(1) Puncturing Zhongshu (CV 7)

Point: Zhongshu (CV 7).

Technique: Puncturing a one-cun needle into the point as deep as 0.5 to 0.8 cun with even technique and retaining the needle for 5 to 10 minutes. This method is effective for acute stomachache.

(2) Puncturing Weile Point

Point: Weile [0.2 cun inferior and 4 cun lateral to Shuifen (Ren 9)].

Technique: Keep the patient in a supine position. Puncturing a l.5 cun needle into the point 0.7 to 1 cun deep with strong stimulation and no retention of the needle. This method is indicated for stomachache due to gastric and duodenal ulcer and gastritis.

(3) Method of Promoting Qi by the Needle Tip      

Point: Neiguan (PC6).

Technique: Puncture Neiguan (PC6) of the left side obliquely by a 1.5-cun needle with the needle tip toward the shoulder and arm, and manipulate the needle by rotating it to obtain qi,.then forcefully insert the needle 0.1 cun deep obliquely upward five times, when the patient will be able to feel the needling sensation being conducted to the arm-pit.

(4) Puncturing the Tender Points Along the Vertebral Column Technique: Ask the patient to keep a prone position, with the chest and abdomen kept higher to make the vertebral column curve like arch. The practitioner presses the points with even force from the first to the 12th thoracic vertebra, the tenderness indicating the points for needling. Puncture two or three points each time intermittently. Insert the needle slowly along the space of the spineous process 0.8 to 1 cun deep. It is forbidden to hurt the spinal cord when puncturing the thoracic vertebra region. Manipulating the needle by lifting and thrusting it slowly, scraping the needle until the pain is alleviated or disappears, and retaining the needle for 30 to 60 minutes. The method is indicated for gastric and duodenal ulcer.

(5) Puncturing Liangqiu (ST 34) with Heavy Force

Technique: Puncture the point quickly by a No.28 needle, 1.5 cun long, and manipulate it by rotating, lifting and thrusting to send the needling sensation upward to the hip and abdomen. The needle is retained for 10 to 15 minutes. This method is effective for stomach spasms.

(6) Puncturing Banmen

Point: Banmen point [medial to Yuji (LU10), when locating the point, bend the thumb downward, the point is where the prominence is located on the thenar].

Technique: Puncture the point by a No.26 needle, 1.5 cun long, perpendicularly 0.5 to 1 cun deep to send the needling sensation through the whole hand or to the upper arm. This method is indicated for stomach spasm.

(7) Puncturing the Scapular Region

Point: The tenderness around Tianzong (SI 11).

Technique: After confirming the tenderness around the point, apply massage first and acupuncture later to alleviate the pain. In case the pain refers to both sides of the costal region, puncture from Geshu (BL17) to Ganshu (BL 18) with penetrating technique along the skin.

(8) Puncturing the Cal-caneus Region

Point: The local region on the posterior aspect of the calcaneus tendon.

Technique: Let the patient remain in a prone or lateral recumbent position with the toes extended downward in a forceful way. The point is located in the depression in the middle of the calcaneus tendon. Insert a one-cun needle into the point 0.5 to 0.8 cun deep, and retain the needle for 5 to 15 minutes after the arrival of qi. The treatment is given once a day. This method has been used for 154 cases of acute and chronic epigastric pain, with a total effective rate of 98.1%.