Fire Needle (Huo Zhen) is one of the nine needles, historically known as “Cui Ci” or “Ran Zhen”. It is a method that involves heating a specially made needle until it is red hot and quickly inserting it into acupuncture points (Shu Xue) to treat diseases. This technique has a long history, with references in the Huangdi Neijing – Ling Shu – Guan Zhen stating: “Cui Ci, when using the fire needle, can relieve obstruction.” The Qian Jin Yi Fang mentions that “for treating abscesses and painful scars, the needle must be extremely hot.” Previous studies have confirmed that fire needle therapy can treat over 120 diseases, with a notable spectrum of effective conditions including orthopedic, neurological, surgical, gynecological, dermatological, and otorhinolaryngological diseases. Its application in dermatology is particularly high, showing good efficacy in conditions such as herpes zoster, eczema, folliculitis, warts, pruritus, neurodermatitis, and vitiligo, with an overall effective rate exceeding 95%.
Mechanism of Fire Needle Technique
1. Chronic diseases can obstruct the meridians; fire needle can warm and assist Yang, support the righteous Qi, open the meridians, and expel evil, treating chronic skin diseases such as vitiligo (Bai Pian), alopecia areata (Ban Tu), and atopic dermatitis (Te Ying Xing Pi Yan);
2. Pain is often associated with cold; fire needle can warm the meridians, dispel cold, open the channels, and alleviate pain, corresponding to the pathogenic mechanisms of cold, pain, and stasis in skin diseases, such as treating herpes zoster and skin numbness;
3. Heat and toxic evils are the causes of skin diseases like abscesses and ulcers; fire needle can draw out heat, expel pus, dissolve masses, and promote tissue regeneration, effectively treating folliculitis and cystic acne;
4. “To treat wind, first treat the blood; when blood flows, wind will naturally dissipate”; fire needle can harmonize Qi and blood, invigorate blood circulation, expel wind, open the pores, and calm itching, showing excellent efficacy in treating pruritus and nodular prurigo.
TCM fire needle technique has a wide range of applications in dermatology and medical aesthetics, with main indications including: acute phase of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia, acne (Zhi Liao), alopecia areata, vitiligo, flat warts, common warts, plantar warts, corn, sweat gland tumors, nodular prurigo, chronic hypertrophic skin diseases, pruritus, erysipelas, and various other skin diseases.
TCM Fire Needle Treatment for Herpes Zoster
Herpes zoster is a common skin disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus infection. Some patients may experience postherpetic neuralgia after the skin lesions have completely resolved, with an incidence rate of 50% to 75% in patients over 60 years old. Fire needle can harmonize Qi and blood, open the meridians, and alleviate pain.
TCM Fire Needle Treatment for Pruritic Skin Diseases
Pruritus is a skin condition characterized solely by itching and secondary scratches and scabs. Studies have shown that fire needle can stimulate local blood vessel dilation through thermal stimulation, improve blood circulation, promote inflammation resolution, enhance skin repair, prevent scar formation, alleviate itching, and control the recurrence of lesions.
TCM Fire Needle Treatment for Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a primary, localized, or generalized skin and mucosal depigmentation disorder. Through fire needle therapy, the Yang Qi of the body can be invigorated, the functions of the internal organs can be regulated, Qi and blood can be activated, and the necessary nutrients can be supplied to the lesions, accelerating melanin production, effectively treating vitiligo.
TCM fire needle differs from ordinary acupuncture; the insertion and withdrawal of the needle occur within one second, so quickly that patients often do not feel pain, merely a sensation akin to a light insect bite. Therefore, the operator must have a high level of skill, achieving “fast” and “precise”!
TCM fire needle therapy shows a significant improvement in efficacy compared to simple medication, avoiding the risks of drug side effects, shortening treatment duration, simplifying the procedure, minimizing wounds, reducing pain, and enhancing patient compliance, achieving the expected clinical treatment goals.
Expert Introduction
Fan Hua
Department Head
Associate Chief Physician
First Renowned TCM Physician in Guigang City
Outstanding Physician in the Hospital
With over 30 years of clinical experience, proficient in both TCM and Western medicine for treating common, frequently occurring, and difficult skin diseases such as alopecia areata, acne, melasma, vitiligo, dermatitis, urticaria, herpes zoster, pruritus, psoriasis, and sexually transmitted diseases. Also skilled in using TCM and herbal medicine to treat chronic prostatitis, sexual dysfunction (impotence, premature ejaculation), and male infertility.
Member of the Dermatology Society of the Chinese Geriatric Health Medicine Research Association, Expert Group Member of the Guangxi TCM Aesthetic Quality Control Center, Standing Committee Member of the Dermatology and Venereology Society of the Guangxi TCM and Western Medicine Combined Association, and Standing Committee Member of the Male Health Society of the Guangxi TCM and Western Medicine Combined Association. He has led a research project on the clinical study of “Qibao Meiran Dan with Modified Treatment for Liver and Kidney Deficiency Type Alopecia” and won the third prize for the promotion of suitable technologies in Guangxi’s medical and health sector. He holds one national practical patent in dermatology and has published over 30 academic papers in medical journals, contributing to one academic monograph.
Dermatology Consultation Phone: 0775—423634
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丨Content Source: Mai Haifen
丨Editor: Lin Xiaoxin
丨Reviewer: Huang Shaoxian
丨Produced by: Office of Guigang City TCM and Western Medicine Combined Orthopedic Hospital
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