- L.I.-3 Sanjian expels Wind, Cold and Dampness from the fingers. It should be needled at
least 0.5 cun perpendicularly towards the ulna, i.e. along the palm of the hand. It is very
effective and some doctors think that if this point is punctured deeply enough (up to 1
cun), there is no need to use the Baxie points. - T.B.-3 Zhongzhu also expels Wind, Cold and Dampness from the fingers. It is also
effective for Heat Painful Obstruction Syndrome. - S.I.-3 Houxi expels Wind from the fingers. Similarly to L.I.-3 Sanjian, it should be
needled at least 0.5 cun perpendicularly along the palm of the hand.
Chronic
In chronic cases, the above points are also used and they are combined with some adjacent
points:
- T.B.-5 Waiguan is an important adjacent point for Painful Obstruction Syndrome of the
fingers. It expels Wind and stimulates the circulation of Qi and Blood in the fingers. One
should obtain the needling sensation to radiate downwards towards the fingers. - LU-7 Lieque can be used especially when the pain is located mostly along the base of the
thumb. This occurs frequently in old people when the invasion of pathogenic factors is
combined with a decline of Qi affecting the Lung channel. In young people it occurs in
piano or flute players. This point should be needled obliquely downwards and the
needling sensation should radiate towards the thumb. - S.I.-5 Yanggu is effective in expelling Dampness and is therefore particularly useful
when the fingers are swollen.
If the fingers are swollen they can be lightly tapped with the 7-star hammer (or plum-blossom
needle) until they bleed slightly and moxa smoke should be directed onto them.
Case History 23.8
Painful Obstruction Syndrome: Cold and Dampness-Female, Age 53
A 53-year-old woman presented with pain in the fingers which had started two years previously.
The fingers were swollen and already deformed. Previously to the pain in the hand, she had also
suffered with lower backache intermittently. She had been experiencing quite a severe loss of
hair for the past year and her knees felt weak.