Acupoint Injection: A Combination of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

Acupoint injection therapy is a unique TCM technique that integrates acupuncture with the direct injection of medicinal substances into specific acupoints, tender points, or positive reaction points on the body surface. By combining the mechanical stimulation of the needle with the pharmacological action of the injected drugs, this method achieves a synergistic therapeutic effect for a wide range of conditions.

Frequently used medications include compound Angelica sinensis injection, Astragalus membranaceus, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Carthamus tinctorius, Isatis indigotica, Clematis chinensis, Lonicera japonica and Scutellaria baicalensis compound injection, vitamin B complex, antibiotics, placental tissue extract, and quinine. Disposable syringes and needles are standard, typically 4–6 gauge ordinary needles, dental 5-gauge needles, or long acupuncture needles for deep injections.

(1) Selection of acupoints: Based on the condition, locate positive reactions along the meridians, especially Back-Shu points and Front-Mu points.

(2) Choose an appropriate syringe and needle according to the acupoint location and dosage.

(3) After routine disinfection of the skin, insert the needle quickly into the acupoint, then advance slowly or lift and thrust to obtain deqi (needling sensation). Withdraw the plunger slightly to check for blood; if no blood appears, inject the medication. Moderate speed is used for general conditions; slow, gentle injection for chronic or weak patients; fast, strong injection for acute or robust patients.

Dosage per acupoint: 0.3–0.5 ml for head, face, and ear points; 2–5 ml for limbs and lower back where muscles are thicker. Treatment is typically given every other day, with 5–10 sessions constituting one course. A rest of 3–5 days is advised between courses.

Acupoint injection is effective for various types of lumbago, leg pain, shoulder and back pain, joint pain, soft tissue injuries, and sprains. Specific conditions include sciatica, frozen shoulder, lumbar muscle strain, fibrositis, benign arthritis, bronchitis, hypertension, gastric and duodenal ulcers, hepatitis, biliary colic, neurasthenia, and post-concussion syndrome.

References

1. Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic) – foundational text on acupuncture and meridian theory.
2. Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica) by Li Shizhen – details properties of herbal drugs used in injections.
3. Shanghan Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage) – principles of herbal combinations relevant to injected formulas.
4. Zhenjiu Dacheng (Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion) – classical acupuncture techniques.