the needle deep into the regions with thick muscles, then to withdraw the needle to the shallow region and push the needle obliquely to both sides ( Fig. 3 - 29 ).
Clinical Application
To treat obstructive problems.
This technique is characterized by inserting the needle into the muscles. Since muscles are controlled by the spleen, this method can regulate splenic qi. Clinically this is a kind of heavy needling technique.
5. Shu needling
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This technique means to insert the needle perpendicularly and to withdraw it straightly for the purpose of dredging the external and the internal,
Method
This method means to insert the needle perpendicularly deep to the bones and withdraw straightly (Fig. 3 -30).
Clinical Application
To treat obstructive pain of the bones ( including diseases located in the deep regions).
Note
Since kidney controls bones, this method can regulate renal qi.
