Atlas of Acupuncture

2 Location Methods and Cun Measurements

2.3 Tips for Point Location

2.3.1 Elastic Tape

A marked elastic tape has proven a very useful tool for simplify-

ing cun measurements and facilitating correct point location. It

is especially recommended for measurements on the abdomen,

the shape of which can vary considerably from patient to patient

(Kitzinger 1995). An elastic tape, 1–2 cm wide and approxi-

mately 40 cm long, is marked at regular intervals of 2 cm, which

can optionally be numbered from 1–20. The tape is placed onto

the distance to be measured, stretching it according to the cor-

rect number of cun for that particular distance. This method

allows the use of proportional cun for each individual patient.

Examples:


 For locating points on the upper abdomen, stretch the tape so

that eight units cover the distance between the sternocostal

angle and the centre of the umbilicus (Fig. 2.4).


 For locating points on the lower abdomen, stretch the tape so

that five units cover the distance between the upper border of the

pubic symphysis and the centre of the umbilicus (Fig. 2.5).

8 cun

5 cun

8 cun

5 cun

8 cun

5 cun 8 cun

5 cun 8 cun

5 cun8 cun

5 cun

16 cun

Fig. 2.3

Sternocostal

angle

Umbilicus

Fig. 2.4

Upper border of the

pubic symphysis

Umbilicus

Fig. 2.5