Click on the title “Health Preservation Path” to follow and learn more about health preservation knowledge.
Introduction
In many places today, it is difficult to experience authentic acupuncture therapy unless one visits a reputable TCM clinic like Guoyi Hall. Many people who have never encountered acupuncture may even think that the needles used are just sewing needles. The promotion of acupuncture treatment and culture is indeed very important, and today we will discuss the intriguingly named “Fire Needle”.
Fire Needle Technique
Editor-in-Chief: Zhang Lijian, Yang Jinsheng
The fire needle therapy involves using a specially made metal needle that is heated until red hot, quickly inserted into specific points, and then swiftly withdrawn. This technique aims to warm the meridians, dispel cold, invigorate blood circulation, and dissolve masses. The earliest records of fire needle therapy can be found in the “Huangdi Neijing” (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon), where it is referred to as “chuan ci” (焠刺) or “ran zhen” (燔针). In the “Shanghan Lun” (Treatise on Cold Damage), it is called “shao zhen” (烧针), and in the “Beiji Qianjin Yaofang” (Emergency Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold), it is referred to as “huo zhen” (火针). Since the Ming Dynasty, it has mostly been called “fire needle”. The fire needle is generally made of tungsten alloy, resembling a filiform needle but thicker than a regular filiform needle. Common techniques include point needling, dense needling, dispersive needling, and surrounding needling.
1. Indications
The fire needle combines the stimulating effects of acupuncture on the body’s vital energy with the warming and cold-dispelling effects of moxibustion. It has a wide range of indications and can be used for the treatment of bi syndrome (痛症), tendon and ligament diseases, and cold-related illnesses. Due to its relatively superficial needling, it also shows good efficacy for flat warts, stubborn eczema, various dermatitis, and skin diseases such as scrofula. However, due to the strong stimulation of this method, it is mostly suitable for individuals with robust constitutions, and caution is advised for the elderly or those with weak constitutions.
2. Procedure
Figure 1 (Taken at the Acupuncture Hospital of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences)
① Selection of Points and Disinfection: The selection of points for fire needle therapy follows the same basic principles as that for filiform needles, with points chosen based on the specific condition. However, it primarily focuses on yang meridians, especially the Governor Vessel (督脉), Bladder Meridian (膀胱经), Gallbladder Meridian (胆经), and Triple Burner Meridian (三焦经). Before the procedure, the selected acupoint must be disinfected with 0.5% iodine to prevent infection.
② Heating the Needle (Figure 1): Heating the needle is a critical step in the fire needle procedure. Before using the fire needle, it must be heated until red hot, which can be done using an alcohol lamp. When heating the needle, it is advisable to heat the needle body first, followed by the needle tip. Once both the needle body and tip are glowing red, it is ready for use.
Needling Depth: The depth of needling with the fire needle should be determined based on the patient’s condition, constitution, age, and the thickness of the muscle and depth of blood vessels at the needling site. Generally, for the limbs and lower back, a deeper insertion of 0.2 to 0.5 cun is appropriate; for the chest and back, a shallower insertion of 0.1 to 0.2 cun is recommended.
Figure 2 (Taken at the Acupuncture Hospital of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences)
④ Needling Operation: During the operation, hold the alcohol lamp in the left hand and the needle in the right hand. Aim the heated fire needle at the acupoint, quickly insert it, and then swiftly withdraw it (Figure 2). The needling action should be quick, with even force applied; the force should not be too strong, and the depth must be accurately controlled to reach the desired depth in one insertion. After needling, immediately apply pressure to the needle hole with a cotton ball or finger.
3. Precautions
① Fire needles should not be used in areas where major blood vessels or nerve trunks are located.
② Fire needles should not be used on the face, except for treating facial moles and flat warts.
③ Pregnant women and those menstruating should avoid applying magnetic patches on the lower back and abdomen. Those with pacemakers, low blood pressure, or extremely weak constitutions should avoid fire needle therapy.
④ Patients with severe diabetes or bleeding disorders should not use fire needles.
⑤ Individuals who are overly tense, hungry, fatigued, or intoxicated should not undergo fire needle therapy.
⑥ If redness or swelling occurs at the needling site after treatment, bathing should be avoided; if itching occurs, scratching should be avoided to prevent infection.
Featured Book
（↓ Due to fluctuations in the WeChat public account platform system, book information may sometimes not display. In such cases, you can click on “Read the Original” at the end of the article to learn more about the book.）
This book mainly introduces the historical origins, inheritance and development, basic theories, tools and models, technical methods, as well as the application for heritage and protection of TCM acupuncture, comprehensively showcasing the development and basic content of TCM acupuncture.
Link to purchase books from the TCM Academy——
Health Preservation Path
Copyright Statement
This article is excerpted from “Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture”, published by the China Traditional Chinese Medicine Press, edited by Zhang Lijian, Yang Jinsheng ◎ Chief Editor. The final interpretation rights belong to the original author.All images are copyright images of the publisher; please do not steal them.
For commercial cooperation or submissions: [email protected]
Click “Read the Original” to purchase books on the WeChat platform