Classical Acupuncture points in Dogs & Cats
Top 77 points
Huisheng Xie, DVM PhD
Classical Point
• What?
Acupuncture: History
Sun Yang
Alias Bole
Veterinarian
Qinmugong period
659 B.C. to 621 B.C.
Bole Zhen-jing
Bole’s Canon of Veterinary Acupuncture
• Sun Yang
• 659 to 621 B.C.
• Bole Zhenjing
Acupuncture: History
Yuan-Heng’s Therapeutic Treatise of Horses
Yuan Heng Liao Ma Ji
– 1608
– Benyuan Yu
– Benheng Yu
• Veterinarian
• Ming Dynasty
• 1368 to 1644
Canine Classical Point
• No meridian lines. Only location of points.
– Its own points
• Liu-feng
– From horses
• Bai-hui
– From cattle
• Shan Gen (mountain base)
– From pigs
• An-shen
• From lab animal studies (rats, mice)
– Transpositional from people to rats/mice
– From rats/mice to dogs/cats: ST-36, GB-34
Canine Classical Point: Why
• Simply it works.
Head regions: 23 points
Trunks:
26 points
Limbs:
28 points
Head and Neck (HN) region
• 23 points (#1 to #23)
Head and Neck (HN) region (#01 to #23)
01 Tian-men Gate of Heaven
Tian-men
GV-17
Xie-01
LO: on the dorsal midline b/t
the caudal rim of the 2 ear base
ME: Perpendicular insertion 0.3 cun
IN: epilepsy, seizure, loss of voice, dizzy
Ref: Crossing (Jiao-hui) pt b/w GV & BL
02 Da-feng-men
Great Wind Gate, GV-21, Xie-02
LO: on the dorsal midline b/t the cranial rim of the 2 ear base
ME: Horizontal insertion toward GV-17 (sedation) or
GV-24 (tonification) for 0.5-1 cun
IN:
Internal wind: epilepsy, seizure, tremor
headache, vertigo, nasal congestion/discharge
calming down point
Xie-04
Long-hui
03 Long-hui Meeting of dragons
LO: on the midpoint b/t
the two temporal fossae.
Tai-yang
ME: Perpendicular insertion 0.3 cun
IN: epilepsy, seizure, nasal congestion
Ref: Yin-tang in people
04 Tai-yang
Great Yang
LO: In the depression about 1 cun posterior to the lateral canthus.
ME: Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1 cun
IN: Facial paralysis, headache, conjunctivitis or other acute eye problems
05 Shan-gen Mountain base
Shan-gen
GV-26
Xie-05
LO: on the dorsal midline of
boundary b/t hairy & non-hairy
areas
ME: Perpendicular insertion 0.3
cun
IN: Loss of appetite, sinusitis,
coma, shock, wind-cold, wind-heat
Ref: Transposition from bovine
points
06 Ren-zhong/Shui-gou the center of man/water passage, Xie-07, GV-26
LO: At the intersection b/t dorsal and middle 1/3 of the philtrum
ME: Perpendicular insertion for 0.3 cun
IN: Coma, shock, fever, bronchitis, Lung Heat, facial paralysis
Ref: Crossing pt b/t GV, LI, ST.
07 Jing-ming Brighten eye Xie-10
BL-1
ST-1
San-jiang
BL-1
LO: At the medial canthus b/t the
upper and lower eyelid
ME: Push the eyeball laterally and
perpendicular insertion 0.1 cun
Not twisting the needle
Contraindication of moxa
IN: Conjunctivitis, keratitis, liver heat
or other acute eye problems
08 Cheng-qi, Receiving Tears Yu-04, ST-1
Ref: Crossing pt among 5 channels
(SI, BL, ST, yin-qiao, Yang-qiao)
LO: In the midpoint of lower eyelid
ME: Perpendicular insertion for 0.3 cun; Do not twist the needle after needling;
Contraindication of moxa
IN: Ocular discharge, abnormal tears, Uveitis, KCS, facial paralysis
Ref: Crossing pt b/t BL-, Yang-qiao and CV.
09 San-jiang, Three rivers Yu-05 from equine
BL-1
LO: On angular vein. 1 cun below
medial canthus
ST-1
San-jiang
ME: Dry needling or hemoacupuncture
IN: Uveitis, KCS, constipation,
abdominal pain.
