Point Indication
class 2
YUAN-SOURCE
POINTS
• Each of the twelve primary channels has
a yuan-source point where it is said the
original qi surfaces and lingers.
• The Classic of Difficulties says:
• “The dynamic qi below the navel,
between the Kidneys [the basis] of
human life, and the root of the twelve
channels is known as the original [qi].
The Sanjiao is the envoy of the original
qi, it dominates the movement of the
three qi and passes through the five
zang and six fu. The term ‘source’ is an
honorary name for the Sanjiao, therefore
the places where it resides are known as
the yuan-source [points]”.
• On the yin channels only, the yuansource points are the same as the shustream points.
• The Spiritual Pivot in Chapter 1 states
“When the five zang are diseased, select
the yuan-source points”, they are the
primary point on the yin channels for this
purpose.
• On the yang channels the yuan-source
points lie between the shu-stream and
jing-river points. In terms of their
importance and indications they are quite
different from the yuan-source points of
the yin channels.
• Their principal actions are to dispel
various kinds of excess pathogenic
factors and to treat disorders along the
pathway of their respective channels.
• Examples:
• L.I.-4 dispels exterior wind pathogen and
regulates the whole course of the Large
Intestine channel yet has negligible
action on the Large Intestine fu,
• SI-4 primarily treats contraction, stiffness
and pain along the entire length of the
Small Intestine channel
• Finally, the Spiritual Pivot states that the
points may be used diagnostically:
• “If the five zang are diseased, abnormal
reactions will appear at the twelve yuansource points; by knowing the
correspondence of the yuan-source points
to the relevant zang, the reaction can be
seen, and thus one can identify which of
the five zang are injured”.
LUO CONNECTING
• Each of thePOINTS
twelve primary channels has
a luo-connecting channel which diverges
from the primary channel at the luoconnecting point.
• In addition there are three further luoconnecting points: REN-15 (for the
Conception vessel), DU-1 (for the
Governing vessel) and SP-21 (the great
luo-connecting point of the Spleen).
• The actions of the luo-connecting points
may be summarized as:
• i. treating disorders of their interiorlyexteriorly related channel or zang-fu,
• ii. treating disorders in regions reached
by the luo-connecting channel
• iii. treating psycho-emotional disorders.
Treating disorders of their interiorlyexteriorly related channel or zangfu
• In clinical practice, many of these points
are used to treat disorders of both their
corresponding zangfu and channel as
well as their interiorly-exteriorly related
zangfu or channel, for example:
• LU-7 is an important point in the
treatment of headache, pain of the neck,
etc. ; these indications are explained by
the pathway of its interiorly-exteriorly
related Large Intestine channel.
• ST-40 transforms phlegm due to weak
Spleen transportation and transformation
function.
• SP-4 harmonizes the function of the
Stomach and intestines and to treat
abdominal pain.
• SI-7 has a pronounced effect on
regulating and calming the Heart spirit
and is indicated for a wide range of
psycho-emotional disorders.
Treating disorders in regions reached
by the luo-connecting channel
• LU-7: the Lung luo-connecting channel
spreads through the thenar eminence,
and LU-7 is an important point in the
treatment of thumb disorders.
• LIV-5: the Liver luo-connecting channel
ascends to the genitals and LIV-5 is the
primary point on the channel to treat a
wide variety of disorders affecting this
region.
• HE-5: the Heart luo-connecting channel
ascends to the root of the tongue and
HE-5 is much used clinically to treat
stiffness of the tongue and speech
impairment, especially following
windstroke.
• KID-4: the Kidney luo-connecting
channel ascends to a point below the
Pericardium, and KID-4 is indicated in
the treatment of palpitations,
restlessness and agitation of the Heart
with fullness and vomiting.
Treating psycho-emotional disorders
• ST-40: mania-depression, mad laughter,
great happiness, desires to ascend to
high places and sing, discards clothing
and runs around, seeing ghosts.
• SP-4: mania-depression, manic raving,
insomnia and restlessness, Gall Bladder
deficiency, much sighing.
