Neck needle therapy is a method of treating diseases by puncturing acupoints in the neck with needles. The neck is closely connected to the twelve meridians. The Ling Shu, which discusses the meridians, tendons, and branches, as well as the Nan Jing, mention the connection between the bladder and the foot taiyang meridian, which goes from the crown to the brain and then branches out from the lower neck; the foot yangming meridian, which branches up to the head and neck; the foot taiyang meridian, which branches out from the upper neck; the hand taiyang tendon, which runs along the neck; the hand yangming tendon, which goes straight from the shoulder to the upper neck; the foot shaoyang meridian, which runs along the neck; the foot shaoyin meridian, which starts at the root of the tongue and branches out from the neck; and the governor vessel, which starts at the lower extremity and runs up the spine to the fengfu point and enters the brain. Through these meridian connections, the neck is closely linked to the internal organs, and needling the acupoints can regulate the functions of the organs and meridians to achieve therapeutic effects. The Ling Shu's "Ben Shu" section describes the use of acupuncture on the neck at points such as Renying, Futu, Tianchuang, Tianyou, Tianzhu, and Fengfu to treat various diseases. Huangfu Mi's "Jia Yi Jing" from the Jin Dynasty also mentions using acupuncture on points like Futu and Renying to treat coughing and asthma, and using acupuncture on Lianquan to treat hoarseness, among others.
【Operational Method】
1. Location of acupoints
Take three acupoints in the middle of the neck: Yamun, Fengfu, and Xiaonaohu (located below the occipital protuberance, about 1 inch above Fengfu), and divide the area from the side of Fengfu point to the occipital bone into six equal parts along the lower edge of the skull, with one acupoint every one part distance, for a total of 15 acupoints on both sides of the neck.
2. Principles of needle placement
Neck needle therapy is a multi-needle acupuncture method, and all 15 acupoints are usually needled.
3. Procedure
Use a 5cm (1.5 inch) long, 28 or 30 gauge stainless steel acupuncture needle. Except for slightly downward insertion at the Xiaonaohu acupoint, insert the needle into the other acupoints perpendicular to the skin. The method of insertion is usually lifting, inserting, twisting, and rotating the needle, with a depth of about 1 inch. Insert the needle until there is a sour or numb feeling, leaving it in place for 20 to 30 minutes.
【Indications】
It is used to treat post-stroke complications, tremors and paralysis, epilepsy, hypertension, neurasthenia, migraines, insomnia, colds, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and other diseases.
Use the neck needle therapy with all 15 acupoints.
【Precautions】
Due to the proximity of the neck acupoints to the medulla oblongata, caution should be exercised during the procedure, and deep insertion should be avoided.
