Adina_Kletzel: February 13, 2020, 9:33pm
I have noticed a correlation in my patients between hypersensitivity to the insertion of acupuncture needles and
GB+ patterns. It seems to me that those who have a tendency to react outwardly and forcefully in response to a
stimuli also react in the same manner to the pain caused by the insertion of the acupuncture needle. It is almost like
they are angry at me for causing them pain – even though they have chosen to endure some pain in order to help
themselves heal. They scream out or let out a forceful thrust of outward energy when met with the pain of
insertion. I find that my more SJ+ or SI + patients swallow the pain quietly without reacting.
Does anyone else see this pattern amongst their patients?
I have been pondering my discomfort with using the thicker more painful needles because I very much want to do
Saam acupuncture as effectively as possible and this discomfort with causing others pain is holding me back. I
have a strong aversion and fear to the forceful GB+ reaction and I realized that it is this reaction that I am looking
to avoid. This avoidance has caused me to stay away from the thicker needles and almost NEVER tonify Lung or
spleen.
Now that I established that a forceful reaction to the pain comes mostly from GB+ patients it may help me box
their reaction as typical for their character and not necessarily as anger toward me for doing a more painful form of
acupuncture.
I d love to hear others thoughts on this.
KristinWisgirda: February 13, 2020, 1:32pm
Adina_Kletzel:
Now that I established that a forceful reaction to the pain comes mostly from GB+ patients it may help me box
their reaction as typical for their character and not necessarily as anger toward me for doing a more painful
form of acupuncture.
Great insight! While it is important to constantly be improving needling technique, not taking patient response
personally is critical to evolving as a practitioner. Sometimes this is a hard won lesson for us SJ excess types :).
I ve adopted many of Toby s strategies for softening the atmosphere around needling sensation. I say things like
only 4 needles, almost done, those finger points always bite at first but will start to ease quickly. Part of my
strategy is to tell the patient that it is normal to have strong sensation with the insertion of the needles. Toby says
that the body doesn t know that these are needles to help them and it is normal to respond to them as if they are
thorns.
Ed Neal has needle phobic patients actively push out against the needle – by breathing into the area or
energetically- as it is being inserted. He finds that giving patients a sense of control/agency in this way helps.
For needle sensitive patients, it is even more important that you don t hold back in your needling. Call on your
upright qi for the benefit of the patient and get H8 inserted clearly in the right direction! Wishy-washy needling15/01/2024, 17:14Sensitivity to needles and GB+ – Qiological Community
https://forum.qiological.com/t/sensitivity-to-needles-and-gb/893/print2/2
will lead to needles that are improperly seated and need to be adjusted- not a good scenario.
I have seen several patients for years who just need to talk about how they hate being needled. They make some
noise, they sweat, we laugh about how it is worth it.
Practice on yourself as much as you can. Give those finger and toe points a good massage before inserting too.
Thanks for sharing your experience Adina. It takes courage to look at yourself closely and share your findings with
others.
Adina_Kletzel: February 13, 2020, 9:35pm
Thank-you so much for your suggestions. They are very helpful.
ozarkcdn: February 19, 2020, 7:00pm
Adina_Kletzel:
I have a strong aversion and fear to the forceful GB+ reaction and I realized that it is this reaction that I am
looking to avoid. This avoidance has caused me to stay away from the thicker needles and almost NEVER
tonify Lung or spleen.
I think Kristin implied this as well, but your strong aversion and fear is definitely going to set the tone for the
patient – they are just reflecting the environment. Can you enjoy playing with the needles instead of fearing them?
KristinWisgirda: February 19, 2020, 7:36pm
Adina is definitely not alone in this. When starting practice Saam, I definitely held back in treatments for fear of
causing more sensation than the patient might be comfortable with. It has been a gradual process of getting
comfortable with larger needles and more assertive trreatments.
.18x30s were my standard pre-Saam needles. The .40x40s that sounded barbaric to me, pre-Saam, are now my
standard.