FAQ

What is Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture?

Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture is one of a number of specialized microsystem acupuncture techniques. The more general acupuncture therapy is often called body acupuncture. In scalp acupuncture, very short, fine needles are placed on the scalp to achieve the desired therapeutic effects on different parts of the body. This technique has yielded outstanding results for thousands of patients, and has become recognized worldwide as one of the most effective methods for the treatment of a wide variety of difficult-to-manage medical conditions.

How does Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture differ from traditional acupuncture?

The major differences between Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture and body acupuncture are:

  • It is more convenient as the patient can receive a treatment in any position and it does not interfere with daily activities.
  • There is less pain associated with scalp acupuncture than with body acupuncture.
  • For most conditions results tend to be faster.
  • The locations of the needling differ. Although the scalp has numerous traditionally identified acupuncture points along several of the major meridians, Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture has its own unique treatment zones.

How does Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture differ from other scalp acupuncture methods?

One main difference between Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture and other styles is that Zhu’s needles are shorter and thinner, so there is virtually no pain. Zhu’s treatment areas are also located differently, and Zhu’s ways of manipulating the needles are unique. In addition, the simultaneous use of Daoyin greatly enhances our therapeutic results.

What is Daoyin?

“Daoyin” in Chinese means “to lead and guide”. It is a term referring to any activity that helps to guide the flow of Qi. In 1974, a silk painting was found in an archaeological site dated 200 B.C. in Changsha, China. The painting titled Daoyin Tu illustrated many postures and exercises that ancient people used to maintain good health and physical flexibility. Professor Zhu is the first one to integrate Daoyin into acupuncture treatments. During the needle retention period, patients actively participate in various physical and mental exercises or relaxation. The combination of acupuncture and Daoyin magnifies the results enormously.

How is treatment usually applied?

Patients can receive scalp acupuncture treatment in a natural sitting or lying position. Very fine, short needles are inserted superficially in the scalp and generally produce no pain or discomfort. While stimulation is applied to the needles, patients are instructed to follow specific physical and breathing exercises, focusing energy on the target areas.

How long is a typical treatment session?

A treatment session usually lasts 1 hour. Throughout the session, the needles are manipulated 3 or more times. Needles can be retained in the scalp for 2 to 72 hours. These periods are generally shorter for children.

How many treatments are usually needed to obtain results?

Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture is remarkable for its immediate effects. In most cases, patients feel improvement after the first treatment, with these positive responses usually continuing for 3–4 days. To sustain the results, it is often necessary to repeat the treatment. The frequency of treatments is determined by the acuteness and severity of the ailment. For acute conditions, daily treatment or 3–5 treatments per week is recommended. For chronic problems 2 treatments per week may be adequate.

Do scalp needles puncture into the brain?

No, our brains are enclosed in skulls so hard that surgeons need an electric drill to perform a brain surgery. The needles used in Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture are so thin that it is impossible to puncture through the bone. Practitioners are trained to avoid needling into areas where the skull bone is removed or not closed, such as an infant’s fontanelle.

Do scalp needles cause bleeding or infection?

Although the scalp is richly supplied with blood vessels, there are no large arteries within the treatment zones of Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture. Therefore bleeding is rare and, when present, is so minimal that it can be stopped easily by light pressure on the bleeding site.

Every practitioner of Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture routinely follows an antiseptic procedure on the scalp, employing only sterilized, single-use disposable needles. The risk of infection is extremely low. Special care is also taken to not needle into inflammed areas.

Can patients on blood thinning medication use scalp acupuncture?

Patients on blood thinners such as coumadin can safely use scalp acupuncture. There is no clinical evidence that the needles increase the risk of bleeding.

Is scalp acupuncture contra-indicated for acute stroke?

No. Quite the contrary, early intervention with Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture is highly recommended. Whether it is an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture can help minimize the scope of damage and promote more rapid recovery.

What medical conditions respond well to scalp acupuncture?

Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture treats the same variety of diseases as body acupuncture. It has wide application in internal medicine, pediatrics, geriatrics, gynecology, etc. However, it is effective most notably in the treatment of acute conditions, pain and nervous system disorders. Specific examples include: acute and chronic pain syndromes, stroke, spinal cord injuries, motor and senory dysfunctions, neuropathies, Bell’s Palsy, sciatica, aphasia, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, attention deficit disorder, hyperactive syndrome, depression, anxiety, insomnia, neurasthenia, schizophrenia and other psychological and psychosomatic disorders, senile dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and many others.