10 Ying-Xiang receive fragrance, Xie-08, LI-20
LO: In the nasal labial groove, at the level of the midpoint of the
lateral border of the ala nasi
ME: Oblique insertion for 0.3 cun; Contraindication of moxa
IN: Nasal congestion, facial paralysis
Ref: Crossing pt b/t ST and LI.
12 Nao-shu, brain association point
Nao-shu
Bi-tong
LO: In the upper 1/3 between the cranial
medial aspect of ear base and GB-1.
ME: Perpendicular insertion for 0.3 cun
IN: Seizure, shen disturbance
11 Bi-tong, nose passing
LO: In the midpoint between LI-20 and BL-1.
ME: Perpendicular insertion for 0.3 cun
IN: Nasal congestion, sinusitis, facial paralysis
13 Feng-chi Wind Pond, Xie-23, GB-20
GB-20
TH17
LO: In the depression rostral and
medial to the cranial edge of the wings
of the atlas in a depression below the
occipital bones and medial to the
jugular process.
14 Yi-feng Wind Screen, Xie-22, TH-17
LO: Ventral to the ear in the depression between
the mandible and the mastoid process
15 An-shen Pacify Shen
Transpositionally from swine acupoints
LO: Halfway b/t GB-20 and TH-17 caudal to the ear base
IN:
External Wind, Internal Wind, seizure, Calming down shen
cervical stiffness, headache, nose-bleeding, nasal discharge/congestion,
facial paralysis, swelling in the face, otitis, deafness,
16 Shang-guan, upper joint, YU-7, GB-3
LO: In the depression caudal end of
temporomandibular joint.
Ref: Crossing point between GB and ST.
17 Xia-guan, lower joint, YU-8, ST-7
LO: In the depression caudal to masserter,
cranial to temporomandibular joint.
Ref: Crossing point between ST and GB.
18 Bao-sai Embrace mandible from equine
LO: Intersection of line from medial canthus to mandible angle and
extension of anguli oris
IN:
Dental pain, mandible pain, facial paralysis
Headache, head-shaking
19 Er-jian
Ear Tip
Xie-24
LO: On the convex surface of the ear
at the auricular vein on the tip of ear
ME: Dry needling or hemo-acupuncture
IN: abdominal pain, fever, wind-heat, heat
20 Cheng-jiang
Receiving saliva
CV-24
LO: Midline 1 cun to rim of lower lip
ME: Perpendicular insertion 0.3 to 0.5 cun
IN: excessive salivation, cold-damp, facial paralysis
Ref: Crossing point between CV and ST; Transpositional
from equine.
21 Hua-tuo-jia-ji at cervical region
LO: 0.5 dorsal to cervical vertebrae
IN: cervical stiffness, wobbler’s disease
22. Jian-wei, strengthen stomach
LO: Upper 1/3 of the jugular group,
Between vein and cervical vertebra
IN: Anoraxia, vomit, stomach disorders
23 Lian-quan
LO: At the ventral midline just cranial to throat.
CV-23
IN: excessive salivation, laryngeal hemiplegia
Ref: Crossing point between CV and Yin Wei
Trunk and Tail (TT) region
• 26 points (#24To #49)
Trunk and Tail (TT) region
24 Da-zhui Great vertebrae Xie-26, GV-14
LO: In the dorsal midline b/t C7 & T1
IN: Fever, cervical neuralgia, asthma,
cough, seizure, skin itching
immune deficiency, IVDD
Ref: Recent studies indicated the
stimulation at GV-14, LI-4 & ST-36
increased WBC in cancer patient with
chemo/radio-therapy
25 Ding-chuan stop cough/asthma
26 Tian-tu
Celestial Chimney
LO: In the depression 0.5 cun lateral to GV-14
LO: On the ventral midline at the tip of the manubrium
IN: Cough, asthma, dyspnea, sore throat, thyroid problem, diaphragm spasm,
chest pain.
