There are a total of 361 acupuncture points located on the chan-

nels (➞Chapter 1). Translated literally from the Chinese lan-

guage, the meaning of the word for ‘point’ is rather ‘opening’ or

‘hole’. Stimulation of the points can be achieved through massage

(in acupressure) or through the insertion of needles (in acupunc-

ture). Besides the regular acupuncture points, there exist a wide

variety of so-called extra points, located outside the pathways of

the channels. The most commonly used of these extra points are

described in Chapter 6, as classified by the WHO.

The acupuncture points are effective

● locally(for example, points on the elbow treat disorders of

the elbow)

● regionally(the channel pathway – for example, points on the

arm treat disorders of the upper extremity)

● some points have an effect on their pertaining zangfu-Organ

● some points haveadditional actionssuch as calming the

shenor eliminating Heat.

The following table provides an overview for the general indica-

tions of the channel points (modified after Ellis and Wiseman

1991)

Indications of the channel points

8 Point Categories and Point Selection

Claudia Focks

Channel Indications

Hand-Yin channels

LU Lungs, throat Disorders of the

P Heart, Stomach Spirit (shen) thoracic region

HE Heart disorders

Hand-Yang channels

L.I. Face, mouth, occiput, teeth, nose Eyes, disorders of

T.B. Head/lateral Disorders of the throat, febrile

costal region the ears diseases

S.I. Occipital region,

shoulder, scapula,

shendisorders

Foot-Yin channels

SP Spleen, Stomach, intestines Urogenital

LIV Liver, genitalia disorders, menstrual

KID Kidneys, Lungs, throat disorders, vaginaldischarge, spirit

(shen) disorders

Foot-Yang channels

ST Frontal aspect of the head, face, Psychoemotional

mouth, teeth, throat, Stomach, disorders (shen

intestines disorders), febrile

G.B. Lateral aspect of Disorders of colds

the head, ears, the eyes

lateral costal region

BL Posterior aspect of

the head, lower back

8.1 Point Categories

Certain acupuncture points or groups of points are categorised

according to their actions or location on their respective chan-

nels. (For an overview of these points and point groups ➞inside

back cover.)

8.1.1 Yuan-Source Points

At the yuan-source points, the Original Qi(yuan qi➞1.1.4) of

the respective Organ system emerges to the surface of the body.

Location:near the hand or ankle.

Ch08-F10028.qxd 2/23/08 4:40 PM Page 665