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Definition of Bloodletting Therapy
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.
According to the patient’s different diseases, a three-edged needle or a thick and sharp needle is used to puncture specific acupuncture points or superficial blood vessels on the patient to release a certain amount of blood, achieving the purpose of treating diseases.
Functions of Bloodletting Therapy1Antipyretic Effect
In TCM, fever is mainly classified into two types: Yang excess heat and Yin deficiency heat. The antipyretic effect of bloodletting is applicable to the former.
Since Yang Qi excess inevitably leads to blood excess, bloodletting can reduce blood excess, thereby decreasing the evil heat in the blood vessels and normalizing the body’s Qi and blood.
2Analgesic Effect
TCM believes that “where there is flow, there is no pain; where there is pain, there is no flow.” This means that diseases with pain symptoms must have blockages in their meridians.
Bloodletting therapy can directly expel the stagnant evil from the meridians, adjusting the blocked situation, and once the meridians are unblocked, the pain can be immediately relieved.
Many acute diseases, such as acute gastroenteritis and acute bronchitis, have shown rapid and effective results with bloodletting therapy.3Detoxification Effect
The detoxification effect in TCM refers to the symptoms that arise when the body cannot resist toxic evils due to pathological conditions, such as “red thread carbuncles” caused by excessive toxic fire, and other symptoms caused by toxic evils.
Bloodletting can not only expel the invading toxic evils with the blood but also, more importantly, restore normal body functions through the effect of “regulating blood and Qi,” thus inhibiting the expansion and regeneration of the pathogenic evils.
4Heat-Draining Effect
TCM believes that internal heat disturbance can lead to various diseases, often manifested as irritability, limb pain and swelling, irritability, and even fever, confusion, and other symptoms.
Bloodletting therapy can directly expel the heat evil with the blood, applicable to various heat syndromes.
5Swelling-Reducing Effect
Swelling and pain are often caused by Qi stagnation and blood stasis, leading to obstruction in the meridians.
Bloodletting can directly eliminate the stagnant Qi and blood along with the pathogenic evils in the local meridians, promoting unobstructed meridians and achieving the purpose of reducing swelling.
6Itch-Relieving Effect
Itching is a manifestation of wind evil existing in the blood vessels, hence the treatment principle of “treating wind by first treating blood; when blood flows, wind naturally disappears.”
Bloodletting regulates blood and Qi, ensuring smooth blood flow, thus eliminating wind evil and achieving the effect of relieving itching.
7Numbness-Relieving Effect
Qi deficiency cannot lead blood to the extremities, or blood deficiency fails to nourish, often resulting in numbness symptoms.
Using fine needles to puncture the acupuncture points on the affected limbs to release a small amount of blood for treating numbness is guided by the theory of blood moving Qi, showing good results.
8Anti-Nausea Effect
Acute vomiting often belongs to excessive heat or liver Qi counterflow invading the stomach or food stagnation. Bloodletting can drain heat, pacify liver counterflow, and facilitate the downward movement of food stagnation in the intestines, thus calming nausea and stopping vomiting.
Methods of Bloodletting Therapy01Segmental Bloodletting Method
This method selects acupuncture points for bloodletting based on the location of the disease. For diseases occurring in the head, puncture the Taiyang (Sun) point; for diseases above the navel, puncture the Chize (Cubital) or Quxi (Curved Ditch) points; for diseases below the navel, puncture the Weizhong (Middle of the Knee) point. These points are located at superficial large veins and are suitable for puncturing; the “Lingshu: Nine Needles” states that the Taiyin, Jueyin, and Taiyang meridians are all blood-rich meridians. For those with excess blood, bloodletting is advisable, and the Taiyang point is an extraordinary point outside the meridian, effective for treating head and facial diseases, while Chize (Quxi) and Weizhong are connecting points, mainly addressing visceral diseases, hence their frequent use by practitioners.
During clinical practice, it is often necessary to combine other acupuncture points for puncturing. This method is mainly used for deeper diseases or visceral diseases, where there are both local main symptoms and accompanying systemic symptoms.
