Certificate in TCM Assistant TCM Disease Management 中医疾病护理 中医疾病护理 疾病护理 Acupuncture & Moxibustion 针灸养生 Leong Kwai Yin
Course Outline (Planned) Introduction: What is TCM Disease Management 1. History & Basics 2. Daily Living 3. Sleep Techniques 4. Qigong & Tuina 5. Guasha & Cupping 6. Bathing & Exercises 7. Acupuncture & Moxibustion 8. Exogenous Diseases 9. Coughing 10. Amnesia 11. Depression 12. Dementia 13. Diabetes 14. Obesity 15. Gout 16. Stomach Pain 17. Blood Pressure 18. Stroke
Acupuncture & Moxibustion Acupuncture: Acus (needle) + Punctura (to puncture) An European term invented by Willem Ten Rhyne, a Dutch physician who visited Nagasaki in Japan in the early part of the 17 th century. Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific acupuncture points along the skin of the body involving various methods such as penetration by thin needles or the application of heat, pressure, or laser light. Moxibustion: Moxa (mogusa) + Combustio (burning) Hermann Buschoff who published the first Western book on this matter in 1674 (English edition 1676) used the Japanese word mogusa. Moxibustion is a TCM therapy by burning moxa made from dried mugwort (Artemisia argyi). Moxa may be used on acupuncture needles, or burn it directly on the patient's skin.
Acupressure, Shiatsu & Tuina Acupressure: Acus (needle) + Pressure In treatment, physical pressure is applied to acupuncture points with the aim of clearing blockages in these meridians. Pressure may be applied by hand, by elbow, or with various devices. Shiatsu: 指 圧 orしあつin Hiragana; literally means "finger pressure" It is a type of alternative medicine consisting of finger and palm pressure, stretches, and other massage techniques. Tuina: 推 拿 ; pinyin: tuī ná; literally means push and grasp Tuina is a hands-on body treatment that uses Chinese Taoist and martial arts principles in an effort to bring the eight principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) into balance.
History of Acupuncture The oldest records of ancient Chinese acupuncture are found on bone etchings thought to be from around 1600 B.C. The first known text on acupuncture is the Yellow Emperor s Canon of Internal Medicine 黄 帝 内 经. It was compiled around 305-204 B.C. and consists of two parts: The Su Wen (Plain Questions) - 9 volumes - 81 chapters The Su Wen introduces anatomy and physiology, etiology of disease, pathology, diagnosis, differentiation of syndromes, prevention, yin-yang, five elements, treatment, and man's relationship with nature and the cosmos. The Ling Shu (Miraculous Pivot, Spiritual Axis) - 81 Chapters The Ling Shu's focus is Acupuncture, description of the meridians, functions of the zang-fu organs, nine types of needles, functions of the acupuncture points, needling techniques, types of Qi, location of 160 points.
Acupuncture Needles 古 代 九 针
Acupuncture Needles Hao needles ( 毫 针 ) are the standard type of acupuncture needle used in varying lengths depending on the depth of penetration desired.
Acupuncture Needles Prismatic needles ( 三 棱 针 采 血 针 ) are used in a process called extravasation, which is the slight puncturing of the skin to allow some blood to escape, thus relieving energy stagnation at that point.
Acupuncture Needles Ear needles are very small needles which look similar to a thumbtack. They are used in acupuncture points on the ear. They are often worn for several days, covered by a piece of tape, in such treatments as weight reduction and to stop smoking.
Acupuncture Needles Plum blossom needle ( 梅 花 针 七 星 针 ) is used to pound the skin lightly in order to stimulate the acupuncture points. It is used for treatment of children, old people or patients who are in a weakened condition.
Acupuncture Needles Hypodermic needles ( 皮 内 针 ) are very tiny pin-like needles, used to puncture only the upper skin layers.
Acupuncture Needles Fire Needle ( 火 针 ) therapy uses a tungsten needle, heated red hot and then inserted into the skin for a microsecond and pulled out again. It breaks down cysts, nodules and very tight muscle structures.
Acupuncture Needles Fu s Subcutaneous Needling (FSN 浮 针 疗 法 ), is a newly invented acupuncture technique which uses a modified disposable acupuncture needle to stimulate areas that are nearby trigger points or Ashi points so as to treat musculoskeletal pain and other conditions.
Acupuncture Needles Small needle-knife ( 小 针 刀 ) therapy is new technique that combines surgery with acupuncture. It uses specially designed needles with thick and sharpened tips that look like small knives.
Acupuncture Needles 现 代 九 针
Japanese Acupuncture Japanese practitioners use finer needles, stimulate more superficially and gently, and often do not consider the strong de-qi 得 气 sensation (a sensation of numbness, heaviness, or distention at the area of needle insertion) to be of primary importance. One of the most notable Japanese contributions to the field is the development of Kanshinho 管 针 法, a guiding tube insertion method developed by the famous seventeenth-century blind acupuncturist Waichi Sugiyama. The guiding tube method, which drastically decreases the pain associated with the initial insertion of the needle, is now utilized by practitioners worldwide.
