A technique used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years, acupuncture currently is practiced by many physicians in the United States alongside Western medicine, according to the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture. More patients are encountering acupuncture needles at the doctor’s office, alongside traditional hypodermic needles. While the two kinds of needles may be similar in appearance, their histories and methods of use are very different.
History of Hypodermic Needles
Hypodermic needles are thin, hollow metal tubes that are attached to a syringe and inserted in the skin to inject or withdraw fluid from the body. The first hypodermic needle was invented in 1853 by Alexander Wood, who used the device to inject morphine into patients. The term “hypodermic” comes from Greek roots meaning “under” and “skin.” Today, these needles are commonly used to draw blood or introduce drugs into the body. Injecting a drug directly into the bloodstream allows the drug to begin working quickly and avoids damage that can occur during the digestive process.
Hypodermic Needle Manufacturing
The manufacturing process for hypodermic needles begins with molten steel. The steel is drawn through a die and rolled into a long, hollow wire. That wire is then cut into shorter lengths to form the needle. Hypodermic needles have cutting edges that are used to break the skin; the other end is designed to be attached to a syringe. Depending on how deep the injection is intended to be, hypodermic needle diameters come in a variety of sizes.
Acupuncture Needle Background
Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine believe that disease is the result of imbalance in the body and acupuncture can be used to restore balance, thus improving health. Needles are inserted into the skin at points along energy channels known as “meridians.” The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture says that acupuncture can be explained by modern science in that the stimulation of acupuncture points with needles causes the body to release chemicals and hormones that help the body regulate itself.
Acupuncture Needle Characteristics
The type of needle most commonly used in acupuncture, known as the “filiform” needle, is very thin and made of stainless steel. Unlike hypodermic needles, filiform needles are solid and don’t have cutting edges. The National Academy of Medical Acupuncture notes that filiform needles are less likely to cause bruising than hypodermic needles. Filiform acupuncture needles tend to range from .12 millimeters to .30 mm in diameter. They are smaller than typical hypodermic needles, which are usually around .80 mm.
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