HWATO Acupuncture Needles: The Classic Chinese Needles with Metal Handles
In a nutshell: HWATO is a Chinese brand of sterile, disposable acupuncture needles. It is manufactured by the Suzhou Medical Appliance Factory in Suzhou (Jiangsu Province), which, according to its own information, traces its roots back over 160 years. A distinctive feature of HWATO is the silver-plated spiral metal handle, which is also suitable for electroacupuncture and moxibustion. CT&T Medical carries HWATO in Switzerland with and without a guide tube, in gold-plated versions, and as permanent needles.
Origin and Manufacturer
The brand name HWATO (Chinese: 华佗, Hua Tuo) is named after the Han Dynasty physician of the same name, who is considered one of the founders of surgery in China. The needles are manufactured by the Suzhou Medical Appliance Factory, which, according to the manufacturer, was founded in 1862 as a workshop in Suzhou. According to the company, HWATO is now the most widely used acupuncture needle in China, with a market share of over 55 percent.
Co-author of the international needle standard
According to the manufacturer, it played a key role in developing the first international standard for sterile, single-use acupuncture needles, ISO 17218:2014. Among other things, this standard specifies requirements for the tip, strength, sterility, and packaging. This serves as a useful reference for professionals, as the standard is now recognized worldwide as the benchmark for acupuncture needles.
What Sets HWATO Needles Apart
The silver-plated spiral handle
HWATO needles feature the classic Chinese handle design: a tightly coiled, silver-plated wire with an end ring. The handle is lightweight, fits comfortably between the fingers, and conducts electricity. This allows electrodes for electroacupuncture to be attached directly. Because the handle is made of metal, it is also suitable for moxibustion on the needle (“warm needle”).
Tip and Needle Shank
The needle shank is made of surgical-grade stainless steel that has been ground, hardened, and polished multiple times. This gives the needle high flexural strength. According to the manufacturer, the tip is finely ground (often described as having a “pine needle” shape) and is designed to penetrate evenly and precisely.