The needling techniques for treating insomnia with filiform needles are as follows

Method of needle insertion

Finger-cutting insertion technique: Place the tip of the left thumb beside the acupoint, hold the needle with the right hand, and insert the needle close to the surface of the left nail. This is mainly suitable for short needle insertion.

Clamping needle insertion method: Use the thumb and index finger of the left hand to pinch the cotton ball, hold the lower end of the needle body, and expose about 1cm of the needle tip. With the right hand, twist the needle handle and insert the needle. This method is mainly used for inserting long needles.

The pinching and lifting needle insertion method: The left thumb and index finger pinch the skin of the acupuncture point, and the right hand holds the needle and inserts it from the upper end of the pinch. It is mainly suitable for acupuncture points on areas with thin skin and flesh, such as the face.

Relaxation needling method: Use the thumb, index finger or middle finger of the left hand to stretch the skin at the acupuncture point and make it tense. Then, insert the needle with the right hand. This method is mainly suitable for areas with loose skin or wrinkles, such as the abdomen.

Needling technique:

Basic techniques

The lifting and insertion method: Repeatedly move the needle up and down in a longitudinal motion. The force applied should be uniform and consistent, keeping the needle body vertical without changing the Angle, direction or depth of the needle insertion. The greater the amplitude and the faster the frequency of the lift, the greater the stimulation volume; the smaller the amplitude and the slower the frequency, the smaller the stimulation volume.

The twisting and turning method: Use the pads of the last phalanxes of the thumb and index finger to hold the needle handle, and rotate the needle body back and forth repeatedly within the acupoint. The force applied should be uniform, the frequency consistent, and the Angle appropriate (180° to 360°). Do not twist the needle in one direction. A larger twisting Angle and a faster frequency result in a greater stimulation volume, while a smaller twisting Angle and a slower frequency result in a smaller stimulation volume.

Auxiliary techniques

Following the method: The doctor uses his fingers to gently and slowly press around the acupoint to be pricked or along the meridians.

The tapping method: After needling, during the process of retaining the needle, gently tap the handle or tail of the needle with your finger (index finger or middle finger) to cause a slight vibration of the needle body. It is suitable for some acupoints that are not suitable for large-scale twisting.

Scraping method: After inserting the needle into the acupoint to a certain depth, use the pad of the thumb or index finger to press against the tip of the needle. Then, frequently scrape the needle handle from bottom to top with the nails of the thumb, index finger or middle finger to cause the needle body to vibrate. It is suitable for some acupoints that are not suitable for large-scale twisting.

Shaking method: After inserting the needle into the acupoint to a certain depth, hold the handle of the needle with your right hand and gently shake the needle. There are two specific methods: One is to stand the needle upright and shake it to enhance the needle feel; The second step is to lie down on the needle body, point the needle tip towards the affected area, and shake it left and right to conduct the needle sensation in a certain direction. The shaking method is applicable to acupoints on relatively superficial areas.

Rubbing method: After inserting the needle into the acupoint to a certain depth, use the thumb, index finger, and middle finger of the right hand to hold the needle handle and perform unidirectional twisting, like twisting a thread. Rub 2 to 3 or 3 to 5 times each time, and when rubbing, it should be used in combination with the lifting and thrusting method.

Tonifying and purging techniques:

The method of lifting, thrusting, tonifying and purging: After obtaining qi through acupuncture, start with shallow acupuncture and then deepen it. Emphasize thrusting and gently lift. The amplitude of lifting and thrusting is small, the frequency is slow, and the operation time is short. This is the tonifying method. Starting from deep to shallow, gently inserting and lifting, with a large amplitude of lifting and inserting, a fast frequency, and a long operation time is the purging method.

The method of twisting and turning for tonifying and purging: After the needle has obtained qi, twist the needle to the left (apply force with the thumb forward, indicating a backward direction). If the twisting Angle is small, the force is light, the frequency is slow, and the operation time is short, it is the tonifying method. Twist the needle to the right (apply force backward with the thumb, indicating the direction is forward). A large twisting Angle, heavy force, fast frequency, and long operation time are considered the purging method.

The method of rapid tonification and purgation: Slowly inserting and placing the needle and quickly removing and expelling it is the tonification method. The method of purging is to insert the needle quickly and then withdraw it slowly.

The method of “Yingsui Tonifying and purging” : When inserting the needle, the tip of the needle is inserted in the direction along which the meridians run, which is the tonifying method. The method of purging is to insert the needle tip against the direction of the meridian’s flow.

The method of moderate tonification and purgation: After the needle is inserted and a certain degree of sensation is achieved, the needle is evenly lifted, inserted and twisted until the patient’s sensation is appropriate. Then the needle can be removed. This method is used for general diseases where the deficiency or excess is not obvious in clinical practice.