Acupuncture needles are grouped into nine functional categories:
Filiform needle – the everyday workhorse, 0.25-0.35 mm thick, used for internal medicine and gynaecology disorders.
Fire needle – made of tungsten, heated to a red-hot temperature before insertion to drive out cold and damp; ideal for bi-syndrome and warts.
Plum-blossom needle – seven small tips tapped in rapid succession to cover a wide skin area; good for dermatological problems.
Three-edged needle – triangular blade designed for blood-letting to disperse static blood.
Electro-acupuncture needle – clipped to a stimulator that delivers pulsed current, boosting nerve-pain relief.
Each tool requires its own manipulation skill; the practitioner must match the needle to the syndrome for best results.
