ACC Acupuncture Techniques & Methods 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of moxa is most suitable for direct moxibustion with scarring?
- Moxa sticks (chuan ai)
- Compressed moxa tablets
- Highly refined moxa wool (pure mugwort) (Correct answer)
- Fresh mugwort leaves
Correct answer: Highly refined moxa wool (pure mugwort)
Highly refined, pure moxa wool burns slowly and evenly at lower temperatures, making it appropriate for direct scarring moxibustion when that technique is indicated.
Question 2: A patient presents with a retained needle fragment in the tissue. What is the FIRST appropriate action?
- Apply electrostimulation to dislodge it
- Attempt to grasp and remove it with fingers
- Keep the patient still and call for medical assistance (Correct answer)
- Apply moxibustion over the site to dissolve the fragment
Correct answer: Keep the patient still and call for medical assistance
When a needle breaks and a fragment is retained, the patient should remain still to prevent migration, and appropriate medical assistance should be sought for removal.
Question 3: What distinguishes 'warm needling' (温针灸, wēn zhēn jiǔ) from standard acupuncture?
- The needles are preheated before insertion
- Moxa is burned on the handle of an inserted needle (Correct answer)
- Infrared heat lamps are used alongside needling
- Needles are dipped in warm herbal decoctions
Correct answer: Moxa is burned on the handle of an inserted needle
Warm needling involves attaching a small cone of moxa to the handle of an already-inserted needle and burning it to conduct warmth through the needle shaft into the acupoint.
Question 4: In electroacupuncture, which waveform is most commonly used for pain relief due to its ability to prevent accommodation?
- Continuous wave (dense wave)
- Intermittent wave
- Dense-disperse wave (Correct answer)
- Single-pulse wave
Correct answer: Dense-disperse wave
The dense-disperse wave alternates between high and low frequencies, preventing the nerve accommodation that occurs with continuous waveforms and thus sustaining analgesic effects.
Question 5: Which of the following is an absolute contraindication for auricular acupuncture needle retention?
- Chronic low back pain
- Active ear infection or inflammation (Correct answer)
- Anxiety disorders
- Nicotine addiction
Correct answer: Active ear infection or inflammation
Active infection or inflammation of the external ear (such as otitis externa) is an absolute contraindication for auricular needling to prevent worsening infection or perichondritis.
Question 6: What is the correct depth of needle insertion at GV-20 (Baihui)?
- 0.3–0.5 cun perpendicular
- 0.5–1.5 cun transverse (Correct answer)
- 1.0–2.0 cun perpendicular
- 0.1 cun only, no deeper
Correct answer: 0.5–1.5 cun transverse
GV-20 is needled transversely (horizontally) 0.5–1.5 cun because the underlying skull limits safe perpendicular depth at this scalp location.
Question 7: Which needling technique is specifically indicated to clear heat and drain excess from the channel according to classical Chinese acupuncture theory?
- Tonification by shallow needling
- Reducing by rapid withdrawal after De Qi (Correct answer)
- Warming needle technique
- Indirect moxibustion
Correct answer: Reducing by rapid withdrawal after De Qi
The reducing (sedating) method, characterized by vigorous manipulation and rapid needle withdrawal after De Qi, is classically used to drain excess conditions including excess heat.
ACC Acupuncture Techniques & Methods 3
Which type of moxa is most suitable for direct moxibustion with scarring?