By Hongdu Wang

Luzhou Medical College TCM Hospital

Scalp Acupuncture (SA)

1. What is the SA?
2. “The international standardized nomenclature
of scalp acupuncture ” (1984. Japan)
3. Manipulation
1. What is the SA?
1.1 Definition;
1.2 A brief history of SA;
1.3 Why to be effective?
 1.1 Definition of SA
 Scalp acupuncture, SA,
also known as „head
acupuncture‟, is a
therapeutic method to
puncture specific
stimulating zone on
the scalp, which is
mainly used to treat
encephalopathy.
 1.3 Why SA to be effective

 There are various hypothesis to interpret

why SA is effectiveness.
 One of them, theory of reflexion, is very
famous.
 2. “The international standardized
nomenclature of SA ”

 In 1984, WHO held a panel of experts of

west pacific region in Japan to make out
“the international standardized
nomenclature of scalp acupuncture ”.
 Content
 Principles: divided into various regions
and determined the related channels,
selecting the points on the channels.
(分区定经，经上选穴)
 At first, divide the whole head into 4 regions;
 Followed by channel on each region, select the point(s);
 And 14 lines determined (left, right and middle line
totally 25 ).
 3. Manipulation
3.1 procedures
3.1.1 before needling
3.1.2 inserting
3.1.3 manipulation
3.2 cautions
 Preparations !
 Sitting or lying position is required, the hair
is separated and the scalp is sterilized with
the routine method.
 The filiform needles of No. 26 – 30 and 1.5 –
2.5 cun are selected.
Inserting method!
inserted quickly into the
subcutaneous region or
the muscular layer with
an angle of about 30°,
and along the stimulating
area to a corresponding
depth followed by rapid
twirling and rotation
manipulation
 The index finger in semi-flexion,
the palmar surface of the thumb
and the radial surface of the index
finger hold the needle handle.
 Twirl and rotate the handle quickly at the speed of
approximately 200 times per minute for 1-2 minutes or use
eletroacupuncture to replace twirling and rotation of the
needle, retain the needle for 5 – 10 minutes, repeatedly
manipulation the needles for twice or 3 times and then
withdraw the needle.
 Advise & Course !
 During the retention of the needles, the
patient is advised to exercise the affected
limb or doing passive movement to
strengthen functional exercise.
 This treatment is given once a day or once
every other day and 10 – 15 times make up
one course. There is an interval of one week
between two course of treatment.
 Cautions
 Sterilize strictly to avoid infection.
 When withdrawing the needle, press the
punctured point with disinfected dry cotton
balls to prevent bleeding.
 1.2 A brief history
 Let‟s date back two or three thousands years ago. In
<Huangdi Neijing> , the earliest TCM textbook, some head
points were recorded for brain diseases, such as stroke,
headache, trembling.
 The followed dynasties, this therapy was succeeded and
improved.
 It became very popular in the world until 70‟s _ 80‟s of last
century. Many clinical reports and researches have been
done. My department did some works as well: we explored
SA for stroke and published a serial of papers. We also
cooperated with Japanese scientist from Tokushima
University to research SA mechanism with SHR_sp rat.
No.2.2;020327;12:15
Start head acupuncture.