Western Celebrities Kim Kardashian Gets Acupuncture Needles Stuck on Her Face for 'Relaxing' Session Penélope Cruz Wears Acupuncture Needles to Movie Premiere
Pre-Historic Acupuncture
Widespread Use of Acupuncture Acupuncture has been adapted in several countries including Japan, Korea, France, Germany, USA and the UK. Two major prospective studies looking at the safety of acupuncture were reported in the BMJ in 2001; In those two studies of 32000 and 34000 treatments, no serious adverse events were reported. WebMD also has several articles endorsing acupuncture for certain illnesses. Current brain imaging research indicates certain brain activation and deactivation when administering acupuncture stimulation. Acupuncture is also effective on other animals which debunks the purely placebo hypothesis.
Acupuncture for Animals
WHO Endorses Acupuncture Allergic rhinitis/chronic sinusitis Dysentery, acute bacillary Facial pain Hypotension, primary Leukopenia Morning sickness Pain in dentistry Renal colic Sprain Adverse reactions to radiation and chemotherapy Biliary colic Dysmenorrhea, primary Headache Low back pain Nausea and vomiting Periarthritis of shoulder Rheumatoid arthritis Stroke Depression Epigastralgia, acute Hypertension, essential Knee pain Malposition of the foetus Neck pain Postoperative pain Sciatica Tennis elbow (Source: http://www.who.int/medicines/library/trm/acupuncture/acupuncture_trials.pdf)
Concept of Moxibustion 灸 Jiǔ ( 久 long; 火 fire) 艾 灸 Ài Jiǔ: Moxa ( 艾 mogusa) + Combustio ( 灸 burning) Moxibustion is a therapy that utilizes cauterization or heating with ignited flammable material applied to certain areas on the body. Moxibustion is the burning of mugwort over acupoints. 七 年 之 病, 求 三 年 之 艾 孟 子 离 娄 上
History of Moxibustion Bian Que (fl. circa 500 BCE), one of the most famous semilegendary doctors of Chinese antiquity and the first specialist in moxibustion, discussed the benefits of moxa over acupuncture in his classic work Bian Que Neijing. The use of moxibustion for therapeutic purposes is believed to begin in ancient times and is believed to have been used before acupuncture was discovered (Reid, 1996). What we refer to as moxibustion began as simple techniques that allowed an area of the body to be warmed or cauterised by available methods. Initial methods included laying close to a fire, using bark filled with hot sand or stones, or even using hot leaves and stems of plants to create localised warmth and heat (Ping, 2000).
Material of Moxibustion The most common material in moxibustion is moxa wool which is made of dry Mugwort leaves (Artemisia Vulgaris or Artemisia argyi) that are purified and formed into fine and soft fibres.
Property of Moxa Artemisia Vulgaris belongs to the family of Asteraceae or Compositae ( 菊 科 ). For the highest quality, go for Qizhou moxa 蕲 州 艾, which has tall, thick leaves and a strong smell. 性 温, 味 苦 辛 微 甘, 无 毒 入 脾 肝 肾 经 功 用 : 温 经 散 寒 止 血 消 炎 平 喘 止 咳 去 湿 安 胎 It is bitter, acrid, warm, of pure yang nature, having the ability to restore the primary qi from collapse. 本 草 纲 目 : 艾 以 叶 入 药, 性 温 味 苦 无 毒 纯 阳 之 性 通 十 二 经 具 回 阳 理 气 血 逐 湿 寒 止 血 安 胎 等 功 效 蕲 艾 炙 百 病 李 时 珍 本 草 纲 目
Actions of Moxibustion Warm channels and disperse coldness Promote qi circulation and clear collaterals Support yang to rescue collapse 温 经 散 寒 行 气 通 络 扶 阳 固 脱 Raise yang and lift prolapsed zang-fu organs 升 阳 举 陷 Remove blood stasis and stagnation Remove toxin and discharge heat Disease prevention and health maintenance 活 血 化 瘀 拔 毒 泄 热 防 病 保 健
Types of Moxibustion Moxibustion 艾 灸 Moxibustion with moxa cone 艾 炷 灸 Moxibustion with moxa stick 艾 条 灸 Warming needle 温 针 灸 Direct moxibustion 着 肤 灸 ( 直 接 灸 ) Indirect moxibustion 隔 物 灸 ( 间 接 灸 ) Suspending moxibustion 悬 空 灸 Pressing moxibustion 按 压 灸 Moxibustion with moxa burner 温 灸 器 灸
Moxibustion with moxa cone This is a method that uses the moxa cone on a selected area of the body. The moxa cone is formed by shaping a small amount of moxa wool tightly into a cone. The size of a moxa cone varies depending on the conditions to be treated. A small sized cone is the shape of a wheat grain. A middle one is a half of the kernel of Chinese date, and a big one is of half of an olive. The burning of one moxa cone is counted as one zhuang 壮.
