what size needle for auricular treatments

[Christine Farrell-Riley]

I would like to buy some needles to use for auricular acupuncture. I cannot recall what we used last weekend. I know shorter length is desirable (15mm instead of 30) but I cannot recall the best gage.

[Allison Bailey]

Hi Christine, Usually we use the 0.20 x 15 mm (Seirin) or the 0.18x15mm (DBC) for auricular. In a very sensitive patient, you can probably use the red Seirin No. 1 (0.16x15mm), but these are more difficulty to use with the Very Point technique and we typically use this in the ear to sub-localize the exact point that you want to treat. Let me know if you have any other questions!

[Deborah Borne]

Thank you for the question, I have that too. I’ve used the 0.18, and the people I did it with say it’s very painful. I was going to look into the 0.16.

[Allison Bailey]

Hi, As you get more skilled at this style of needling, it is less painful for the patient. I find that most patients find the larger gauge needles for this fine, but occasionally in very sensitive patients, I may use the number 1’s.

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