For example, for headaches with red and swollen eyes accompanied by fever, puncture the Taiyang point for bloodletting and puncture the Hegu (Joining Valley) point; for headaches and sore throat with fever, puncture the Taiyang point for bloodletting and puncture the Shaoshang (Lesser Shang) and Quchi (Pool at the Crook) points; for red, swollen, and painful breasts with fever, puncture the Chize point for bloodletting, combined with local hot compresses; for upper abdominal pain and vomiting with fever, puncture the Chize point for bloodletting and puncture the Zhongwan (Middle of the Abdomen) and Liangqiu (Beam Mound) points; for right lower abdominal pain with constipation and fever, puncture the Weizhong point for bloodletting and puncture the Zusanli (Three Mile) and Tianshu (Heavenly Pivot) points; for lower abdominal pain with purulent blood stools and fever, puncture the Weizhong point for bloodletting and puncture the Quchi and Tianshu points, etc.
02Meridian Following Bloodletting Method
This method is guided by the theory of “where the meridian passes, the treatment is applied” to perform bloodletting along a specific meridian or several meridians affected by disease. In clinical practice, the disease is categorized according to the meridian, and bloodletting is performed along the surface meridians, following the rules of meridian pathways and collateral channels.
This method is not limited to acupuncture points or painful areas but can also puncture superficial veins along the meridian pathways, “better to lose the point than to lose the meridian” refers to this.
For example: for acute low back pain occurring on both sides of the spine, it belongs to the obstruction of the foot Taiyang meridian, puncture the Weizhong point for bloodletting and puncture the most painful area of the lower back; for pain along the spine, puncture the Shenque (Spirit Gate) point for bloodletting and puncture the Qihai (Sea of Qi) and Taichong (Great Rushing) points; for wind-heat mastitis, sore throat, and difficulty breathing, puncture the Shaoshang point for bloodletting and puncture the Tianzhu (Heavenly Pillar) point; for vertex headache, dizziness, and eye swelling, puncture the Baihui (Hundred Meetings) and Taiyang points for bloodletting and puncture the Fengchi (Wind Pool) point, etc.
03Pattern Differentiation Bloodletting Method
This method is guided by the theories of organ differentiation, Qi and blood differentiation, and meridian differentiation to select acupuncture points and perform bloodletting.
For example: for women with dysmenorrhea, cold pain in the lower abdomen, with abdominal pain preceding menstruation, it is due to Qi stagnation and blood stasis, with obstruction in the foot three Yin meridians, puncture the Sanyinjiao (Three Yin Intersection) point for bloodletting, which benefits the liver and kidney and regulates the menstrual cycle, similar to the effect of the Siwu Decoction (Four Substance Decoction), puncture the Qihai point to regulate Qi, and moxibustion on the Guanyuan (Gate of Origin) point to warm the uterus, achieving the effect of regulating Qi and blood;
for skin itching and redness, belonging to heat in the blood, puncture the Sanyinjiao and Xuehai (Blood Sea) points for bloodletting to regulate blood, clear heat, and regulate menstruation, supplemented by puncturing the Quchi point to dispel wind and nourish the blood, puncturing the Shaofu (Lesser Palace) point to clear the heart and dispel heat;
for acute ankle sprains, due to local meridian Qi obstruction and blood stasis, puncture the Ashihole (Ah Shi point) and Taichong points for bloodletting to promote Qi and invigorate blood;
for carbuncles and boils, according to the saying “all pain and itching sores belong to the heart,” puncture the Quxi point for bloodletting to drain heat from the heart meridian, if accompanied by fever, combine with puncturing the Dazhui (Great Vertebra) and Quchi points. If the sore appears on the neck and back, combine with puncturing the Weizhong point for bloodletting to clear heat from the Taiyang meridian; if it appears in the hypochondrium, combine with puncturing the Yanglingquan (Yang Mound Spring) point for bloodletting to clear heat from the Shaoyang meridian; if it appears in the limbs, puncture along the meridian or the Ashihole point for bloodletting to drain meridian heat and detoxify.
