Obtaining qì

Causing the acupuncture needle to elicit the sensations associated with the presence of qì at or near the insertion site. These sensations include subjective sensations in the patient and an objective sensation felt by the practitioner’s fingers. The subjective sensation experienced by the patient can be described as twinging suān distension, heaviness, tingling or numbness depending on the point in question and the condition of the patient. This should not be confused with the local sensation of pricking pain that may accompany needle insertion. Obtaining qì is a deeper sensation, duller in nature, and less localized than the sharp pain associated with the stimulation of subcutaneous nerves. The objective sensation felt by the practitioner can be described, to use the metaphor of Sòng to Elucidate Mysteries (标幽赋 biāo yōu fù), as a sudden deep tightening that resembles the feeling of a fish biting on a fishing line. As long as the needle moves easily, qì cannot be obtained. Since some patients report the slightest sensation to avoid further probing by the acupuncturist, it is better to rely on the subtle objective sensation. Channel-freeing manipulation, needle flicking, and qì-moving manipulation are techniques designed to help obtain qì.