WRIST AND ANKLE ACUPUNCTURE. So simple, yet so powerful
Wrist and Ankle Acupuncture shall hereafter be referred to as WAA.
WAA is one of the simplest techniques for managing condi6ons such as pain in a highly effective, quick and painless manner. Nevertheless, its simplicity may cause it to go unnoticed in a society where it seems the more complex a system is, the more effective it is held to be. I have been teaching WAA for over twenty years and trained more than a thousand students, both acupuncturists and non-acupuncturists. And in that time I have treated thousands of cases. However, I continue to be amazed by the immediacy with which the patient's symptoms are brought under control. That look of surprise when relief reaches the patient's consciousness almost immediately after needle insertion. Based on our current understanding, acupuncture's effectiveness resides in nerve stimulation and the release of transmiters, histamine, triggering a nervous reaction in an effort to restore the temporary disturbance of homoeostasis. These reactions can be called energetic reactions in the body or Qi stimulation.
What benefits does this technique have compared to so-called traditional acupuncture?
Firstly, the technique involves intradermal inser6on. In other words, the needle does not penetrate into underlying muscle or deeper layers. It remains beneath the epidermis and, for optimal stimulation, should run approximately four centimetres in length. Just imagine the histaminic reaction this approach can cause during application.
Secondly, effectiveness depends, among other factors, on the technique being painless and on not manipulating the needle after insertion. This again gives us an idea of how beneficial the technique can be for patients.
Thirdly, all points, twelve altogether, are located around the wrist and ankles. Each session therefore normally requires between three and four needles. Less time, materials and infrastructure (the patient can remain seated, dressed, in bed after surgery, undergo physical therapy at the same time). Medical staff can also be trained quickly and easily.
The management of its therapeutic effects is palpable and can be measured in each session. And the treatments, which follow a protocol, allow for a simple clinical study capable of being standardised. When compared with sham acupuncture, the results become much more discernible. Inserting the needle just a few millimetres from the site significantly inhibits the results.
The risks are practically non-existent, as the technique does not involve any major underlying anatomical structures.
What is its scope of application?
It is important to use each technique within the scope of application, i.e. target conditions, where it proves most efficient. In this case, WAA is effective when treating: pain, inflammation, peripheral
Wrist and Ankle Acupuncture shall hereafter be referred to as WAA.
WAA is one of the simplest techniques for managing condi6ons such as pain in a highly effective, quick and painless manner. Nevertheless, its simplicity may cause it to go unnoticed in a society where it seems the more complex a system is, the more effective it is held to be. I have been teaching WAA for over twenty years and trained more than a thousand students, both acupuncturists and non-acupuncturists. And in that time I have treated thousands of cases. However, I continue to be amazed by the immediacy with which the patient's symptoms are brought under control. That look of surprise when relief reaches the patient's consciousness almost immediately after needle insertion. Based on our current understanding, acupuncture's effectiveness resides in nerve stimulation and the release of transmiters, histamine, triggering a nervous reaction in an effort to restore the temporary disturbance of homoeostasis. These reactions can be called energetic reactions in the body or Qi stimulation.
What benefits does this technique have compared to so-called traditional acupuncture?
Firstly, the technique involves intradermal inser6on. In other words, the needle does not penetrate into underlying muscle or deeper layers. It remains beneath the epidermis and, for optimal stimulation, should run approximately four centimetres in length. Just imagine the histaminic reaction this approach can cause during application.
Secondly, effectiveness depends, among other factors, on the technique being painless and on not manipulating the needle after insertion. This again gives us an idea of how beneficial the technique can be for patients.
Thirdly, all points, twelve altogether, are located around the wrist and ankles. Each session therefore normally requires between three and four needles. Less time, materials and infrastructure (the patient can remain seated, dressed, in bed after surgery, undergo physical therapy at the same time). Medical staff can also be trained quickly and easily.
The management of its therapeutic effects is palpable and can be measured in each session. And the treatments, which follow a protocol, allow for a simple clinical study capable of being standardised. When compared with sham acupuncture, the results become much more discernible. Inserting the needle just a few millimetres from the site significantly inhibits the results.
The risks are practically non-existent, as the technique does not involve any major underlying anatomical structures.
What is its scope of application?
It is important to use each technique within the scope of application, i.e. target conditions, where it proves most efficient. In this case, WAA is effective when treating: pain, inflammation, peripheral
neurological disorders, infection and scarring. In view of the thousands of clinical studies in China
from the past thirty years, we must, on one hand, conduct reliable studies and publish them as
scientific evidence and, on the other, spread the use of this technique among rehabilitation
centres, underdeveloped countries, sports centres, medical facilities and pain units.
Clinical case: volleyball player in Spain's first division, one-cen6metre muscle tear at lumbar area, diagnosed using ultrasound imaging. She is advised to remain on rest for three weeks.
1st SESSION: inferior areas 4 and 5 on injured side while actively moving the lumbar region. The discomfort gradually disappears. Patient feels better after the needles are removed. Ultrasound therapy is also applied locally during each session. NEXT DAY: patient feels much better. Treatment continues unchanged.
THIRD DAY: Asymptomatic. Patient can run and do sit-ups without discomfort. Painless full flexion and extension. Treatment: bilateral areas 5 and 6. By the end of the session, the entire lumbar region is fully relaxed.
FOURTH DAY: Patient feeling fine. Bilateral inferior area 5. She has begun training at half speed and feels okay.
Day 5: patient takes a break from treatment and undergoes ultrasound muscle therapy. Granulation tissue is visible; almost fully recovered. Pressured by the circumstances of the upcoming game, she atempts to train normally. Training goes well.
