Unique TCM Therapy---Acupuncture Shallow Needling Therapy

Author: Huang Boling
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-08-01
Features: The shallow needling therapy with filiform needles is a method that employs ordinary filiform needles to perform shallow punctures on the skin or subcutaneous tissue to achieve therapeutic effects. In ancient times, this needle technique was highly valued by many classical physicians, and the Neijing Suwen contains extensive records of it. The shallow needling methods described in the book have remained popular to this day. Today, various new shallow needling therapies have emerged in China, among which the most outstanding contributions to the shallow needling therapy with filiform needles should be credited to scalp acupuncture and wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy. These therapies have broken free from the framework where shallow needling was merely considered a supplement to deep needling therapy or was used in a limited manner depending on the individual, disease, or acupoints since the Huangdi Neijing. They have instead developed into a new needle technique that primarily focuses on shallow needling with filiform needles for treating various diseases. Although floating needle therapy and intradermal needle therapy have since emerged, the latter two require specialized needles and thus fall outside the scope of shallow needling with filiform needles discussed in this book. The shallow needling therapy with filiform needles described in this book is a broad interpretation of shallow needling with filiform needles, not entirely limited to wrist-ankle acupuncture or scalp acupuncture. It encompasses more body acupuncture therapies selected according to meridian pathways or divided into regions such as the neck, chest, abdomen, and back, as well as some special needle techniques that employ shallow needling with filiform needles.