Direct Moxibustion 直 接 灸 It is a method using an ignited moxa cone on the skin directly. It can be further divided into scarring moxibustion 疤 痕 灸 and non-scarring moxibustion for inducing different degrees of heat stimulation. 麦 粒 灸
Indirect Moxibustion 隔 物 灸 Ginger-isolated moxibustion 隔 姜 灸 This method is indicated for all kinds of deficient cold patterns especially for diseases such as vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, spermatorrhoea, impotence, premature ejaculation, infertility, dysmenorrhea and Bi-syndrome of a wind-colddamp pattern.
Indirect Moxibustion 隔 物 灸 Garlic-isolated moxibustion 隔 蒜 灸 This method is mainly used to treat pulmonary tuberculosis, palpable abdominal masses and encapsulated abscesses. 长 蛇 灸
Indirect Moxibustion 隔 物 灸 Salt-isolated moxibustion 隔 盐 灸 This method is usually used on the umbilicus. Fill the umbilicus with pure, dry edible salt until level. Place a moxa cone on the salt and ignite the cone. Replace it with a new one when the patient feels burning pain. 5 to 9 cones are usually needed for each treatment. Indications: Acute abdominal pain of the cold type, vomiting, diarrhoea, dysentery, and stroke of the flaccid pattern.
Moxibustion with Moxa Stick A moxa stick is prepared by wrapping moxa wool with a piece of Cortex Mori paper and shaping it into a cylinder. Ignited one end of the moxa stick and point it at the point or the diseased area. This method is divided into suspending moxibustion and pressing method.
Suspending Moxibustion Warming moxibustion 温 灸 An ignited moxa stick is pointed 2 to 3 cm away from the point or diseased area until the patient feels warmth but no scorching. Each point can usually be heated for 10 to 15 minutes until the skin becomes reddish. It is usually used to treat the chronic diseases and deficient diseases.
Suspending Moxibustion Bird-pecking moxibustion 雀 啄 灸 An ignited moxa stick is pointed at the point, moving the ignited end upwards and downwards as if pecking like a bird. It is usually used to treat the acute diseases and diseases of excess pattern.
Suspending Moxibustion Circling moxibustion 回 旋 灸 An ignited moxa stick is pointed at the point keeping a certain distance and moving the ignited end left and right or in a circular motion. It is usually used to treat the pain and numbness in arthritis.
Pressing Moxibustion Place a piece of cloth or several layers of paper on the selected point, and then press the ignited end of the moxa stick onto the cloth or paper tightly until it is extinguished. Ignited and press it again. This method is indicated for use in Bi-syndrome of a wind-cold-damp pattern, atrophy and disease of a deficiency-cold pattern.
Precautions of Moxibustion Sequence of moxibustion Reinforcing and reducing method of moxibustion Contraindications of moxibustion Management of moxibustion
Sequence of Moxibustion First on the yang channel and then on the yin channel; First on the upper part and then on the lower part; First on an point or area with fewer moxa cones and then an area with more moxa cones; First a smaller moxa cone and then a bigger one.
Reinforcing & Reducing 补 泻 It was recorded in Zhen Jiu Da Cheng ( 针 灸 大 成 Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion). In order to reinforce with moxibustion, press the point when the fire of moxibustion is almost out; In order to reduce with moxibustion, blow the fire of the moxibustion quickly to open the point. 针 灸 大 成 : 以 火 补 者 毋 吹 其 火, 须 待 自 灭, 即 按 其 穴 ; 以 火 泻 者 速 吹 其 火, 开 其 穴 也 黄 帝 内 经 : 以 火 补 者, 毋 吹 其 火, 须 自 灭 也 ; 以 火 泻 者, 疾 吹 其 火, 传 其 艾, 须 其 火 灭 也 ( 灵 枢 背 俞 )
Contraindications Avoid using moxibustion with the pattern of excess heat or fever due to yin deficiency. But it can be used earlier during high fever associated with acute mastitis ( 急 性 乳 腺 炎 ); Avoid using scarring moxibustion on the face, mammary papilla and places with large blood vessels; Avoid using moxibustion on the abdomen and lumbosacral area of pregnant women.
Post-Management If a small, unbroken blister appears due to excessive or prolonged moxibustion, it usually does not need to be treated. The liquid in the blister can be absorbed by the body. If the blister is large, it can be broken to release the liquid inside and then the area needs to be disinfected with gentian violet. For patient receiving a scarring moxibustion, hard physical labour should be avoided for up to one month. The ulcerated area should be kept clean and free from infection.
