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Fire needle therapy,
also known as “burning needle” or “scorching needle,”
generally uses thicker stainless steel needles or specially made needle instruments,
such as those made from tungsten alloy.
This technique involves heating the needle until it is red hot,
and then quickly inserting it into the affected area or acupuncture point,
to achieve therapeutic effects.
As early as in the “Ling Shu: Official Needles,” it was recorded:
“Scorching needles are used to treat bi syndrome.”
1
Indications for Fire Needle Therapy
Fire needle therapy has the effects of warming the meridians and dispelling wind and cold. It is mainly used for bi syndrome, gastroptosis, epigastric pain, diarrhea, dysentery, impotence, scrofula, urticaria, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, pediatric malnutrition, as well as flat warts and moles.
Although fire needle therapy is beneficial, it is not suitable for everyone. Elderly and frail individuals, children, and pregnant women should use it with caution; those who are overly tense or intoxicated should avoid it; critically ill patients, such as those with severe organic damage to the heart, liver, or kidneys, and diabetic patients should also use it cautiously.
2
Typical Cases
1. Selection of Points and Disinfection:
The selection of points for fire needle therapy follows the same basic principles as for regular acupuncture. Points are chosen based on the specific condition. After determining the acupuncture points, appropriate positioning is necessary to prevent the patient from changing posture, which could affect the accuracy of point selection. The number of points selected should be minimal, but for solid conditions and young adults, slightly more points may be chosen. After selecting the points, thorough disinfection is required. The disinfection method should first use iodine tincture, followed by alcohol swabs to remove iodine, to prevent infection.
2. Heating the Needle:
Heating the needle is a critical step in fire needle therapy. The “Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Fire Needle” states, “Heat it over a flame until it glows red; this is effective. If it is not red, it cannot treat the disease and may harm the patient.” Therefore, the needle must be heated until red before use. A convenient method is to use an alcohol lamp to heat the needle, but there are drawbacks; some practitioners use a lighter and a disposable 5ml syringe (with a needle) for treating spinal injuries and pediatric cerebral palsy with effective results.
3. Acupuncture and Depth:
During acupuncture, the heated needle is quickly inserted into the selected acupuncture point and then swiftly withdrawn. Regarding the depth of insertion, the “Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Fire Needle” states:
“Avoid inserting too deeply, as it may injure the meridians; too shallow will not treat the disease, only affecting the middle ear.” The depth of fire needle insertion should be determined based on the condition, constitution, age, and the thickness of the muscle and depth of blood vessels at the insertion site. Generally, for the limbs and lower back, the insertion can be slightly deeper, about 2-5 fen (0.6-1.5 cm), while for chest and back points, it should be shallower, about 1-2 fen (0.3-0.6 cm). The Jiaji points can be inserted 3-5 fen (0.9-1.5 cm) deep.
3
Post-Treatment Precautions for Fire Needle Therapy
1. Caution should be exercised when applying fire needles to the face. The “Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Fire Needle” states: “Fire needles can be used on all parts of the body, except the face.” This is because fire needle treatment may leave small scars; therefore, except for treating small areas of vitiligo, moles, and flat warts on the face, fire needles are generally not used on the face. 2. Fire needles should also not be applied to areas with major blood vessels and nerve distributions. 3. After acupuncture, if there is redness or swelling that has not completely subsided, bathing should be avoided to prevent infection. 4. Fire needles should not be used for febrile conditions. 5. If there is itching at the acupuncture site, do not scratch with hands to prevent infection. 6. Needle hole treatment: If the needle is inserted 1-3 fen deep, no special treatment is needed. If inserted 4-5 fen deep, apply sterile gauze and secure it with adhesive tape for 1-2 days to prevent infection.
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Hospital Website: www.qhzlyy.com
Hospital Address: 166 Nanshan East Road, Chengdong District, Xining (Intersection of Huangzhong Road and Nanshan East Road)
Transportation Routes:
Option 1: Take bus routes 43, 71, 81, K1, K2 and get off at “Provincial Fifth People’s Hospital” stop.
Option 2: Take bus route 22 to the “Kangxi New Village” terminal, then walk south for 500 meters.
Option 3: Take bus routes 36, 85, 301 to “Dongchuan Jingyuan” stop and walk 1000 meters.
Health Hotline:0971-6361749
Contributed by the TCM Department