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Well, my personal perfence is the Hwato needles. Do you get them in

the states? I use both the needles with and without tubes. They are

also the only company that i know of, that produces a AP machine

that's allowed to be used in Europe, meaning it meets electrical

safety requirements.

 

I know what memebers mean by the sharpness. The De Qi needles i used

before where more painful than others and gave a sharp, painful

sensation.

 

I see that the Korean AP needles have a guide tube but no blue

needle holder tags, you just tap and go in. I think this is useful

as often when you take the needle holder tag out of a guide tube and

place it against the skin, the needle can move a little and scrap

the skin.

 

Talking of which. How many people puncture with tubes and how many

without tubes? Would be interesting to know.

 

Attilio

 

 

Chinese Medicine , " Z'ev

Rosenberg " <zrosenbe@s...> wrote:

> Robert,

> I've tried to get Maeda needles to no avail. Can you help me

out

> here?

>

>

>

> On Dec 16, 2004, at 8:23 AM, kampo36 wrote:

>

> >

> >

> > The best needles i've used come from Maeda, which has been in

the

> > business of making

> > needles for 300 years (N sensei from Toyohari assn told me that

> > Seirin was originally a

> > petrochemical company, hence the plastic handles).  I've still

got a

> > stash of silver and

> > stainless needles i bought a few years back, but at 25 yen per

needle

> > they make Seirins

> > and Acuglides look cheap in comparison.  They are excellent

needles,

> > though, no doubt

> > about that.

> >

> > rh

> >

> > Chinese Medicine , " Z'ev

Rosenberg "

> > <zrosenbe@s...> wrote:

> > >

> > >I used to get great needles from Ido Nippon-Sha a number of

years ago

> > > with metal handles, in all lengths and gauges.

> > >

> > >

> > >

>

>

>

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Attillio,

 

I've visited the HwaTo factory in Suzhou, together with a group of Belgian

acupuncturists. None of us bought anything. We were not that impressed by

the standards of the factory, including hygienic standards. The sharpening

was done manually by people in quite filthy clothes. The employees would sit

there with a bunch of needles in their hand and sharpen them like that

against a rotating stone (I think). We all wondered how one would be able to

produce standardized needles like that. Is that the way it's been done

everywhere? Is there no mechanization process?

I thought I had some pictures but I cannot find them anymore.

 

" Talking of which. How many people puncture with tubes and how many without

tubes? Would be interesting to know. "

 

I hardly ever use a guiding tube. Wouldn't that be a nice poll question? Is

it possible that there is a difference between US and Europe and China. In

China people never use tubes, and I haven't met many Europeans that do use

them. But it seems that in the US tubes are standard?

 

Tom.

 

----

 

 

12/17/04 02:06:53

Chinese Medicine

AP Needles

 

 

Well, my personal perfence is the Hwato needles. Do you get them in

the states? I use both the needles with and without tubes. They are

also the only company that i know of, that produces a AP machine

that's allowed to be used in Europe, meaning it meets electrical

safety requirements.

 

I know what memebers mean by the sharpness. The De Qi needles i used

before where more painful than others and gave a sharp, painful

sensation.

 

I see that the Korean AP needles have a guide tube but no blue

needle holder tags, you just tap and go in. I think this is useful

as often when you take the needle holder tag out of a guide tube and

place it against the skin, the needle can move a little and scrap

the skin.

 

Talking of which. How many people puncture with tubes and how many

without tubes? Would be interesting to know.

 

Attilio

 

 

Chinese Medicine , " Z'ev

Rosenberg " <zrosenbe@s...> wrote:

> Robert,

> I've tried to get Maeda needles to no avail. Can you help me

out

> here?

>

>

>

> On Dec 16, 2004, at 8:23 AM, kampo36 wrote:

>

> >

> >

> > The best needles i've used come from Maeda, which has been in

the

> > business of making

> > needles for 300 years (N sensei from Toyohari assn told me that

> > Seirin was originally a

> > petrochemical company, hence the plastic handles). I've still

got a

> > stash of silver and

> > stainless needles i bought a few years back, but at 25 yen per

needle

> > they make Seirins

> > and Acuglides look cheap in comparison. They are excellent

needles,

> > though, no doubt

> > about that.

