Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture

Presentation

Wrist-ankle acupuncture (腕踝针, wàn huái zhēn) was developed in the 1960s–1970s by Professor Zhang Xinshu (张心曙) at the Second Military Medical University in Shanghai. Born in the context of acupuncture anesthesia surgery, this extremely simplified technique uses only 12 points — 6 at each wrist and 6 at each ankle — to treat all pain and functional disorders throughout the body.

The body is divided into 6 longitudinal zones on each side, from the anterior midline to the posterior midline. Each zone is associated with a point at the wrist (for upper body disorders) and a point at the ankle (for the lower body). The needle is inserted subcutaneously, parallel to the skin surface — no muscular stimulation or De Qi seeking.

Creator: Professor Zhang Xinshu (张心曙), Shanghai, 1960s–1970s.

Core Principles

• Zonal body division: 6 longitudinal zones on each side, from the anterior face (zone 1) to the posterior face (zone 6), covering the entire body.
• Wrist = upper half correspondence: the 6 wrist points treat zones above the diaphragm.
• Ankle = lower half correspondence: the 6 ankle points treat zones below the diaphragm.
• Subcutaneous insertion: needle inserted at 30° then laid parallel to the skin, advancing 3–5 cm in subcutaneous tissue. No pain, no De Qi.
• Simplicity and safety: ideal technique for acupuncture beginners and sensitive patients.

Main Indications

• Acute and chronic pain of all locations
• Headaches and migraines
• Cervical, thoracic and lumbar pain
• Post-operative pain
• Skin allergies, urticaria, pruritus
• Asthma, chest oppression
• Emotional disorders: anxiety, insomnia
• Dysmenorrhea

Session Overview

The practitioner identifies the body zone involved in the symptom and selects the corresponding wrist or ankle point. A fine needle (0.25 × 25–40 mm) is inserted at a very acute angle (15–30°) then slid under the skin parallel to the surface. The patient feels no pain. The needle is left in place for 30 minutes, secured with adhesive tape.

Typically 1 to 4 needles suffice per session. The analgesic effect is often immediate. Frequency: daily for acute pain, 2–3 times per week for chronic conditions.

Variations and Sub-techniques

• Bilateral points: simultaneous use of the same point on both sides for midline symptoms
• Wrist + ankle combination: for disorders affecting both body halves
• Prolonged retention: some practitioners leave the needle taped for 24–48 hours

Contraindications

• Skin infections at insertion sites
• Severe coagulation disorders
• Severe lymphedema of extremities
• Extensive dermatoses of wrists or ankles