Point Selection Methods
Terms
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Local points
-examples
-contraindication -
Lie over, on or in close proximity to diseased area.
ST 25, R 8 for diarrhea
ST 29 for diseases of uterus
SI 19 for diseases of ears
Cx: Acute pain or sprain when patient would need to move injury in order to be needled. -
Adjacent points
-examples -
Points located near the affected area.
GB 14, GB 20 for eyes
LI 14 for shoulder -
Distal points
-phase and its meaning
-examples -
Frequently used points, selected farthest from affected area - usually on hands and feet - on the involved channel.
"four origins and three ends" = four extremities and head, chest and abdomen (and back)
LV 3 for vertex HA
LV 5 for genital disorders
UB 57 for hemorrhoids - Functions of the Channels
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1) Transport of qi and blood throughout body making an integrated whole.
zang fu->channels->tissues & sense organs =
roots->stems->flowers
2) Protect body - superficial to deep layers
3) Reflect and transmit disease in body
4) Transmit qi to diseased area -
Local, Adjacent, and Distal Point Combinations
-examples -
Temporal HA: GB 8, GB 20, GB 43
Breast disease: ST 18, LV 14, GB 41 (shu-stream, yang channel disharmonies)
Stomach: R 12, R 17, ST 36 (he-sea)
Ant. Shoulder: LI 15, LI 14, LI 4
Post. Shoulder: SI 10, SI 12, SI 3 (shu-stream) -
Proximal points
-examples -
For disorders of the extremities proximal points are used.
Fingers and Hands: LU 6, SI 7, LI 5, LI 15, SJ 5
Toes: UB 58
Heels, feet and soles: ST 39, UB 56, UB 57 -
Points Below to Treat Above
-define "above" and "below"
-examples -
Points selected to draw down excessively rising qi and yang.
UJ: "above" = head, chest and upper back
"below" = points distal to elbow
M/LJ: "above" = upper/lower abdomen, mid and lower back
"below" = points distal to knee
ST 36 to harmonize stomach
LU 10 to benefit throat -
Points Above to Treat Below
-examples -
Less common than BTTA.
UJ: "above" = head, chest and upper back
"below" = points distal to elbow
M/LJ: "above" = upper/lower abdomen, mid and lower back
"below" = points distal to knee
ST 9 for vomiting, lumbar pain
DU 20 for palpitations, rectal & uterine prolapse -
Points from Back to Treat the Front
-examples -
Principally back-shu points used to treat disorders on the front
UB 13, 14, 15, 17 (diaphragm shu) for pain, oppression of chest
UB 18, 19, 20, 21 for abdominal disorders -
Points from Front to Treat Back
-examples -
Principally front-mu points used to treat disorders of the back
LU 1 to treat mid and upper back pain
Ren 9 to treat lumbar spine disorders -
Points in the Center to Treat Extremities
-examples -
Less common than opposite (Distal)
R 4 for tremor of hands
SP 15 for inability to raise and move the four limbs -
Points from One Channel to Treat its Int/Ext Partner
-examples -
ST 40 for phlegm from SP xu
LI 4 to assist LU with distribution of wei qi -
Points from One Pair of the Six Channels to Treat the Other
-examples -
Example: using point from hand shaoyang to treat disease in foot shaoyang
SJ 6 to treat hypochondriac pain
PC 6 to resolve qi stagnation in chest and hypochondrium -
Points According to Channel Connections
-examples -
Treating the areas and other zang-fu that a channel runs through
SP 6 for most SP, LV and KI diseases (all go thru SP 6)
LU 1 to treat nausea/vomiting because LU channel originates in MJ -
Cross Needling
- examples -
Selecting points on the opposite side of the body from the disorder. Idea being that the left is in excess, the right will be diseased, and vice versa (chronic hemiplegia).
Also:
-Sprain: needle R, patient exercise L
-Needle R ankle/hip to treat L wrist/shoulder
-Channels that X body, R LI 4 for L face
Left ST 4 for disease of right face
Right LV 1 for left-side shan disorder -
Empirical Points
- examples -
Uses that are historically established, but their use is not theoretically understood.
ST 38 shoulder pain
LU 7 HA
GB 36 rabies -
Chain and Lock Points
- examples -
Points from shoulder, elbow, hand/wrist to treat upper limb.
OR points from hip, knee and ankle to treat lower limb.
Upper limb: LI 15, LI 11, LI 4
Butt and post. leg: UB 36, UB 40 and UB 60 -
Alternating Points
- examples -
Using nearby point combs so as not to overuse an oft repeated point precription.
LI 15, LI 11, LI 4 -> SJ 14, LI 10, SJ 4
ST 31, ST 36, ST 41 -> GB 30, GB 34, GB 40