Introduction
The unique theory of collateral diseases in Dong’s acupuncture points posits that: “Chronic diseases must involve blood stasis,” “Severe diseases must involve blood stasis,” “Painful conditions must involve blood stasis,” and “Difficult diseases must involve blood stasis.” Many complex and difficult conditions are associated with blood stasis obstructing the flow of Qi. By locating the stasis in appropriate areas and performing bloodletting therapy, remarkable effects can often be observed. This article systematically introduces the clinical practical experiences of bloodletting therapy, purely sharing valuable insights.
Bloodletting therapy refers to a method of puncturing superficial veins with a three-edged needle to draw blood. It is also known as bloodletting therapy. This method does not strictly adhere to specific acupuncture points; the so-called points merely indicate approximate locations.
This method is particularly effective for all conditions primarily characterized by pain. Clinically, it has shown significant results for headaches, styes, conjunctivitis, cervical spondylosis, shoulder periarthritis, post-stroke hemiplegia, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, hypertension, hepatitis, cirrhosis, tonsillitis, appendicitis, and more.
The key to achieving therapeutic effects with this method is to draw a substantial amount of blood. The prerequisite for obtaining this blood is to ensure that the area is not your own; one must be confident in the puncture. Generally, after bloodletting, cupping is performed. For engorged veins, allow the blood to flow out freely until it naturally stops.
Bloodletting Technique
1. After identifying the blood point, use wrist strength to quickly puncture, aiming for 6-9 punctures per second.
2. For engorged vessels, a single puncture should yield blood, which will often spurt out; be prepared to avoid splattering.
Reactions After Bloodletting
1. 80% of patients feel relaxed and comfortable immediately after bloodletting, while 20% may experience increased pain. Those who feel increased pain tend to heal much faster than those who feel immediate relief.
2. If there is no sensation after 5-10 bloodletting sessions, further bloodletting is not advisable.
Timing for Bloodletting
1. For patients with inflammation or acute pain, bloodletting can be performed once a day; after alleviating symptoms, it can be done once every 3-5 days.
2. For chronic patients, it can be done every other day, and once effective, every 5-7 days. Cupping can be performed on the area after bloodletting for 15-20 minutes.
Contraindications for Bloodletting
1. Patients with significant bleeding or those prone to subcutaneous bleeding.
2. Severe heart disease.
3. 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, overly full, frightened, or excessively tense should not be treated.
6. For patients with liver disease, care must be taken not only during bloodletting (the same applies to any other treatment); do not let the blood come into contact with oneself or any wounds, as this could lead to infection.
Management of “Needle Sickness” Reactions
1. Immediately warm the patient’s Dazhui (Great Vertebra) point with your palm.
2. Pinch the Ren Zhong (Middle of the Human) and He Gu (Union Valley) points with your thumb.
3. Then press Nei Guan (Inner Pass), Yong Quan (Gushing Spring), and Tai Chong (Great Surge); if possible, have the patient drink a cup of warm sugar water or glucose immediately.
4. Have the patient lie down (with their head lower than their feet).
Diagnosis Based on Bloodletting
1. If the blood drawn is very light, it indicates inflammation or an early stage of illness. If the blood is dark and thick, it indicates chronic illness with blood stasis.
2. If pain decreases during the day after bloodletting but worsens at night, it indicates blood stasis, and another bloodletting session is necessary until relief is achieved.
Clinical Experience
The experiences of bloodletting in textbooks are highly effective and must be studied and applied diligently. The following experiences also yield good results.
1. Treatment for Patients with Cerebral Hemorrhage (Stroke):
Patients who have experienced bleeding are often unconscious; puncturing the Yin Tang (Hall of Impression), Tai Yang (Sun), Tai Chong (Great Surge), and the ten fingers to draw 1-5 drops of blood can help promote early awakening and reduce the severity of hemiplegia.
Remember: If a patient remains unconscious for more than 24 hours, the rate of hemiplegia is over 90%. If it exceeds 72 hours, the rate of hemiplegia sequelae is 100%, making treatment extremely difficult. Therefore, promoting early awakening is a priceless secret technique; once the patient awakens, puncture Dazhui, Qu Chi (Pool at the Bend), Wei Zhong (Middle of the Lateral), and bloodletting can lead to recovery.
2. Bone Nerve Pain
If it is related to the Gallbladder Meridian (pain on the outer sides of the thighs and calves), carefully examine the Yang Ling Quan (Yang Mound Spring) and Feng Long (Abundant Splendor) points for engorged blood vessels; if present, bloodletting often leads to recovery.
3. For Patients Prone to Boils and Carbuncles
Those who are prone to boils and carbuncles should undergo bloodletting at the Xin (Heart) point.
4. For Early Stage Conjunctivitis and Non-Purulent Styes
For early-stage conjunctivitis and non-purulent styes, puncturing the Tai Yang point to draw 7-9 drops of blood, and squeezing 3-5 drops from the tips of the second toes can lead to recovery by the next day.