Common Acupuncture Points
Five Shu Points( 五 输 穴 ) Located below the knees and elbows, these points represent the growth of qi from small to large volume. Their name suggests images of the flow of water. It starts with only a small quantity in a jing 井 (well), gushes out into a ying 荥 (spring), flows from shallow to deep as a shu 输 (stream), traverses like a jing 经 (river) through the continent, and finally unites with the he 合 (sea). 所 出 为 井, 所 溜 为 荥, 所 注 为 输, 所 行 为 经, 所 入 为 合
Five Shu Points Yin Meridians Jing-well (Wood) Ying-spring (Fire) Shu-stream (Earth) Jing-river (Metal) He-Sea (Water) LU 少 商 LU 11 鱼 际 LU 10 太 渊 LU 9 经 渠 LU 8 尺 泽 LU 5 PC 中 冲 PC 9 劳 宫 PC 8 大 陵 PC 7 间 使 PC 5 曲 泽 PC 3 HT 少 冲 HT 9 少 府 HT 8 神 门 HT 7 灵 道 HT 4 少 海 HT 3 SP 隐 白 SP 1 大 都 SP 2 太 白 SP 3 商 丘 SP 5 阴 陵 泉 SP 9 LV 大 敦 LV 1 行 间 LV 2 太 冲 LV 3 中 封 LV 4 曲 泉 LV 8 KI 涌 泉 KI 1 然 谷 KI 2 太 溪 KI 3 复 溜 KI 7 阴 谷 KI 10 Yang Meridians Jing-well (Metal) Ying-spring (Water) Shu-stream (Wood) Jing-river (Fire) He-Sea (Earth) LI 商 阳 LI 1 二 间 LI 2 三 间 LI 3 阳 溪 LI 5 曲 池 LI 11 TE 关 冲 TE 1 腋 门 TE 2 中 渚 TE 3 支 沟 TE 6 天 井 TE 10 SI 少 泽 SI 1 前 谷 SI 2 后 溪 SI 3 阳 谷 SI 5 小 海 SI 8 ST 厉 兑 ST 45 内 庭 ST 44 陷 谷 ST 43 解 溪 ST 41 足 三 里 ST 36 GB 足 窍 阴 GB 44 侠 溪 GB 43 足 临 泣 GB 41 阳 辅 GB 38 阳 陵 泉 GB 34 BL 至 阴 BL 67 通 谷 BL 66 束 骨 BL 65 昆 仑 BL 60 委 中 BL 40
难 经 井 主 心 下 满,Treats fullness below the heart, calms the spirit (shen 神 ). 春 刺 井 荥 主 身 热,Clears heat over the entire course of the channel. 夏 刺 荥 输 主 体 重 节 痛,Treats heaviness and/or pain of the joints. 季 夏 刺 输 经 主 喘 咳 寒 热,Treats cough, fever & chills - external pathogenic factors. 秋 刺 经 合 主 逆 气 而 泄,Treats counterflow of Qi, diarrhoea. 冬 刺 合 难 经 Nan Jing:Classic of Questioning
Attributes of Jing-Well 井 Where the Qi of the Channel emerges and begins moving towards the trunk of the body Located on the tips of the fingers and toes Actions & Effects Restores consciousness Clears Heat & Stagnation from the opposite end of the channel Calms the Spirit (Shen) Treats fullness below the Heart
Attributes of Ying-Spring 荥 Where the Qi of the Channel trickles Located just proximal to the Jing-well points Actions & Effects Clears heat from the meridian/organ Effect on the opposite end of the channel (less than Jing-well) Clears Heat over the entire course of the channel (Jing-well works on the distal end)
Attributes of Shu-Stream 输 Where the Qi of the Channel begins to pour Located at or near the joints of the extremities (i.e. ankles & wrists) On the Yin Channels Shu-stream points are identical to the Yuan-source points (important for tonifying and regulating their pertaining organs) Actions & Effects Heaviness a/or pain of the joints Combine with the Ying-spring Points to treat the Yin organs Yang Shu-stream Points useful for channel stagnation
Attributes of Jing-River 经 Where the Qi of the Channel begins to flow more heavily Located on the forearm and lower leg Actions & Effects Cough, Fever & Chills - External pathogenic factors Disorders of the local tissues (muscles, tendons, bones, joints) Diseases manifesting in the voice
Attributes of He-Sea 合 Where the Qi of the Channel enters a deeper level to communicate with its pertaining organ Located at or near the elbows and knees Actions & Effects Counter-flowing Qi, diarrhoea, skin diseases (mainly hot) Issues with the Yang Organs and Channels Treats the Fu (hollow organs)
原 穴 Yuan-Primary Point The Yuan-primary Points are located in the vicinity of the wrist and ankle. The 12 Yuanprimary Points are closely related to the five zang and the six fu organs, and they are the points where the primary qi of the zang-fu organs is retained. For the Yin meridians, the Shu-stream point 输 穴 is also the Yuan-primary point 原 穴. For the Yang meridians, the Yuan-primary point 原 穴 is a separate point.
List of Yuan-Primary Points Hand Meridians Leg Meridians Lung Taiyuan (LU 9) 太 渊 Spleen Taibai (SP 3) 太 白 Large Intestine Hegu (LI 4) 合 谷 Stomach Chongyang (ST 42) 冲 阳 Heart Shenmen (HT 7) 神 门 Kidney Taixi (KI 3) 太 溪 Small Intestine Hand-Wangu (SI 4) 腕 谷 Bladder Jinggu (BL 64) 京 骨 Pericardium Daling (PC 7) 大 陵 Liver Taichong (LV 3) 太 冲 Triple Energiser Yangchi (TE 4) 阳 池 Gall Bladder Qiuxu (GB 40) 丘 墟
List of Yuan-Primary Points 胆 经 丘 墟 ; 肝 经 太 冲 ; 小 肠 经 腕 谷 ; 心 经 神 门 ; 胃 经 冲 阳 ; 脾 经 太 白 ; 大 肠 经 合 谷 ; 肺 经 太 渊 ; 膀 胱 经 京 骨 ; 肾 经 太 溪 ; 三 焦 经 阳 池 ; 心 包 经 大 陵
络 穴 Luo-Connecting Point The luo-connecting points are situated at the places where the meridians are distributed and the cross of the two exteriorly-interiorly related meridians. The luo-connecting points of the 12 regular meridians are on the limbs. CV and GV have their own luo-connecting points. The SP meridian has a special luo-connecting point.
