Long Needle Weight Loss Method: Clinical Application and Techniques of Specially Designed Long Needles

A long needle is a specially made long needle made of thin, flexible stainless steel wire. It is called a long needle because its shape resembles a wheat awn. It evolved from the "long needle," one of the nine ancient needles. It has the function of unblocking meridians and regulating the functions of the internal organs. Commonly used long needles are 5-8 inches long, but some are over 1 foot long. [Main Acupoints]Qihai, Guanyuan, Shuidao, Zhongwan, Tianshu, Daheng, Zusanli. [Additional Acupoints]For spleen and stomach heat accumulation, add Zhigou, Neiting, Quchi, Shangjuxu; for spleen deficiency with dampness, add Fenglong, Zhongwan, Yinlingquan; for qi stagnation and blood stasis, add Xuehai, Sanyinjiao; for spleen and kidney yang deficiency, add Taixi, Fuliu, Mingmen, Sanyinjiao. [Operation Method]When using long needles for treatment, the selection of acupoints should be "few but precise," generally only 1-2 main acupoints are needed.

The order of acupuncture points is from top to bottom. If a patient needs to adopt three positions, first needle the back, then the side, and then the abdomen. That is, first ask the patient to lie prone, then lie on their side, and finally lie supine. The long needle is relatively long, so it needs to be operated carefully. Do not be careless, or there may be dangers such as broken needles or nerve damage. The specific steps are as follows: (1) Needle insertion: Avoid pain when inserting the needle and try to achieve painless needle insertion. When performing the procedure in clinical practice, on the one hand, it is necessary to distract the patient's attention and eliminate their fear of acupuncture treatment. On the other hand, it is necessary to pay attention to whether the needles are qualified, whether the finger strength is strong, and whether the needle is used properly. When inserting the needle, first select the acupoint, disinfect the local skin, hold the needle with the piercing hand, and make the needle tip touch the acupoint. Then, use the pressing hand to cooperate, and use the finger strength and wrist strength to press and twist quickly through the epidermis. The manipulation of the needle should be quick when piercing the skin to reduce the patient's pain.

Twisting should be light and the amplitude should not be too large, preferably between 180° and 360°. (2) Twisting: When the needle reaches a certain depth, the twisting technique can be performed. During the insertion and withdrawal of the needle, the needle should always be in a rotating state under twisting. When twisting, it is necessary to twist lightly and slowly, alternating left and right; the twisting should be mainly done by the thumb and index and middle fingers, and should not be twisted in only one direction. If not, the needle is easy to entangle the muscle fibers, increasing the patient's pain. Twisting also has another meaning, that is, after inserting to a certain depth, the twisting action can play a certain role in tonification and sedation by combining different requirements of lightness, heaviness and speed according to certain rules. (3) Needling method: Use a 5-inch long needle to puncture the Qihai, Guanyuan, Shuidao, Tianshu, Daheng and Zhongwan acupoints 3.5 to 4 inches each.

Qihai, Guanyuan, and Shuidao acupoints are treated with the tonifying and rotating method, so that the needling sensation radiates upwards to the navel; Tianshu, Daheng, and Zhongwan acupoints are treated with the tonifying and reducing method, so that the needling sensation radiates locally; Zusanli acupoint is treated with a long needle inserted 1.5 to 2 inches, and the tonifying and rotating method is applied; Fenglong, Neiting, Zhigou, and Quchi acupoints are treated with the reducing and rotating method; Taixi, Mingmen, and Sanyinjiao acupoints are treated with the tonifying and rotating method, and the remaining methods are all treated with the reducing and rotating method. The needles are retained for 20 to 30 minutes, once a day, and 6 times constitute one course of treatment. (4) Needle removal: After the acupuncture treatment is completed, the needles should be withdrawn. The method is to slowly withdraw them towards the skin surface and then gently pull them out to avoid bleeding or pain. If blood rapidly overflows or sprays from the needle hole after the needle is withdrawn, it is because the needle tip has punctured a small artery. In this case, regardless of whether the tonifying or reducing method is used, a dry cotton ball should be pressed immediately at the point and left still for a moment until the bleeding stops.

The practitioner's attitude is even more important in the operation of filiform needle acupuncture. During the operation, one must be very focused and cautious, and the finger strength must be used well when holding the needle. During the operation, one must concentrate and pay attention to whether the needling technique is appropriate. During the needling process, one must closely observe the patient's reaction so that the patient can cooperate with the practitioner in the treatment. The practitioner must be conscientious and responsible, bold and meticulous, and focus on the manipulation technique. At the same time, one must pay attention to any problems that may occur during the treatment process to prevent fainting and other accidents. [Precautions] (1) If the patient is receiving filiform needle treatment for the first time, one should patiently introduce the general situation to him, advise him not to be afraid, and not to move his body position casually. And pay attention to selecting fewer acupoints and using a light technique. (2) For patients whose muscles are too tense and tough and difficult to insert needles, who feel pain every time they are needled, or whose skin is very loose, one must be extra careful when inserting needles.

(3) Do not abuse acupuncture treatment for acute diseases with unclear diagnoses, so as not to delay the condition. (4) Acupuncture treatment should be performed on patients who are too hungry, too full, drunk, too tired, or unable to cooperate under appropriate circumstances.