Table 3.
Comparison of Recommended Needling Depths of Acupoints Implicated in Pneumothorax
| Acupoints | Jiayia(280) | Tongrena(1027) | Dachenga(1601) | Chengab(1987)24 | Soab(1985)54 | O'Connorab(1981)23 | Anon.ab(1980)22 | Morib(1976)55 | Deadmanab(1998)56 | Heckerab(2005)57 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BL-13c | 0.66 cm | 1.1 cm | 0.66 cm | 1.54 cm | 1.1 cm | 3.3 cm | 1.1 cm | 2 cm | 2.2 cm | 1.1 cm |
| GB-21c | 1.1 cm | 1.1 cm | 1.1 cm | 1.1 cm | 0.55 cm | 2.2 cm | 2.2 cm | 2 cm | 2.2 cm | 2.2 cm |
a
The depths are given in “cun,” the “body inch.” Chinese authors have estimated the cun to be approximately 2.23 cm,58 while Harper estimated that the cun was about 2.31 cm [Harper, D. The “Wu Shi Erh Ping Fang”: Translation and Prolegomena. Doctoral thesis, Berkeley, CA: University of California, 1982]. We have adjusted the numbers based on 1 cun=2.2 cm.
b
These texts gave a range of indicated depths. We took the maximum depth from that range, as this is the one at most risk.
c
Some modern texts give clear cautions about safe needling depths for these acupoints.56