Classical Points Combinations and Clusters of Points in Acupuncture Therapy

Shmuel Halevi Ph.D
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THE VARIOUS LAWS OF POINTS-COMBINATION

1. The Shu-Mu Law (8)

This technique of points-combination is based on two specific points groupings, one on the front of the body and one on the back, i.e., the Associated and Alarm points. The concept is that both sets have a direct influence on the organ with which theyare associated, like Feishu (B-13) and Zhongfu (L-1) on the Lung, or Pishsu (B-20) and Zhangmen (LIV-13) on the Spleen etc. Furthermore, if each point alone has a strong influence on its organ, combining it with Its vis - a - vis point, will boost its effect and enhance the therapy.

Clinical experience has shown that this combination principle usually has a better effect in Shiconditions when a sedating and soothing action is needed. It is used less in Xu conditions, where other techniques are applied. Both Shu and Mu Points are chosen when an internal organ is afflicted, thus combining these two points together has a strong effect on the organ, most frequently, a sedating one.

The principle of Shu-Nu is based on an even more basic law, the law of the "opposites".

2.The Law of the Opposites

The use of the "law of the opposites" suggests that a disease located In one part of the body should be treated on the opposite part. For Instance, a disease located in the right part of the body should be treated on the left side. A disease located in the back should be treated in the front, and vice versa. A disease located in the upper part, should be treated in the lower part of the body, and so on.

Practical examples of this law are treating Weizhong (B-54) for back pain (lower-upper), or treating Hegu (LI-4) left - for toothache in the right mandible, etc.

An extension of this law gave birth to many sets of points combinations, using two effective points from each of the opposites.Thus, in the case of lower back pain, the use of the point below - Weizhong (B-54), is happily "married" with the most effective point in the upper part, i.e. - Shenshu (B-23). These two points together form the very basis for any lumbago problem treatment, taking advantage of the law of the opposites.

3.Combining Yin Channel Points with Yang Channel Points

This law is another example of how Chinese thinking makes use of the philosophy of duality, or rather, contrasting and complementary phenomena - such as Yin-Yang etc.

The Comprehensive Text of Shanghai College states:

"As we know the primary Yang channels are connected with the primary Yin channels in a Yin/Yang relationship. By combining a point on a Yang channel with another on its paired Yin channel, the cumulative effect is greater than needling either point separately. Examples: combining S-36 (Zusanli) on the Stomach channel (Yang) with SP-4 (Gongsun) on the Spleen channel (Yin) for stomach disease. Or combining L-9 (Taiyuan) on the Lung channel (Yin) with LI-4 (Hequ) on the Large-Intestine channel (Yang) for coughing. The most well known combinations of this kind are between the Source points on the channel primarily affected by a disease, and the Connecting point on the channel paired with the first, in the Yin-Yang relationship. In this combination the Source point is called the "host" and the Connecting point the "guest"."(p.58).

This principle of combining points has created renowned combinations such as Hegu (LI-4) with Liehchueh (L-7), for upper respiratory tract ailments. Taichong (LIV-3) with Guangming (G37) for eye disorders, Taiyuan (L-9) with Pianli (LI-6) for cough from phlegm aetiology, etc.

The idea behind this form of combination is to divert excess energy from the diseased organ to its parallel Yin/Yang related channel. Thus, by puncturing the "host" point which is a Source point, one directly drains an overactive organ (Source points are in close relation with their organ (9)). The stimulation of the Luo point of the parallel meridian, ensures that the excess Qi would thus leave by the closest possible gate. (Luo points form a passage between two Yin/Yang meridians). (10)

4.Master and Coupled Points of Extra Meridians

The master and coupled points of the eight extra meridians form eightpairs of points each attributed to one extra meridian. Each pair is said to "open" its extra meridian, thus enabling it to absorb extra energy, like a "sea" or "reservoir" of energy. (11)

Two techniques exist by which these combinations are used. one way stimulates the two master points and then the two coupled points. The second advocates puncturing right master point and left coupled point in women, and vice-versa in men. (12)

Many of the eight pairs have been found so helpful in clinical practice that they are often used with no regard to their original assignment as master and coupled points of an extra meridian. A good example would be the pair Neiguan (P-6) and Gongsun (SP-4). This couple with the addition of Zusanli (ST-36) form the best points-combination to treat morning sickness, or any nausea, of different etiologies.

Another couple: Liehchueh (L-7) and Shaohai (K-6), which is also used quite frequently, has already been discussed in the previous chapter.

More of these couples will be discussed later in our last chapter.

5.Combining Local with Distant Points

This is a general law for combining points in acupuncture. The law takes advantage of the experience gained from the use of various points, and binds together effective points in the vicinity of the disease, with other effective points from distant parts of the body.

It has been found, for instance, that Ligou (LIV-5) is an effective point to treat maladies of the external sex organs (by virtue of its task as a Luo point of the meridian that encircles these organs). Zhongii (CV-3) is also an effective point for treating such problems (13). Thus, binding the two together, one close to the disease focus, and one from afar, makes a good combination in any formula for this purpose.

This law also has a deep root in the concept of "Root and Branch" and "Origin and End".

This concept is an ancient observation that all primary meridians have reciprocal relationships between points situated on the upper and lower reaches of the body, respectively.

Thus, the Bladder meridian has its root area in the vicinity of Fuyang (B-59), and branch area around Jingming (B-1) or, the Spleen channel makesits root around Sanyiniiao (SP-6), and its branch in Pishu (B-20) as well as Lianchuan (CV23). (Acupuncture - A Comprehensive Text, p. 61)