Self Acupuncture - To do or not to do ...

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

 

I was blown away on my 1st day of my 1st semester acupuncture class

when the instructor gave us each a needle and told us to stick it into

LI 11 or St 36. So, we did! Indeed, some points are very safe to

needle while others are quite dangerous. If anyone without training

tries it on themselves, be forwarned, stay on the arms and legs! And

preferably distal to the elbows and knees--where most of the juicy

points are anyway. For a poorly trained acupuncturist, guide tubes are

a must to reduce insertion pain. One more caveat, do not spin the

needle (unless you've been trained) as this wraps up the muscle

spindles and can cause severe tissue damage, stretching and tearing

upon removal. HOWEVER don't expect much. Without training in needle

technique, knowledge of depth of insertion, and most importantly how

to energetically locate points and activate the qi, there will

probably be little effect.

 

Having said that, there really is no need. Acupressure is very often

good enough, and personally, I treat myself with magnets. I prefer

small magnets up to 2500 gauss left on for up to a full day. You can

order them on the Internet. My favorite distributor is

www.lhasaoms.com , though their shipping is a bit pricey. Buy extra

adhesive patches (the best quality even though they cost a little

more) and reuse the magnets. Discontinue use if you experienc ANY

adverse reaction. Most of the magnets have a small dimple on one

side--the side which will be contacting the skin. Do not apply them

more than 2-3 times a week as this will exhaust your qi over time.

Every couple of weeks take a week completely off. I mainly use Large

Intestine 4 and Liver 3, the Four Gates, to activate and spread Qi and

Blood evenly throughout the body. I also like Stomach 36, Spleen 6 for

qi and blood creation and immunity enhancement. In general the Yuan

Source points alternated over time should be good enough. Have fun and

think positive thoughts!

 

Matt

[Guest guest]

Chinese Traditional Medicine , " skyheights " <mattpolly wrote:

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I was blown away on my 1st day of my 1st semester acupuncture class

> when the instructor gave us each a needle and told us to stick it into

> LI 11 or St 36. So, we did! Indeed, some points are very safe to

> needle while others are quite dangerous. If anyone without training

> tries it on themselves, be forwarned, stay on the arms and legs! And

> preferably distal to the elbows and knees--where most of the juicy

> points are anyway. For a poorly trained acupuncturist, guide tubes are

> a must to reduce insertion pain. One more caveat, do not spin the

> needle (unless you've been trained) as this wraps up the muscle

> spindles and can cause severe tissue damage, stretching and tearing

> upon removal. HOWEVER don't expect much. Without training in needle

> technique, knowledge of depth of insertion, and most importantly how

> to energetically locate points and activate the qi, there will

> probably be little effect.

>

> Having said that, there really is no need. Acupressure is very often

> good enough, and personally, I treat myself with magnets. I prefer

> small magnets up to 2500 gauss left on for up to a full day. You can

> order them on the Internet. My favorite distributor is

> www.lhasaoms.com , though their shipping is a bit pricey. Buy extra

> adhesive patches (the best quality even though they cost a little

> more) and reuse the magnets. Discontinue use if you experienc ANY

> adverse reaction. Most of the magnets have a small dimple on one

> side--the side which will be contacting the skin. Do not apply them

> more than 2-3 times a week as this will exhaust your qi over time.

> Every couple of weeks take a week completely off. I mainly use Large

> Intestine 4 and Liver 3, the Four Gates, to activate and spread Qi and

> Blood evenly throughout the body. I also like Stomach 36, Spleen 6 for

> qi and blood creation and immunity enhancement. In general the Yuan

> Source points alternated over time should be good enough. Have fun and

> think positive thoughts!

>

> Matt

>

They teach you how to energetically find acupoints in this class?

I find it quite effective as a beginner to use an acupoint locator for

the first few times at a point.

 

Also I like to keep a short annotated journal listing the points and

effects i noticed, etc. and list my most commonly used sets of points

in the front.

 

I printed up the charts at yinyanghouse.com and along the side of each

acupoint I listed depths and precautions in a special " key " code that

I made up. oblique insertion, which direction, moxa?, pregnancy or

deep? It's a great quick reference for sure!

 

also a google pictures search for " acupuncture " will come up with some

nice additional diagrams that show the meridians and acupoints

proximity of all meridians in the head or arm or back or ..etc. I

forget the exact name of the site but if you would like to have them I

have it saved.

 

Good luck in your class!

 

Jaimye