Bloodletting therapy, using a three-edged needle as the instrument, involves puncturing specific areas on the patient’s body to release a suitable amount of blood for therapeutic purposes.
Indications: It is mainly applicable for various excess conditions, heat syndromes, and pain syndromes. The puncture method is often used for high fever, convulsions, stroke coma, heat stroke, sore throat, and acute lumbar sprains; the dispersive puncture method is commonly used for erysipelas, abscesses, and traumatic bruising pain; the pricking method is frequently used for red and swollen eyes, erysipelas, hemorrhoids, etc. (see table). Bloodletting therapy points and their main indications are listed.
Bloodletting therapy targets local blood vessels, using the three-edged needle to puncture superficial vessels, promoting local qi and blood circulation, and achieving effects such as unblocking meridians, invigorating blood, clearing heat, reducing swelling, and alleviating pain.
Bloodletting therapy is a unique acupuncture treatment method in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It was one of the most commonly used treatment methods during the era of the “Huangdi Neijing” (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon), which even regarded bloodletting as the first choice for treating diseases and alleviating suffering. Depending on the patient’s condition, a three-edged needle or a thick, sharp needle is used to puncture specific acupuncture points or superficial blood vessels to release a suitable amount of blood for therapeutic purposes.
Effects of bloodletting therapy: It has a good bidirectional regulatory effect on the blood system.
Research shows that bloodletting therapy can promote metabolism, stimulate bone marrow hematopoiesis, accelerate metabolism, improve microcirculation and vascular function, facilitate the elimination of harmful substances from the blood, and ensure beneficial substances are timely replenished into the blood circulation, helping the body re-establish homeostasis and restore normal physiological functions. By improving microcirculation, it can also prevent excessive inflammatory responses and promote recovery from inflammation.
By observing the color of the blood sample, you can clearly understand your health status—what type do you belong to?
1. Dark black blood, resembling ink, indicates a long-standing illness, suggesting that blood stasis has persisted for a long time.
2. Blood mixed with water indicates rheumatism or liver disease.
3. Blood containing jelly-like mucus indicates damp-heat accumulation and long-standing stagnation.
4. Light-colored blood indicates inflammation or an early-stage illness. Purple-red blood indicates a new injury.
5. Blood resembling wash water indicates severe chronic dampness.
6. Clear watery blood indicates edema.
7. Presence of bubbles indicates heavy dampness.
8. Foamy liquid indicates wind pathogen.
9. A large amount of blood indicates a long illness duration.
10. A small amount of blood indicates a short illness duration or a deep-seated condition.
11. If, after cupping, you feel a rush of heat when reaching into the cup, it indicates heavy damp-heat.
12. Slow bleeding, even after multiple punctures, suggests qi deficiency and blood deficiency.
13. Light bleeding that does not coagulate easily indicates blood deficiency.
14. Blood that settles quickly and coagulates easily indicates qi deficiency.
Finger bloodletting, also known as minor bloodletting, is generally performed near the jing points or at various extremities where small red or purple blood vessels resembling hair threads are found, puncturing to release dark blood for treating diseases.
Clinical validation shows that minor bloodletting can resolve various difficult diseases. For example:
Case 1: Anxiety
Mr. Li, 33 years old, overweight, has been under immense work pressure for a long time, feeling anxious and restless, nearly on the verge of collapse. Upon meridian observation, stagnation was found near the Zhongchong (中冲) point on the dorsal side of the first segment of the middle finger, with small blue veins bulging. After puncturing, a significant amount of dark blood was released, and he felt refreshed, with his condition improving significantly. A disposable blood collection needle can be used instead of a three-edged needle.
Case 2: Ulceration in the nostril
Mr. Ji, 36 years old, has had small ulcers in the right nostril that worsen every winter, persisting for many years, causing unbearable pain and recurring despite various treatments. Meridian examination revealed several small red blood vessels at the hidden white (隐白) and Dadu (大敦) points on the right big toe. After puncturing, dozens of drops of dark blood were released, and the ulcer healed the next day, with no recurrence for two years.
