Atlas of Acupuncture

8.2 Strategies for Point Selection

Selection of distal points according to the

six great channels (liu jing, hand–foot

pairing,➞1.2.3)

The point selection with this method is based on the six great

channels (hand–foot pairing: taiyin, taiyang, etc., ➞1.2.3). Dis-

orders affecting the area of the hand channel are therefore treated

with points on the corresponding foot channel and vice versa.

Example: Disorders in the area of the hand taiyinchannel (LU

channel) can be balanced by contralateral needling of points on

the foot taiyinchannel (SP channel). For example, shoulder pain

with limited range of motion and maximum pain near LU-1

(zhongfu) can be improved by contralateral needling of SP-9

(yinlingquan) with reducing technique.

8.2.3 Point Selection Based on

Symptoms

Points can also be selected based on traditional or empirical

therapeutic experiences. While this method cannot replace a root

treatment based on a differential diagnosis, it can be very help-

ful in situations where quick action is required.

Examples:

● Du-14or L.I.-11for fever

● ST-36, Ren-12for acute gastrointestinal disorders

8.2.4 Point Selection Based on the Qi

Flow of the Organs

Descend counterflow Qi:

● Stomach: Ren-10, Ren-13, ST-34, ST-44, ST-45, L.I.-4

● Lung: LU-1, LU-5, LU-7

● Heart: HE-5, HE-8, Ren-15

● Kidney: KID-1, KID-7, Ren-4

● Liver: LIV-2, LIV-3, LIV-1, LIV-14

Raise Qi:

Spleen: Ren-6, Ren-12, Du-20, BL-20

SP-9

b

LU-1

Selection of distal points according to the

Organ clock (➞1.4)

Distal points are selected on the channel that lies chronologically

opposite to the affected channel on the Organ clock (➞1.4).

With this method, hand channels will treat disorders affecting

the foot channels and vice versa.

Example: For a disorder affecting the G.B. channel (foot

shaoyang), needle a point on the HE channel (hand shaoyin)

located opposite the G.B. channel on the Organ clock. Needling

can be contralateral or ipsilateral.

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

c

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