Table 1.

The detailed methods of treatment techniques for pestle needle therapy.

Treatment techniques	Detailed methods
Diankou	The tip of pestle needle is tapped repeatedly on the acupoints, like a sparrow pecking. It is suitable for acupoints with small areas.
Shengjiang	Use the tip of pestle needle to touch the skin at acupoints, then move up and down along the longitudinal axis of body, move up is named “sheng” and move down is named “jiang.” It is suitable for acupoints with large areas.
Kaihe	Use the tip of pestle needle to touch the skin at acupoints, and apply force in a vertical direction, as much as the patients can tolerate, it is named “kai.” Then stop applying force and lift pestle needle slowly upwards, without the tip leaving the skin of acupoints, it is named “he.” It is suitable for acupoints with small areas.
Yunzhuan	Use the tip of Seven luminaries-mixed Yuan Pestle and Five star-Three Terrace Pestle, or use the shank of Vajra Pestle and Kui Xing Pen firmly against the skin at acupoints, and move it in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
Fenli	Use the tip or the shank of pestle needle to touch the skin at acupoints, move from side to side along the horizontal axis of the body, it is named “fen.” Then move up and down along the longitudinal axis of the body, it is named “li.” It is suitable for acupoints with large areas.