Techniques of stimulation of the acupuncture points

INTRODUCTION

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is several millennia old. Its main therapeutic procedures are Ben-cao (Herbology) and Zhen-jiu (Zhen = needle; Jiu = Fire) but other methods (massage, diet, exercise, meditation etc.) are used also.

Zhen (needle) = acupuncture (AP); it literally means needle puncture (acus = needle) but the term has a more general meaning: stimulation of specific AP points in the superficial areas of the body by many different methods. Jiu (Fire) = moxibustion (combustion of mokusa (Japanese term for burning herbs) is the direct or indirect application of heat to the AP points. These will be dealt with in detail.

Other methods of stimulating the AP points will be discussed briefly. These include point injection; "dermojet" injection; implantation; incision of the points; application of heat or cold; massage, pressure or vibration of the points; cupping or application of a vacuum to the points; electro-AP (EAP); transcutaneous electrostimulation, faradism; application of magnetic, static, electromagnetic or electrostatic fields to the points; ultrasonic stimulation and laser stimulation. Rare methods of stimulation include concentration of "psychic energy" and "hand energy" to the points without actually touching the animal.

The most important aspect of AP is not the precise method of stimulation but to apply an adequate stimulus to the correct points. Methods of choosing correct points are discussed elsewhere.