Acupuncture Needles - Dry Needles & Ear Acupuncture Needles

Acupuncture needles come in many sizes, both in terms of length and gauge, depending on the necessary treatment, and the main difference between them and the regular ones used for injections is the fact that acupuncture needles are solid and considerably thinner. This makes them less invasive and more comfortable than traditional needles, which is why you can easily relax for half an hour with them left in.

Of the nine initial shapes of acupuncture needles, two are still in use today: fine needles and sharp-edged ones. Very thin and usually made of stainless steel, the most common acupuncture needles are labeled as J-type, D-type, or L-type.

• J-type needles are the most widely used, which is why they are available in the most lengths and gauges of all acupuncture needles. Their length ranges from 15 mm to 60 mm, their gauge from 0.10 to 0.30, and they come with guide tubes.
• D-type acupuncture needles are short (15 mm), come without guide tubes, and are ideal for shallow needlings, like ear acupuncture, freehand techniques, and cosmetic acupuncture.
• L-type needles have a spring-type handle that conducts electricity and heat, which recommends them for electro-therapy treatments and moxibustion.

Besides these three types of acupuncture needles, licensed practitioners also use press tacks and ear seeds. Press tacks are very small needles attached to an adhesive plaster and they are used for gentle stimulation. Acupuncture ear seeds are like a needle-free version of acupuncture as they do not puncture the skin. Instead, they apply pressure to specific points on the outer ear and are taped in place for 3-7 days.

Depending on the conditions being treated, acupuncture needles can be inserted at different points on the body and various depths. They stimulate the sensory nerves, prompting the body to react to a symptom or illness and release natural chemicals, such as endorphins, which help control nerve impulses and relieve pain.

Qualified acupuncture practitioners know how to handle needles so that there is no pain or skin damage involved. However, there are rare cases of sensitive patients that experience mild pain, bleeding, or bruising at the puncture site. To limit this as much as possible, people with allergies to nickel or metal sensitivities should ask for gold-plated acupuncture needles, while those with bleeding disorders or who are prescribed anticoagulants should talk to their doctor before having acupuncture.

Acupuncture needles are usually inserted for 10-15 minutes into the subcutaneous tissues, but can be left for as long as 30 minutes, depending on the condition being treated. Needles that are left in for too long can overstimulate the points, making the patient feel very tired. ASP® Semi-Permanent Ear Acupuncture Needles, however, typically stay in for at least two days after the treatment session.

As they are regarded as medical devices, acupuncture needles are meant to be used only by licensed professionals. This is why most states allow you to buy them only if you have either a license for acupuncture therapy or a prescription. Physical therapists can purchase from ScripHessco all sorts of acupuncture supplies, including dry needles, ear seeds, press tacks, and ear acupuncture needles,.

Dry needling can be considered a Western medicine approach to acupuncture. The main difference between them is that dry needle acupuncture does not address energy flows and mental well-being. Instead, dry needling focuses on muscle pain relief and increasing the range of motion. Just like in traditional acupuncture, needles are inserted at specific points on the body. These trigger points, as dry-needling therapists call them, correspond more or less to the classic map of acupuncture points and are used to relax knotted muscles, relieve migraines, diminish inflammation, increase blood flow, and accelerate healing.