3.2. 2. 3 Scalp acupuncture
Scalp acupuncture, also known as "head acupunc-ture", is a therapeutic method to puncture specific stimu-lating zone on the scalp, which is mainly used to treat encephalopathy.
3.2. 2. 3, 1 Location of stimulating zone and indication
Two standard lines must be decided first for dividing the stimulating zones (see Fig. 113).
Anterior-posterior midline. It refers to the line from the midpoint between the eyebrows (the anterior point of the midline) to the inferior border of the external occipital protuberance (the posterior point of the midline).
Brow-occipital line£º It refers to the cephalic lateral side line from the midpoint of the superior border of eye-brow to the tip of the external occipital protuberance.
Motor zone:
Location. The superior point is located 0.5 cm posterior to the midpoint of the anterior-posterior midline, the inferior point at the junction of the brow-occipital line and the anterior border of temporal hairline. The line connecting the two points is the motor zone. The line is divided into five equal parts, the upper 1/5 is the motor zone of the lower limbs and trunk£» the middle 2/5 is the motor zone of the upper limbs£»the lower 2/5 is the motor zone of the face, also called the first lingual zone (see Fig. 114).
Indications: The upper 1/5 is for the treatment of contralateral paralysis of the lower limb; the middle 2/5 is for the treatment of contralateral superior paraplegia of the upper limb; the lower 2/5 is for the treatment of contralater-al central facial paralysis, aphemia, drooling and dysphonia.
Sensory zone:
Location: It refers to the horizontal line 1.5 cm pos-terior to the motor zone. It is divide into five equal parts: the upper 1/5 is the sensory zone of the lower limbs, head and trunk; the middle 2/5 is the sensory zone of the upper limbs; the lower 2/5 is the sensory zone of the face (see Fig. 115).
Indications: the upper 1/5 for contralateral lumbo-crural pain, numbness, paresthesia, occiput pain, neck pain, vertigo, tinnitus; the middle 2/5 for contralateral upper limb pain, numbness, paresthesia; the low 2/5 for contralateral facial numbness, migraine, temporomandi-Mar arthritis.
Control zone of chorea and tremor:
Location: It refers to the horizontal line 1.5 cm an-terior to the motor zone (see Fig. 115).
Indications: Chorea, paralysis agitans.
Vertigo-auditory zone:
Location: It refers to the horizontal line 1. 5 cm directly from above the tip of the ear, stretching 2 cm to the face and occiput respectively (see Fig. 115).
Indications: Vertigo, tinnitus, hypoacusis.
The second lingual zone:
Location: It refers to the straight line 2 cm postero-inferior to the parietal tubercule and parallel to the anteroposterior midline, stretching 3 cm straightly and downwards (see Fig. 115).
Indications: Anemic aphasia.
The third lingual zone:
Location: It refers to the horizontal line 4 cm stretc-hing backward from the midpoint of the fainting and hear-ing zone (see Fig. 115).
Indications: Sensory aphasia.
Applying zone:
Location: It refers to three lines from the parietal tubercule downward. The middle line is straight and the angle of the bilateral lines from the straight line is 40¡ã respectively. All the three lines are 3 cm in length (see Fig. 115).
Indications: Apraxia.
The zone of pedal movement and sensation:
Location. It refers to two straight lines 3 cm stretc-hing back 1 cm from both sides of the midpoint of the an-teroposterior median line and parallel to the midline (see Fig. 116).
Indication: Paralysis, pain and numbness of the con-tralateral lower limb, acute lumbar sprain, nocturia, cor-tical diuresis and hysteroptosis.
Visual zone:
Location: It refers to a straight line 4 cm stretching upwards 1 cm from both sides of the posterior point of the anteroposterior midline and parallel to the midline (see Fig. 117).
Indications: Cortical visual disturbance.
Balance zone:
Location: It refers to a straight line 4 cm stretching downwards and 3.5 cm from both sides of the posterior point of the anteroposterior midline and parallel to the midline (see Fig. 117).
Indications: Ataxia due to cerebellar diseases and paraequilibrium.
Stomach zone:
Location: It refers to a straight line 2 cm stretching upwards from the hair line directly over the pupil and par-allel to the midline (see Fig. 118).
Indications: Gastritis and epigastric discomfort.
Thoracic cavity zone:
Location. Between the stomach zone and the antero-posterior midline, two straight lines 2 cm stretching from the hairline upwards and downwards respectively and par-allel to the midline (see Fig. 118).
Indications. Asthma and thoracic discomfort.
Reproduction zone:
Location: It refers to a straight line 2 cm stretching upwards from the frontal angle and parallel to the anterio-posterior midline (see Fig. 118).
Indications: Dysfunctional uterine bleeding, pelvic inflammation and hysteroptosis.
3. 2. 2.3.2 Manipulations
Sitting or lying position is required. The hair is sepa-rated and the scalp is sterilized with the routine method. The filiform needles of No. 26 - 30 and 1.5 - 2.5 cun are selected and inserted quickly into the subcutaneous region or the muscular layer with an angle of about 30¡ã and along the stimulating area to a corresponding depth followed by rapid twirling and rotation. Method. The index finger in semi-flexion, the palmar surface of the thumb and the ra-dial surface of the index finger hold the needle handle, twirl and rotate the handle quickly at the speed of approxi-mately 200 times per minute for 1 - 2 minutes (or use electro-acupuncture to replace twirling and rotation of the needle), retain the needle for 5 - 10 minutes, repeatedly manipulate the needles for twice or 3 times and then withdraw the needle. During the retention of the needles, the patient is advised to exercise the affected limb (or do-ing passive movement) to strengthen functional exercise. This treatment is given once a day or once every other day and 10 - 15 times make up one course of treatment. There is an interval of one week between two courses of treatment.
3.2. 2.3. 3 Cautions
Sterilize strictly to avoid infection. When withdra-wing the needle, press the punctured point with disinfec-ted dry cotton balls to prevent bleeding. For the patients with cerebral hemorrhage, it is advisable to treat them with scalp acupuncture after the pathological condition and blood pressure are stable.
