Beginners should start with 0.25 mm × 25 mm filiform needles; advance to 0.3 mm × 40 mm for deeper stimulation. When choosing:
- Check the metal: stainless-steel needles are mirror-bright, silver needles are satin-grey.
- Match the size: 75–100 mm for obese patients, 25–40 mm for facial points.
- Avoid myths: a higher price doesn’t make silver better—pick for the pattern, not the cost. Single-use needles must never be re-sterilised.
Base your choice on the patient’s constitution and stage of disease: fire-needle in the acute phase, electro-acupuncture during recovery.
