🌿 Folk Prescriptions

The choice of patient position during acupuncture greatly affects accurate acupoint localization, ease of needle insertion, prolonged retention, and prevention of fainting, stagnation, bending, or even needle breakage. For example, seriously ill or weak patients, or those anxious, may feel fatigued when seated, increasing the risk of fainting. Poor positioning may cause movement during needle insertion or retention, leading to bent needles, pulled needles, or even broken needles.
Therefore, based on the location of selected acupoints, appropriate positions should be chosen to ensure accurate acupoint localization, facilitate acupuncture operations, allow longer retention without fatigue. Common clinical positions include:
① Supine Position: Suitable for acupoints on the head, face, chest, and abdomen, and some upper and lower limb acupoints.
② Lateral Recumbent Position: Suitable for acupoints on the lateral body (Shaoyang meridian) and some upper and lower limb acupoints.
③ Prone Position: Suitable for acupoints on the head, neck, back, waist, buttocks, and posterior aspects of the lower limbs and some upper limb acupoints.
④ Sitting with Back Supported: Suitable for acupoints on the front of the head, face, and anterior neck.
⑤ Sitting Forward Bending: Suitable for acupoints on the back of the head and neck, and back.
⑥ Lateral Sitting Position: Suitable for acupoints on one side of the head, cheek, and behind/around the ears.
In addition to these common positions, certain acupoints require special positioning based on their unique requirements. Also, whenever possible, use only one position to access all acupoints in the prescription rather than switching between two or more. When two different positions are necessary due to treatment needs or acupoint characteristics, adjust flexibly according to the patient’s constitution and condition. For new patients, those anxious, or elderly/weak/severely ill individuals, if possible, use a lying position to prevent fatigue or fainting.