There are four standard methods of insertion: pressing the finger beside the point and inserting against the nail; pinching the skin and inserting between the fingers; stretching the skin taut and inserting; and lifting a fold of skin and inserting into it. The choice depends on the site, the patient and the thickness of the tissue.
Once the needle is in, manipulation reduces to two movements: rotation and lifting and thrusting. Every compound technique, including the most elaborate classical methods, is a combination of these two with variations in speed, amplitude and duration. The apparent complexity of the tradition resolves into a small number of physical actions.