Case 3: Oral ulcers
Mr. Zhao, 50 years old, robust physique, busy with work and socializing, often experiences heat, prefers cold and fears heat, suffering from oral ulcers on the tongue every summer, with recurrent hoarseness. Meridian examination revealed numerous small red blood vessels near the jing point (井穴) of the big toe. After several punctures for bloodletting, significant improvement was noted. He has not experienced significant heat-related ulcers in recent years. Additionally, after puncturing and bleeding at the back, his hoarseness also improved.
Case 4: Increased vaginal discharge
Ms. Gou, experiencing abnormal increased vaginal discharge, could not be cured despite various treatments. Meridian examination revealed several prominent red blood vessels around the Liyin (厉兑) point on the second toe. After a small amount of blood was released through puncturing, her symptoms improved, and after another release a week later, she was clinically cured.
Case 5: Sensitivity and suspicion
Mr. Qian, 26 years old, suffers from nervous sensitivity and suspicion, often suspecting others of having malicious intentions or plotting against him. His eyes appeared overly bright and exposed. Examination revealed a bulging, angry blood vessel near the upper segment of the ear, close to the Shenmen (神门) point. After puncturing, a large amount of stagnant blood was released, and his eyes returned to a calm state, with significant improvement in his suspicion.
As the saying goes, “When the disease comes, the point should be clear; when the disease goes, the point should be hidden.” After the disease is resolved, the corresponding stasis will gradually disappear. If the disease does not resolve, puncturing can be done every three days until recovery, with each puncture stopping when fresh blood is released, as excessive bleeding is not beneficial.
Precautions for bloodletting:
1. Bloodletting technique
① After identifying the blood point, quickly puncture with wrist strength, aiming for 6-9 punctures in one second.
② For prominent blood vessels, one puncture should yield blood, which usually gushes out, so be prepared to avoid splattering.
2. Reactions after bloodletting
① 80% of patients feel relaxed and comfortable after bloodletting, while 20% may experience increased pain. Those who feel increased pain tend to heal faster than those who feel immediate relief.
② If there is no sensation after 5-10 bloodletting sessions, further bloodletting is not advisable.
3. Timing of bloodletting
① For inflammation and acute pain patients, bloodletting can be done once a day, and after alleviating symptoms, every 3-5 days.
② For chronic patients, every other day, and after seeing results, every 5-7 days. Bloodletting can be performed after cupping for 15-20 minutes.
4. Contraindications for bloodletting
① Patients with significant bleeding or those prone to subcutaneous bleeding.
② Severe heart disease.
③ Patients with sexually transmitted diseases, skin diseases, or skin ulcers.
④ Pregnant women or those menstruating, and patients with leukemia should not undergo bloodletting.
⑤ Patients who are overly hungry or full, frightened, or excessively tense should not be treated.
⑥ For liver disease patients, bloodletting should be approached with caution (as with any other treatment); avoid contact with the blood, especially on wounds, to prevent transmission.
5. Treatment for “needle fainting”
① Immediately warm the patient’s Dazhui (大椎) point with your palm.
② Pinch the Renzhong (人中) and Hegu (合谷) points simultaneously.
③ Press Neiguan (内关), Yongquan (涌泉), and Taichong (太冲); if conditions allow, have the patient drink a cup of warm sugar water or glucose water immediately.
④ Immediately have the patient lie down (with the head lower than the feet).
6. Diagnosis through bloodletting
① Light-colored blood indicates inflammation or an early-stage illness. Blood mixed with water indicates rheumatism or liver disease, while dark blood indicates a long-standing illness with blood stasis.
② If pain decreases during the day after bloodletting but worsens at night, it indicates blood stasis, necessitating another puncture until relief is achieved.
The above is for reference only; non-professionals should not perform these procedures.
Appendix: Bloodletting Therapy for 24 Difficult Diseases
1. Cerebral hemorrhage (Stroke):
Refers to non-traumatic bleeding caused by the rupture of blood vessels within the brain, accounting for 20%-30% of all strokes, with an acute mortality rate of 30%-40%. The main causes are related to cerebrovascular diseases: hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, vascular aging, smoking, etc.
