Traditional versus modern Acupuncture
AP POINT FUNCTIONS
Apart from functions specified for each point in standard texts, AP points also influence:
For example, the GB Channel begins at the lateral canthus of the eye (GB01), travels upwards and backwards over the head, down the neck dorsomedial to the mastoid process (GB20), over the highest point of the trapezius (GB21), down the lateral thorax past the tip of the last rib (GB25), behind the femoral trochanter (GB30), down the lateral thigh to the fibular-tibial notch (GB34), down the lateral leg, to end on the 4th toe. GB34 (apart from functions specified in the textbooks) influences GB function and disorders (cholecystitis, cholelithiasis etc); pain and dysfunction along the course of the Channel from eye, to lateral headache, to neck/shoulder area pain, to lateral thoracic/abdominal pain, to hip, lateral thigh, knee, lateral leg, ankle, to 4th toe pain/sprain/paralysis etc.
Apart from specified and additional functions (above), certain points on the Channels are more powerful than others, even for local effects. For instance, GB34 is more often used than GB33 in knee problems, even though GB33 is near the knee. For other details, see the papers on the "Choice of Points for Particular Conditions" and "The Study of Points and Channels").
MASTER POINTS
(See paper on "The Study of Points and Channels"). Each of the 12 main Channels has a number of MASTER points, which are used in TAP:
a. Shu and Mu Points
Each Channel-Organ System (COS) has a Shu and Mu point. These are reflex points which may become spontaneously tender, or tender to palpation if the COS is disturbed. Thus they have diagnostic uses. The Shu and Mu points has a powerful therapeutic effect on affected organs and often are combined in those cases.
The Shu (Paravertebral reflex, Associated) points occur on the first line of the BL Channel between vertebral spines T 3 and S 4. There are 18 pairs of Shu points, 12 of which relate to the 12 main Channels. The Mu (Front Alarm) points occur on the anterior or lateral thorax and abdomen. There are 12 points corresponding to the 12 main Channels. Six are in the CV line between CV03 and CV17 (BL, SI, TH, ST, HT, PC) and six are bilateral (LU, LV, LI, GB, KI, SP).
Because of overlap in the spinal nerve supply to the organs, the Shu and Mu points are not as organ-specific as TCM/TAP states. For example BL14 (paravertebral below the spine of T4) and CV17 (midway between the nipples) are the Shu and Mu points for the pericardium (PC). However, because of nerve overlap, disease of HT and LU could also activate reflex sensitivity at those points. Therefore, Shu and Mu point sensitivity is a guide but not a definitive indication as to the organ affected. Final confirmation is based on other evidence from TCM or western tests.
Anyone who practices AP, even in its most simple forms, should know the Shu and Mu points.
b. Five Phase Points
These transfer Qi between the Channels in the Five Phase Cycle (see section 4 below).
c. Luo Points
These transfer Qi between the Husband and Wife Channel within each Yin-Yang pair within each Phase (see section 4 below).
d. Yuan (Source), Xi (Cleft), Tonification, Sedation, Hour Points etc. These are discussed in the papers on the Study of AP.
Point types b, c, d (above) are powerful Energetic Points of AP. Their use needs a study of the principles of TAP.
As a knowledge of point location and functions is essential to the use of AP, beginners may feel daunted by the large number of points. Please take courage from the fact that most western AP experts are familiar with as few as 50-150 points ! If beginners grasp the principles of basic AP, they can consult AP textbooks for details of the less commonly used points, as the need arises.