Fire needle therapy is an ancient acupuncture treatment method found in the treasure trove of traditional Chinese medicine, widely circulated among the people and with a long history. It has unique efficacy in treating difficult diseases. Fire needle (Huo Hao Zhen) therapy, also known as “chuan ci” or “shao zhen,” involves heating a needle until it is red-hot and then quickly piercing it into the affected area or acupuncture point to treat diseases.
The desire to be beautiful is universal. Due to the unique nature of fire needle therapy, patients often experience a certain level of fear, frequently asking questions like, “When will my acne disappear?” and “Will there be scarring?” Our dermatology department utilizes fire needle therapy for skin diseases with unique advantages, especially in treating acne and flat warts. As an important component of traditional Chinese medicine, fire needle therapy is characterized by a short treatment course, good efficacy, simple operation, and minimal side effects. Fire needle therapy for acne has the effects of opening the door to expel evil, smoothing the superficial meridians’ qi and blood, and softening and dispersing nodules, while directly acting on the local area to expel inflammatory substances from the sebaceous glands and promote the resolution of inflammation.
Panlong Needle
Comparison Before and After Fire Needle Treatment for Flat Warts in Dermatology
Comparison Before and After Fire Needle Treatment for Acne1Indications
1. Diseases of skin appendages, such as: acne (all types can be treated), hormone-dependent dermatitis of the face, rosacea, chloasma, etc.;
2. Viral skin diseases: herpes zoster and its postherpetic neuralgia, warts, etc.
3. Itching and stubborn skin diseases, such as eczema, nodular prurigo, neurodermatitis, cutaneous amyloidosis, palmoplantar pustulosis, lichen planus, vitiligo, etc.;
2Contraindications
① Fire needle stimulation is intense; it is contraindicated for pregnant women and the elderly or weak individuals.
② Those with heat syndrome and local redness and swelling should not use it.
③ Contraindicated for patients with hypertension, heart disease, malignant tumors, etc.
④ Diabetic patients should use it with caution; patients with bleeding tendencies such as hemophilia should avoid it. Caution is advised for large blood vessels and important organ areas, and bathing is not recommended within one day after treatment.
33Advantages of Fire Needle Therapy
(1) Immediate Effect of Fire Needle Therapy
The stimulation of fire needles at acupuncture points involves physical mechanical stimulation, thermal stimulation, and physiological aseptic burn stimulation. The combination of these three enhances the intensity and duration of the stimulation. Fire needle therapy utilizes the power of “fire” to open the meridians, invigorate the qi, and disperse dampness and cold through warmth. For example, when needling at an acupuncture point, there is no need for lifting, thrusting, or twisting; the qi will come naturally, and the needle can be withdrawn immediately, leaving the sensation of the needle still in the point, with the qi lingering and the sensation of the needle unbroken, resulting in immediate efficacy. For instance: fire needle treatment for flat warts and acne on the face heals quickly, disappearing within a week without scarring; fire needle stops pain immediately upon withdrawal, with rapid efficacy.
(2) Fire Needle Therapy is Painless, Safe, and Quick
Painless: Compared to other methods, coarse fire needles can be painful, and moxibustion can cause prolonged pain, while fire needles cause minimal pain that dissipates instantly, and leaving the needle in place is also painless. Anyone who can tolerate injections can accept fire needles.
Safe: Fire needles are short and small, allowing for controlled depth of insertion, and the burning process ensures thorough disinfection, providing reliable safety for treatment.
Quick: Treating a patient often takes only three to five minutes, with immediate visible effects. It is safe, painless, time-saving, and efficient. Patients feel discomfort but not pain, and practitioners work without excessive effort.
Our dermatology department has been conducting fire needle therapy since 2013, achieving good clinical results. Fire needle therapy is simple, convenient, cost-effective, and effective. With in-depth research into its mechanisms, the application of fire needles will become increasingly widespread.
Location: Dermatology Department, Second Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine (3rd Floor Outpatient)
Working Hours: 8:00-12:00 14:30-17:30 (Open on weekends)
Consultation Hotline: 0731-84917732