> >

> > rh

> >

> > Chinese Medicine , " Z'ev

Rosenberg "

> > <zrosenbe@s...> wrote:

> > >

> > >I used to get great needles from Ido Nippon-Sha a number of

years ago

> > > with metal handles, in all lengths and gauges.

> > >

> > >

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I rarely use a guide tube. I find I can get to the qi easier without

it. When I use it I have to insert more than once.

 

Anne

 

wrote:

 

>

> Well, my personal perfence is the Hwato needles. Do you get them in

> the states? I use both the needles with and without tubes. They are

> also the only company that i know of, that produces a AP machine

> that's allowed to be used in Europe, meaning it meets electrical

> safety requirements.

>

> I know what memebers mean by the sharpness. The De Qi needles i used

> before where more painful than others and gave a sharp, painful

> sensation.

>

> I see that the Korean AP needles have a guide tube but no blue

> needle holder tags, you just tap and go in. I think this is useful

> as often when you take the needle holder tag out of a guide tube and

> place it against the skin, the needle can move a little and scrap

> the skin.

>

> Talking of which. How many people puncture with tubes and how many

> without tubes? Would be interesting to know.

>

> Attilio

>

>

> Chinese Medicine , " Z'ev

> Rosenberg " <zrosenbe@s...> wrote:

> > Robert,

> > I've tried to get Maeda needles to no avail. Can you help me

> out

> > here?

> >

> >

> >

> > On Dec 16, 2004, at 8:23 AM, kampo36 wrote:

> >

> > >

> > >

> > > The best needles i've used come from Maeda, which has been in

> the

> > > business of making

> > > needles for 300 years (N sensei from Toyohari assn told me that

> > > Seirin was originally a

> > > petrochemical company, hence the plastic handles). I've still

> got a

> > > stash of silver and

> > > stainless needles i bought a few years back, but at 25 yen per

> needle

> > > they make Seirins

> > > and Acuglides look cheap in comparison. They are excellent

> needles,

> > > though, no doubt

> > > about that.

> > >

> > > rh

> > >

> > > Chinese Medicine , " Z'ev

> Rosenberg "

> > > <zrosenbe@s...> wrote:

> > > >

> > > >I used to get great needles from Ido Nippon-Sha a number of

> years ago

> > > > with metal handles, in all lengths and gauges.

> > > >

> > > >

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Hi Attilio

 

> How many people puncture with tubes and how many without tubes?

> Would be interesting to know. Attilio

 

in dogs & humans, I use 30-gauge Huato needles + plastic guide

tubes.

 

In horses, I use 70mm Terumo 20-gauge hypodermic needles,

inserted very swiftly; these have no guide tubes, but I sometimes

use counterpressure from the plastic needle-holder on the point

when inserting over very sensitive areas.

 

 

 

 

Best regards,

 

Email: <

 

WORK : Teagasc, c/o 1 Esker Lawns, Lucan, Dublin, Ireland

Mobile: 353-; [in the Republic: 0]

 

HOME : 1 Esker Lawns, Lucan, Dublin, Ireland

Tel : 353-; [in the Republic: 0]

WWW : http://homepage.eircom.net/~progers/searchap.htm

 

Chinese Proverb: " Man who says it can't be done, should not interrupt man doing

it "

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Hi Tom,

 

They hand sharpen the needles, are you serious? I knew that China was labour

intensive, but this seems a little OTT and not really standardised.

 

Yes, I think I may set up a poll and see how many do use tubes or not. I

think that it's regulation to use tubes in the UK. Does anyone in the UK

know for sure about this?