List of Luo-Connecting Points Lung Lieque (LU 7) 列 缺 Spleen Gongsun (SP 4) 公 孙 Large Intestine Pianli (LI 6) 偏 历 Stomach Fenglong (ST 40) 丰 隆 Heart Tongli (HT 5) 通 里 Kidney Dazhong (KI 4) 大 钟 Small Intestine Zhizheng (SI 7) 支 正 Bladder Feiyang (BL 58) 飞 扬 Pericardium Neiguan (PC 6) 内 关 Liver Ligou (LV 5) 蠡 沟 Triple Energiser Waiguan (TE 5) 外 关 Gall Bladder Guangming (GB 37) 光 明 Conception Vessel Jiuwei (CV 15) 鸠 尾 Governor Vessel Changqiang (GV 1) 长 强 Large Splenic Collateral Dabao (SP 21) 大 包
List of Luo-Connecting Points 胆 经 光 明 ; 肝 经 蠡 沟 ; 小 肠 经 支 正 ; 心 经 通 里 ; 胃 经 丰 隆 ; 脾 经 公 孙 ; 大 肠 经 偏 历 ; 肺 经 列 缺 ; 膀 胱 经 飞 扬 ; 肾 经 大 钟 ; 三 焦 经 外 关 ; 心 包 经 内 关 ; 任 脉 鸠 尾 ; 督 脉 长 强 ; 脾 之 大 络 大 包
背 俞 穴 Back-Shu Point The Back-Shu Points are where the qi of the zang-fu organs is infused. They are found along the BL meridian. They can be used to treat diseases related to the organs as well as their senses, e.g. Ganshu (Liver Shu BL18) may be used to treat eye problems.
List of Back-Shu Points 1. 肺 俞 2. 厥 阴 俞 ( 心 包 ) 3. 心 俞 4. 督 俞 5. 膈 俞 6. 肝 俞 7. 胆 俞 8. 脾 俞 9. 胃 俞 10. 三 焦 俞 11. 肾 俞 12. 气 海 俞 13. 大 肠 俞 14. 关 元 俞 15. 小 肠 俞 16. 膀 胱 俞 17. 中 膂 俞 18. 白 环 俞 19. 膏 肓 俞
膏 肓 俞 Gaohuangshu
募 穴 Front-Mu Point The Front-Mu Points are those located at the chest and abdomen, where the qi of the zang - fu organs is infused. They are mainly used for problems relating to the six fu-organs. 从 阴 引 阳 Using points on the Yin side to treat problems relating to Yang.
List of Front-Mu Points Hand Meridians Leg Meridians Lung Large Intestine Heart Small Intestine Pericardium Triple Energiser Zhongfu(LU 1) 中 府 Tianshu(ST 25) 天 枢 Juque(CV 14) 巨 阙 Guanyuan(CV 4) 关 元 Danzhong(CV 17) 膻 中 Shimen(CV 5) 石 门 Spleen Stomach Kidney Bladder Liver Gall Bladder Zhangmen(LV 13) 章 门 Zhongwan(CV 12) 中 脘 Jingmen(GB 25) 京 门 Zhongji(CV 3) 中 极 Qimen(LV 14) 期 门 Riyue(GB 24) 日 月
List of Front-Mu Points 肾 京 门, 膀 胱 中 极 ; 肝 期 门, 胆 日 月 ; 脾 章 门, 胃 中 脘 ; 肺 中 府, 大 肠 天 枢 ; 心 巨 阙, 小 肠 关 元 ; 心 包 膻 中, 三 焦 石 门
募 穴 歌 诀 大 肠 天 枢 肺 中 府, 小 肠 关 元 心 巨 阙, 膀 肽 中 极 肾 京 门, 肝 募 期 门 胆 日 月, 胃 募 中 脘 脾 章 门, 三 焦 募 在 石 门 穴, 膻 中 穴 是 包 络 募, 从 阴 引 阳 是 妙 诀 大 肠 的 募 穴 是 天 枢, 肺 的 募 穴 是 中 府, 小 肠 的 募 穴 是 关 元, 心 的 募 穴 是 巨 阙, 中 极 是 膀 胱 的 募 穴, 京 门 是 肾 的 募 穴 肝 的 募 穴 是 期 门, 胆 的 募 穴 是 日 月, 胃 的 募 穴 是 中 脘, 脾 的 募 穴 是 章 门, 石 门 是 三 焦 的 募 穴, 膻 中 是 心 包 的 募 穴 使 用 募 穴 治 病, 能 够 从 阴 引 阳, 祛 除 病 邪
Influential Points 八 会 穴 The 8 Influential Points are where the Qi of 8 aspects (zang (solid organs), fu (hollow organs), qi, blood, tendons, vessels, bones and marrows) congregate. Zang 脏 会 章 门 LV13 Sinews 筋 会 阳 陵 泉 GB34 Fu 腑 会 中 脘 CV12 Vessels 脉 会 太 渊 LU9 Qi 气 会 膻 中 CV17 Bones 骨 会 大 杼 BL11 Blood 血 会 膈 俞 BL17 Marrow 髓 会 绝 骨 GB39
Confluent Points 八 脉 交 会 穴 These are the eight confluent acupoints connecting the eight extra channels ( 奇 经 八 脉 ) to the 12 meridians. The Eight Confluent Points are indicated in diseases of the extra meridians and their related regular meridians according to their connections. For instance, problems of the Du Meridian are treated by Houxi (SI3), disorders of the Chong Meridian are treated by Gongsun (SP4).