Day 6: she plays the entire game at 100%. Condition still okay the following day. She is given the all-clear.
I have seen these results so many times with so many different conditions that I have stopped thinking that perhaps the patient was misdiagnosed or my placebo effect works miracles. So many students have confirmed the same results that I see no alternative but to admire this technique and recommend mutual coopera6on among professionals to study it further.
The future of WAA.
Where are we heading?
I am not a proponent of invention, but of applying the techniques in their purest form. Having said that, after all these years, and given my experience, I would venture to elaborate on the direction work and research will take.
WAA with Akabane intradermal needles: whereas this way, the technique is approximately 50% less effective and loses its immediacy, it is an effective means of maintaining or enhancing other techniques.
Clinical case: volleyball player in Spain's first division, one-cen6metre muscle tear at lumbar area, diagnosed using ultrasound imaging. She is advised to remain on rest for three weeks.
1st SESSION: inferior areas 4 and 5 on injured side while actively moving the lumbar region. The discomfort gradually disappears. Patient feels better after the needles are removed. Ultrasound therapy is also applied locally during each session. NEXT DAY: patient feels much better. Treatment continues unchanged.
THIRD DAY: Asymptomatic. Patient can run and do sit-ups without discomfort. Painless full flexion and extension. Treatment: bilateral areas 5 and 6. By the end of the session, the entire lumbar region is fully relaxed.
FOURTH DAY: Patient feeling fine. Bilateral inferior area 5. She has begun training at half speed and feels okay.
Day 5: patient takes a break from treatment and undergoes ultrasound muscle therapy. Granulation tissue is visible; almost fully recovered. Pressured by the circumstances of the upcoming game, she atempts to train normally. Training goes well.
Day 6: she plays the entire game at 100%. Condition still okay the following day. She is given the all-clear.
I have seen these results so many times with so many different conditions that I have stopped thinking that perhaps the patient was misdiagnosed or my placebo effect works miracles. So many students have confirmed the same results that I see no alternative but to admire this technique and recommend mutual coopera6on among professionals to study it further.
The future of WAA.
Where are we heading?
I am not a proponent of invention, but of applying the techniques in their purest form. Having said that, after all these years, and given my experience, I would venture to elaborate on the direction work and research will take.
WAA with Akabane intradermal needles: whereas this way, the technique is approximately 50% less effective and loses its immediacy, it is an effective means of maintaining or enhancing other techniques.
WAA Test: by pinching the dermis around the treatment sites lengthwise from distal to proximal or
scratching the surface until the skin reddens, the patient usually, when being treated for pain,
notes an immediate difference. This makes it possible to decide on treatment before inserting
needles.
WAA and Balance Method: WAA is not based on the theory of meridians. Nonetheless, local meridians give us an idea about where to insert needles for reinforcement based on the similarities and equivalence between meridians and anatomical structures. This increases effectiveness.
WAA and dermatomes: inserting needles locally or distal to dermatomes using the WAA technique is highly effective and simple. In this case, the technique may be combined with local acupoints (acupuncture and WAA normally neutralise one another, yet not in this case, leading us to believe there is a coherent neurophysiological mechanism of action).
Clinical case: 42-year-old male. Renal colic, attended by emergency care workers at home five hours earlier. Administered anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers. Remains in severe pain. Technique applied to inferior areas 2 and 5, with symptoms brought under control in less than one minute. Remains asymptomatic for the next three days and resumes normal working life.
Many studies published in magazines from P.R. China describe its effectiveness in managing colic and postoperative pain, with effects similar to intravenous Dolantina.
Next article, related to the treatment of back pain with WAA, with detailed protocols are in my blog site Joseph Carri Wrist Ankle Acupuncture
Next courses, face to face, on-line practice platform, can be found on the internet, European School of Acupuncture in Switzerland, as well as Master Tung's Acupuncture on line and blended learning complete course.
You can contact me through my e-mail, and remember that my name on the internet is Josep Carrion (Carri is how my close students and friends call me ;)
I also recommend this article which can be found on the Chinese Medicine Digital Magazine under subscription, but it really worths it!
WAA and Balance Method: WAA is not based on the theory of meridians. Nonetheless, local meridians give us an idea about where to insert needles for reinforcement based on the similarities and equivalence between meridians and anatomical structures. This increases effectiveness.
WAA and dermatomes: inserting needles locally or distal to dermatomes using the WAA technique is highly effective and simple. In this case, the technique may be combined with local acupoints (acupuncture and WAA normally neutralise one another, yet not in this case, leading us to believe there is a coherent neurophysiological mechanism of action).
Clinical case: 42-year-old male. Renal colic, attended by emergency care workers at home five hours earlier. Administered anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers. Remains in severe pain. Technique applied to inferior areas 2 and 5, with symptoms brought under control in less than one minute. Remains asymptomatic for the next three days and resumes normal working life.
Many studies published in magazines from P.R. China describe its effectiveness in managing colic and postoperative pain, with effects similar to intravenous Dolantina.
Next article, related to the treatment of back pain with WAA, with detailed protocols are in my blog site Joseph Carri Wrist Ankle Acupuncture
Next courses, face to face, on-line practice platform, can be found on the internet, European School of Acupuncture in Switzerland, as well as Master Tung's Acupuncture on line and blended learning complete course.
You can contact me through my e-mail, and remember that my name on the internet is Josep Carrion (Carri is how my close students and friends call me ;)
I also recommend this article which can be found on the Chinese Medicine Digital Magazine under subscription, but it really worths it!
