Top 10 points for major body functions, organs and parts

Point convention used in the computer outputs :

The Channel Points are coded as follows: LU=Lung; LI=Large Intestine; ST=Stomach; SP=Spleen-Pancreas; HT=heart; SI=Small Intestine; BL=Bladder; KI=Kidney; PC=Heart Constrictor, Pericardium, Circulation-Sex; TH=Tri-Heater; GB=GallBladder; LV=Liver; CV=Conception Vessel (Ren Mo) ; GV=Governor Vessel (Du Mo). In this system, the second branch of the BL Channel has BL41 (FuFen) at the T2/scapular area and BL40 (WeiZhong) at the popliteal crease, as in the "Essentials of Chinese AP" 1993 (Coll. TCM, Beijing, Shanghai, Nanking) Foreign Languages Press, Beijing 432pp. The ST Channel has ST01 (ChengChi) infraorbital and ST08 (TouWei) on the meeting of the vertical and the horizontal hairline on the forehead.

Channel Code LU LI ST SP HT SI BL KI PC TH GB LV CV GV

no. of points 11 20 45 21 9 19 67 27 9 23 44 14 24 28

The New, Strange & Hand Points are ordered as in the "Newest Illustrations of the AP points" (Med. & Health Publishers, Hongkong, 1973) :

NZ=New Head & Neck; NY=New Abdomen; NX=New Loin & Back; NA=New Upper Limb; NL=New Lower Limb;

Z =Strange Head & Neck; Y =Strange Thorax & Abdomen; X =Strange Loin & Back; A =Strange Upper Limb; L =Strange Lower Limb; H =Hand points.

New Points Strange Points

Point code NZ NY NX NA NL Z Y X A L H

no. of points 35 6 18 15 36 31 19 35 44 42 18

Category OT (Other) codes :

01=AhShi; 02=TianYing; 03=Segmental nerve; 04=Haemorrhoid point; 05=Local points for region; 06=Distant points for region; 07=points on Channel through area; 08=Periosteal AP; 09=Periincisional pts.; 10=Chieh Kou (Cut ends)

Trigger Points (categories TP, TQ, TR):

Trigger Points are located as in "Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction" by Travell & Simons (Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore & London, 1983). Their coding is summarised in the index of point locations, which is appended.

Point code OT TP TQ TR

no. of points 10 99 99 3

The total number of points (Channel, New, Strange etc plus Trigger Points) in the database is 871.

The 12 basic laws of selecting points:

1. Treat the main contradiction, adding 1-2 points for the more serious symptoms.

2. Points according to the innervation or in same dermatome as the problem area or function. (The paravertebral and HuaToChiaChi (X 35) points are especially important).

3.AhShi (tender) points (trigger, myalgic, fibrositic, motor, REPP points).

4. Local points or points locally on nearest Channels.

5. Distant points on Channels controlling problem area.

6. Combination of local & distant points or Yin and Yang points (e.g. the YUAN (Source) point of the problem part/organ/Channel and the LUO (Passage) point of its linked Channel).

7. Points "Fore & Aft", "Above & Below", "Left & Right", encircling the problem area.

8. Points well known for their symptomatic effects.

9. Back & Abdomen combination: SHU (BL Reflex) and MU (Front Alarm) or points near the SHU and MU.

10. The XI (Cleft) point of affected organ/Channel in acute diseases.

11. Scar therapy; improving electrical conductivity of scars and soft tissue injury by needling, injection, laser, physiotherapy etc.

12. The TianYing point - under the ulcer base, into the cyst etc.

!! Always seek the tender (trigger) points !!