The essence of Fire Needle Therapy (Hao Huo Zhen) is internal moxibustion, not acupuncture. Compared to traditional moxibustion, not only is the location of heat application different, but more importantly, the temperature of the heat applied is also different, leading to different effects.
Fire Needle Therapy requires the needle to be heated to a temperature of 600-800℃ for a few seconds before being quickly inserted into the acupuncture point, achieving the effects of unblocking meridians, invigorating qi and blood, and resolving stagnation.
Its essence is to use a fine needle as a carrier to deliver high thermal energy directly to the base of the acupuncture point, achieving a special strong stimulation akin to “internal moxibustion” with minimal pain, maximizing the potential of the acupuncture point to invigorate qi and treat diseases.
Effects of Fire Needle Therapy:
1. Pain Relief
It dispels cold and dampness, warms the meridians, promotes qi and blood circulation, and facilitates the movement of fluids, thus alleviating pain. This is the mechanism by which Fire Needle Therapy treats pain, particularly effective for cold syndromes, rheumatoid arthritis, and stubborn rheumatic diseases affecting the neck, shoulders, waist, and legs.
2. Itch Relief
By unblocking the meridians and promoting the smooth flow of qi, it dispels wind and alleviates itching. Fire Needle Therapy not only relieves pain but also effectively treats various skin diseases characterized by itching, such as neurodermatitis and psoriasis.
3. Alleviation of Numbness
Fire Needle Therapy promotes yang and aids in the transformation of qi, thus resolving numbness.
4. Relief of Spasms
By promoting the circulation of qi and blood and adjusting the meridians, it alleviates spasms. It is suitable for facial muscle spasms and late-stage spasms due to nerve paralysis. It can also stop diarrhea, strengthen the spleen, and resolve dampness, coordinating the stomach and intestines to stop diarrhea. Fire Needle Therapy is particularly effective for chronic enteritis causing bloating and diarrhea.
5. Cough and Asthma Relief
All symptoms caused by cold, such as cough and wheezing, can be treated with Fire Needle Therapy to warm the lungs and unblock lung qi.
6. Fire Clearing and Detoxification
It directs heat outward and is used for heat syndromes. Conditions such as shingles, erysipelas, mumps, and mastitis, which present with redness, swelling, and pain, can be effectively treated with Fire Needle Therapy.
7. Removal of Stasis and Suppuration
It promotes tissue regeneration and enhances qi and blood circulation, accelerating skin renewal. It is effective for certain skin diseases and stasis-related conditions, such as thrombophlebitis, acne, carbuncles, hemorrhoids, and elephantiasis.
8. Dissipation of Nodules
It aids in yang transformation, softens hard masses, invigorates blood circulation, and eliminates lumps. Conditions such as hemangiomas, lipomas, fibromas, warts, and moles, as well as ganglion cysts, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, and post-stroke sequelae can be treated with Fire Needle Therapy.
Case Study:
Patient Luo (pseudonym) frequently experienced neck pain, with pulling pain and numbness in the left upper limb, and significant restriction in neck movement. A CT scan of the cervical spine revealed a herniated disc at C4/5.
At the end of last year (2023), the patient was hospitalized in the “Day Ward” of our hospital’s TCM department for half a month, receiving pain relief and anti-inflammatory medications, as well as electroacupuncture and physical therapy, with no significant improvement. It was decided to treat him with Fire Needle Therapy.During hospitalization, Fire Needle Therapy was administered every three days. After three sessions of Fire Needle Therapy, the patient reported significant relief of symptoms in the left upper limb, with no noticeable pain or movement restriction in the neck.
Submitted by: Luo JiaxuanReviewed by: Education TeamSecond Review: Zeng FuqianThird Review: Shen Li