04Local Bloodletting Method
This method applies bloodletting at the local site of the disease, either at acupuncture points or in localized areas, suitable for diseases that are limited and superficial.
For example: for swollen and stiff tongue, puncture the Jinjing (Golden Liquid) and Yuye (Jade Liquid) points for bloodletting; for toothache and gum swelling, perform bloodletting at the affected area, puncturing the Hegu point; for psoriasis with itching and scaling, use plum blossom needles to prick the local area for bloodletting, combined with cupping; for late-stage filariasis with “rubber leg,” puncture the affected leg in various directions for bloodletting, puncturing the Zusanli and Sanyinjiao points; for joint sprains and swelling, puncture the painful area for bloodletting, etc.
05Emergency Bloodletting Method
This method is specifically used for emergencies in critical conditions, with four main characteristics:
① At the extremities, or puncturing the twelve Jing points;
② At superficial large veins;
③ Puncturing extraordinary points outside the meridian;
④ Selecting the transport points of the Governing Vessel and Pericardium.
This method is highly stimulating, quick-acting, and has effects such as unblocking meridians, draining heat, and awakening consciousness.
For example, for syncope, puncture the Shixuan (Ten Diffusions) points for bloodletting and puncture the Renzhong (Human Center) point.
For stroke with closed syndrome, where the mouth cannot open, puncture the Taiyang, Quxi, and Weizhong points for bloodletting, or puncture the twelve Jing points, puncturing the Yongquan (Gushing Spring) and Laogong (Palace of Labor) points.
For snake bites, if on the upper limb, puncture the Quxi and Bayao (Eight Evils) points for bloodletting; if on the lower limb, puncture the Sanyinjiao and Bayinfeng (Eight Winds) points for bloodletting.
For heat stroke, puncture the Quxi and Shixuan points for bloodletting, puncturing the Yongquan point, etc.
Acupuncture Points Corresponding to Different Symptoms1Intracerebral Hemorrhage (Stroke)
For any bleeding, there must be coma, thus puncture the Yintang (Hall of Impression), Taiyang, Taichong, and Shizhi (Ten Fingers) points to release 1-5 drops of blood, which can promote early awakening and reduce the degree of hemiplegia. Remember: if a patient is in a coma 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. It is extremely difficult to treat. Therefore, promoting the patient’s awakening as soon as possible is a priceless secret technique; once the patient awakens, puncture the Dazhui, Quchi, and Weizhong points for bloodletting, and the patient is expected to recover.
2Neuralgia
If it belongs to gallbladder meridian pain (outer thigh pain), carefully examine the Yanglingquan (Yang Mound Spring) and Fenglong (Abundant Dragon) points for any visible blood vessels; if present, bloodletting often leads to recovery.
3Long Carbuncles and Boils
Puncture the heart point after bloodletting.
4Initial Stage of Conjunctivitis, Stye Not Yet Pus
Puncture the Taiyang point for bloodletting, squeezing 7-9 drops of blood, and squeezing 3-5 drops of blood from the middle toe of both feet; if bloodletting is done today, recovery can be expected tomorrow.
5Rheumatism
Puncture 3 inches beside the third, fourth, and fifth thoracic vertebrae for bloodletting, and significant effects can be seen; many severe cases can be cured in 1-2 sessions.
6Gastric and Duodenal Ulcers
Puncture the blue veins from the Neiting (Inner Court) to the Jiexi (Stream of the River) area, and puncture near the outer ankle for bloodletting. For gastric ulcers, find blood vessels within 0.5 inches above and 2.5 inches below the Jiekou (Mouth of the Stomach) point.
7Chronic Nephritis
(1) Puncture the Ruyou (Scholar’s Back) point for bloodletting; if yellow fluid is present, the patient will recover once the yellow fluid is gone.
(2) Around the kidneys.
(3) Puncture around the navel (do not puncture the center of the navel).