 

Kind regards

 

Attilio D'Alberto

Doctor of (Beijing, China)

BSc (Hons) TCM MATCM

07786198900

attiliodalberto

<http://www.attiliodalberto.com/> www.attiliodalberto.com

 

 

Tom Verhaeghe [verhaeghe_tom]

16 December 2004 23:39

Chinese Medicine

Re: AP Needles

 

 

 

Attillio,

 

I've visited the HwaTo factory in Suzhou, together with a group of Belgian

acupuncturists. None of us bought anything. We were not that impressed by

the standards of the factory, including hygienic standards. The sharpening

was done manually by people in quite filthy clothes. The employees would sit

there with a bunch of needles in their hand and sharpen them like that

against a rotating stone (I think). We all wondered how one would be able to

produce standardized needles like that. Is that the way it's been done

everywhere? Is there no mechanization process?

I thought I had some pictures but I cannot find them anymore.

 

" Talking of which. How many people puncture with tubes and how many without

tubes? Would be interesting to know. "

 

I hardly ever use a guiding tube. Wouldn't that be a nice poll question? Is

it possible that there is a difference between US and Europe and China. In

China people never use tubes, and I haven't met many Europeans that do use

them. But it seems that in the US tubes are standard?

 

Tom.

 

----

 

 

12/17/04 02:06:53

Chinese Medicine

AP Needles

 

 

Well, my personal perfence is the Hwato needles. Do you get them in

the states? I use both the needles with and without tubes. They are

also the only company that i know of, that produces a AP machine

that's allowed to be used in Europe, meaning it meets electrical

safety requirements.

 

I know what memebers mean by the sharpness. The De Qi needles i used

before where more painful than others and gave a sharp, painful

sensation.

 

I see that the Korean AP needles have a guide tube but no blue

needle holder tags, you just tap and go in. I think this is useful

as often when you take the needle holder tag out of a guide tube and

place it against the skin, the needle can move a little and scrap

the skin.

 

Talking of which. How many people puncture with tubes and how many

without tubes? Would be interesting to know.

 

Attilio

 

 

Chinese Medicine , " Z'ev

Rosenberg " <zrosenbe@s...> wrote:

> Robert,

> I've tried to get Maeda needles to no avail. Can you help me

out

> here?

>

>

>

> On Dec 16, 2004, at 8:23 AM, kampo36 wrote:

>

> >

> >

> > The best needles i've used come from Maeda, which has been in

the

> > business of making

> > needles for 300 years (N sensei from Toyohari assn told me that

> > Seirin was originally a

> > petrochemical company, hence the plastic handles). I've still

got a

> > stash of silver and

> > stainless needles i bought a few years back, but at 25 yen per

needle

> > they make Seirins

> > and Acuglides look cheap in comparison. They are excellent

needles,

> > though, no doubt

> > about that.

> >

> > rh

> >

> > Chinese Medicine , " Z'ev

Rosenberg "

> > <zrosenbe@s...> wrote:

> > >

> > >I used to get great needles from Ido Nippon-Sha a number of

years ago

> > > with metal handles, in all lengths and gauges.

> > >

> > > Z'ev

 

 

 

 

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Guide tubes are best employed when using thin needles or needles made of

soft metal. These needles bend easily and the tube helps to prevent this.

Best wishes,

 

 

 

Anne Crowley [blazing.valley]

Friday, 17 December 2004 2:26 PM

Chinese Medicine

Re: AP Needles

 

 

 

I rarely use a guide tube. I find I can get to the qi easier without

it. When I use it I have to insert more than once.

 

Anne

 

wrote:

 

>

> Well, my personal perfence is the Hwato needles. Do you get them in

> the states? I use both the needles with and without tubes. They are

> also the only company that i know of, that produces a AP machine

> that's allowed to be used in Europe, meaning it meets electrical

> safety requirements.

>

> I know what memebers mean by the sharpness. The De Qi needles i used

> before where more painful than others and gave a sharp, painful

> sensation.

>

> I see that the Korean AP needles have a guide tube but no blue

> needle holder tags, you just tap and go in. I think this is useful

> as often when you take the needle holder tag out of a guide tube and

> place it against the skin, the needle can move a little and scrap

> the skin.

>

> Talking of which. How many people puncture with tubes and how many

> without tubes? Would be interesting to know.

