acupuncture and moxibustion(part ⅱ)

1、<p>　　Acupuncture and Moxibustion(Part Ⅱ)</p><p>　　The therapeutic approaches of acupunctureand moxibustion </p><p>　　Acupuncture and moxibustion are unique treatments and cura-tives. These

2、 therapies regulate internal functions through outsidestimuli. They can cure disease by stimulating acupoints alongmeridians and collaterals. </p><p>　　Filiform needles </p><p>　　There are sever

3、al types of needles used in acupuncture, but themain type is the fi[iform needle made of metal, most commonlystainless steel. There are also filiform need]es made of other met-als, such as gold and silver. </p>&l

4、t;p>　　The structure of a filiform needle </p><p>　　A filiform needle consists of five parts:tip, body, root, handleand tail. Each type of needle has its own characteristics and func-tions. Different needl

5、es are used to treat different diseases. </p><p>　　Manipulations </p><p>　　The acupuncturist should be well coordinated. Usually the righthand is used to hold the needle (mainly using thumb, for

6、efingerand middle finger to hold the needle handle, like holding a writingbrush). So the right hand is called the needle-holding hand. Thedoctor uses the left hand to press the acupoint to help stabilize theneedle body,

7、so it is called the pressing hand. </p><p>　　The angle of needing </p><p>　　The angle of needling refers to the angle between the needleand the skin. It varies according to the location of the a

8、cupointand the aim of the needling. In general there are three angles.First:perpendicular needling, that is, 90度, which is suitable formost acupoints. Second:oblique needling, that is, 45度, suitablefor acupoints where th

9、e muscle is thin or near important organsthat should not be needled in depth. Third:horizontal needling,that is, 15度, suitable for acupoints with very thin flesh,</p><p>　　The depth of needling </p>&

10、lt;p>　　The depth of needling is related to conditions for each acu-point, but also related to the patient's physique, age, state ofillness, and the location of the affected part. For instance, needlingfor elderly

11、people and infants should be superficial, and for theable-bodied and adults, deeper. Needling on head, face, chestand the locations with thin skin and muscle should be superficial,while needling on the four limbs, abdome

12、n and other parts wherethe muscles are thick may penetrate more deeply. </p><p>　　Needle transmission </p><p>　　Following needle insertion, manipulating the needle, calledneedle transmission or

13、needle conveying, induces sensation andachieves therapeutic efficacy. Basic manipulations include the lift-ing and thrusting method, and the twirling method. </p><p>　　Retaining the needle </p><p&

14、gt;　　After needle insertion and manipulation, the instrument is keptin place for a while, for the purpose of strengthening the sensa-tion and continuing manipulation. Whether to keep the needle inplace, and for how long,