Acupuncture has been used in China for thousands of years in as part of the culture and a healing modality known as traditional Chinese medicine. It is now used widely in the U.S. and Europe to treat a variety of ailments and diseases. The needles used in the treatments come in variety of sizes, most no bigger than a strand of hair.
History
Early acupuncture tools were historically thought to be made of stone and used to press on the skin at specified locations, much like what we know today as acupressure. Later, Acufinder.com reports, it is believed that sharpened bone, thorns or bamboo slivers were applied to points to generate physiological activity based on where they were used on the body. The first acupuncture needles were made of gold, silver, tin, copper and bronze. Needles were made out of steel starting in the fourth century A.D., utilizing the strength of this metal to make thin needles.
Structure
Acupuncture needles used today are solid, stainless steel needles referred to as filiform needles. They are not hollow like the needles used to draw blood or give injections, and are of a diameter of approximately .015 of an inch. The text "Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion" describes the structure of acupuncture needles in five parts: the handle, tail, root, body and tip, with the handle made of copper, plastic or stainless steel, and the remainder of the needle made of stainless steel. The tip of the needle is sharp like the tip of a pine needle and the body is round, smooth and flexible.
Packaging and Sterilization
Before disposable needles became commonplace, needles were either boiled in water, soaked in alcohol or sterilized in an autoclave, a high pressure steaming device, for 30 minutes and reused. Disposable, sterile needles are now individually packaged, used once and then discarded in a regulated medical waste or sharps container.
Sizes
Acupuncture needles come a variety of lengths and diameters based on the area of the body being treated. The length can be as small as 1/2 an inch and as long as 7 inches. The diameter, or gauge, ranges from .22cm to .45cm.
Use and Certification
Needles are inserted into the skin anywhere from a quarter of an inch to an inch in depth on average. How deep the needle is inserted depends on what the person is being treated for, her size, age and overall health. Acupuncture students, while training to become licensed to practice acupuncture, undergo extensive training in the proper use of acupuncture needles and must be certified by the The National Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in clean needle techniques.
References
- AcuFinder.com: Historic Points: Acupuncture Needles
- "Chinese Acupucture and Moxibustion;" Cheng Xinnong; 2002
Member Comments