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How did acupuncture needles vary in length in historical Chinese medicine?

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Moxibustion — traditional Chinese medicine In moxibustion, or moxa treatment, small cones of an herb (typically *Artemisia moxa*) are burned on top of needles placed in designated points of the body, generally the same points as those used in acupuncture.

In historical Chinese medicine, acupuncture needles have varied significantly in length to accommodate different treatment requirements. While typical insertions into the skin and underlying tissues generally range from 3 to 10 mm (0.1 to 0.4 inches) in depth, historical and traditional practices have utilized needles ranging from 3 to 24 cm (approximately 1 to 9 inches) in length.12

Some specialized procedures may even call for insertions as deep as 25 cm (nearly 10 inches). These needles, which may have extremely fine points or slightly arrowheaded tips, are used to influence the distribution of yin and yang within the body's meridians to restore the flow of qi.12