谈腧穴深度与针刺深度

Discussion on the Depth of the Acupoint and the Depth of the Acupuncture Needle Insertion

本文讨论了腧穴的深度与针刺深度之间的关系。认为腧穴的深度取决于经脉所在位置的深度;虽然腧穴的深浅决定针刺的深浅,但针刺深度不能等同于腧穴的深度,针刺的深度也不应以安全深度为准;腧穴的深度及针刺深度应以腧穴位于体表的点至最佳针感的深度为标志。

In this article, the authors discuss the depth of the acupoint and the depth of the acupuncture needle insertion from the following 5 aspects： 1 ） the depth of the acupoint depends on the location of the meridian, 2） the depth of needle insertion depends on the depth of the acupoint, 3） both the depth of the acupoint and needle insertion depend on the needling sensations, 4） the depth of the acupoint doesn＇t equal to the safe depth of needle insertion, and 5） the depth of needle-insertion is judged by the therapeutic effect. The depth of the acupoint, the depth of needle insertion and the safe depth of needle insertion are closely related to each other but their concepts are different. The needle insertion should be within the safe depth so as to avoid unnecessary injury or accidents. In particular, when an acupuncture needle inserted, the local anatomical structure, the patient＇s constitution, the state of the disease, the season, the direction and angles of the needle-tip, different layers （dermal part, aponeurotic system, meridian or the collateral of the meridian, etc） of the body should be considered together in clinical practice.