In this paper

we expound the origin and development of special acupuncture needle tools for cutaneous region

and discuss its mechanisms from modern medical theory.By consulting related acupuncture books and literature and in combination with needles used in clinical practice

we conclude that acupuncture needle tools can be divided into skin massage needle(digital pressing

spoon needle

etc.)

cutaneous pricking blood needle(shear needle

three-edged needle

plum blossom needle

etc.)

subcutaneous shallow puncture needle(intradermal needle

superficial needle

subcutaneous in-dwelling needle)

etc.The skin-brain axis is the core of skin stimulation therapy.Mechanical pressure exerted on the skin surface induced by acupuncture stimulation or pressing

microcirculation changes and drug superposition are probably the underlying mechanisms of special skin acupuncture needle tools for treatment of various clinical disorders.