>

> Attilio

>

>

> Chinese Medicine , " Z'ev

> Rosenberg " <zrosenbe@s...> wrote:

> > Robert,

> > I've tried to get Maeda needles to no avail. Can you help me

> out

> > here?

> >

> >

> >

> > On Dec 16, 2004, at 8:23 AM, kampo36 wrote:

> >

> > >

> > >

> > > The best needles i've used come from Maeda, which has been in

> the

> > > business of making

> > > needles for 300 years (N sensei from Toyohari assn told me that

> > > Seirin was originally a

> > > petrochemical company, hence the plastic handles). I've still

> got a

> > > stash of silver and

> > > stainless needles i bought a few years back, but at 25 yen per

> needle

> > > they make Seirins

> > > and Acuglides look cheap in comparison. They are excellent

> needles,

> > > though, no doubt

> > > about that.

> > >

> > > rh

> > >

> > > Chinese Medicine , " Z'ev

> Rosenberg "

> > > <zrosenbe@s...> wrote:

> > > >

> > > >I used to get great needles from Ido Nippon-Sha a number of

> years ago

> > > > with metal handles, in all lengths and gauges.

> > > >

> > > >

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Share on other sites

Yes,

 

I was serious, Attilio. There are 4 or 5 people doing nothing else, the

whole day. They're wearing iron gloves to protect themselves from the

needles. The place was not clean at all, especially that room.

I'm sorry I cannot find those pictures.

Wages are so cheap, I think they maybe pay them like 1000 rmb per month, at

the most. The thread at the handle of the needle is also wound by hand. A

room full of women (about 30 women, I guess), doing nothing else all day.

Maybe they're under pressure to keep providing those jobs and not mechanize,

who knows?

Yes, a poll would be nice. In Belgium I only know of one person who uses

tubes. The rest does not use them.

 

Regards

 

Tom.

 

----

 

Attilio D'Alberto

12/17/04 19:49:13

Chinese Medicine

RE: AP Needles

 

Hi Tom,

 

They hand sharpen the needles, are you serious? I knew that China was labour

intensive, but this seems a little OTT and not really standardised.

 

Yes, I think I may set up a poll and see how many do use tubes or not. I

think that it's regulation to use tubes in the UK. Does anyone in the UK

know for sure about this?

 

Kind regards

 

Attilio D'Alberto

Doctor of (Beijing, China)

BSc (Hons) TCM MATCM

07786198900

attiliodalberto

<http://www.attiliodalberto.com/> www.attiliodalberto.com

 

 

Tom Verhaeghe [verhaeghe_tom]

16 December 2004 23:39

Chinese Medicine

Re: AP Needles

 

 

 

Attillio,

 

I've visited the HwaTo factory in Suzhou, together with a group of Belgian

acupuncturists. None of us bought anything. We were not that impressed by

the standards of the factory, including hygienic standards. The sharpening

was done manually by people in quite filthy clothes. The employees would sit

there with a bunch of needles in their hand and sharpen them like that

against a rotating stone (I think). We all wondered how one would be able to

produce standardized needles like that. Is that the way it's been done

everywhere? Is there no mechanization process?

I thought I had some pictures but I cannot find them anymore.

 

" Talking of which. How many people puncture with tubes and how many without

tubes? Would be interesting to know. "

 

I hardly ever use a guiding tube. Wouldn't that be a nice poll question? Is

it possible that there is a difference between US and Europe and China. In

China people never use tubes, and I haven't met many Europeans that do use

them. But it seems that in the US tubes are standard?

 

Tom.

 

----

 

 

12/17/04 02:06:53

Chinese Medicine

AP Needles

 

 

Well, my personal perfence is the Hwato needles. Do you get them in

the states? I use both the needles with and without tubes. They are

also the only company that i know of, that produces a AP machine

that's allowed to be used in Europe, meaning it meets electrical

safety requirements.

 

I know what memebers mean by the sharpness. The De Qi needles i used

before where more painful than others and gave a sharp, painful

sensation.

