Acupunctural Techniques
"Acupuncture describes a family of procedures involving stimulation of anatomical locations on the skin by a variety of techniques."
~ Acupuncture. NIH Consensus Statement; 1997, Nov 3-5; 15(5):1-34.


Definitions Acupuncture is defined as the system of procedures for utilization of Acupuncture Points (AP) (aka “Biologically Active Points” BAP) by non-chemical means and non-pharmaceutical methods of therapy.

Acupuncture Points (AP) are defined as specific focal areas on the body identified by their distinctive properties (electrical, thermal, biochemical, physiological, anatomical, etc.).

Practice of acupuncture is defined as proprietary use of acupuncture procedures for medicinal purposes by licenced acupuncturist or certified professional.

A key feature of acupuncture as a kind of medical intervention is that there is no administration of any chemical substances in any form or delivery system.
Last updated: 9-January-2025
Instrumental modalities for utilization of acupuncture points
ModeTechniqueInvasiveSafetyTherapeutic value Professional SkillDiagnostic AccuracyEquipment Cost
Needling
Needling (orthodox acupuncture)yesprecautionhighhighN/Amoderate
"Dry" needlingyesprecautionfairhighN/Amoderate
Lance needle blood-lettingyesprecautionfairhighN/Alow
Press-tagsyesprecautionfairhighN/Alow
Cutaneous tapping, Plum-blossom yesprecautionfairintermediate N/Alow
Micro-needlingyesprecautioncosmeticintermediateN/Ahigh
Mechanical
Press pellets nogoodfairintermediate N/Alow
Acupressure and Shiatsu nogoodfairhighN/Alow
Vibration; (vibro-massage)nogoodlowlowN/Amoderate
Vacuum (cupping) noprecautionfairintermediate N/Alow
Vacuum BIBOTING Massagernoprecautionfairintermediate N/Ahigh
Thermal
Heat (moxa - moxibustion)noprecautionhighintermediate N/Alow
Cold (cryogenic therapy)noprecautionlowhighN/Amoderate
Contact diagnostic thermographynogoodN/Ahighlowhigh
Diagnostic Infrared Thermal ImagingnogoodN/Ahighlowhigh
Electrical
Electroacupunctureyesprecautionfairhighhighmoderate
Electropuncturenoprecautionfairhighhighmoderate
Piezoelectric stimulationnoprecautionhighhighN/Amoderate
Ryodorakunogoodhighhighhighhigh
TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerves Stimulation)noprecautionfairlowN/Amoderate
PENS (Percutaneous Electrical Nerves Stimulation)noprecautionfairlowN/Amoderate
Electromagnetic
Electromagnetic stimulationnoprecautionfairhighN/Ahigh
Infrared radiationnogoodfairlowN/Amoderate
Ultraviolet radiationnogoodlowlowN/Amoderate
Colored Light radiation (color-puncture)nogoodlowlowN/Amoderate
Lasernogoodhighintermediate N/Ahigh
MicrowavenoprecautionlowhighN/Ahigh
Magnetic
Magnets nogoodlowlowN/Alow
Sonic
phono-puncture – ultrasoundnogoodlowlowN/Ahigh
tuning fork applicationnogoodlowlowN/Alow

Last updated: 6-January-2025
Details Acupuncture is a method of prevention, correction and treatment of a disease, illness, injury or pain by encouraging the body to promote natural healing and improve functioning. This objective is implemented by stimulation of certain biologically active points on the surface of the body (acupuncture points).
These strategic points can be stimulated by the insertion of acupuncture needles or by non-invasive techniques and other means of physical stimulation.
A key feature of acupuncture as a kind of medical intervention is that there is no administration of any chemical substances in any form or delivery system.

Although the term "acupuncture" translates into English as "piercing the skin with a needle", and is habitually perceived in the US as an ancient art, this perception or perspective can be misleading. Acupuncture is a dynamic and developing field of medicine, which has earned worldwide recognition for its effectiveness.
Acupuncture needles remain the traditional and the most routinely used tool, but new technologies that have emerged over the last fifty years offer a wide spectrum of modalities.

The classification of techniques can be presented by the modes of stimulation:
Needling:
  • Needling (orthodox acupuncture)
  • Lance needle blood-letting
  • Press-tags
Mechanical stimulation:
  • Press pellets
  • Acupressure and Shiatsu
  • Vibration; (vibro-massage)
  • Cutaneous tapping (Plum-blossom needle, etc.)
  • Vacuum (cupping)
Thermo-stimulation:
  • Heat (moxa - moxibustion)
  • Cold (cryogenic therapy)
  • Contact diagnostic thermography
  • Diagnostic Infrared Thermal Imaging
Electrical stimulation:
  • Electroacupuncture
  • Electropuncture
  • Piezoelectric stimulation
  • Ryodoraku
  • TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerves Stimulation)
  • PENS (Percutaneous Electrical Nerves Stimulation)
Electromagnetic Stimulation:
  • Electromagnetic stimulation
  • Infrared radiation
  • Ultraviolet radiation
  • Colored Light radiation (color-puncture)
  • Laser
  • Microwave
Magnetic stimulation:
  • Magnets
Ultrasound stimulation:
  • phono-puncture
Other methods of acupoint stimulation:
  • Apipuncture

Last updated: 20-July-2024
Copyright Policy Please, feel free to copy and use this material with the proper reference. This courtesy is expected. Thank you. This page last updated: 20-July-2024





This website is sponsored by:
Tel: (401)-738-9355 | getwell@doctor.com ㅤㅤ 141 Airport Road, Warwick, RI 02889