Techniques of stimulation of the acupuncture points

POINT INJECTION

This method is popular in human and vet AP. It has two advantages (a) it is much quicker to use than classic needling and electro-needling and (b) it produces stimulation which lasts for up to 1 hour or more after injection.

The points are chosen in the usual manner. Standard precautions of needle sterility and skin cleanliness are taken, and sterile solutions are used. Disposable hypodermic needles, 19-25 gauge (depending on species) are inserted to the correct depth. The needles are manipulated to elicit the needle reaction (De Qi) as described above. Then a syringe is attached and 1-10 ml of solution is injected. Small volumes are used in small animals and on Earpoints. Larger volumes are used in large animals and in muscular areas.

The choice of solution is largely a matter of personal preference: aqua pro injectione; sterile saline; weak glucose saline; very dilute Lugol's iodine; 0.25-0.5% procaine or lignocaine or xylocaine solution; "Impletol" (a procaine solution manufactured by a German pharmaceutical firm, Bayer); Sarapin; P Block; dilute Vitamin B12, B1, or C solution; very dilute sodium salicylate solution; DMSO/B12 saline; placental fluid etc.

If orthodox drugs, suitable for intramuscular injection (such as antibiotics, hormone solutions, electrolyte solutions etc) or plant extracts (as in Chinese herbal medicine) are indicated, they can be diluted, as needed, before injection into the points. Alternatively, they can be given subcutaneously over the points if they are suitable for s/c injection. Some vets claim that drugs injected at the correct AP points have clinical effects at much smaller dose rates than if they were injected in random (usual) sites. This claim, however, is not proved.

In Austria, Germany and France, homeopathic remedies are widely used in human and animal medicine. Special injectable preparations are available from the homeopathic supply houses. Vets who use the system claim that the clinical results are markedly improved if the correct homeopathic drugs are injected into the correct points for the pathological condition. Walter Greiff (Memmingen) uses this method to great effect. I have witnessed two almost incredible responses to his treatment. (1) A cow with total rumen stasis, anorexia, depression and drop in milk yield was found to be very sensitive on a point in the intercostal space between ribs 9-10, left side. This point corresponds with one of Kothbauer's "Rumen Points". One needle was used to inject the point with Spasmovetsan (homeopathic: Chelidonium, Colocynth, Nux Vomica; potency 1-2; Willmar Schwabe, Karlsruhe, Laupheim, West Germany). Within three minutes the cow began to eat and I confirmed that the rumen was now active. (2) A calf in extremis with scouring, dehydration, hypothermia, limb spasticity and opisthotonos (probably E. coli enterotoxaemia) had needles placed at Jen Chung (GV26), Ya Men (GV15), Ta Chui (GV14); Feng Chih (GB20); Hsin Shu (BL15); Chi Hai (CV06). The points (except GV26) were injected with a mixture of Dysenteral (homoeopathic: Arsen alb., Rheum., Podophyllum; c. 30 preparations Waldemar- Weimer, Baden, West Germany), Laseptal (homoeopathic: Lachesis, Echinacea ang., Pyrogenium, Chlorophyll; potency 1-14; Willmar-Schwabe, Karlsruhe, Laupheim, West Germany) and 5 ml Borgal (sulphadoxin/ Trimethoprim). An electrolyte powder was left with the farmer for administration as fluid replacement therapy. Within 20 hours the calf was remarkably improved and standing. In my opinion, the Borgal and electrolyte alone by conventional routes, would not have saved that calf. These two cases were treated by Walter Greiff, Memmingen.

Injection of scar tissue: The importance of treating tender areas along scars, (especially those which cause marked twisting or distortion of tissue on a major meridian) has been discussed elsewhere. Such scars can be quickly treated, using a dental or tuberculin syringe, set to deliver 0.1-0.2 ml/point. The solution (Impletol or procaine solution) is injected intradermally at a depth of 2-5 mm, using a very fine (c. 25 gauge), short (2.5-10 mm) needle. The scar is injected at intervals of c. 4 mm along its length, (i.e.) about 11 shots along the length of a 40 mm scar. Some experts inject straight into the centre of the scar. Others inject from the periphery of the scar, towards its centre. Still others inject only the tender (sensitive) parts of the scar.

The use of Dermojet instrument (see next section) is ideal for treating scar tissue. Scars should be injected c. 3 times at intervals of 2-7 days, as part of the general APtherapy. If scars are in accessible areas, the owner is encouraged to massage the area as strongly as the animal will allow for c. 5 minutes each day during the course of APtherapy.

If one does not wish to inject scar tissue, one may still reestablish the flow of Qi through the area by a technique known as "Bridging the Scar". In his Manual on Small animal AP, Gilchrist lists a number of different methods of using needles to do this. They are summarised in the diagrams below.

The needles are left in position for up to 20 minutes and are then removed. The scar is treated 3-6 times at intervals of 2-7 days.

Intradermal point injection: Some experts use dental, tuberculin or Dermojet syringes to inject intradermally in the location of the Ear or body AP points. This method uses dilute procaine, vitamin B12 or other solutions (as in the injection method). The small blebs which are created give physical (pressure) stimulation for a short period after injection. The number of sessions and the interval between sessions is similar to "standard" AP methods.