5. Rheumatism
For severe rheumatism in the legs, puncturing 3 inches beside the third, fourth, and fifth thoracic vertebrae can yield significant effects; many patients with severe conditions have recovered after 1-2 sessions.
6. For Gastric and Duodenal Ulcers
Puncture the blue veins from Nei Ting (Inner Court) to Jie Xi (Stream Divide) and near the outer ankle to draw blood. For gastric ulcers, look for blood vessels within 0.5 inches above and 2.5 inches below the Tiao Kou (Opening of the Stomach) point.
7. Chronic Nephritis
(1) Bloodletting at the Ru Yu (Scholar’s Back) point can lead to recovery if yellow fluid is drawn.
(2) Around the kidneys.
(3) Bloodletting around the navel (do not puncture the center of the navel).
8. Bloodletting for Hepatitis
Puncture Yang Jiao (Yang Intersection), Zu San Li (Leg Three Miles), Qu Ze (Curved Marsh), Yang Ling Quan, and San Yin Jiao (Three Yin Intersection).
9. Ascites due to Cirrhosis
Use the acupuncture points for hepatitis plus: Shen Yu (Kidney Back), Yao Yu (Waist Back), and Tiao Kou (Opening of the Stomach) (0.5 inches above and below).
10. Effective Points for Hemorrhoids
(1) Chao Jiao (Mouth of the Mouth) point, find the white grain point; 1-3 sessions can lead to recovery.
(2) For swollen and ulcerated anal areas, bloodletting at Wei Zhong can reduce pain.
11. Insomnia
(1) Shen Men (Spirit Gate), Xing Jian (Walking Between), Zu San Li.
(2) Dazhui, Shen Dao (Spirit Path), Zhong Wan (Middle of the Stomach), followed by cupping.
12. Cervical Spondylosis:
Pain points, Tian Zong (Heavenly Gathering), Jian Zhen (Shoulder Needle), and Chi Ze (Cubital Marsh) points.
13. Chest Internal Injuries
For any internal injuries in the chest, bloodletting must be performed at Dazhui, Jian Jing (Shoulder Well), and then at the injury site.
14. Shoulder Periarthritis
At the Shen Guan (Kidney Gate) point (1.5 inches below Yang Ling Quan), bloodletting can yield immediate effects.
15. Acute and Chronic Throat Diseases
Dazhui, Er Jian (Ear Apex), Ear Back Vein, Shao Shang (Lesser Merchant), Qu Chi, Tai Yang; bloodletting can reduce pain.
16. Impotence
(1) Bloodletting at Shen Yu, Fu Liu (Floating Flow), Guan Yuan (Gate of Origin), and cupping at Shen Yu for 15 minutes.
(2) Bloodletting at San Yin Jiao, Ming Men (Gate of Life), and cupping at Shen Yu and Xue Hai (Sea of Blood).
17. Hypertension
Puncturing Tai Yang, Dazhui, Ear Apex, Ear Back Vein, and Qu Chi; bloodletting can lower blood pressure. Note: Do not drink water within one hour after bloodletting, as it may reduce effectiveness.
18. Asthma
(1) Bloodletting at Dazhui, Fei Yu (Lung Back), Feng Men (Wind Gate), Gao Mang (High Blind), and Lie Que (Broken Sequence).
(2) Zhong Fu (Middle Palace), Dazhui followed by cupping for 15 minutes.
19. Hyperlipidemia
Dazhui, Tai Yang, Yao Yu, Wei Zhong, and Qu Chi.
20. Rheumatic Heart Disease
Yang Jiao, Chi Ze, Tai Yang.
21. Pterygium of the Eye
Shao Ze (Lesser Cleft), Zhi Yin (Reaching Yin), Ear Apex, Dazhui; perform every other day for a ten-day course.
22. Otitis Media
Bloodletting at the outer ankle joint.
23. Epilepsy
Formula 1: Tai Yang, Qu Ze, Wei Zhong, Yang Jiao.
Formula 2: Shao Shang, Ren Zhong bloodletting; Shen Yu, Dazhui followed by cupping for 15 minutes.
Formula 3: Locate pain points at the lower part of the cervical vertebrae and puncture Nei Guan with a plum blossom needle to draw blood.
24. Mental Illness
Tai Yang, Qu Ze, Wei Zhong, Shu Chong (Transporting the Middle), Yang Jiao, Feng Long, Xin Yu (Heart Back); bloodletting followed by cupping.
25. Key Points for Back Diagnosis
The back should not have protruding blood vessels; if present, it indicates a pathological site. Patients with chronic illnesses will often have black moles on their backs.
The Secret of Bloodletting
For diseases that have not healed after prolonged treatment, when all methods seem ineffective, one should look for engorged blood vessels at the ankles, elbows, wrists, and knees to perform bloodletting, which may yield unexpected results. This is my personal experience.
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