• HE-5: frequent yawning and groaning
with sadness, frequent agitation with
burning sensation of the Heart,
depressive disorder.
• SI-7: mania-depression, fear and fright,
sadness and anxiety, restless zang
disorder.
•
P-6: insomnia, the five types of epilepsy,
mania, poor memory, apprehensiveness,
fear and fright, sadness, loss of memory
following windstroke.
THE METHOD OF COMBINING THE
YUAN-SOURCE AND LUOCONNECTING POINTS
• Known as the ‘host and guest
combination’
•
The yuan-source point of the first or
primarily affected channel is combined
with the luo-connecting point of its
interiorly-exteriorly coupled channel.
• Examples:
• L.I.-4 and LU-7: invasion of exterior
pathogenic wind.
• SP-3 and ST-40: Spleen deficiency with
phlegm accumulation.
• LIV-3 and GB-37: Liver disharmonies
affecting the eyes.
Group Luo Points
• Used in cases where all 3 yin or yang
channels of the arm or leg are affected.
• SJ 8 - 3 arm Yang (LI, SJ, SI)
• PC 5 - 3 arm Yin (LU, PC, HE)
• GB 39 - 3 leg Yang (ST, GB, BL)
• SP 6 - 3 leg Yin (SP, LIV, KD)
XI-CLEFT POINTS
• The term ‘xi’ implies a cleft, crevice, hole
or opening, and the xi-cleft points are
where the qi and blood, which flow
relatively superficially along the channels
from the jing-well points, gather and
plunge more deeply.
• Xi-cleft points in general are indicated in
the treatment of acute conditions and
pain.
• Xi-cleft points of the yin channels have
an additional action of treating disorders
of blood.
• LU-6: acute diseases of the Lung
including coughing up blood.
• ST-34: acute disorders such as breast
pain, breast abscess, and epigastric
pain.
• SP-8: acute dysmenorrhea, irregular
menstruation and abdominal masses in
women due to blood stasis.
•
SI-6: acute pain of the shoulder,
scapula, arm and lumbar region.
• KID-5: amenorrhea, irregular
menstruation, dysmenorrhea and
delayed menstruation.
• P-4: acute chest pain due to stasis of
blood.
BACK-SHU POINTS
• ‘Shu’ means to transport; the name of
each of the back-shu points is made up
of the name of its corresponding zang or
fu, followed by ‘shu’.
• For example the back-shu point of the
Heart (xin) is Xinshu BL-15, implying that
the qi of the Heart is transported
between the zang and this point.
• The back-shu points lie at roughly the
same anatomical level as their related
zang or fu, and also lie more or less
opposite their corresponding front-mu
points.
• There are a number of other back-shu
points which are independent of the zangfu: Dushu BL-16 (Governing Shu), Geshu
BL-17 (Diaphragm Shu), Qihaishu BL-24
(Sea of Qi Shu), Guanyuanshu BL-26
(Gate of the Source Shu), Zhonglushu BL29 (Mid-Spine Shu), Baihuanshu BL-30
(White Ring Shu) and Gaohuangshu BL-43
(Vital Region Shu).
The functions of the
back-shu points
• The Classic of Difficulties said:
• “Yin diseases travel through the yang
region and yang diseases travel through
the yin region. The mu points are
situated in the yin region, they may be
used to treat yang diseases; the shu
points are situated in the yang region,
they may be used to treat yin diseases”.
• This suggests that the back-shu points
should primarily be selected in cases of
deficiency and cold (yin), and for
diseases of the zang (yin) rather than the
fu.
• It is certainly true that the classical
indications for these points include many
examples of deficiency and cold,
however it is equally true that there are
numerous classical indications for
excess disorders among the back-shu
points.
• It is probably true that most practitioners
use the back-shu points of the zang
more frequently than those of the fu,
while the front-mu points may be favored
for diseases of the fu.
• The back-shu points clearly do not treat
channel disorders. They may be
indicated in some instances for disorders
of the sense organs which pertain to the
zang-fu.
