(1) Two Steps Opposing Needling

Points: Binao (LI 14), Quchi (LI 11), Sidu (TE9), Hegu (LI 4), Huantiao (GB30), Yanglingquan (GB34), Tiaokou (ST 38) and Fengshi (GB 31)

Technique: The treatment to the sequelae of wind stroke is divided into two steps. The first step is to use points mainly on the healthy side. According to the diseased area, the points of the upper or lower extremities are needled with the reducing needling technique. After the needling manipulation has been carried out for a few minutes, the patient is told to try to exercise the affected limb. If the treatment is not effective, the needle manipulation is repeated every five minutes. When the patient is able to move the affected limb slightly, the points of the affected side are needled. The needles should be retained for 20 minutes after the arrival of qi. This treatment should be performed daily, 10 sessions making up one course. One to two courses of treatment can be given in the way described above. Once the movements of the patient's limb have improved greatly, the second step of treatment is carried out, namely, to needle the points of the affected side with the reinforcing needling technique first, then one to two points on the healthy side should be punctured with the reducing needling technique.

(2) Needling Points of Governor Vessels

Point: Dazhui (GV 14), inter-vertebral spaces between the 4th and 5th cervical vertebraes, Zhiyang (GV 9), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Mingmen (GV 4) and Jinsuo (GV 8)

Technique: Use 1 to 1.5-cun needles to puncture the above points, retaining the needles for 15 minutes. The patient is prohibited from moving while the needles are retained so as to prevent accidents such as bending of the needles.

(3) Needling Points of Conception Vessels

Points: Chengjiang (Ren 24), Lianquan (Ren 23), Tiantu (Ren 22),  Tanzhong (Ren 17), Jiuwei (Ren 15), Zhongwan (Ren 12), Qihai (Ren 6),  Guanyuan (Ren 4) and Zhongji (Ren 3)

Technique: When the points on the chest are needled, the tip of the needle should point downward. The points on the abdomen should  be needled perpendicularly to a depth of one to two cun. The method  is indicated in hemiplegia caused by the disharmony of the spleen and stomach that leads to accumulation of dampness, which, in turn, is producing phlegm that finally induces an accumulation of excessive  phlegm fluid or the lingering of phlegm damp.

(4) Needling Back-shu Points of Six Fu Organs

Points: Danshu (BL19), Weishu (BL21), Sanjiaoshu (BL22), Dachangshu (BL25), Xiaochangshu (BL27) and Pangguangshu (BL28)

Technique: With the patient lying prone, needle the Back-shu points bilaterally. The method is indicated for a patient with hemiplegia who has not recovered over a long period of time so that there is also dysfunction of the stomach and intestine and the dysfunction in urination and defecation.

(5) Needling Back-shu Points of Five Zang Organs

Points: Xinshu (BL15), Feishu (BL13), Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL20), Shenshu (BL23) and Geshu (BL17)

Technique: Use one-cun needles and insert the needles to a depth of 1 cun for heavy patients or 0.5 to 0.6 cun for thin patients. Needle manipulation is performed until the arrival of qi. The method is applicable for a patient with wind stroke, hemiplegia of long duration, where the five Zang organs are deficient and along with weak yin and yang.

(6) Needling Renying (ST 9)

Points: Renying (ST 9) is taken as the main point, and Hegu (LI 4) and Shenmen (HT 7) of the upper limbs are combined in addition to Yongquan (KI 1) and Chongyang (ST42) on the lower limb.

Technique: A one-cun needle is taken to puncture Renying (ST 9) to a depth of 0.5 to 0.8 cun. The needle is removed with the arrival of qi. When the needle is taken out, a dry cotton ball is used to close the needle hole. The treatment is given once everyday. The point on the different sides should be needled alternately, while the supplementary points are punctured everyday only on the affected side. Seven to 10 sessions make up one course. This method is applied in the case of the sequelae of wind stroke.

(7) Needling Sympathetic Nerve

Points: Points l.5 cm lateral to the thyroid cartilage.

Technique: Tell the patient to sit. Use l.5-cun needles to puncture points on both sides perpendicularly to a depth of l to 1.2 cun, retaining them for five minutes. Attention should be paid to avoiding puncturing the carotid artery. Lifting and thrusting manipulation is prohibited. The method is applicable for aphasia caused by cerebrovascular diseases.

(8) Penetrating Puncture on Head Points

Point: Penetration from Baihui (GV 20) to Qubin (GB7)

Technique: Insert a l.5 to 2 cun needle of size 28 under the scalp from Baihui (GV 20) to Qubin (GB7). Quick rotation of the needle is performed once the patient feels distention and numbness. Rotation is carried out about 200 times per minute. After five minutes of continuous rotation, there should be a five-minute break. This kind of manipulation should be repeated three times. The treatment is conducted daily and is given successively over 15 sessions. In the case of left hemiplegia, the penetration is made from Baihui (GV 20) to right Qubin (GB7). In the case of right hemiplegia, the penetration is made from Baihui (GV 20) to left Qubin (GB7).

(9) Penetrating Puncture on Four Extremities Points

Points: Penetration from Jianyu (LI 15) to Binao (LI 14), from Quchi (LI 11) to Shaohai (HT3), Waiguan (TE5) to Neiguan (PC6), Hegu (LI 4) to Laogong (PC8), Yangchj (TE4) to Daling (PC7), Huantiao (GB30) to Fengshi (GB31), Yangguan (GB33) to Ququan (LR8), Yanglingquan (GB34) to Yinlingquan (SP9), Juegu (GB39) to Sanyinjiao (SP6), Qiuxu (GB40) to Shenmai (BL62), Taichong (LR 3) to Yongquan (KI 1)

Technique: The above points are needled to 1.5 to 2 cun. When the penetration is made and the needle reaches the other point, manipulation is performed to achieve the arrival of qi. This travels along with the direction that the needle points, therefore the arrival of qi can reach the diseased area. The method is applicable for a patient with hemiplegia who has had the disease over a long period and whose improvement in limb function has been slow.

(10) Needling Xinshe and Other Points

Points: Xinshe (straight down from Fengchi (GB20) on the nape, 1.5 cun below the posterior hairline, leveled with the transverse   process of the 4th cervical vertebrae), and Yinlingquan (SP9)

Technique: Tell the patient to lie on the side first. Use a 2-cun needle to puncture Xinshe on the affected side, pointing the needle tip toward the transverse process of the 4th cervical vertebrae. Insert the needle to a depth of l to 1.5 cun, asking the patient to move the affected limb after the arrival of qi. The needle should be removed once the functions of limb have been restored. Then ask the patient to lie supine, and needle Yinlingquan (SP9) on the healthy side, giving a  strong stimulation. In this case, the needling sensation should travel to the sole of foot. The patient should be told to exercise the affected  limb after the arrival of qi. Once the functions of the affected limb  have been restored, the needle can be retained for 30 minutes. During the needle retention, the lifting, thrusting and rotating manipulation can be performed three times, and the patient should be told to  move the affected limb each time.

(11) Needling Lower Surface of Tongue

Points: Shegen (in the depression of the root of sublingual ligaments), Yepang (medial to the left and right sublingual veins, 1/3 proximal to the root of tongue), and Zhimai (to the left and right of sublingual veins, 2/3 proximal to the root of tongue)

Technique: Use thicker needles to prick the above points, inserting the needles 0.5 cun deep and applying the lifting and thrusting manipulation several times. The needle can be taken out when the numbness and distention felt under the root of the tongue travels to the throat. The method is applicable for a patient with hemiplegia and speech debility.