Ch.6 Introduction to Acupuncture Points

  • Acupuncture points are the specific sites through which the Qi of the Zang-fu organs and meridians is transported to the body surface

  • Points are classified into three categories:

    • Meridian points: points located along the twelve main meridians, Governor Vessel, and Conception Vessel

    • Extra points: experiential points with specific names and definite locations, but are not attributed to the fourteen meridians

      • are said to be the preceding counterparts of meridian points

    • Ashi points: aka “reflecting points”, “unfixed points”, or “tender spots”

      • represent the earliest stage of acupuncture points evolution

  • Finger measurements for point location

    • Middle finger measurement: the distance between the two medial ends of the creases of the interphalangeal joints is one cun

    • Thumb measurement: the width of the interphalangeal joint of the thumb is one cun

    • Four finger measurement: the width of four fingers close together is three cun

  • Point Categories:

    • 5 Shu Points: points usually located from the distal end of extremities up to the elbow or knees

      • Jing Well (bubble)

      • Ying Spring (gush)

      • Shu Stream (flourish)

      • Jing River (abdundant)

      • He-Sea (river meets the sea)

    • Lower He-Sea points treats Zang Fu disorders

    • Yuan Primary points treats Zang Fu disorders

    • Luo Connecting points treat interior & exterior related meridians

    • Xi Cleft points treat acute disorders & Zang Fu related meridians

    • Eight Confluent points treat disorders related to the 8 extra meridians

    • Back Shu points treat internal organ disorders

    • Front Mu points treat internal organ disorders

    • Crossing points treat local meridian disorders

    • Eight Influential points Zang Fu, Qi/Blood, Tendon/Vessel, Bone/Marrow disorders

  • The Twelve Meridians

    • Hand Taiyin —> Lung —> treats lung and throat

    • Hand Jueyin —> Pericardium —> treats heart and stomach

    • Hand Shaoyin —> Heart —> treats heart

    • Hand Yangming —> Large Intestine —> treats forehead, face, nose, mouth, teeth

    • Hand Shaoyang —> Triple Burner —> treats temporal & hypochondriac regions

    • Hand Taiyang —> Small Intestine —> occipital & scapular regions, mental illness

    • Foot Taiyin —> Spleen —> treats spleen and stomach

    • Foot Jueyin —> Liver —> treats liver

    • Foot Shaoyin —> Kidney —> treats kidney, lung, throat

    • Foot Yangming —> Stomach —> treats face, mouth, teeth, throat, stomach, intestine

    • Foot Shaoyang —> Gall Bladder —> treats ear, temporal, hypochondriac regions

    • Foot Taiyang —> Urinary Bladder —> treats neck, dorsal-lumbar regions

  • Conception Vessel —> Ren —> treats collapse, Yang prolapse, general tonification

  • Governor Vessel —> Du —> treats apoplexy, coma, febrile disease, head/face disorder