A mang needle is a specially made long needle, usually made of thin and elastic stainless steel wire. It is called a mang needle because of its slender shape, resembling a wheat awn. It is developed from the ancient "long needle," one of the nine needles, and comes in various lengths, such as 5 inches, 7 inches, 10 inches, and 15 inches. In clinical practice, the use of 5 to 8-inch long needles is more common, while the use of needles longer than 8 inches is less frequent.
Mang Needle
[Needling Technique]
The operation technique of the mang needle is relatively complex and requires the practitioner to have a good grasp of basic skills and deep anatomical knowledge of acupuncture points.
1. Insertion: First, locate the acupuncture point, disinfect the local skin, and hold the needle in the hand. Make the needle tip touch the acupuncture point and then use hand pressure, finger force, and wrist strength to quickly insert the needle through the epidermis.
2. Withdrawal: Slowly retract the needle towards the skin surface and gently remove it to avoid bleeding or pain. If there is bleeding after the needle is withdrawn, immediately press the bleeding site with a dry cotton ball and hold it still until the blood stops flowing.
[Applicable Scope]
The mang needle is mainly used for deep needling and subcutaneous transverse needling. Due to its long and deep insertion, it is particularly suitable for diseases that require deep needling, such as neuralgia, polyneuritis, paralysis, gastrointestinal diseases, as well as diseases related to the musculoskeletal system, mental system, and gynecology. Tube Needle: It is a small round tube made of metal or plastic, with a fine needle placed inside. The length of the tube should be slightly shorter than the selected fine needle. When using it, the left hand presses the tube on the acupuncture point, and the right hand flicks the exposed needle tail in the tube lumen to quickly insert the needle into the skin, and then remove the tube for further manipulation of the needle. This method can avoid the pain sensation during needle insertion.
