Needles for Orthopedic Acupuncture

Integrative Orthopedic Acupuncture I

Fall 2014

NESA

Needles for Integrative Orthopedic Acupuncture I
Recommended sizes and gauges
Length & diameter
30 mm (1 inch) X .22 or .25
40 mm (1.5 inch) X 0.25
50 mm (2 inch) X 0.25
75 mm (3 inch) X 0.30

Gauge (Chinese)
34-32
32
32
32

We will need 3”
for Subscapularis
needling.

I recommend using Chinese style needles in class, brand is up to you. I prefer Cloud and Dragon but the DBC
needles should be fine.
Note that for a 75 mm (3”) needle, the minimum gauge is 32.
Bigger/Smaller Gauges:
• Bigger number for the diameter (.30 is thicker than .25)
• Lower number for Chinese gauge (30 gauge is thicker than 32)
Seirins
I prefer to use mostly metal needles but I always have some Seirins on hand for sensitive patients or sensitive
points, generally 30mm #1’s, 40mm #2’s are good. But I use them sparingly. An alternative is to have some 0.20
gauge (30 or 40mm) which are fairly gentle. Remember the needle will only take you so far, your insertion
technique will make the difference.
Tubes vs Free Hand
I tend to use tubes vs free hand as it helps me find the most precise location without going blind! That said, you
are free to continue practicing your free hand techniques.