 

I see that the Korean AP needles have a guide tube but no blue

needle holder tags, you just tap and go in. I think this is useful

as often when you take the needle holder tag out of a guide tube and

place it against the skin, the needle can move a little and scrap

the skin.

 

Talking of which. How many people puncture with tubes and how many

without tubes? Would be interesting to know.

 

Attilio

 

 

Chinese Medicine , " Z'ev

Rosenberg " <zrosenbe@s...> wrote:

> Robert,

> I've tried to get Maeda needles to no avail. Can you help me

out

> here?

>

>

>

> On Dec 16, 2004, at 8:23 AM, kampo36 wrote:

>

> >

> >

> > The best needles i've used come from Maeda, which has been in

the

> > business of making

> > needles for 300 years (N sensei from Toyohari assn told me that

> > Seirin was originally a

> > petrochemical company, hence the plastic handles). I've still

got a

> > stash of silver and

> > stainless needles i bought a few years back, but at 25 yen per

needle

> > they make Seirins

> > and Acuglides look cheap in comparison. They are excellent

needles,

> > though, no doubt

> > about that.

> >

> > rh

> >

> > Chinese Medicine , " Z'ev

Rosenberg "

> > <zrosenbe@s...> wrote:

> > >

> > >I used to get great needles from Ido Nippon-Sha a number of

years ago

> > > with metal handles, in all lengths and gauges.

> > >

> > > Z'ev

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I use ”Cloud and Dragon” needles and I have never had any reason to

complain. IMO they’re extremely good value for money. I just don’t hope

that they have been produced under the same circumstances as the Hwato

needles.... Not surprising news, but still schoking.....

 

I usually use guide tubes and I get as much De Qi as any of the

colleagues I worked with did. Excuse me for saying so, but don’t really

think it’s a matter of using guide tubes or not, but more a question

about point location – only adhering maybe 98% to the point location of

the books and then feel the point and direct the needle with

intention... Just my opinion.... I could be wrong, though.

 

Thomas Bøgedal Sørensen

WHRDA Lic. Instructor

L.Ac. & TuiNa Massage Therapist

 

 

Den Mobile Akupunktør

<http://acumobil.mu-in.com/> http://acumobil.mu-in.com

---

 

 

Tom Verhaeghe [verhaeghe_tom]

18. december 2004 01:37

Chinese Medicine

RE: AP Needles

 

 

Yes,

 

I was serious, Attilio. There are 4 or 5 people doing nothing else, the

whole day. They're wearing iron gloves to protect themselves from the

needles. The place was not clean at all, especially that room.

I'm sorry I cannot find those pictures.

Wages are so cheap, I think they maybe pay them like 1000 rmb per month,

at

the most. The thread at the handle of the needle is also wound by hand.

A

room full of women (about 30 women, I guess), doing nothing else all

day.

Maybe they're under pressure to keep providing those jobs and not

mechanize,

who knows?

Yes, a poll would be nice. In Belgium I only know of one person who uses

tubes. The rest does not use them.

 

Regards

 

Tom.

 

----

 

Attilio D'Alberto

12/17/04 19:49:13

Chinese Medicine

RE: AP Needles

 

Hi Tom,

 

They hand sharpen the needles, are you serious? I knew that China was

labour

intensive, but this seems a little OTT and not really standardised.

 

Yes, I think I may set up a poll and see how many do use tubes or not. I

think that it's regulation to use tubes in the UK. Does anyone in the UK

know for sure about this?

 

Kind regards

 

Attilio D'Alberto

Doctor of (Beijing, China)

BSc (Hons) TCM MATCM

07786198900

attiliodalberto

<http://www.attiliodalberto.com/> www.attiliodalberto.com

 

 

Tom Verhaeghe [verhaeghe_tom]

16 December 2004 23:39

Chinese Medicine

Re: AP Needles

 

 

 

Attillio,

 

I've visited the HwaTo factory in Suzhou, together with a group of

Belgian

acupuncturists. None of us bought anything. We were not that impressed

by

the standards of the factory, including hygienic standards. The

sharpening

was done manually by people in quite filthy clothes. The employees would

sit

there with a bunch of needles in their hand and sharpen them like that

against a rotating stone (I think). We all wondered how one would be

able to

produce standardized needles like that. Is that the way it's been done

everywhere? Is there no mechanization process?

