Acupuncture Tools - Acupuncture Treatment Supplies

Acupuncture needle disposal programs vary from state to state. But the general procedure follows the same federal guidelines. So, immediately after using acupuncture needles, place them in an FDA-approved sharps disposal container and label the contents according to community guidelines. If a sharps container is unavailable, use a heavy-duty plastic container as a substitute. While abiding by your local community guidelines, call your local public health or trash department to locate sharps disposal programs in your area. You can also contact a local hospital, pharmacist, or veterinarian for disposal information. In some cases, medical care facilities will offer to dispose of your acupuncture needles.

Aside from the basics like acupuncture needles and guide tubes, several must-have acupuncture tools can enhance client care, including an electroacupuncture device, laser therapy units, and pain-eliminating cupping equipment. An electroacupuncture device facilitates passing an electric current through inserted needles to promote more stimulation at the acupuncture points. For clients who hate needles, laser therapy units don’t require needles to deliver continuous pain-relieving pulsed treatment. You also get real-time feedback on the dosage amount.

In addition, many acupuncturists have added cupping to their practices. It involves putting cups on the client’s skin for a specific time to cause suction, pulling the skin upward. This treatment has an excellent reputation for treating fibromyalgia, plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and various body pains.

Acupuncturists typically use moxibustion to enhance acupuncture treatment. From the heat generated by a moxa lamp, moxa roll, or smokeless moxa stick, they can use moxibustion to warm up the treatment area, promoting circulation and decreasing discomfort caused by acupuncture needles. Moxibustion is a treatment originating from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Practitioners have been using it to prevent and cure disease for over 2,500 years. However, acupuncturists use it to treat joint, knee, abdominal, and shoulder pains because it stimulates blood and the flow of Qi. They also use it to treat chronic diarrhea resulting from deficiency and organ prolapse.

Gua sha is a traditional Chinese healing technique that uses a smooth-edge tool to create a raised, reddish, millet-like skin rash called petechiae. To get the effect, a trained practitioner scrapes an area of a person’s body with the flat edge of a gua sha board, intentionally causing blood stasis under the skin. As a result, this process produces elevated petechiae or Sha rash. However, before acupuncturists begin gua sha, they prepare the treatment area by massaging it with cream or lotion. And they always work within the client’s comfort level. Usually combined with acupuncture and heat therapy, Gua sha is an effective treatment for chronic body pain and other ailments. Also, you can find Gua Sha tools made with various designs and materials.

Acupuncturists follow the edicts of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). One core theory in TCM is our bodies are more prone to health problems when our qi or energy level is stagnant in certain areas. Since gua sha is a revered TCM method of stimulating stagnant qi, it is a standard treatment modality for acupuncturists. Although all acupuncturists are qualified gua sha practitioners, they may not use this acupuncture tool-assisted treatment on every client because it may not apply to the treatment area or for some other reason.

For over forty years, ScripHessco has been a trusted source of acupuncture therapy supplies for licensed and student acupuncturists. It offers acupuncture supplies like cupping, moxibustion, needles, electrotherapy, essential oils, and massage products within its massive inventory.