8 Extra Channels 奇 经 八 脉 奇 经 八 脉 是 督 脉 任 脉 冲 脉 带 脉 阴 维 脉 阳 维 脉 阴 跷 脉 阳 跷 脉 的 总 称 陰 蹻 脈 陽 蹻 脈 These are the 8 confluent points connecting the 8 extra channels ( 奇 经 八 脉 ) to the 12 meridians. The 8 extra channels do not connect directly to any organ. 二 奇 经 八 脉 之 间 无 表 里 配 合 关 系 三 奇 经 八 脉 的 分 布 不 像 十 二 经 脉 分 布 遍 及 全 身, 人 体 的 上 肢 无 奇 经 八 脉 的 分 布 其 走 向 也 与 十 二 经 脉 不 同, 除 带 脉 外, 余 者 皆 由 下 而 上 地 循 行
8 Extra Channels 奇 经 八 脉 WHO Nomenclature English name Pinyin name Chinese name Alphabetic code governor vessel dumài 督 脉 GV conception vessel rènmài 任 脉 CV thoroughfare vessel chongmài 冲 脉 TV belt vessel dàimài 带 脉 BV yin heel vessel yinqiaomài 阴 跷 脉 YinHV yang heel vessel yángqiaomài 阳 跷 脉 YangHV yin link vessel yinwéimài 阴 维 脉 YinLV yang link vessel yángwéimài 阳 维 脉 YangLV Although listed under the 14 main meridians, the governor vessel and conception vessel are by custom also included among the 8 extra meridians. Of the 8 extra meridians, only these two have their own defined points.
八 脉 交 会 穴 歌 诀 公 孙 冲 脉 胃 心 胸, 内 关 阴 维 下 总 同 ; 临 泣 胆 经 连 带 脉, 阳 维 目 锐 外 关 逢 ; 后 溪 督 脉 内 眦 颈, 申 脉 阳 跷 络 亦 通 ; 列 缺 任 脉 行 肺 系, 阴 跷 照 海 膈 喉 咙 Neiguan (PC6) Yinwei Heart, chest, stomach Gongsun (SP4) Chong Heart, chest, stomach Houxi (SI3) GV Neck, shoulder, back inner canthus Shenmai (BL62) Yangqiao Neck, shoulder, back inner canthus Waiguan (TE5) Yangwei Retroauricle, cheek, outer canthus Zulinqi (GB41) Dai Retroauricle, cheek, outer canthus Lieque (LU7) CV Throat, chest, lung Zhaohai (KI6) Yinqiao Throat, chest, lung
郄 穴 Cleft-Xi Point The Xi (cleft) Points are the places where the qi of the meridian is deeply converged. Each of the 12 regular meridians has a Xi (cleft) Point on the extremity, as do the Yinwei, Yangwei, Yinqiao and Yangqiao Meridians. Xi (cleft) Points are located below the elbows and knees except for Liangqiu (St.34) which is superior to the knee. Mainly used for acute or emergency situations.