27. Shen-zhu, Body Post, GV-12, Xie-28
LO: In the dorsal midline b/t T3 and T4
ME: Perpendicular insertion 0.5-1.5 cun
IN: Lung disorder, Heart disorders, cough,
asthma, IVDD, Shen disturbance
28 Ling-tai GV-10, Xie-30
LO: In the dorsal midline b/t T6 and T7
ME: Perpendicular insertion 0.3 to 0.5 cun
IN: Liver problems, lung problems, stomach problem
29 Ji-zhong spine center, GV-6, Xie-34
LO: In the dorsal midline b/t T11 &T12
ME: Perpendicular insertion 0.3 to 0.5
cun
IN: IVDD, Spleen and Stomach disorders
30 Tian-ping, scale Xie-35 Transpositionally from swine acupoints.
LO: In the dorsal midline b/t T13 and L1
ME: Perpendicular insertion 0.3 to 0.5 cun
IN: internal hemorrhage (hematuria, hemafecia)
prevention for castration/spayed bleeding
GV-4
GV-3
31 Ming-meng Life Gate Xie-37 GV-4
LO: In the dorsal midline b/t L2 & L3
ME: Perpendicular insertion 0.5 cun
IN: renal failure, diarrhea due to
Yang Deficiency
Lumbar pain, IVDD
32 Yao-yang-guan, Lumbar yang gate, Xie-38 GV-3
LO: In the dorsal midline b/t L4 and L5
ME: Perpendicular insertion 0.3 to 0.5 cun
IN: Lumbar-sacral IVDD, hindlimb weakness/paresis/paralysis
33 Bai-hui hundred meeting
Xie-40
LO: In the dorsal midline b/t L7 & S1
34 Shen-shu-E Kidney association point, BL-26, xie-62
LO: 1.5 cun lateral to Bai-hui
35 Shen-peng Kidney shelf
LO: 1.5 cun cranial to Shen-shu
IN: yang deficiency, lumbar-sacral pain
IVDD, renal failure
diarrhea, constipation
hindlimb weakness/paresis/paralysis
ischiadic neuralgia
Bai-hui
36 Yan-chi Wing of ilium
Wei-jie
LO: Midpoint between Shen-peng and tuber coxae
ME: Perpendicular insertion 1 to 1.5 cun
IN: Infertility, Kidney Qi/yang deficiency
37 Wei-jie Tail-vertebrae Xie-42
LO: In the dorsal midline b/t Cd1 and Cd2
ME: Perpendicular insertion 0.1 to 0.3 cun
IN: Paralysis of tail, hindlimb weakness/paresis/paraly
38 Hou-hai back sea
Xie-47 GV-1
LO: In the depression b/t the anus and ventral tail base
ME: Perpendicular insertion 0.5-1.0 cun
IN: Diarrhea, constipation, anus problem, paralysis of
rectum prolapse of rectum, seizure, infertility
Ref: Crossing pt among GV, GB and KID
GV Luo-connecting to CV
39. Wei-jian Tail tip,, GV-1b Xie-44
LO: At the tip of tail
ME: Perpendicular insertion 0.1 to 0.3 cun
IN: Paralysis of tail, hindlimb weakness
paresis/paralysis
40 Hua-tuo-jia-ji
LO: 0.5 cun lateral to each vertebrae fom T-1 to L-7
IN: IVDD, back pain
41 Si-liao Four points
Xie-45
LO: A group of 4 acupoints. 0.5 cun lateral to the sacrum.
The cranial pt is at the first dorsal sacral foramina
The Caudal pt is at the second dorsal sacral foramina
The remaining 2 points are equidistantly located b/t the
cranial and caudal points.
IN: Lumbar-sacral pain, neuralgia, hindlimb
weakness/paresis infertility, metritis, ovaritis
Ref: It’s called Er-yan (Two holes) in some reference if only
cranial and caudal points are used. It’s called Ba-jiao (Eight
points) because there are 8 points (4 points each side).
Precious, 9 YR
Castrated cat
Shaking the rear leg
Stiff and limping
At the rear limbs
UTI
Urinary incontinence
Shen:good
Stinking smell from body
Herbal: solitary hermit
42 Guan-yuan-shu Gate of primary Qi, Xie-57, BL-21
BL-21
GV-4
LO: In the longissimus muscle groove,
caudal to the last rib and cranial to
to the tip of transverse process of L1
ME: Perpendicular insertion 0.5 cun
IN: Diarrhea, loss of appetite, indigestion
nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain
general weakness
BL-23
43 Shen-shu
Kid asso
Xie-59
BL-23
LO: Caudal to the tip of the L2 transverse process,
in the longissimus muscle groove
ME: Perpendicular insertion 0.5 cun
IN: Kidney qi or yin deficiency, renal failure, deafness, urinary
incontinence, edema, back pain
Trixie, 18 yr s/f cat
Flake and dry skin
R rear leg amputated after
Car accident/surgery/mass
Owned since kitty when
The owner was 14 yrs
All rest 5 cats and 3 dogs
Respect Trixie
Aloof but the leader
Personality: metal
Geriatric health check
Longevity purpose
44 Ju-que CV-14
Xie-80
6th rib
CV-16
Xiphoid
CV-14
CV-12
LO: On the ventral midline, at the midpoint b/t
CV-12 and xiphoid process.
