Safe Needling Depth of Acupuncture Points

Chou, Pei-Chi; Chu, Heng-Yi; Lin, Jaung‐Geng

doi:10.1089/acm.2010.0192

Cited by 32 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Most of the previously conducted studies regarding acupuncture needling depth used CT as the measuring tool. 35 In this investigation, we used MRI as a measuring tool due to its excellent soft tissue contrast and multiplanar imaging capability. 36 The objective of this study is to find the mean distances from the skin surface to the major organs of 11 acupoints that would cause no harm during the treatment of each point and to compare the differences between participants with variables including gender and BMI.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Retrospective study using MRI to measure depths of acupuncture points in neck and shoulder region

et al. 2015

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ObjectivesThere are safety issues associated with acupuncture treatment. Previous studies regarding needling depth of acupuncture points revealed inconsistent results due to vague depth definition, acupuncture point localisation and measuring tools. The objective of this study is to find and compare the differences of the mean depths of 11 acupuncture points in the neck and shoulder region between subjects, with variables including gender and body mass index (BMI).SettingThis study was conducted at a single medical center in Taiwan.ParticipantsThree hundred and ninety-four participants were included in this study. Participants were grouped according to gender and BMI. Acupuncture points were localised by WHO standard and measured by MRI.Outcome measuresThe distance from the needle insertion point (surface of the skin) to any tissues that would cause possible/severe complications.ResultsMean depths of 11 points were obtained in groups of different BMI and gender. Mean depths of all participants regardless of BMI and gender are as follows, in centimetres: GB21=5.6, SI14=5.2, SI15=8.8, GV15=4.9, GV16=4.6, GB20=5.0, ST9=1.6, SI16=1.8, SI17=2.4, TE16=3.1, LI18=1.3. Participants with higher BMI had greater measured depths in both gender groups. Male participants had larger mean depths than female participants regardless of BMI except in SI17 and LI18. When taking BMI into consideration, depths in male participants are greater than in female participants in most of the points except the following: GB21, TE16 in obesity group; ST9 in underweight and obesity group; SI16 in ideal body weight, overweight and obesity group; SI17, LI18 in each group.ConclusionsParticipants with higher BMI had greater measured depths and males tended to have greater depths in most of the points. Clinical practitioners are recommended to consider this information to prevent complications when applying acupuncture treatment to their patients.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Retrospective study using MRI to measure depths of acupuncture points in neck and shoulder region

et al. 2015

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“…They include gender, age, body size (such as body length, body weight, waist girth, and BMI), which side of the body, angle of needling, and so forth. Chou et al have reviewed part of the researches previously [120]. Among these factors, body size is always considered the most significant one which complies with our general understanding that subjects with greater body size would have greater measured depth in most of the acupuncture points.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Measuring the Thickness of the Abdominal Wall at Abdominal Acupoints Using Ultrasonography and Analyzing Correlations with Physical Examination Values in Functional Dyspepsia Patients

한¹,

박²,

김³

2016

J Int Korean Med

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Objective. To explore the existing scientific information regarding safe needling depth of acupuncture points and the needling depth of clinical efficacy. Methods. We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Allied and Complementary Medicine (AMED), The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases to identify relevant monographs and related references from 1991 to 2013. Chinese journals and theses/dissertations were hand searched. Results. 47 studies were recruited and divided into 6 groups by measuring tools, that is, MRI, in vivo evaluation, CT, ultrasound, dissected specimen of cadavers, and another group with clinical efficacy. Each research was analyzed for study design, definition of safe depth, and factors that would affect the measured depths. Depths of clinical efficacy were discussed from the perspective of de-qi and other clinical observations. Conclusions. Great inconsistency in depth of each point measured from different subject groups and tools exists. The definition of safe depth should be established through standardization. There is also lack of researches to compare the clinical efficacy. A well-designed clinical trial selecting proper measuring tools to decide the actual and advisable needling depth for each point, to avoid adverse effects or complications and promote optimal clinical efficacy, is a top priority.

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“…Examples are additional studies in safe needling depths, especially of points implicated in problems 59 or in patients more at risk of complications. 66 Following this excellent study by He and colleagues, we recommend the need for large prospective studies of safety and adverse effects in China in order to identify more precisely complications from actual clinical practice and to examine the impact of improved educational standards.…”

Section: Conclusion and Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acupuncture Adverse Events in China: A Glimpse of Historical and Contextual Aspects

Birch

Alræk

Norheim

2013

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

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The article by He and colleagues, ''Adverse Events Following Acupuncture: A Systematic Review of the Chinese Literature for the Years 1956-2010'' is an important and timely contribution. In this commentary, the article is reviewed and issues are highlighted about how to interpret and contextualize the results of their study. While their review has been well performed, certain areas have been identified where the results may be inaccurate due to problems in the reporting of original incidents. For example, potential problems were found in the reporting of the minor adverse event (AE) of fainting and the more serious AEs of pneumothorax and hepatitis. The article by He and colleagues highlights the issue that almost all AEs associated with acupuncture in the modern period are due to the administration of the therapy rather than the therapy itself. Future prospective studies can address some of the shortcomings identified in this review.

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Safe Needling Depth of Acupuncture Points

Cited by 32 publications

References 27 publications

Retrospective study using MRI to measure depths of acupuncture points in neck and shoulder region

Retrospective study using MRI to measure depths of acupuncture points in neck and shoulder region

Measuring the Thickness of the Abdominal Wall at Abdominal Acupoints Using Ultrasonography and Analyzing Correlations with Physical Examination Values in Functional Dyspepsia Patients

Acupuncture Adverse Events in China: A Glimpse of Historical and Contextual Aspects

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