Lingnan Fire Needle Therapy
Fire Needle, also known as Bai Zhen (White Needle) or Shao Zhen (Burning Needle), has a history of thousands of years, originating after the maturity of smelting technology. The earliest medical text in China, the Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon), contains records of fire needles. “The Yellow Emperor was commanded to create the nine needles,” and the fire needle originates from the ‘big needle’ among the nine needles, which involves heating specially made needles until red-hot and quickly inserting them into acupoints to treat diseases.
Effects of Lingnan Fire Needle Therapy
Lingnan Fire Needle Therapy is based on the core theories of “warming, unblocking, supplementing, clearing, and eliminating.” It uses metal needles made of manganese alloy, heated until red-hot, and quickly inserted into acupoints as an external treatment method in TCM. This therapy harnesses the power of fire to achieve effects similar to those of fine needles stimulating qi and moxibustion warming yang to dispel cold, often yielding remarkable results in clinical practice.
The principles can be summarized as:
1. Using fire to assist yang: Utilizing heat to stimulate qi through acupoints and meridians, warming and strengthening yang qi, which is the foundation of fire needle therapy.
2. Opening doors to expel pathogens: By cauterizing the skin and acupoints, it opens the external pathways of the meridians, allowing pathogens such as pus, blood stasis, dampness, phlegm, and the six excesses to exit, thus addressing the root cause of the disease.
3. Using heat to draw out heat: By opening the external pathways with fire, toxins can be expelled, which is essential for treating the disease at its source.
Through these actions, the therapy aims to warm and strengthen yang qi, promote tissue regeneration, dispel cold and dampness, relieve wind and itching, eliminate stasis and pus, reduce swelling, alleviate pain, and clear heat, drain fire, and detoxify.
Indications for Lingnan Fire Needle Therapy
The Suwen (Plain Questions) states: “If the disease is in the tendons, adjust the tendons; if in the bones, adjust the bones; fire needles can be used to stimulate.” It mentions four indications for fire needles: Bi syndrome, cold syndrome, tendinopathy, and bone diseases. In modern clinical practice, fire needles are widely used across various departments including internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, dermatology, and otorhinolaryngology, demonstrating rapid effects and high efficacy.
Surgery: Acute mastitis, mammary hyperplasia, thromboangiitis obliterans, lower limb varicose veins, multiple plantar warts, etc.;
Orthopedics: Cervical spondylosis, stiff neck, ankylosing spondylitis, supraspinous ligament injury, myofascial pain syndrome, lumbar disc herniation, chronic lumbar strain, shoulder periarthritis, etc.;
Dermatology: Warts, eczema, herpes zoster, vitiligo, neurodermatitis, etc.;
Internal Medicine: Bronchitis, chronic gastritis, migraine, facial nerve inflammation, facial muscle spasms, sciatica, trigeminal neuralgia, etc.;
Gynecology and Andrology: Dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, vulvar leukoplakia, male prostatitis, etc.;
Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology: Such as hordeolum (meibomian gland inflammation), acute conjunctivitis, rhinitis, chronic pharyngitis, oral ulcers, etc.
Lingnan Fire Needle Procedure
After routine disinfection of the local area, apply Wan Hua oil, heat the medium-sized fire needle until bright white, and quickly insert it into the Ah Shi point to a depth of 0.3 to 1 inch. After needle insertion, keep the needle hole dry for 48 hours. Use fine fire needles for shallow punctures 3 to 5 times at the paired acupoints.
Post-Needling Care for Lingnan Fire Needle Therapy
Precautions
1
Before and after needle insertion, a thin layer of Wan Hua oil can be applied to reduce pain and protect the needle hole.
2
The needle holes from fire needles are small and generally do not leave scars, except for those with scar constitution. Redness, pain, and itching at the needle holes after fire needle therapy are normal; avoid scratching, and refrain from consuming fish, seafood, and cold foods. Keep the needle holes dry to prevent infection.
3
If the needle holes become red, swollen, or purulent, seek medical attention promptly.
Contraindications for Lingnan Fire Needle Therapy01
Do not use fire needles on individuals who are excessively hungry, fatigued, or mentally stressed.
02
Patients with hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, or low immunity should use fire needles with caution.
03
Pregnant women and those menstruating should avoid fire needle therapy.
04
Individuals with hemophilia or bleeding tendencies should avoid fire needles.
05
Use fire needles cautiously around major blood vessels and vital organs.
Warm Reminder
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