The Dao Ma  Needling technique is a unique technique of Master Tung. In this technique, two to six needles are inserted along the same line. The line can be vertical, horizontal, or diagonal. The Dao ma acupuncture technique is first mentioned in the clinical records of Tung’s treatment of the President of Cambodia, Marshal Lon Nol (Tung, 1971). In his book (Tung, 1973), Tung refers to the technique by a different name, Hui Ma [回馬]. The technique is mentioned in two places in the book. The first time at the point Shou Ying 44.03: “needle Hou Zhui 44.02 and Shou Ying 44.03 together using the technique called Hui Ma, and then the effect is quick and good.” The second time at the points San Zhong 77.05-07: “needle Yi Zhong 77.05, Er Zhong 77.06, and San Zhong 77.07 together using the technique called Hui Ma to treat the diseases mentioned in the indications of the points.”

The meaning of the character Hui [回] is to return, and the meaning of the character Ma [馬] is horse. Hui Ma means returning horse. The character horse appears in the names of many points in Master Tung’s acupuncture. A horse is a very fast animal, and it is possible that Master Tung used this character to suggest that the points or the Dao Ma technique have a rapid effect. Why does he call this technique “returning horse”? In the Dao Ma technique, we insert two to six needles in the same area. After inserting the first needle, instead of moving to another area, we return and insert another needle in the same area.

Today, this technique is commonly called the Dao Ma acupuncture technique. The character Dao [倒] means to invert, to go backward. The literal meaning of Dao Ma can be falling horse or returning horse. Again, the idea of returning to the same area to insert an additional needle appears here.

Some argue that this acupuncture method should be called falling horse rather than returning horse because to make a horse fall, you need to take out one of its legs. Usually, the Dao Ma technique uses three needles. The three legs of the falling horse symbolize the three needles used in this technique.