I know what you're thinking, "Fire needling...surely that can't mean heating up a huge needle over an open flame until it's red-hot, then poking at a patient's skin lesions with it???" But guess what, that's exactly what fire needling is!
Fire needling is the treatment of choice for many conditions I'm seeing in the dermatology clinic. It has three functions: it relieves inflammation; it promotes the discharge of pus; and it relieves itching. The treatment principle in Chinese is called "yi re yin re": using fire to conduct fire (out of the body). Judging from the grimaces I see on most patients' faces and one woman's repeated cry of "Oh my God" as she squeezed May's hand, it also hurts like hell.
Dr. Huang and one very amenable patient let me give it a try yesterday afternoon.
6 comments:
Thanks for sharing this with us Alexa! I've always wanted to go to China (to surf Hainan Island...not poke people with fire needles...but, just wanted to let you know that we are following your journey. I'm so happy for you that you get to have such an incredible experience, and that you are doing so well! I look forward to reading your updates.
Yay Alexa! How deep do you go with that fire needle? I've heard of another use of fire needling, for cold bi - same procedure, just different application, going deep into a joint and pulling the needle out immediately.
Hi Alexa,
I am really enjoying reading your blogs on your adventures in China -- and the photos are an amazing addition.
Fire needling sounds interesting though I hope I am never in need of such a treatment. :)
Keep up the writing - its great to share this trip with you.
Frank
Hello Alexa. Huo Zhen ha? did your hands shake for the first time as well :)
Great shots of the Hospital. Have you made rounds yet? Say Hello to Dr. Huang and the gang at the hospital.
I'm envious
You go doc...way cool to doi the Fire Needle, here in the horse world we call it 'pin-firing' and it's been around since the 1800's and is still used by ranchers and at the race track...hey, when you get back, I look forward to the new techniques you're learning and I volunteer if you want to demo the Fire Needle at YSU...hey, you are missed...have fun!
Okay...that seriously made me queezy. I got that feeling you get in your lower back when you know something hurts like hell and it's not you and then you get the tingles all over. Oh...you don't get that...hmmm weird.
Anyway, that's GROSS! I'm sure it works wonders but man!
The Sturm family prayers are with you. Tell Mikey if he gets lonely he should come hang out in Santa Barbara.
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