List of Cleft-Xi Points Lung Kongzui (LU6) 孔 最 Spleen Diji (SP 8) 地 机 yin link vessel 阴 维 脉 Zhubin (KI 9) 筑 宾 Large Intestine Wenliu (LI 7) 温 溜 Stomach Liangqiu (ST 34) 梁 丘 yang link vessel 阳 维 脉 Yangiiao (GB.35) 阳 交 Heart Yinxi (HT 6) 阴 郄 Kidney Shuiquan (KI 5) 水 泉 Small Intestine Yanglao (SI 6) 养 老 Bladder Jinmen (BL 63) 金 门 yin heel vessel 阴 跷 脉 Jiaoxin (KI 8) 交 信 Pericardium Ximen (PC 4) 郄 门 Liver Foot-Zhongdu (LV 6) 中 都 yang heel vessel 阳 跷 脉 Fuyang (BL 59) 跗 阳 Triple Energiser Huizong (TE 7) 会 宗 Gall Bladder Waiqiu (GB 36) 外 丘
List of Cleft-Xi Points 手 太 阴 肺 经 孔 最 穴, 手 厥 阴 心 包 经 郄 门 穴, 手 少 阴 心 经 阴 郄 穴, 手 阳 明 大 肠 经 温 溜 穴, 足 太 阴 脾 经 地 机 穴, 足 厥 阴 肝 经 中 都 穴, 足 少 阴 肾 经 水 泉 穴, 足 阳 明 胃 经 梁 丘 穴, 足 少 阳 胆 经 外 丘 穴, 足 太 阳 膀 胱 经 金 门 穴, 手 少 阳 三 焦 经 会 宗 穴, 手 太 阳 小 肠 经 养 老 穴, 阴 维 脉 筑 宾 穴, 阳 维 脉 阳 交 穴, 阴 跷 脉 交 信 穴, 阳 跷 脉 跗 阳 穴
Arm and Hand Points Acupressure on the arm and hand points aids a number of conditions including headaches, nausea, breathing problems, sinus issues, stress, anxiety and more.
Lung (LU) 7 列 缺 Lieque 列 缺 is located 1.5 cun above the wrist crease, superior to the styloid process of the radius. Generally found by sliding your finger from the thumb side of your wrist crease over the styloid process and press where sore. 肺 经 络 穴 ; 通 任 脉 Uses: cold symptoms (sneezing, chills, runny nose), sore throat. A styloid process is a bony projection that serves as attachment point for muscles.
Lung (LU) 9 太 渊 Taiyuan 太 渊 is located at the wrist crease on the radial side of the radial artery. Generally found by feeling the pulse in your wrist near the joint and moving your finger towards the thumb. 肺 经 原 输 穴 脉 会 Uses: cough, asthma, shortness of breath.
Pericardium (PC) 3 曲 泽 Quze 曲 泽 is located on the transverse cubital crease on the ulnar side of the biceps brachii tendon. Generally found on the elbow joint on the inside of the biceps tendon. 心 包 经 合 穴 Uses: stomach/digestion issues, anxiety, stuffiness in the chest.
Pericardium (PC) 6 内 关 Neiguan 内 关 is located 2 cun above the wrist crease between the tendons of palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis. Generally found by sliding the finger lightly from the wrist crease between the two tendons in the middle of the arm until it stops and pressing where it is most sore. 心 包 经 络 穴 ; 通 阴 维 脉 Uses: anxiety, motion sickness, insomnia, nausea, carpal tunnel syndrome.
Heart (HT) 7 神 门 Shenmen 神 门 is located at the wrist crease, on the radial side of the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon, between the ulna and the pisiform bones. Generally found by sliding your finger across your wrist crease from the thumb side towards the pinky side and stopping when you hit the bone and pressing where most tender. 心 经 原 输 穴 Uses: anxiety, insomnia, heart palpitations, depression.
Small Intestine (SI) 3 后 溪 Houxi 后 溪 is located at the ulnar end of the distal palmar crease proximal to the 5th metacarpal phalangeal joint at the junction of the red & white skin. 小 肠 经 输 穴 ; 通 督 脉 Uses: neck pain, headaches at the back of the head, earaches, ringing in the ears.
Large Intestine (LI) 11 曲 池 Quchi 曲 池 is located at the lateral end of the transverse cubital crease. Generally found by bending your elbow and looking for the sensitive point where the elbow crease ends on the outside of your arm. 大 肠 经 合 穴 Uses: fever, arm/shoulder pain, diarrhoea.
Leg and Feet Points Acupressure on points on the legs and feet are used for a very wide range of conditions including digestive problems, stress and anxiety, insomnia, hot flashes, headaches, PMS, and more.
Stomach (ST) 36 足 三 里 Zusanli 足 三 里 is located 3 cun below ST 35, one finger width lateral from the anterior border of the tibia. Generally found by sliding your 4 fingers together up your shin towards the knee stopping when your hand hits the knee. The point will be one finger width from the tibia on the outside of the leg just in line with the bottom of your pinky finger. 胃 经 合 穴 ; 胃 的 下 合 穴 Uses: anxiety, depression, low energy, leg pain, low immunity.
Bladder (BL) 40 委 中 Weizhong 委 中 is located at the centre of the popliteal crease ( 腘 横 纹 ), between the tendons of the biceps femoris and semitendinosus muscles. 膀 胱 经 合 穴 ; 膀 胱 的 下 合 穴 Uses: summer heat, lower back and leg pain, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Bladder (BL) 57 承 山 Chengshan 承 山 is located in the middle of the calf, between the two heads of the gastrocnemius muscle, on a line connecting BL40 and BL60, approximately 8 cun distal to BL-40. 别 名 : 鱼 腹, 肉 柱 Uses: Relaxes the muscles and tendons, eliminates haemorrhoids (pathway of the Bladder divergent channel).
