(1) Penetrating Technique

Points: From Neiguan (PC6) to Waiguan (TE5) with penetrating

technique.

Technique: Puncture Neiguarl (PC6) to Waiguan (TE5) unilaterally with penetrating technique, while encouraging the patient to breathe deeply. Retain the needle for 15 minutes after the arrival of qi, lift and thrust the needle with a sparrow-pecking method once every five minutes and apply massage gently on the patient's abdomen.

(2) Selection of Points According to the Affected Area

Points: In case of pain in the middle of the abdomen, Gongsun(SP4) and Diji (SP8) are selected; for pain around the umbilicus, Shuiquan (KI 5), Yingu (KI 10), Mingmen (GV 4) are selected; for pain in the lower abdomen, Zhongdu (LR6) and Xingjian (LR2) are selected; and for pain on'the lateral aspect of lower abdomen, Ligou(LR 5) is selected.

Technique: Puncture the points with the common method and retain the needle for 20 minutes after the arrival of qi. Other points can also be used in terms of different etiology.

(3) Selectron of Points According to the Nature of Pain

Points: For distending pain, Tianshu (ST25) and Yinlingquan(SP9) are selected; for pricking pain, Xuehai (SP10) and Quchi (LI 11) are selected; for moving pain, Qihai (CV6) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) are selected; and for dull pain, Gongsun (SP4), Zhangmen (LR 13) and Dabao (SP 21) are selected.

Technique: Puncturing the points with the common method. Other points can also be used in terms of etiology and affected area.

(4) Puncturing Around the Umbilicus

Points: Four points around the umbilicus (one cun superior, inferior, left and right to the umbilicus respectively).

Technique: Both acupuncture and moxibustion can be applied on these points. It is indicated for all kinds of abdominal pain.

(5) Puncturing Jianli (Ren 11)

Points: Jianli Ren 11).

Technique: Keep the patient in a supine position, and puncture the point perpendicularly one to two cun deep. When qi arrives, apply reinforcing or reducing technique in terms of deficiency or excessive syndrome, and retain the needle for 20 to 30 minutes.

(6) Selection of Points According the Time

Points: Dazhui (CV 14) and Zusanli (ST 36).

Technique: A patient had been feeling dull pain around the  umbilicus for more than 10 years, the pain usually occurring between two and three o'clock in the afternoon and between seven and nine o'clock in the evening. These points were punctured at 2:00 p.m., and the pain disappeared completely after five treatments.

(7) Puncturing along the Skin with the Penetrating Method

Points: Shangwan (Ren 13), Zhongwan (CV 12), Jianli (Ren 11) and  Xiawan (Ren 10).

Technique: Keep the patient in a supine position with both legs  flexed upward slightly. The practitioner fixes and stretches the skin  around Shangwan (Ren 13) with the left hand, and inserts a 3-cun needle into Shangwan (Ren 13) transversely along the skin to penetrate through Zhongwan (Ren 12), Jianli (Ren 11) and Xiawan (Ren 10), then rotates the needle repeatedly. After the arrival of qi, the needle should be retained for 20 t0 30 minutes, while manipulating it intermittently until the pain is alleviated or disappears. Usually most cases of abdominal pain can be alleviated after 30 minutes of needle retention.

(8) Selection of Ah-shi Points on the Back

Points: Pressing the skin of the patient along the vertebral column  1.5 to 2 cm lateral to the mid-line up to down, the Ah-shi points are  those tender spots.

Technique: Selecting one or two points every time and puncturing them with reducing technique. It is used for abdominal pain.