I was intrigued by the strange postures adopted by the Ming Dynasty models to illustrate acupuncture meridians, as in the first image. My bathroom has one electric light bulb hanging from the ceiling, and while I was in the bath reaching for soap, I observed a single line of reflected light going up my wet forearm in a direction that depended on the position of my arm. Such a ‘line’ of reflected light can be seen in the model, covered in oil, shown in the second image. Provided the model poses in a similar way to a Ming Dynasty drawing, the pathway of that particular channel can be seen.
(Reproduced from MIMS Magazine Oct (1977) 67–83 with kind permission of the publishers).
Image and text provided by Alex Macdonald
Do you have any interesting images relating to any aspect of acupuncture that...]]>
The image shows the application of electroacupuncture in the treatment of secondary myofascial pain from iliopsoas. This 33-year-old lady had recurrent knee pain diagnosed as hip dysplasia for which she had four hip operations culminating in a resurfacing procedure. One year later, the knee pain recurred, and it was reproduced by pressure on a (secondary) myofascial trigger point in iliopsoas. It responded immediately to treatment. For a full description, see Cummings M. Referred knee pain treated with electroacupuncture to iliopsoas. Acupunct Med 2003; 21(1–2):32–35.
Image and text provided by Mike Cummings
Do you have any interesting images relating to any aspect of acupuncture that you would like to share with other acupuncturists?
If so, please contact the editor through
Correction: the Image of acupuncture in the previous issue (March 2011) was kindly provided by Jane (not Janet)...]]>
Figure 1 shows keloid scar six months after repair of a Colles' fracture to the left wrist of a 27 year old female. It was persistently sensitive, and plastic surgery had been offered. Figure 2 shows acupuncture needles ‘circling the dragon’: up to ten small needles (0.20x15mm, Seirin, without guide tube) were placed in healthy skin as close to the edge as possible and approximately 1cm apart, with no stimulation. The patient was aware of improvement straightaway, and after eight further treatments over four months the scar was flatter and much less sensitive. Figure 3 shows the scar after six months – free of pain or other symptoms and not needing surgery.
Image and text provided by Janet Hunter
Do you have any interesting images relating to any aspect of acupuncture that you would like to share with other acupuncturists?
If so,...]]>
Glass bead sterilizer, of a type in widespread use in private clinics and teaching establishments when needles were reused over and over again. Disposable needles were not in routine use before the 1980s. Students were instructed to wipe needles before inserting them in the beads, to avoid pieces of human tissue baking on to the needle shafts. In busy multi-bed, multi-student clinics, there was no guarantee that each needle stayed in the sterilizer for any minimum duration. The two longer needles on the right hand side have a double layer of silver filigree winding on the handles, known as ‘coiled coil’. These handles provided easier grip for really strong manual stimulation. Image provided by Adrian White
Do you have any interesting images relating to any aspect of acupuncture? If so, please contact the editor through info@aim.bmj.com
]]>