FRONT-MU POINTS
• There are twelve front-mu points, located
on the chest or abdomen in close proximity
to their respective zang or fu. All lie on the
anterior of the body except GB-25.
• Of the twelve points, only three lie on the
channel corresponding to their related
zang or fu (LU-1, LIV-14, and GB-24). Of
the remaining nine, six lie on the
Conception vessel.
• The term ‘mu’ means to gather, and the
front-mu points are where the qi of the
zang-fu gathers and concentrates on the
anterior surface of the body.
• Front-mu points have a wide application
in diseases of both the zang and the fu,
icluding excess, deficiency, hot and cold
patterns; in addition, they can be used
diagnostically (as can the back-shu
points).
• Like the back-shu points, the front-mu
points treat disorders of their respective
zangfu but not their respective channel.
• The corresponding back-shu and frontmu points are also frequently combined
in treatment (for example BL-28 and
REN-3 for the Bladder).
HUI-MEETING
POINTS
• AKA “Influential Points” or “Gathering
points”; each affects a certain type of
tissue or substance throughout the body
• Very frequently used
• LIV-13: hui-meeting point of the zang
• REN-12: hui-meeting point of the fu
• REN-17: hui-meeting point of the qi: also
known as Shangqihai (Upper Sea of Qi),
has a strong effect on the gathering
(zong) qi.
• BL-17: hui-meeting point of blood; is the
single most important acupuncture point
for the treatment of any blood disorder.
• GB-34: hui-meeting point of the sinews;
the main point to influence the sinews
throughout the body.
• LU-9: hui-meeting point of the pulse and
vessels.
• BL-11: hui-meeting point of bone,
indicated for various bone diseases.
• GB-39: hui-meeting point of marrow, the
origin of the bone marrow.
LOWER HE SEA
POINTS
• Used to treat their respective fu organs.
• Large Intestine ST 37
• Stomach
ST 36
• Sanjiao
BL 39
• Gall Bladder
GB 34
• Small Intestine ST 39
• Urinary Bladder BL 40
FOUR AND SIX
COMMAND POINTS
• ST-36 for disorders of the abdomen.
• BL-40 for disorders of the lumbar region
and back.
• LU-7 for disorders of the head and nape.
• L.I.-4 for disorders of the face and
mouth.
• These points can be used to treat any
kind of disorder in these regions,
whether deficient, excess, hot, cold,
chronic or acute.
• Later generations added two more points
to this grouping (thus known as the Six
Command Points):
• P-6 for disorders of the chest and lateral
costal region
• DU-26 for resuscitation.
FOUR GATES
• Points: L.I.-4, LIV-3
• Common combination usually indicated
for stagnation of Qi and/or Blood, with
associated symptoms of pain and
emotional stress.
POINTS OF THE
FOUR SEAS
• The Spiritual Pivot describes four ‘seas’
in the human body:
• Sea of qi
• Sea of blood
• Sea of water and grain
• Sea of marrow
The sea of qi
• Points: ST-9, REN-17, DU-15 and DU14.
• The Spiritual Pivot says “When the sea
of qi is in excess there is fullness in the
chest, urgent breathing and a red
complexion. When the sea of qi is
insufficient, there is scanty energy
insufficient for speech”.
The sea of blood
• Points: BL-11, ST-37 and ST-39
• The Spiritual Pivot says “When the sea
of blood is in excess, there is a sensation
as if the body were big; one feels
disquiet, but does not know what disease
there is; when the sea of blood is
insufficient, one has the sensation of
one’s body being small; one feels
reduced but does not know what could
be the illness”.
The sea of water and
grain
• Points: ST-30 (upper point) and ST-36
(lower point).
• According to the Spiritual Pivot “when
the sea of water and grain is in excess,
there is abdominal fullness, and when it
is deficient there is hunger with inability
to eat”.
