[Objective]It is important for students to learn in school education how to prevent medical accidents caused by deep insertion of a needle. Also, it is essential in safe acupuncture treatment that students are always reminded there are individual variations in subcutaneous structure and to confirm the position of the needle tip in the subcutaneous tissue. To recognize the acupuncture needle tip, muscle twitch induced by electrical stimulation through the acupuncture needle tip was felt with fingers of training students.
[Methods]To prevent accidental pneumothorax, acupuncture training was performed in the upper and lower extremities. After the class, we conducted a questionnaire investigation with the students.
[Result]As the result, students realized that the position of the needle tip which they assumed is different from the real position in subcutaneous tissue.
[Discussion]Without knowing the precise position of the acupuncture needle tip, a desirable effect is not provided, and furthermore, a medical accident may be caused. It is important to confirm the position of the acupuncture needle tip with consideration to individual variation for safe and effective acupuncture treatment.
[Conclusion]We concluded that the skill to prick and insert the acupuncture needle to the correct position is so important in preventing medical accidents that training to learn correct needle tip position should be given in acupuncture education.