Open and closed supplementation and drainage

A method of achieving supplementation and drainage that involves pressing or not pressing the finger (or an alcohol-soaked swab) on the point after needle extraction. Supplementation is achieved by lightly pressing and rubbing the point after needle extraction to close the hole and prevent channel qì from discharging. Draining is achieved by waggling the needle on extraction without pressing to open the hole and allow channel qì to discharge. Alternatively, slow needle extraction after which the point is quickly pressed with the finger supplements, whereas swift needle extraction with slow pressing of the point drains. Plain Questions (素问 sù wèn, cì zhì lùn) states, Needling repletion, open the needle hole with the left hand; needling vacuity, close the needle hole with the left hand. See needle manipulation (technique).