8Hepatitis Bloodletting
Puncture the Yangjiao (Yang Intersection), Zusanli, Quxi, Yanglingquan, and Sanyinjiao points.
9Cirrhosis with Ascites
Use the acupuncture points for hepatitis plus: Shenyu (Kidney Shu), Yaoyang (Lumbar Shu), and Jiekou (Mouth of the Stomach) points (0.5 inches above and 0.5 inches outside), and Gan Shu (Liver Shu).
10Effective Points for Hemorrhoids
(1) Chaojiao (Mouth Inside) point, find the white grain point; 1-3 sessions can lead to recovery.
(2) For red, swollen, and ulcerated anus, puncture the Weizhong point, and the pain will immediately reduce.
11Insomnia
(1) Shenmen (Spirit Gate), Xingjian (Walking Between), Zusanli.
(2) Dazhui, Shenda (Spirit Path), Zhongwan, puncture and then apply cupping.
12Cervical Spondylosis
Painful points, Tianzong (Heavenly Gathering), Jianzhen (Shoulder Needle), Quchi points.
13Chest Internal Injury
Puncture Dazhui, Jianjing (Shoulder Well), and then the injured area.
14Shoulder Periarthritis
Puncture the Shen Guan (Kidney Gate) point (1.5 inches below Yanglingquan), Quchi point, and see effects after one session.
15Acute and Chronic Throat Diseases
Puncture Dazhui, Erjian (Ear Tip), Yemian (Ear Back Vein), Shaoshang, Quchi, Taiyang, bloodletting will reduce pain.
16Impotence
(1) Puncture the Shen Shu (Kidney Shu), Fuliu (Returning Flow) for bloodletting, Guanyuan, and apply cupping on the Bladder Shu for 15 minutes.
(2) Puncture bloodletting at Sanyinjiao, Mingmen (Gate of Life), and apply cupping on Shen Shu, Xuehai (Blood Sea).
17Hypertension
Puncture the Taiyang, Dazhui, ear tip, Quchi points for bloodletting, and blood pressure will drop immediately; note: do not drink water within one hour after bloodletting, otherwise the effect will be poor.
18Asthma
Puncture the Dazhui, Pulmonary Shu, Fengmen (Wind Gate), Gao Mang (Thick Blind), Liexue (Intercostal) points for bloodletting. Middle Palace, Dazhui cupping for 15 minutes.
19Hyperlipidemia
Puncture the Dazhui, Taiyang, Yaoyang, Weizhong, Quchi points.
20Rheumatic Heart Disease
Puncture the Yangjiao, Quchi, Taiyang points.
21Otitis Media
Puncture the outer ankle joint for bloodletting.
22Epilepsy
(1) Puncture the Taiyang, Quxi, Weizhong, Yangjiao points.
(2) Puncture Shaoshang and Renzhong for bloodletting. Gan Shu, Dazhui cupping for 15 minutes.
(3) Find painful points at the lower part of the back of the neck and puncture the Neiguan (Inner Pass) point with plum blossom needles for bloodletting.
23Mental Illness
Puncture the Taiyang, Quxi, Weizhong, Shuchong (Shu Point), Yangjiao, Fenglong, Xinshu (Heart Shu) points for bloodletting and then apply cupping.
For diseases that have not healed after prolonged treatment, when all methods are ineffective, one should puncture the blood vessels at the ankles, elbows, wrists, and knees, where there are visible blood vessels, which may yield unexpected effects.
Note: Bloodletting should generally not be performed at night; it is best done in the late morning or noon. This method is not suitable for individuals with weak constitutions, pregnant women, and those with poor coagulation mechanisms. It is particularly emphasized that the technique should be steady, precise, and gentle, rather than too forceful, and bloodletting should not be excessive.
Note:All the prescriptions and formulas mentioned in this article are for reference and learning by professional TCM practitioners only and should not be used as prescriptions. Please do not use them blindly; this platform does not bear any responsibility for any consequences arising from this!
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