Insertion

The needle should be inserted coordinately with the help of both hands. The posture for insertion should be correct so that the manipulation can be smoothly done. Generally the needle should be held with the right hand known as the puncturing hand. The left hand known as the pressing hand pushes Firmly against the area close to the point.

In the first chapter of Miraculous Pivot, it says : " Needle must be inserted into the body with the right hand assisted by the left hand. " In the book Classic on Medical Problems, it is said that : " An experienced acupuncturist believes in the important function of the left hand, while an inexperienced believes in the important function of the right hand. " It is further stated in Lyrics of Standard Profundities that : " Press heavily with the left hand to disperse qi and insert the needle gently and slowly to avoid pain. " These explanations show the importance of the coordination of the right and left hands on insertion. According to the length of the needle and the location of the point, different methods of insertion are employed.

• Inserting the needle aided by tike pressure of the finger of the pressing hand. Press beside the acupuncture point with the nail of the thumb or the index finger of the left hand, hold the needle with the right hand and keep the needle tip closely against the nail, and then insert the needle into the point. Ibis method is suitable for puncturing with short needles such as for needling P6, K6, etc.
• Inserting the needle with the help of the puncturing and pressing hands Hold the needle tip with the thumb and the index finger of the left hand, leaving 0.2 - 0.3 cm. of its tip exposed, and hold the needle handle with the thumb and index finger of the right hand. As the needle tip is directly over the selected point, insert the needle swiftly into the skin with the left hand, meanwhile the right hand presses the needle downward to the required depth. This method is suitable for puncturing with long needles, such as those used in needling G30, B54, etc.
• Inserting the needle with the fingers stretching the skin Stretch the skin where the point is located with the thumb and index finger of the left hand, hold the needle with the right hand and insert it into the point rapidly to a required depth. This method is suitable for the points on the abdomen where the skin is loose, such as S25, Ren4, etc.
• Inserting the needle by pinching the skin Pinch the skin up around the point with the thumb and index finger of the left hand, insert the needle rapidly into the point with the right hand. This method is suitable for puncturing the points on the head and face, where the muscle and skin are thin, such as B2, S4, Extra, etc.