Body Acupuncture: The acupuncture treatment consists of inserting fine needles, called filiform needles, into the body in patterns designed to influence the flow of qi in one of the subdivisions of the energy circulation network. Usually one to three energy subdivisions are selected to stimulate energy movement, along with a collection of local points to focus the attention of the energy movement. Each subdivision of the circulation has a unique therapeutic point combination necessary for activation. The combinations involve the insertion of at least three needles - the energy moving needles - that are usually in the extremities and usually inserted bilaterally.
Needles are inserted to the depth necessary to elicit the patient's sensation of de qi, or needle grab, a dull ache that radiates from the point. This can be 0.5 cm to 15 cm, depending on the location. The patient is positioned comfortably, usually lying supine or prone. Patient may be needled while sitting on chair. It is common to treat the patient using front, back, and extremity points during the course of a single treatment session. This means that the treatment is typically divided into two sections: the energy movement section using extremity points to activate flow through the meridians, and the section to focus the energy on one or several organs or to influence a pain problem.
Ear Acupuncture: This therapy treats and prevents diseases by stimulating certain points on the auricle using the seed of a Chinese herb placed on small piece of adhesive tape. This has a long history in China. Previously Chinese used needles and used to prick auricle. But now a days, needles are rarely used and the herb seeds are preferred with nearly the same efficacy.
This is very commonly used treatment in the United States. The theory is that since the ear has a rich nerve and blood supply, it would have connections all over the body. For this reason, the ear has many Acupuncture points which correspond to many parts and organs of the body. Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture has been successful in treating problems ranging from obesity to alcoholism, to drug addiction. There are numerous studies either completed, or currently going on which affirms Auricular Acupuncture's effectiveness.
Also, ears are closely related to physiological and pathological changes of the meridians and collaterals along with internal organs. So the points distributed on the ears can be used as stimulation sites to treat diseases of the body. Scalp Acupuncture: Scalp Acupuncture is a therapeutic modality in which mainly scalp is needled for sickness. Needling is done in specific area or line of the scalp. Selected area is not acupoint but stimulation lines on the scalp. The manipulation is usually quick and constant twisting method is used without many changes. The area punctured is usually at the side opposite to that with signs or symptoms.
It is indicated in diseases originated in brain e.g. paralysis, numbness, aphonia, dizziness, chorea, parkinson’s disease, lumbago, pain in leg, nocturia, neuralgia etc.Moxibustion: Moxibustion is another popular treatment method, which is the treatment of diseases by applying heat to Acupuncture points. Acupuncture and Moxibustion are considered complimentary forms of treatment, and are commonly used together.