Spleen (SP) 6 三 阴 交 Sanyinjiao 三 阴 交 is located 3 cun directly above the tip of the medial malleoulus on the posterior border of the tibia. Generally found by sliding your finger along the inside of the tibia up from the ankle about 4 fingers width and pressing where it most sore. 足 三 阴 经 ( 足 太 阴 脾 经, 足 少 阴 肾 经, 足 厥 阴 肝 经 ) 交 会 穴 Uses: stress, insomnia, anxiety, low energy. Do not use if pregnant.
Liver (LV) 3 太 冲 Taichong 太 冲 is located on the dorsum of the foot in a depression distal to the junctions of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones. Generally found by sliding your finger in the depression between your big toe and the second toe until you are near where the tendons meet, then press where it is most sore. 肝 经 原 输 穴 Uses: anger, irritability, stress, headaches, menstrual pain, anxiety.
Kidney (KI) 1 涌 泉 Yongquan 涌 泉 is located on the sole, in a depression with foot in plantar flexion, at the junction of the anterior 1/3 and posterior 2/3 of line connecting base of the 2nd and 3rd toes with the heel. 肾 经 井 穴 Uses: insomnia, palpitations, anxiety, poor memory, hot flashes, night sweats.
Head and Shoulder Points Acupressure on head points are helpful for a range of conditions from headaches and dizziness to excessive thinking and insomnia. The shoulder points aid shoulder pain but help other issues as well.
Governing Vessel (GV) 20 百 会 Baihui 百 会 is located 5 cun from the anterior hair line. Generally found by drawing a line between the middle of both ears to the top of your head. 手 足 三 阳 督 脉 之 会, 别 名 三 阳 五 会 Uses: headaches, prolapses, low energy, and dizziness.
Gall Bladder (GB) 21 肩 井 Jianjing 肩 井 is located on the shoulder directly above the nipple at the highest point of the shoulder. Generally found by moving your finger lightly from your shoulder towards your neck until it stops and then pressing down where it is most tender. 手 少 阳 足 少 阳 足 阳 明 与 阳 维 脉 之 会 Uses: headaches, dizziness, neck pain, shoulder tension, stress. Do not use if pregnant.
Chest and Abdomen Points Acupressure on chest and abdomen points are helpful for a range of conditions including fatigue, breathing problems, digestive issues, anxiety and other emotional imbalances and more.
Lung (LU) 1 中 府 Zhongfu 中 府 is located 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline, level with the 1st Inter-costal space. Generally found by sliding your finger below the clavicle from the sternum towards the shoulder falling into the depression that is LU 2. Then move your finger down and slightly out about a fingers width to find LU 1. 肺 之 募 穴 ; 脾 肺 之 气 汇 聚 之 处 Uses: cough, wheezing, asthma, shoulder/chest tension.
Lung (LU) 2 云 门 Yunmen 云 门 is located 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline, below the clavicle in a depression medial to the coracoid process. Generally found by sliding your finger below the clavicle from the sternum towards the shoulder falling into the depression. 肺 经 气 血 由 此 传 输 四 极 Uses: cough, wheezing, asthma, shoulder/chest tension.
Conception Vessel (CV) 17 膻 中 Danzhong 膻 中 is located on level with the 4th inter-costal space, midway between the nipples. Generally found by sliding your finger along the middle of the sternum from the bottom towards the top, your finger will fall into a depression that is in-line with your nipples. 心 包 经 募 穴 ; 气 会 Uses: anxiety, cough, asthma, reflux, chest tension.
Conception Vessel (CV) 14 巨 阙 Juque 巨 阙 is located 6 cun above CV 8 (umbilicus). Generally found by sliding your finger along the middle of the abdomen towards the end of the sternum, the depression slightly below the end of the sternum is CV 15, CV 14 is about a finger width below that. 心 经 募 穴 ; 气 会 Uses: anxiety, depression, chest oppression, inability to concentrate.
Conception Vessel (CV) 12 中 脘 Zhongwan 中 脘 is located midway between CV 8 and CV 16, 4 cun above CV 8. Generally found by in the middle of the abdomen half the distance from the sternum to the belly button. 胃 经 募 穴 腑 会 ; 手 太 阳 少 阳 足 阳 明 任 脉 之 会 Uses: stomach/digestive issues such as heartburn, diarrhoea, "nervous" stomach, poor digestion.
Conception Vessel (CV) 6 气 海 Qihai 气 海 is located midway between CV 5 and CV 7, 1.5 cun below CV 8 (umbilicus). Generally found sliding your finger up the middle of your abdomen from the lower abdomen towards the belly button stopping about an inch below the belly button. 肓 之 原 穴 ; 丹 田 穴, 下 肓 穴 Uses: bloating, oedema, prolapse, also an energizing point for general fatigue.
Conception Vessel (CV) 4 关 元 Guanyuan 关 元 is located 2 cun above CV 2 (pubic symphysis). Generally found sliding your finger up the middle of your abdomen from your pubic bone until it drops into a depression about 2 inches above. 小 肠 经 募 穴 ; 足 三 阴 任 脉 之 会 Uses: general fatigue, low energy, weakness, diarrhoea.
Any Questions?