I thought I had some pictures but I cannot find them anymore.

 

" Talking of which. How many people puncture with tubes and how many

without

tubes? Would be interesting to know. "

 

I hardly ever use a guiding tube. Wouldn't that be a nice poll question?

Is

it possible that there is a difference between US and Europe and China.

In

China people never use tubes, and I haven't met many Europeans that do

use

them. But it seems that in the US tubes are standard?

 

Tom.

 

----

 

 

12/17/04 02:06:53

Chinese Medicine

AP Needles

 

 

Well, my personal perfence is the Hwato needles. Do you get them in

the states? I use both the needles with and without tubes. They are

also the only company that i know of, that produces a AP machine

that's allowed to be used in Europe, meaning it meets electrical

safety requirements.

 

I know what memebers mean by the sharpness. The De Qi needles i used

before where more painful than others and gave a sharp, painful

sensation.

 

I see that the Korean AP needles have a guide tube but no blue

needle holder tags, you just tap and go in. I think this is useful

as often when you take the needle holder tag out of a guide tube and

place it against the skin, the needle can move a little and scrap

the skin.

 

Talking of which. How many people puncture with tubes and how many

without tubes? Would be interesting to know.

 

Attilio

 

 

Chinese Medicine , " Z'ev

Rosenberg " <zrosenbe@s...> wrote:

> Robert,

> I've tried to get Maeda needles to no avail. Can you help me

out

> here?

>

>

>

> On Dec 16, 2004, at 8:23 AM, kampo36 wrote:

>

> >

> >

> > The best needles i've used come from Maeda, which has been in

the

> > business of making

> > needles for 300 years (N sensei from Toyohari assn told me that

> > Seirin was originally a

> > petrochemical company, hence the plastic handles). I've still

got a

> > stash of silver and

> > stainless needles i bought a few years back, but at 25 yen per

needle

> > they make Seirins

> > and Acuglides look cheap in comparison. They are excellent

needles,

> > though, no doubt

> > about that.

> >

> > rh

> >

> > Chinese Medicine , " Z'ev

Rosenberg "

> > <zrosenbe@s...> wrote:

> > >

> > >I used to get great needles from Ido Nippon-Sha a number of

years ago

> > > with metal handles, in all lengths and gauges.

> > >

> > > Z'ev

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Share on other sites

Not all Hwa To needles are created equal in my experience.......

 

Before I went to China I often used Hwa To needles in my needling

practice as a student here (Australia). During my clinical internship

in Nanjing I bought the local Hwa To needles to try.......and they were

simply terrible in comparison. Packaging was poor, oxidation was seen

on some needle shafts, close inspection often revealed hooking of

points and they were painful upon insertion (you could actual feel the

needle making what I would only call a " squeking " sensation upon

insertion as it grabbed and slipped, grabbed and slipped as it was

inserted ie. VERY un-smooth and accompanied by sharp pricking pain).

 

When I returned home, I once again tried the Hwa To needles available

here.....excellent packaging, clean looking and far easier/smoother to

insert and produced less pain.

 

The obvious answer to me would be that Hwa To produce several different

degrees of needles in terms of " quality " for different markets. The

modern factory facilities probably produce the sterilised pre-packaged

needles we find in the West, while the local market may be being fed

with the older " hand-made " techniques. The difference just in visual

inspection of the needle and packaging would suggest this.

 

So, perhaps Tom saw the needle making for the local market and these

needles were not destined for the overseas market. They certainly

wouldn't make it into Australia anyway with such poor GMP.

 

Best Wishes,

 

Steve

 

On 18/12/2004, at 11:37 AM, Tom Verhaeghe wrote:

 

>

>

> Yes,

>

> I was serious, Attilio. There are 4 or 5 people doing nothing else, the

> whole day. They're wearing iron gloves to protect themselves from the

> needles. The place was not clean at all, especially that room.

