Table 1 Details of acupuncture and superficial acupuncture treatment

Acupuncture

Fengchi (GB20)

0.5–0.8 cun (12.5–20 mm) oblique insertion towards the tip of the nose.

Baihui (GV20)

0.5–0.8 cun (12.5–20 mm) subcutaneous insertion.

Taiyang (EX-HN5)

0.3–0.5 cun (7.5–12.5 mm) perpendicular insertion.

Hegu (LI4)

0.5–0.8 cun (12.5–20 mm) perpendicular insertion.

Taichong (LR3)

0.5–0.8 cun (12.5–20 mm) perpendicular insertion.

Retaining needles for 30 min. Lifting, thrusting, twisting and/or rotating the needles twice every 10 min with intermittent stimulation for maintaining the deqi sensation.

Superficial acupuncture

Fengchi (GB20)

Controlling depth within 2 mm by inserting needles with limited tubes, and retaining needles for 30 min without any manipulation to avoid deqi sensation as far as possible.

Baihui (GV20)

Taiyang (EX-HN5)

Hegu (LI4)

Taichong (LR3)