THE CUTANEOUS NEEDLE

The cutaneous needle is also known as the plum - blossom needle and seven - star needle, which is made of five to seven stainless steel needles inlaid onto the end of a handle. It is used to prick the skin superficially by tapping to promote the smooth flow of qi in the meridians and regulate the functions of the zang - fu organs.

• The seven - star needle. Composed of seven short stainless steel needles attached vertically to a handle five to six inches long.
• The plum - blosom needle. Composed of five stainless steel needles in a bundle and attached to a handle perpendicularly one foot long. The tip of the needles should not be too sharp, but on the same level with equal space between them, otherwise, pain or bleeding may happen during tapping.

Indications

This superficial tapping is particularly suitable to treat disorders of the nervous system and skin disease. It is used for headache, dizziness and vertigo, insomnia, gastrointestinal disease, gynecological disease, skin disease, painful joints and paralysis.

Manipulation

After routine and local sterilization, hold the handle of the needle and tap vertically on the skin surface with a flexible movement of the wrist. The tapping may be light or heavy. Tap slightly until the skin becomes congested, or tap heavily until slight bleeding appears. The area to be tapped may be along the course of the meridians, or on the points selected, or on the affected area, or along the both sides of the spinal column.

• The head and neck
• The body
• The hand
• The leg

Precautions

• The tips of the needles should be even and free from any hooks. On tapping, the tips of the needles should strike the skin at a right angle to the surface to reduce pain.
• Sterilize the needles and the local area to be treated. After heavy tapping, the local skin surface should be cleaned and sterilized to prevent infection.
• Tapping is not allowed to apply to the local trauma and ulcers.