> I'm sorry I cannot find those pictures.

> Wages are so cheap, I think they maybe pay them like 1000 rmb per

> month, at

> the most. The thread at the handle of the needle is also wound by

> hand. A

> room full of women (about 30 women, I guess), doing nothing else all

> day.

> Maybe they're under pressure to keep providing those jobs and not

> mechanize,

> who knows?

> Yes, a poll would be nice. In Belgium I only know of one person who

> uses

> tubes. The rest does not use them.

>

> Regards

>

> Tom.

>

> ----

>

> Attilio D'Alberto

> 12/17/04 19:49:13

> Chinese Medicine

> RE: AP Needles

>

> Hi Tom,

>

> They hand sharpen the needles, are you serious? I knew that China was

> labour

> intensive, but this seems a little OTT and not really standardised.

>

> Yes, I think I may set up a poll and see how many do use tubes or not.

> I

> think that it's regulation to use tubes in the UK. Does anyone in the

> UK

> know for sure about this?

>

> Kind regards

>

> Attilio D'Alberto

> Doctor of (Beijing, China)

> BSc (Hons) TCM MATCM

> 07786198900

> attiliodalberto

> <http://www.attiliodalberto.com/> www.attiliodalberto.com

>

>

> Tom Verhaeghe [verhaeghe_tom]

> 16 December 2004 23:39

> Chinese Medicine

> Re: AP Needles

>

>

>

> Attillio,

>

> I've visited the HwaTo factory in Suzhou, together with a group of

> Belgian

> acupuncturists. None of us bought anything. We were not that impressed

> by

> the standards of the factory, including hygienic standards. The

> sharpening

> was done manually by people in quite filthy clothes. The employees

> would sit

> there with a bunch of needles in their hand and sharpen them like that

> against a rotating stone (I think). We all wondered how one would be

> able to

> produce standardized needles like that. Is that the way it's been done

> everywhere? Is there no mechanization process?

> I thought I had some pictures but I cannot find them anymore.

>

> " Talking of which. How many people puncture with tubes and how many

> without

> tubes? Would be interesting to know. "

>

> I hardly ever use a guiding tube. Wouldn't that be a nice poll

> question? Is

> it possible that there is a difference between US and Europe and

> China. In

> China people never use tubes, and I haven't met many Europeans that do

> use

> them. But it seems that in the US tubes are standard?

>

> Tom.

>

> ----

>

>

> 12/17/04 02:06:53

> Chinese Medicine

> AP Needles

>

>

> Well, my personal perfence is the Hwato needles. Do you get them in

> the states? I use both the needles with and without tubes. They are

> also the only company that i know of, that produces a AP machine

> that's allowed to be used in Europe, meaning it meets electrical

> safety requirements.

>

> I know what memebers mean by the sharpness. The De Qi needles i used

> before where more painful than others and gave a sharp, painful

> sensation.

>

> I see that the Korean AP needles have a guide tube but no blue

> needle holder tags, you just tap and go in. I think this is useful

> as often when you take the needle holder tag out of a guide tube and

> place it against the skin, the needle can move a little and scrap

> the skin.

>

> Talking of which. How many people puncture with tubes and how many

> without tubes? Would be interesting to know.

>

> Attilio

>

>

> Chinese Medicine , " Z'ev

> Rosenberg " <zrosenbe@s...> wrote:

>> Robert,

>> I've tried to get Maeda needles to no avail. Can you help me

> out

>> here?

>>

>>

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That is a plausible explanation, Steve. Although I wonder why the HwaTo

clinic would show us their inferior production facilities, when there are

better ones available, especially to laowai. We were given the full

treatment; English video, short speech, tea drinking, and then touring the

facilities.

As said, no-one of us bought anything, although many had planned to, and had

brought money.

Maybe the needles are selected after processing, I don't know. That's just

speculation.

Nobody in China now that wants to visit the factory and report to the group?

