Atlas of Acupuncture

8.2 Strategies for Point Selection

body. If it is not only the shunt between two channels, but the

circulation in a channel as a whole that is affected, the flow in

the whole channel can be strengthened and stimulated by simul-

taneous needling of both its entry point and its exit point.

Pirog (1996) compares the entry/exit points to input and output

valves regulating the flow in a series of pipes (the channels) by

‘opening’ or ‘closing’ them.

● Tonifying needling techniques at the entry point (opening the

input valve) will increase the flow into the channel. For exam-

ple: tonifying LU-1opens the input valve. This will increase

Qi flow in the LU channel for deficiency in this channel.

● Tonifying needling techniques at the exit point (opening the

output valve) will decrease the flow in the channel. For exam-

ple: Tonifying LIV-14opens the output valve: excess in the

LIV channel will be drained.

● Reducing needling techniques at the entry point (closing the

input valve) will reduce the flow into the channel. For exam-

ple: Reducing LU-1closes the input valve and reduces the

flow from the LIV channel into the LU channel, for example

if there is pre-existing excess in the LU channel.

● Reducing needling techniques at the exit point (closing the

output valve) will strengthen the flow in the channel. For

example: Reducing LIV-14closes the output valve and pre-

vents a further loss of Qi if there is a pre-existing deficiency

in the LIV channel.

8.2 Strategies for Point Selection

8.2.1 Local, Adjacent and Distal Points

Local points

Local points are located in the immediate vicinity of the affected

region. Each point that is tender with pressure (ashipoint) can

be considered to be a local point.

Adjacent points

Adjacent points are located near the affected or painful region.

Distal points

Distal points, despite being located at a distance from the

affected area, still have a therapeutic effect, either directly or by

being connected to the affected area by a channel (➞1, also

➞ 8.2.2, selection of distal points). The most effective and

dynamic distal points are located distal to the knee (for the leg)

or the elbow (for the arm). Generally the distal points of the foot

channels tend to be more dynamic and effective than those on

the arm channels.

LU-1

L.I.-20

ST-1

SP-21

HE-1

S.I.-19

BL-1

KID-22

P-1

T.B.-22

G.B.-1

LIV-14

LU-7

HE-9

P-8

ST-42

SP-1

LIV-1

L.I.-4 S.I.-1

BL-67

KID-1

T.B.-1

G.B.-41

Gall

Bladder Liver

Lung

Large

Intestine

Stomach

Spleen

Heart

Small

Intestine

Bladder

Kidney

Peri-

cardium

Triple

Burner

1

3

5

7

9

13 11

15

17

19

21

23

LU-1

L.I.-20

ST-1

S.I.-19

BL-1

KID-22

P-1

T.B.-22G.B.-1

LIV-14

LU-7

L.I.-4

ST-42

SP-1

S.I.-1HE-9

BL-67

KID-1

P-8

T.B.-1 G.B.-41LIV-1

HE-1SP-21

Entry/exit block and therapy

Pulse diagnosis can reveal the partial or complete block between

entry and exit points. An entry/exit block will inhibit the Qi flow

from one channel to the next. In order to restore the blocked

flow, the exit point of the blocked channel and the entry point of

the following channel are needled at the same time. According

to Hicks et al. (2004), further exit and entry points preceding or

following the affected channel can be added in order to regulate

the Qi flow over a greater distance. Needling should always be

bilateral, even if the disorder occurs only on one side of the

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