Folio Bound VIEWS - Chinese Medicine

Lu Jiao Jiao Colla Cornu Cervi

Lu Jiao Shuang Cornu Cervi deglutinatum

Fu Zi Radix Aconiti carmichaeli praeparata

Rou Gui Cortex Cinnamomi cassiae

Finally, another reason for adopting the treatment principle of benefiting the Kidneys and
strengthening the Governing Vessel is to be able to reduce the dosage of herbs. In fact, many
formulae for Painful Obstruction Syndrome contain pungent and scattering herbs which are not
suitable for long-term use. By benefiting the Kidneys and strengthening the Governing Vessel
the body resistance is raised, the efficacy of the herbs is increased and therefore their dosages
can be correspondingly reduced.

Acupuncture Treatment

In general, the treatment is based on the choice of points from four possible groups:

1. distal points


2. local points (including Ah Shi points)


3. adjacent points


4. points according to pattern


5. general points.

Distal Points

These are the points below elbows and knees which can treat problems further up along the
channel. One or more of these points must always be used to treat Painful Obstruction
Syndrome. Distal points "open" the channel, eliminate stagnation of Qi and help to expel
pathogenic factors. They are used with reducing method in acute cases and even method in
chronic cases.

Distal points are chosen according to the channel and area involved. As a general principle, the
more distal along a channel a point is, the further up along the channel it extends its influence.
For example, the point G.B.-34 Yanglingquan affects the shoulder joint, while the point G.B.-39
Xuanzhong affects the neck. Of course, this is not an absolute rule as it has many exceptions. For
example, the point G.B.-41 Zulinqi (which is below the point G.B.-39 Xuanzhong and should
therefore affect an area above the neck), can affect the hip and breast. Since the distal points are
by definition those below elbows and knees, it follows that in the case of wrists, fingers, ankles
and toes, there are no distal points, with few exceptions. Or, to put it differently, in these cases
the distal and local points coincide.