Btw when were you in Nanjing, Steve? I remember Australians (Melbourne)

coming to Nanjing every year. Have we met there?

 

Tom.

----

 

Steven Slater

12/19/04 08:40:46

Chinese Medicine

Re: AP Needles

 

Not all Hwa To needles are created equal in my experience.......

 

Before I went to China I often used Hwa To needles in my needling

practice as a student here (Australia). During my clinical internship

in Nanjing I bought the local Hwa To needles to try.......and they were

simply terrible in comparison. Packaging was poor, oxidation was seen

on some needle shafts, close inspection often revealed hooking of

points and they were painful upon insertion (you could actual feel the

needle making what I would only call a " squeking " sensation upon

insertion as it grabbed and slipped, grabbed and slipped as it was

inserted ie. VERY un-smooth and accompanied by sharp pricking pain).

 

When I returned home, I once again tried the Hwa To needles available

here.....excellent packaging, clean looking and far easier/smoother to

insert and produced less pain.

 

The obvious answer to me would be that Hwa To produce several different

degrees of needles in terms of " quality " for different markets. The

modern factory facilities probably produce the sterilised pre-packaged

needles we find in the West, while the local market may be being fed

with the older " hand-made " techniques. The difference just in visual

inspection of the needle and packaging would suggest this.

 

So, perhaps Tom saw the needle making for the local market and these

needles were not destined for the overseas market. They certainly

wouldn't make it into Australia anyway with such poor GMP.

 

Best Wishes,

 

Steve

 

 

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Hi Tom,

 

Yes, I was in Nanjing circa 2002 and I was one of the Melbourne " crew " .

If you are from Belgium and were studying Chinese before embarking on

advanced acupuncture training I think perhaps we did meet several

times........if so please email me offlist as I would like to hear

about your adventures since I last saw you:)

 

Best Wishes,

 

Steve

 

On 19/12/2004, at 12:50 PM, Tom Verhaeghe wrote:

 

>

>

>

> That is a plausible explanation, Steve. Although I wonder why the HwaTo

> clinic would show us their inferior production facilities, when there

> are

> better ones available, especially to laowai. We were given the full

> treatment; English video, short speech, tea drinking, and then touring

> the

> facilities.

> As said, no-one of us bought anything, although many had planned to,

> and had

> brought money.

> Maybe the needles are selected after processing, I don't know. That's

> just

> speculation.

> Nobody in China now that wants to visit the factory and report to the

> group?

> Btw when were you in Nanjing, Steve? I remember Australians (Melbourne)

> coming to Nanjing every year. Have we met there?

>

> Tom.

> ----

>

> Steven Slater

> 12/19/04 08:40:46

> Chinese Medicine

> Re: AP Needles

>

> Not all Hwa To needles are created equal in my experience.......

>

> Before I went to China I often used Hwa To needles in my needling

> practice as a student here (Australia). During my clinical internship

> in Nanjing I bought the local Hwa To needles to try.......and they were

> simply terrible in comparison. Packaging was poor, oxidation was seen

> on some needle shafts, close inspection often revealed hooking of

> points and they were painful upon insertion (you could actual feel the

> needle making what I would only call a " squeking " sensation upon

> insertion as it grabbed and slipped, grabbed and slipped as it was

> inserted ie. VERY un-smooth and accompanied by sharp pricking pain).

>

> When I returned home, I once again tried the Hwa To needles available

> here.....excellent packaging, clean looking and far easier/smoother to

> insert and produced less pain.

>

> The obvious answer to me would be that Hwa To produce several different

> degrees of needles in terms of " quality " for different markets. The

> modern factory facilities probably produce the sterilised pre-packaged

> needles we find in the West, while the local market may be being fed

> with the older " hand-made " techniques. The difference just in visual

> inspection of the needle and packaging would suggest this.

>

> So, perhaps Tom saw the needle making for the local market and these

> needles were not destined for the overseas market. They certainly

> wouldn't make it into Australia anyway with such poor GMP.

>

> Best Wishes,

>

> Steve

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