The mào huǒ zhēn (Fire Needle) technique involves heating a disposable needle until it is red hot and then quickly inserting it into specific acupuncture points on the body. This method is a brilliant demonstration of the interplay between fire and needle, representing a development and extension within the realm of minimally invasive medicine in TCM. Over 2000 years ago, the Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine) referred to fire needles as “large needles” and “burning needles,” while the fire needle therapy was termed “cui ci”. The Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage) called fire needles “burning needles,” and the Jin Dynasty’s Xiǎo Pǐn Fāng (Minor Formulas) was the first to propose the name “fire needle.”
The mào huǒ zhēn is an advanced form of the fire needle technique, characterized by safety, painlessness, remarkable efficacy, rapid action, and minimally invasive properties. It is a fusion of fire needles and fine needles. The heat from the fire needle is intense and can be quite painful, making it difficult to tolerate. In contrast, the fine needle is less intense and has a weaker energy. If not manipulated properly, it lacks the ability to stimulate qi effectively. The mào huǒ zhēn avoids the pain associated with fire needles while harnessing their strength, and it also circumvents the weakness of fine needles by providing a painless experience, achieving the goal of alleviating disease and pain.
Functions of the Mào Huǒ Zhēn
1. BloodlettingAccording to the Huang Di Nei Jing: “When the blood is stagnant, it must be removed to restore circulation.” When a condition has persisted for a long time, leading to blood stasis that obstructs the flow of qi and blood, bloodletting can help to remove the stasis and promote new blood formation. Conditions such as varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, and abscesses caused by chronic blood stasis can be treated with mào huǒ zhēn.2. Adhesion ReleaseThe mào huǒ zhēn functions like a small surgical knife, replacing the need for a scalpel. It can be used to treat conditions such as frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, and lower back pain caused by local muscle adhesions.3. Itch ReliefIt has shown good efficacy for various difficult skin diseases such as neurodermatitis and psoriasis.4. Pain ReliefIt is highly effective for conditions such as bi syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, neck and shoulder pain, lower back pain, shingles, and postherpetic neuralgia.Contraindications for Mào Huǒ Zhēn1. The stimulation from mào huǒ zhēn is intense; it is contraindicated for pregnant women and the elderly or frail individuals.2. It is contraindicated for patients with hypertension, heart disease, or malignant tumors.3. Patients who are overly anxious or have mental illnesses should avoid it.
4. Patients with bleeding disorders should not use it.
Reviewed by: Qi Mingliang
Second Review: Chen WenyueThird Review: Shen Desen
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