ME: Horizontal insertion 0.3 cun
CV-8
IN: chest pain, vomiting, seizure
Ref: Heart alarming pt
LO: Midpoint b/t CV-8 and the xiphoid process
ME: Perpendicular insertion 0.3 cun
45 Zhong-wan
Center abdomen
CV-12, Xie-81
IN: stomachache, vomiting, food stasis,
abdominal distension, diarrhea
Ref: Stomach alarm point, Influential point for fu
organs. Crossing point b/t CV, SI, TH, ST.
6th rib
46 Shen-que CV-8, xie-82
LO: At the center of umbilicus
ME: Moxibustion or acupressure
CV-8
IN: IBD, fatigue
Ref: Contraindicated with needling
47 Tian-shu Celestial Center ST-25, xie-86
LO: 2 cun lateral to umbilicus
ME: Aquapuncture
IN: Front-Mu (Alarm) point for LI.
Constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting
48 Qi-hai, the Sea of Qi, Xie-83 CV-6
6th rib
LO: At the midpoint b/t CV-8 and CV-4
IN: General weakness, diarrhea, constipation
urinary incontinence
Qi deficiency patterns in geriatric patients
CV-8
Ref: General Qi tonification similar to ST-36
CV-7
CV-5
CV-6
CV-4
CV-3
CV-2
49 Guan-yuan, control source, Xie-84 CV-4
LO: on the ventral midline at the the lower 2/5 b/t CV-8 and pubic tubercle
IN: Urinary incontinence, renal failure, general weakness, kid yang or qi deficiency
Ref: SI alarm point, crossing pt b/t CV & 6 yin channels, general tonification
Four Limbs (FL) region
• Front limb: 17 points (#50 to 66)
• Hindlimb: 11 points (#67 to #77)
50. Bo-jian, Scapula tip from equine
LO: Just cranial to the cranial angle of the scapula
51. Bo-lan, Scapula Post xie-87
Just caudal to the caudal angle of the scapula
52. Fei-men, Lung Gate from equine
LO: 1/3 cranial border of scapula
53. Fei-pan, Lung Hugging from equine
LO: 1/3 caudal border of scapula
54. Bo Zhong, Scapula Center, GB-21
LO: ½ cranial border of the scapula
In:
shoulder problems
front limb lameness
lung diseases
cough or asthma
nasal congestion
bone steaming (disc infections)
paralysis of suprascapular N.
55. Jian-jing shoulder well, Xie-88, LI-15
LO: At the shoulder point, ventrocranial to the
acromion process.
56. Jian-yu shoulder clavicle, Xie-89, LI-14
LO: In the depression cranial and ventral to
the greater tubercle of humerus
57. Jian-wu-yu shoulder lateral clavicle, Xie-90,
TH-14
LO: In the depression caudal to the greater
tubercle of the humerus.
In:
Shoulder pain
cervical stiffness
front limb lameness
58. Qiang-feng Robbing wind, Xie-91, SI-9
Caudal to humerus, in a large depression along the
caudal border of the Deltoid muscle at its juncture with
the lateral and the long heads of the triceps brachii
59. Jian-zhen Steadfast shoulder from equine
1.5 cun cranial and dorsal to SI-9 (Qiang-feng).
60. Tian-zong, Heaven ancestor from equine
1.5 cun dorsal to SI-9 (Qiang-feng).
61. Chong-Tian, penetrating heaven from equine
1.5 cun dorsocaudal to SI-9 (Qiang-feng).