Patients with bleeding will inevitably be comatose; thus, puncturing the Yintang (印堂), Taiyang (太阳), Taichong (太冲), and all ten fingers to release 1-5 drops of blood can help them regain consciousness sooner and reduce the severity of hemiplegia. If a patient is comatose for more than 24 hours, the rate of hemiplegia is over 90%. If it exceeds 72 hours, there is a 100% chance of hemiplegic sequelae, making treatment extremely difficult. Therefore, early awakening is a priceless secret technique; once the patient regains consciousness, puncturing Dazhui, Quchi, Weizhong, and bloodletting offers hope for recovery.
2. Neuralgia:
Pain in the gallbladder meridian (outer thigh and calf pain) should be examined for blood vessels around the Yanglingquan (阳陵泉) and Fenglong (丰隆) points. If present, bloodletting often leads to recovery.
3. Long-standing boils and abscesses:
Abscess:Red, swollen, hot, and painful, shallow and large, easy to resolve if not yet pus-filled, but difficult to heal if pus has formed. Caused by heat toxin and qi-blood stagnation.
Carbuncle:Chronic swelling without a head, unchanged skin color, unclear borders, little heat and pain, difficult to resolve if not yet pus-filled, but hard to heal if pus has formed. Caused by cold evil stagnating qi and blood.
Boil:Initially like a grain, deep-rooted and small, needle-like in shape, white at the top and painful. Caused by evil toxins invading and qi-blood stagnation.
Furuncle:Superficial and localized, small and round, red, swollen, and mildly painful, easy to rupture and heal, recurrent. Caused by damp-heat accumulation.
Abscesses, carbuncles, boils, and furuncles are four types of surgical conditions occurring on the body surface. Bloodletting is performed at the Xin (心) point.
4. Early-stage conjunctivitis, stye before pus formation:
Puncture the Taiyang point to release 7-9 drops of blood, and puncture the tips of the second toes to release 3-5 drops of blood; this can lead to recovery by the next day.
5. Severe leg rheumatism:
A group of diseases primarily affecting joints, bones, muscles, blood vessels, and related soft or connective tissues, most of which are autoimmune diseases. The onset is often insidious and slow, with a long course and a genetic tendency. Diagnosis and treatment are challenging.
Puncturing 3 inches beside the third, fourth, and fifth thoracic vertebrae can yield significant effects; many severe cases can be cured in 1-2 sessions.
6. Gastric and duodenal ulcers:
These are very common diseases characterized by localized round or oval defects in the gastric and duodenal walls. Patients experience periodic upper abdominal pain, acid reflux, and belching. This condition is prone to recurrence and has a chronic course.
Puncturing the blue veins from the Neiting (内庭) to the Jiexi (解溪) points and near the outer ankle can release blood. For gastric ulcers, blood vessels should be sought within 0.5 inches above and 2.5 inches below the Tiaokou (条口) point.
7. Chronic nephritis:
Characterized by proteinuria, hematuria, hypertension, and edema as the basic clinical manifestations, with varying onset patterns, prolonged course, and slow progression, potentially leading to varying degrees of renal function decline and ultimately chronic renal failure.
① Bloodletting at the Shenshu (肾俞) point can resolve yellow fluid; once the yellow fluid is gone, the patient will recover.
② Around the kidneys.
③ Bloodletting around the navel (do not puncture the center of the navel).
8. Hepatitis bloodletting:
Usually refers to liver cell damage caused by various pathogenic factors—such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, chemical toxins, drugs, alcohol, and autoimmune factors—resulting in a series of discomfort symptoms and abnormal liver function indicators.
Puncturing Yangjiao (阳交), Zusanli (足三里), Quze (曲泽), Yanglingquan (阳陵泉), and Sanyinjiao (三阴交).
9. Liver cirrhosis with ascites:
A common chronic progressive liver disease caused by one or more factors leading to diffuse liver damage. In China, most cases are post-hepatitis cirrhosis, with a smaller portion being alcoholic or schistosomiasis-related cirrhosis. Late-stage complications often include upper gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, secondary infections, splenomegaly, ascites, and cancer.
Using hepatitis points plus:Shenshu, Yaoyang (腰俞) points, Tiaokou (条口) point (0.5 inches above and outside), and Ganshu (肝俞).
10. Hemorrhoids special points:Commonly located at the anal area, this condition can occur at any age, but the incidence gradually increases with age.
