Acupuncture embedding therapy is a method in which specially designed small needles are fixed in the skin or subcutaneous tissue of acupoints and left in place for a relatively long period of time. It is also known as intradermal needle therapy. Acupuncture embedding therapy provides a weak and long-lasting stimulation to the skin, adjusts the function of meridians and organs, and aims to prevent and treat diseases.
Acupuncture embedding therapy is commonly used for chronic and refractory diseases that require long-term needle retention, as well as for frequently occurring painful conditions such as headaches, dysmenorrhea, enuresis, insomnia, hypertension, and asthma.
Procedure of acupuncture embedding therapy:
① Needles
There are grain-shaped (millet-shaped) and press needle types (thumbtack-shaped). The grain-shaped (millet-shaped) needles are generally about 1 centimeter long, with a needle handle resembling a grain or a ring, and the needle body and handle are in a straight line. The press needle type (thumbtack-shaped) has a needle body about 0.2 to 0.3 centimeters long, with a ring-shaped handle, and the needle body and handle are in a perpendicular arrangement.
② Procedure
After disinfecting the skin of the acupoints, intradermal needles, forceps, and the skin at the needle insertion site, the needle insertion can be performed. For grain-shaped intradermal needles, the needle body is grasped with forceps and inserted horizontally into the skin, with the needle body buried 0.5 to 1 centimeter inside the skin, and then the needle handle remaining outside the skin is fixed with adhesive tape. For press needle-type intradermal needles, the needle ring is grasped with forceps and inserted into the acupoint, so that the ring-shaped needle handle lies flat on the skin, and it is fixed with adhesive tape. This type of needle is commonly used for ear acupoints.
③ Treatment course
Generally, the needles are left in place for 1 to 2 days in hot weather, and 3 to 7 days in cold weather. During the retention period, the needle insertion site should be pressed with the hand for 1 to 2 minutes every 4 hours or so to strengthen the stimulation and increase the therapeutic effect. However, it is not suitable to embed needles in joints, chest, and abdomen areas, and the treatment should be stopped if any abnormal conditions occur.
