To minimize the risk of damaging the carotid artery when needling LI 17 (Tianding), an oblique insertion is recommended. This angle helps avoid the artery while still providing therapeutic benefits.
A tingling sensation in the lower limbs could indicate nerve involvement or potential irritation of the spinal cord. If this occurs, needling should be stopped immediately to prevent further complications.
Acute wrist injury is a contraindication for needling TH 5 (Waiguan) and TH 6 (Zhigou) due to the potential for exacerbating the injury or causing additional trauma. Other conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic headaches, and upper limb neuralgia are indications for these points.
The stomach lies beneath REN 14 (Juque). Care should be taken to avoid deep insertion to prevent penetrating the stomach, especially in patients with thin abdominal walls.
The recommended depth of needle insertion for PC 3 (Quze) is generally 0.5-0.8 cun. This depth allows for therapeutic benefits while minimizing the risk of damaging underlying structures.
