Acupuncture needles
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese system of healing that is now very popular in the West as a so-called alternative therapy or complementary medicine system.Acupuncture involves the use of very fine needles inserted into the skin at certain points of the body which are believed to be situated on energy channels called meridians. Each meridian is said to relate to a specific organ of the body. The insertion of the needles is said to unblock the channels thus allowing energy to move freely. This is believed to help restore balance to the body.
About acupuncture needles
There are several types of acupuncture needles. In ancient China 9 different types of acupuncture needle were used. Today, the most commonly used needle is the metal filiform (thread-like) needle that is made from stainless steel but can also be made of silver or gold.Acupuncture needles come in different gauges (diameter) and lengths to be used on the different areas of the body where they are to be inserted. Historically, Chinese acupuncture needles have tended to be tapered and thicker than Japanese needles, however, the needles used nowadays are mostly very fine — they vary from 0.12 mm to 0.35 mm in diameter — that’s about a third of a millimetre in diameter for the thickest one.
Are acupuncture needles safe?
The majority of needles used today in Australia are pre-sterilised, single use, disposable types. They are manufactured and packed under sterile conditions into foil-backed blister packs with guide tubes on the end.The most commonly used needles are made of stainless steel and range in length from 8 mm to 7 cm. Acupuncture needles are covered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s Good Manufacturing Practice legislation in Australia.
How long are the needles left in for?
Acupuncture needles are commonly left in for any length of time between a few seconds and half an hour or so. The acupuncturist may tweak the needles during this time. Some specialised very small, short needles are left in for a few days.Specialised acupuncture needles
Apart from filiform needles, there are a number of specialised needle types that may be used for specific conditions. Here are some types of specialised needle.- Three-edged needle — this is a thick needle with a round handle and a triangular body and a very sharp tip. It looks like a lance. The three-edged needle is used to puncture blood vessels for the purpose of blood letting.
- Plum blossom needle — this is also called a seven star needle and is actually a group of seven filiform needles arranged together in the shape of a flower and attached like a hammer head to a long handle. The handle is often flexible. Some types are disposable — others have a detachable head for sterilising. The needling is done by tapping the needles on the skin lightly and swiftly. The plum blossom needle can be tapped along a channel or at specific points.
- Intradermal needles — These are very thin, very short needles, that are used on specific points, often the ears (auricular acupuncture). Inserted to a very shallow depth in the skin, these needles are left in place and covered with waterproof tape. They are often used to treat chronic pain and addictions.
- Press needles — these are used in treatments where the needles need to be left in for extended periods of time (a week or more). They are very small needles that are ‘pressed’ onto the point and are held in place with a small surgical adhesive sterilised patch. They are used where prolonged stimulation of a point is needed. They are often used for acupuncture of the external ear.
Ear seeds, ‘press seeds’ and ‘pebbles’
Although they aren’t needles, ear seeds, ‘press seeds’ and ‘pebbles’ are all tiny round pellet-shaped objects that are taped to the acupuncture point — often on the ear — to give ongoing acupressure. They do not penetrate the skin.Sometimes the wearer is instructed to press or gently stimulate the object a few times a day. Some of these objects are also magnetic. Press seeds are often small seeds of a type of Vaccaria plant — the seeds of the plant have natural irritant properties.
As these objects are all generally worn for a few days, care should be taken that dirt does not collect under or around the tape.
Last Reviewed: 07 November 2002
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