In:
Ref:
shoulder problems
Ear problems
arthritis, nerve paralysis
front limb lameness
Major pts for the front limb lameness and soft tissue injuries
62. Zhou-shu, Elbow asso point, Xie-93
LO:
In:
B/t the lateral tuberosity of
the humerus & the anconal process
of the ulna
elbow problems
arthritis
nerve paralysis
front limb lameness
63. Qian-san-li, Front three miles Xie-95, LI-10
LO:
At the upper 1/6 of the forearm,
in the muscle groove b/t extensor
carpi radialis & extensor digi communis
In:
Abdominal pain, diarrhea
Gingivitis/stomatitis
arthritis, nerve paralysis
front limb lameness
substitute for ST-36
Ref:
64. Nei-guan, Medial Pass, Xie-109, PC-6
3 cun above the transverse crease of the carpus
located on the opposite side of the arm from TH-5.
The point is located more medially in animals than it
is in human beings, although both are located in the
center of the palmar side of the arm.
In: cardiovascular disorders, chest pain,
vomiting/nausea
epilepsy/seizure/internal wind, insomnia/Shen
disturbance
Vestibular disease/head tilt, migraine,
vertigo/dizziness
Ref: Luo-connecting pt with TH, crossing pt with Yinwei
Clinical study: EA at PC-6/LI-4/ST-36 significantly decreased the serum amylase in the
patients of acute pancreatitis.
65. Wai-guan #99 Lateral Pass, Xie-99, H-5
LO: 3 cun above the carpus on the craniolateral
aspect of the foreleg in the interosseous space
between the radius and ulna. This point is directly
opposite PC-6 on the ventromedial aspect of the
foreleg (which is the best way to find PC-6).
In: fever, headache, red/swollen eyes, deafness,
soreness at the flank, arthritis, nerve paralysis,
front limb lameness
Ref: Luo-connecting pt with PC, crossing pt with
Yang-wei
66. He-gu, Union Valley, Xie-113, LI-4
Between the 2nd and 3rd metacarpal bones
approximately in the middle of the 3rd metacarpal
bone on the radial side
67. Jian-jiao, Coxa Angle Xie-124
Bai-hui
LO: At the depression ventral to the
horizontal top of the sacral tuber of the ilium
68. Ba-Shan
Attachment to Mountain,
Xie-125
LO: At the midpoint b/t Bai-hui &
the sciatic tuber
IN: Hip problems, hip dysplasia
Back pain, hindlimb lameness
Paresis/paralysis
Major points for the hip and hindlimbs
69. Huan-tiao, Ring Craniad, Xie-127
LO: At the depression proximal to the
cranial border of the greater
trochanter of femur
70. Huan-zhong, Ring middle, Xie-128
LO: At the depression proximal to the
dorsal border of the greater trochanter of
femur
71. Huan-hou, Ring caudad, Xie-129
IN: Hip problems, hip dysplasia
Major point for the hip joints
LO: At the depression proximal to the
caudal border of the greater trochanter of femur
72. Xi-ao,
Knee Curve Xie-136, ST-35b
LO: In the depression below the
patella and medial to the patellar
ligament is a point also referred to as
“the medial eye of the knee” or Nei Xi
Yan. Together with ST-35, the two
points are referred to as Xi Yan.
73. Du-bi,
IN: Stifle arthritis, bi syndrome
ligament problems
Rear weakness
Calf’s Nose, ST-35a
LO: In the depression below the
patella and lateral to the patellar
ligament. Also referred to as “lateral
eye of the knee” or Wei Xi Yan.
74. Hou-san-li, Rear 3 miles, Xie-140, ST-36
LO: 3 cun below ST-35a, one
finger-width from the cranial crest
of the tibia in the belly of the
cranial tibial muscle. This is a
long linear point.
75. Yang-ling-quan,
IN: Arthritis, bi syndrome
ligament problems
Rear weakness/lameness
paresis/paralysis
General pain relief
Yang Tomb Spring ,
Xie-139, GB-34
LO: In the depression anterior and
distal to the head of the fibula on the
lateral side of the rear leg.
76. LIV-3, Tai Chong, Supreme Surge, Xie-155, LIV-3
LO: On the medial aspect of the second toe proximal
to the metatarsophalangeal joint.
IN: Shu-stream point (earth), Yuan-primary (Source)
point. Liver Qi Stagnation, abnormal cycle, paralysis
of hindlimb.
77. Liu-feng, Six Raphes
Liu Feng
LO:
At the skin fold on the dorsal of the
metatarsal joints. 3 points
at each foot
(total: 6 points at the rear limb)
In:
Paralysis/paresis
Ref:
Can be applied for the front limbs