DERMAL NEEDLE THERAPY p.355 Dermal needle/ Plum-blossom needle/Seven-star needle made of five to seven stainless steel needles inlaid onto the end of a handle. Used to prick the skin superficially by tapping to Promote the smooth flow of qi in the meridians and regulate the functions of the zang-fu organs.

1) Seven-star needle: made of seven short stainless steel needles attached vertically to a 5-6 inch long handle. 2) Plum-blossom needle: made of five stainless steel needles in attached perpendicularly to a One foot long handle. The tip of the needles should NOT be too sharp, but on the same level with equal space between them, otherwise, pain or bleeding may happen during tapping.

Indication This superficial tapping is particularly suitable to treat disorders of the nervous system and skin disease. It is used for headache, dizziness and vertigo, insomnia, gastrointestinal disease, gynecological disease, skin disease, painful joints and paralysis.

Manipulation After routine and local sterilization, hold the handle and tap vertically on skin surface with a flexible movement of the wrist. The tapping may be light or heave. Tap slightly until the skin becomes congested, or tap heavily until slight bleeing appears. The area to be tapped may be along the course of the meridians, or on the points selected, or on the affected area or along both sides of the spinal column.

Precautions 1) tips of the needles should be even and free from any hooks. On tapping, the tips of the needles should strike the skin at a right angle to the surface to reduce pain. 2) sterilize the needles and the local area to be teated. After heavy tapping, the local skin surface should be cleaned and sterilized to prevent infection.

Contraindication Tapping is NOT allowed: a. on local trauma and ulcers. b. on people with infectious diseases. c. in acute abdominal disorders Use mild stimulation for: head and face & very old, young or weak patients. Course of treatment: everyday or every other day – 10 to15 treatments over 2-3 weeks for most chronic diseases.