Fire needle therapy, also known as Wēntōng (温通) method, is a commonly used acupuncture technique in clinical practice. During the procedure, a specific fire needle instrument is used, which is heated by igniting alcohol to make the needle tip red-hot. The heated needle is then quickly inserted into the acupuncture point on the body, achieving effects such as warming the meridians, dispelling cold, promoting blood circulation, and alleviating pain.
The operational procedures for “Fire Needle Therapy” are as follows:
(1) Determining the Acupuncture Points: In addition to directly needling the local lesion, whether selecting meridian points or locating tender points, it is essential to mark the chosen acupuncture points with a thumb nail in a “十” shape before disinfection to ensure the accuracy of the needling.(2) Disinfection: After determining the acupuncture points, first use a 2.5% iodine alcohol cotton ball to draw concentric circles around the acupuncture point, then use a 75% alcohol cotton ball to draw concentric circles to remove the iodine. The procedure can be performed once the alcohol has dried.(3) Heating the Needle: Ignite the alcohol lamp and determine the length of the needle to be heated based on the depth of needling. The needle must be heated until it is red-hot.(4) Inserting the Needle: When the needle is glowing red, it should be quickly and accurately inserted into the acupuncture point, and then swiftly withdrawn. This process takes approximately 1/10 of a second.(5) Retaining the Needle: Primarily using fast needling, most needles are not retained, while some may be retained for 1-5 minutes. For treating painful conditions with distal acupuncture points, the needle should be retained for 5 minutes.(6) Withdrawing the Needle: When withdrawing the needle, the practitioner should hold a disinfected dry cotton ball to wipe or press in case of bleeding or pus. When the fire needle reaches a certain depth, it should be withdrawn quickly to minimize patient discomfort and prevent the needle hole from enlarging, which could lead to small scars.(7) Post-Needling Care: Generally, no special treatment is required after fire needle therapy; simply pressing the needle hole with a dry cotton ball is sufficient. This helps to alleviate pain and protect the needle hole.Needling Techniques Based on Indications: Can be classified into meridian point needling, tender point needling, dense needling, surrounding needling, and dispersive needling.(1) Meridian Point Needling: Based on clinical manifestations, identify the meridian and apply fire needle therapy to warm the meridians, promote qi and blood circulation, strengthen the body, and expel pathogens. This is mainly suitable for internal medicine diseases, using fine and medium fire needles. The depth of insertion is generally shallower than that of fine needles.(2) Tender Point Needling: Locate the most prominent tender point at the lesion site and apply fire needle therapy to ensure smooth flow of qi and blood in the local meridians. This technique is suitable for muscle, joint, and various neuralgias, primarily using medium fire needles, with deeper insertion as appropriate.(3) Dense Needling: This method involves densely stimulating the local lesion with medium fire needles, with the density depending on the severity of the condition, typically spacing needles 1 cm apart. Sufficient heat is used to alter local qi and blood flow, promoting metabolism in the affected tissue. This method is mainly suitable for hyperplastic and keratinized skin conditions, such as neurodermatitis. Generally, medium fire needles are used, and the depth of needling should be moderate, ideally penetrating just through the diseased tissue and lightly touching the normal tissue; too shallow or too deep is not advisable.(4) Surrounding Needling: This technique involves needling around the lesion. The insertion points are primarily located at the junction of the lesion and normal tissue. Surrounding needling is mainly suitable for dermatological and surgical conditions, using medium fire needles, with a spacing of 1-1.5 cm between needles. The depth of needling should correspond to the depth of the lesion; deeper lesions require deeper needling, while shallower lesions require shallower needling. Sometimes, direct needling into the collateral vessels to induce bleeding can help remove stagnation and is beneficial for local redness and swelling.(5) Dispersive Needling: This technique involves dispersively needling the lesion area with fire needles. It is effective for treating numbness, itching, spasms, and pain. Generally, needles are inserted every 1.5 cm. Fine fire needles are preferred, with stimulation kept relatively shallow.
Classification of Needling Speed: 1. Fast Needling Method, 2. Slow Needling Method.(1) Fast Needling Method: This is the most commonly used fire needle technique, characterized by rapid insertion and withdrawal of the needle. “Fire Needle Therapy” primarily employs the fast needling method. Generally, the needle is inserted and withdrawn swiftly without pause, taking only 1/10 of a second. The heat from the red-hot needle stimulates the meridian qi, promoting qi and blood flow, and warming the meridians.“Fire Needle Therapy” primarily uses the fast needling method. The quick insertion and withdrawal is an advantage of fire needle therapy, making it time-efficient and minimizing patient discomfort.(2) Slow Needling Method: After inserting the fire needle into the acupuncture point or area, it is retained for a short period before withdrawal. The retention time is usually 1-5 minutes. During this time, various tonifying or draining techniques can be applied. The slow needling method is effective for expelling necrotic tissue, draining pus, and dispersing masses. It is mainly suitable for conditions such as lymphatic tuberculosis, tumors, cysts, and various necrotic tissues and abnormal proliferations.
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