ACC Acupuncture Techniques and Safety 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Japanese acupuncture style, needles are typically inserted to what depth compared to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) style?
- Significantly deeper
- At the same depth
- Much shallower, often just subcutaneously (Correct answer)
- Only into fascial planes
Correct answer: Much shallower, often just subcutaneously
Japanese acupuncture uses much shallower needle insertion, often just subcutaneously, emphasizing minimal stimulation and patient comfort.
Question 2: What is 'ghost needle' (hidden needle) technique primarily used to address?
- Pediatric acupuncture where needles are concealed
- Intradermal needles left in place for prolonged stimulation (Correct answer)
- Needles inserted without the patient's awareness
- A technique for treating mental-emotional disorders
Correct answer: Intradermal needles left in place for prolonged stimulation
Intradermal (ghost or press) needles are inserted superficially and taped in place to provide prolonged stimulation between sessions.
Question 3: A practitioner accidentally needles too deep at CV-17 and the patient develops sudden chest pain and dyspnea. What complication should be suspected first?
- Vasovagal syncope
- Pneumothorax (Correct answer)
- Intercostal neuralgia
- Pericarditis
Correct answer: Pneumothorax
Deep needling at CV-17 risks pneumothorax; sudden chest pain and dyspnea are classic early signs requiring immediate emergency response.
Question 4: Which acupuncture point location requires the patient to be in a specific position to safely avoid needling the spinal cord?
- ST-36
- GV-4 (Ming Men) (Correct answer)
- LI-4
- PC-6
Correct answer: GV-4 (Ming Men)
GV-4 and other governing vessel points on the spine require careful depth control and proper patient positioning to avoid spinal cord injury.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of using a guide tube during needle insertion?
- To increase needle depth
- To reduce insertion pain by allowing a quick tap-in technique (Correct answer)
- To direct electrical current
- To maintain sterility of the needle shaft only
Correct answer: To reduce insertion pain by allowing a quick tap-in technique
Guide tubes allow a swift tap insertion that minimizes pain by passing quickly through superficial pain receptors in the skin.
Question 6: When using moxibustion near the face, which safety precaution is most critical?
- Limit moxa to 5 cones per session
- Keep moxa at least 3 cm from skin and monitor for burning
- Apply water to the skin first
- Use only indirect moxa on the face (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Use only indirect moxa on the face
On the face, only indirect moxibustion (pole moxa held away from skin) should be used to prevent burns and scarring on sensitive facial tissue.
Question 7: Bloodletting (wet cupping or lancet technique) at acupuncture points is contraindicated in patients with which condition?
- Hypertension
- Coagulation disorders or anticoagulant therapy (Correct answer)
- Chronic fatigue
- Insomnia
Correct answer: Coagulation disorders or anticoagulant therapy
Bloodletting is contraindicated in patients with coagulation disorders or those on anticoagulants due to uncontrolled bleeding risk.
ACC Acupuncture Techniques and Safety 3
In Japanese acupuncture style, needles are typically inserted to what depth compared to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) style?