Special Topics Acupuncture Needles
|
||||||||
 Typical Acupuncture Needles |
What is inside the acupuncture needle
The needle is solid, there is nothing inside. It is not at all like a hypodermic needle. Under a microscope the needle tip looks like the tip of a javelin.
How far does the needle go inThe needles I use depend on the area I am treating. Around the elbow or knee for example I would use mostly 3 cm needles, for the back muscles 3-5 cm. For example a 3 cm needle is shown below in one of the acupuncture points for tennis elbow.
 |
The longest needle I have is 12.5 cm and would be used (rarely) for treating deep hip muscles on a fairly obese person.
I like to use a needle that is long enough to leave 1 cm or more space between the skin and the plastic handle.
Does it hurt
The acupuncture needles are very fine and are therefore virtually painless on insertion.
Who invented acupunctureWe don't know for sure. Chinese written records go back 3000 years but the oldest known evidence for acupuncture is European from 5000 years ago. See here for further information.
What happens to the needles after you take them outThey go into a special "sharps" bin. The "sharps" bin is collected by a contractor at regular intervals and taken away to be incinerated. As a student I was taught that the needles should be in their packet, in the patient or in the sharps bin. This is good practice and is the rule that I follow.
| Contact Bill Ferguson Osteopath Tenterden Book an osteopathy appointment now Tel: 01580 762754 |
Bill Ferguson |
|
© Bill Ferguson |
|