REACTIVE POINTS AND INTRACUTANEOUS- NEEDLES

As its name suggests, the reactive point is the most sensitive point in a painful area. Puncturing at this point was without doubt the earliest acupuncture technique and can be remarkably effective in cases of pain, often producing immediate relief. The patient indicates the area of greatest pain, which is lightly probed until the most sensitive point is found. This is then punctured in dispersal.

In Japan a variation of this technique uses tiny intracutaneous needles that can be left in place for a prolonged period. The patient is asked to indicate the most painful spot, which is marked. The intracutaneous needle is inserted there, penetrating only the first layer of skin, and held in place with adhesive tape. The patient then pinpoints the next most painful area, and the procedure is repeated; this continues as often as necessary. The needles remain until the next treatment.

The above method is used for localized pain. When dealing with pain over a large area, or when pain is accompanied by inflammation, swelling, or irritation of the skin, it is advisable to search for the most sensitive points on the periphery of the area, where intracutaneous needles are placed. Then the entire area is lightly and rapidly pricked without penetrating the skin