Medical supplies used in acupuncture

The acupuncture needle is by far the most used medical instrument in acupuncture. However, there exist several other medical supplies that can mostly be found online. These range from those used in the sessions to those that are meant to ensure that an acupuncture clinic is safe for all parties involved. For instance, after needles are used, a form of disposal will always be necessary. This will often be in the form of biohazard containers. 

It all starts at the treatment table

A good acupuncturist will always check a patient’s medical history to determine if this therapy would work. It is quite obvious that acupuncture needles are best inserted into the body while the patient is lying down. The weight of patients vary thus a treatment table must be able to hold any kind of weight, besides being adjustable. Though expensive, the treatment table is a vital part of acupuncture. Other medical supplies that go along with the treatment table are drapes for patients, pillows and/or blankets and sheets that can always be changed with every new patient. Before inserting the acupuncture needles, the therapist will need to swab the skin. Tweezers and forceps are used to manipulate the needles. Gloves and dressings are mostly used to reduce chances of infection. Overall, these supplies can be ordered online or bought from stores that stock them.

Other disciplines of acupuncture

Several other forms of this technique exist. Traditionally, needles are placed at specific parts of the body but presently, practitioners do add electrical stimulation and also use pressure. In electro acupuncture, an electric current is sent through the needles to stimulate pressure points. Sonopucture uses sound waves to generate vibrations that stimulate pressure points in the same way that needles would. Acupressure uses pressure in place of needles. The patient’s acupoints are pressed and held for some period of time. The use of heat to stimulate acupoints is used in Moxibustion and this is achieved through the burning of a herb called moxa whereas in cupping, heated cups are placed over the skin. The acupuncture points are stimulated through a vacuum-like effect that results from suction pulling the skin into the cups. In light of these, medical supplies will include but will not be limited to herbs, incense, extinguishers for Moxibustion rolls and cupping sets.

Demonstration aids and storage tools

 

Some patients may need to know more about the acupuncture process. It has therefore become prudent that therapists are in possession of instruments to not only help in studying but in also demonstrating principles to inquisitive patients. This is mostly achieved with the aid of acupuncture books and model charts. As most patients would also prefer a relaxed atmosphere, most practitioners have now included decorative elements like plants, sculpture and artwork in their list of medical supplies. It is useless to have all these instruments and lack proper storage and for this reason, organization and orderliness can be achieved through the use of cabinets and/or rolling carts. Ultimately, the list of these supplies is endless, but is dependent on need and the projected costs.