Atlas of Acupuncture

8 Point Categories and Point Selection

8.3.2 Combining Points on the Front

and Back of the Body

Here, points on the anterior and posterior aspect of the body are

combined:

● Anterior points: mainly located on the thorax and abdomen

● Posterior points: mainly located on the back and lumbar region

Back-shu/Front-mumethod

The combination of the Back-shupoint (➞8.1.4) and the Front-

mupoint (➞8.1.5) of the affected Organ is the most important

way of combining points on the front and the back of the body.

The Back-shu/Front-mumethod enhances and extends the ther-

apeutic effect, compared to using either of those points only. It

has a strong Yin/Yang balancing effect and it is particularly ben-

eficial for chronic disorders of the zangfu-Organs.

Balancing the du maiand the ren mai

The points on the ren maiare located on the anterior aspect of

the body, while those of the du maiare predominantly located on

the posterior aspect. Combining points on the ren maiand du

maihas a balancing affect on the Yin and Yang and can regulate

the ascending and descending flow of Qi. This combination

therefore not only balances the front and the back of the body,

but also the Yin and the Yang. Furthermore, it has a strong effect

on the psyche and, depending on the needling technique and

point selection, will have a calming or stimulating effect (figure

modified according to Ross 1998).

BL-13

BL-14

BL-15

BL-18

BL-19

BL-20

BL-21

BL-22

BL-23

BL-25

BL-27

BL-28

Ren-17

Ren-14

G.B.-24

Ren-12

G.B.-25

ST-25

LU-1

LIV-14

LIV-13

Ren-5

Ren-4

Ren-3

Lung

Pericardium

Heart

Liver

Gall Bladder

Stomach

Spleen

Kidney

Triple Burner

Large Intestine

Small Intestine

Bladder

Clinical application of the

Back-shu/Front-mumethod

● Needling of the Back-shuand Front-mupoints during one

session

● For repeated treatments within a short period of time, alter-

nate needling of the Back-shuand Front-mupoints (for exam-

ple, during the first treatment select the relevant Back-shu

point, in the next treatment select the corresponding Front-mu

point, etc.)

● The Back-shu/Front-mucombination can also be applied to bal-

ance an incorrect treatment. For example, if the needles have

been retained too long in the Back-shupoints and the patient is

tired, Front-mu points can be needled to restore balance.

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