A large group of acupuncture practitioners from Santiago, Chile paid a visit to TCM WINDOW in August, 2011.

Foreign acupuncture practitioners pay a visit to TCM WINDOW

Acupuncture needles are solid, metallic needles (about the diameter of a human hair, 0.2 millimeters) that vary in length, width of the shaft and shape of the head. An acupuncturist may use as many as nine types of acupuncture needles (although only six are commonly used) by manipulating them by hand or by electrical stimulation. Most needles are disposable. Once used, they are discarded in accordance with medical biohazard regulations and guidelines.

What happens after the needles are inserted?
After insertion, the acupuncturist begins needling the acupoints (the term used to describe manipulation of the needles after insertion) at an angle of 15 to 90 degrees relative to the skin surface, depending on the treatment. Needling techniques include raising and thrusting, twirling or rotation, a combination of raising/thrusting and rotation, plucking, scraping (vibrations sent through the needle) and trembling (another vibration technique). The needling technique is selected based on the ailment. In addition to needling, there are several other procedures, such as cupping or moxibustion, which can be part of the acupuncture treatment.