If on a blazing summer day, someone near you suddenly collapsed from what appeared to be heatstroke, your instinct would be to use basic first aid. You might loosen their clothing, lay them down safely, and call 911. But what if there was no one to call? That was the reality for ancient Chinese doctors, who served as emergency responders without access to ambulances or IV drips.
Instead, they relied on sharp needles, a deep understanding of anatomy, and extensive hands-on experience. One of their main techniques was to prick the side of a person’s finger—specifically at an acupoint called Lesser Metal (Shao Shang, LU11)—to draw blood and help revive them. While you don’t need to use a needle or cause bleeding to benefit from this powerful point, its history demonstrates how seriously it was—and still is—taken.
