Benchmark
Review
Meridian Theory and Point
Locations, Energetics
8 March 2013
Meridian Theory and
Point Locations
Name and Category of
Meridians and Collaterals
Channel names consist of 3 parts:
 Zang
of fu to which it belongs
 Upper or lower limb through which it
travels
 Its’ yin or yang identity
Regular Channels


Six yin channels
Six yang channels
Eight extraordinary channels
 Ren, du, chong, dai, yin qiao, yang qiao, yin
wei, yang wei
Miscellaneous channels
 Divergent, sinew, cutaneous, superficial
Fifteen collaterals
 1 for each primary,1 for du, 1 for ren, 1 for
great luo connecting of the spleen
Function of the Meridians and
Collaterals
General function of meridians
 Transport qi and blood through body, rendering
the body as an integrated whole.
 Protect the body
 Respond to the dysfunction of the body





The channel itself can be diseased
The zangfu connected with the channel can be
diseased which shows in the channel
Disease can transmitted via the channels (i.e., Ht fire
 SI  bladder
Channel may show the disease
Channels transmit healthy qi to diseased areas
Luo Connecting
 Strengthen the connection between the
internally and externally paired channels
and zangfu.
 Treating disorders of their interiorlyexteriorly related channel or zangfu
 Treating disorders in regions reached by
the luo-connecting channel
 Treating psycho-emotional disorders
General distribution, direction,
flow of meridians
 Go
through Deadman and review the
diagrams of the main channels



Focus on where they start, where they go
Focus on what direction they flow
Refamiliarize yourself with the organs they
pass through
Classification, Nomenclature
of acu-points
Nomenclature
 How points are named. We learn points by
channel/number except for extra points
 In Asian countries (and at Bensky’s school in
Seattle) you learn the name of the points
which reflect the points’ location and
therapeutic properties
Classification, Nomenclature
of acu-points
Classification
 Regular points



Extra points



Located on 12 main channels + Du and Ren
Each has a reliable name, function, location
Not located on a main/Du/Ren meridian, not related to
internal organ
Are named, have definite locations, and
indications/functions
Ashi points



Tender or responsive points, not on any channel, not
named, no reliable locations, no real indications
Are used to treat local problems.
Find ‘em by palpating
Methods of locating points
 Anatomical
landmarks
 Proportional measurements
 Finger measurements
 Convenient measurements
Landmarks
 Bones, protuberances like mastoid
process, intercostal spaces,transverse
processes of the vertebrae, etc.
 Hairlines – anterior and posterior
 Creases – cubital, popliteal, wrist, etc.
 Depressions – ST 35, GB 20, etc.
Proportional measures
 Refers to the proportions of the patient and varies based on their
body part sizes.
Examples:














9 cun from anatomical neck of humerus (axillary crease) to the elbow
crease.
9 cun from lateral-lateral hairline (St 8’ish).
9 cun from mastoid process to mastoid process
12 cun from front hairline to back hairline
12 cun from cubital crease to wrist crease
8 cun from sternal notch to acromion process
8 cun from sternal costal angle
(just above xyphoid process) to umbilicus
8 cun from nip to nip
(on females, mid-clavicular line to mid-clavicular line)
5 cun from umbilicus to pubic symphysis.
14 cun from gluteal fold to popliteal crease
16 cun from popliteal crease to lateral malleolus
15 cun from popliteal crease to medial malleolus
19 cun from great trochanter to popliteal crease (anterior)
See CAM and Deadman for a few more that aren’t listed above.
Finger and hand measures – see Deadman
and CAMS for the whole set
Convenient measures
Nose to arm to find LU 3, thumb phalangeal
crease on the webbing to find Li 4, width of
the smile, etc.
Location/relationship of points
on 12 regular, Ren, Du
http://catstcmnotes.com/pages/Class/Poin
t%20Locations/Point%20Locations%203.html
Location of extra points
Same document as cited on previous page
Needling method of points
 Needle

directions
Perpendicular, oblique, transverse and
transverse oblique and where to use them
 Needling
depth
I.e., how not to kill/maim someone and
how not to get sued.


Pneumothorax and other fun organ
punctures.
Needling close to blood vessels and nerves
Point Energetics
Function, indication of points
on the 14 meridians
 Point
Category Study Guide
 Five Element Study Guide
 Channel and Pathways Study Guide
 Comprehensive Energetics Study Guide
Function, indication of extra
points
Five phase, element or control
points
Antique points
 Jing
well, etc.
Front mu points
Back shu points
Confluent points of the 8 extra
meridians
Sheng/generation and
Ke/control cycles
Meeting points
Entry and exit points
Window of Sky points
Four Needle Technique
Xi Cleft points
Yuan Source and Luo
Connecting points
Extra points
Ashi points
Basic principles for prescription
and selecting points
Commonly used point
prescriptions
 Four
gates, four flower, etc.
Some classic point association
 Four
general/command, etc.