The sea of marrow
• Points: DU-20 and DU-16
• “When the sea of marrow is in excess
then there is lightness of the body and
much strength and a person’s self
exceeds the normal level; when the sea
of marrow is insufficient there is a
whirling sensation of the brain, dizziness,
tinnitus, pain of the lower legs,
impairment of vision, indolence and
desire to sleep”.
WINDOW OF
HEAVEN POINTS
• This is a group of ten points which have
come to be known in Western acupuncture
circles as ‘Window of the Sky’ points.
• Points: ST-9, L.I.-18, SJ-16, BL-10, LU-3,
REN-22, SI-16, SI-17 (or GB-9), DU-16 and
P-1
• They are not commonly used in Modern
Chinese practice, though some non-TCM
systems use them more frequently.
• The window of heaven points are
indicated in the following situations:
• Disharmony between the qi of the body
and the head, with qi or blood rebelling
upwards
• Scrofula and goiter
• Sudden onset
• Psycho-emotional disorders
• Disorders of the sense organs
THE THIRTEEN GHOST
POINTS OF SUN SI-MIAO
• The thirteen ghost points were listed in
the Thousand Ducat Formulas by the
great 7th century physician Sun Si-miao
for the treatment of mania disorder and
epilepsy.
• The thirteen ghost points are:
• Guigong (Ghost Palace) i.e. DU-26.
• Guizhen (Ghost Pillow) i.e. DU-16.
• Guitang (Ghost Hall) i.e. DU-23.
• Guishi (Ghost Market) i.e. REN-24.
• Guixin (Ghost Faith) i.e. LU-11.
• Guitui (Ghost Leg) i.e. L.I.-11.
• Guichuang (Ghost’s Bed) i.e. ST-6.
• Guilei (Ghost Fortress) i.e. SP-1.
• Guixin (Ghost Heart) i.e. P-7.
• Guicu (Ghost Cave) i.e. P-8.
• Guilu (Ghost Path) i.e. BL-62.
• Guifeng (Ghost Seal) i.e. Haiquan
(Extra) below the tongue.
• Guicang (Ghost Store) i.e. REN-1.
• Some authorities considered that Guixin
was in fact LU-9 rather than P-7, and
that Guilu was either P-5 or even P-8
rather than BL-62.
• Gao Wu’s alternative list of these points
in the Glorious Anthology of Acupuncture
and Moxibustion included DU-24, ST-17,
GB-34 and LIV-2 and omitted BL-62, DU23, L.I.-11 and REN-1.
EXIT/ENTRY POINTS
• AKA Entry-exit points
• Used extensively in Five Element
(Worsley) Style Acupuncture, not so
common in TCM
• The following explanation is from Thea
Elijah, Five-Element practitioner:
• Entry point = where the circulation of qi
enters the channel.
• Exit point = where the circulation of qi
exits the channel.
• As the circulation of qi exits one channel
and enters the next, there may be
clogging or obstruction holding up the
flow of energy into the following channel.
• Exit-entry blocks are diagnosed via the
pulses.
• The pulse of the “clogged exit” channel
will feel full, with a tense puffed-out
feeling.
• The pulse of the correspondingly “empty
entry” channel will feel concave, empty.
• Traditionally, an Exit-Entry block is
broken by TONIFYING first the affected
exit point (bilaterally), and then by
tonifying the subsequent entry point.
• Effectiveness may be verified
immediately on the pulses.
• The Entry points are the first point on the
channel, with one exception (L.I.-4).
• Six of the Exit points are the last point on
the channel, and the other six are not.
• Points which are not the first or last point
on the channel are marked with an
asterisk (*):
Channel
Entry
Exit
LUNG
LU-1
LU-7*
L.I.
L.I.-4*
L.I.-20
STOMACH
ST-1
ST-42*
SPLEEN
SP-1
SP-21
HEART
HE-1
HE-9
S.I.
SI-1
SI-19
Channel
Entry
Exit
BLADDER
BL-1
BL-67
KIDNEY
KID-1
KID-22*
PC
P-1
P-8*
SANJIAO
SJ-1
SJ-22*
GB
GB-1
GB-41*
LIVER
LIV-1
LIV-14