① Wanjiao (龊交) point (located at the junction of the upper gum and upper lip); find the white granule point, and it can be cured in 1-3 sessions.
② For red, swollen, and ulcerated anal areas, puncturing Weizhong (委中) can alleviate pain.
11. Insomnia:
Refers to the inability to fall asleep or maintain sleep, leading to insufficient sleep. Also known as sleep onset and maintenance disorders, it is caused by various factors leading to difficulty falling asleep, shallow or infrequent sleep, early waking, and insufficient or poor-quality sleep, making it a common condition.
Insomnia often brings significant suffering and psychological burden to patients, and the misuse of sleeping pills can harm other aspects of health.
① Shenmen (神门), Xingjian (行间), and Zusanli (足三里).
② Dazhui, Shendao (神道), and Zhongwan (中脘) can be punctured, followed by cupping.
12. Cervical spondylosis:
Pain points at Tianzong (天宗), Jianzheng (肩贞), and Chize (尺泽) points.
13. Chest internal injuries:
Puncturing Dazhui, Jianjing (肩井), and then the injury site.
14. Shoulder periarthritis:
Kidney point (1.5 inches below Yinlingquan (阴陵泉)), Chize point; one session can yield results.
15. Acute and chronic throat diseases:
Dazhui, Erjian (耳尖), and Quchi (曲池) points; bloodletting can reduce pain.
16. Impotence:
① Shenshu, Fuliu (复溜) for bloodletting, Guanyuan (关元), and Shenshu with cupping for 15 minutes.
② Bloodletting at Sanyinjiao, Mingmen (命门), and cupping at Shenshu, Xuehai (血海).
17. Hypertension:
Taiyang, Dazhui, Erjian, Quchi; bloodletting can lower blood pressure immediately. Note: Do not drink water within one hour after bloodletting, as it may reduce effectiveness.
18. Asthma:
Dazhui, Feishu (肺俞), Fengmen (风门), Gaomang (膏盲), and Lieque (列缺) for bloodletting. Zhongfu (中府), Dazhui with cupping for 15 minutes.
19. Hyperlipidemia:
Dazhui, Taiyang, Yaoyang, Weizhong, and Quchi.
20. Rheumatic heart disease:
Yangjiao, Chize, and Taiyang.
21. Eye pterygium:
Shaoze (少泽), Zhiyin (至阴), Erjian, Dazhui; every other day for a ten-day course.
22. Otitis media:
Bloodletting at the outer ankle joint.
23. Epilepsy:
① Taiyang, Quze, Weizhong, Yangjiao.
② Shaoshang (少商), Renzhong for bloodletting. Ganshu, Dazhui with cupping for 15 minutes.
③ Locate pain points at the lower part of the cervical vertebrae and Neiguan, using a plum blossom needle for bloodletting.
24. Mental illness
Taiyang, Quze, Weizhong, Taichong, Yangjiao, Fenglong, and Xinshu; bloodletting followed by cupping.
The secret of bloodletting:
For diseases that have not healed after prolonged treatment, when all methods are ineffective, bloodletting can be performed on the blood vessels at the ankles, elbows, wrists, and knees, which may yield unexpected results.
Bloodletting should generally not be performed at night; it is best done around noon. Non-professionals are prohibited from performing this!
Precautions:
When clinically using bloodletting therapy, the following points should be noted:
① Local skin and needles must be strictly disinfected to prevent infection.
② Familiarity with anatomical locations is essential to avoid injuring deep arteries.
③ Generally, for patients with lower limb varicose veins, smaller veins should be selected, and bleeding should be controlled. For severe lower limb varicose veins, bloodletting is not advisable.
④ During puncturing and dispersive puncturing, the needle should be shallow, and the technique should be quick, with bleeding not being excessive.
⑤ Close observation of the patient’s reactions is necessary for timely management. If a hematoma occurs, blood can be expressed with fingers or cupped out. If it does not subside, hot compresses can be used to promote absorption. If an artery is accidentally punctured, apply pressure with a cotton ball to stop the bleeding or use other hemostatic methods.
⑥ Patients with deficiency syndromes, postpartum, or those with a tendency for spontaneous bleeding or persistent bleeding after injury should not undergo bloodletting.
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