The choice of Acupuncture points for AP therapy

4.POINTS ON THE AFFECTED CHANNEL

Where an organ or function controlled by a Channel is disturbed, one or more points on that Channel are chosen. For example, ST36 in gastritis; LI04 in ulcerative colitis; LU09 in pneumonia; SP06 in diabetes (Spleen- pancreas); HT07 in tachycardia; BL23,28 in bladder disorders (these are also the Shu points for KI and BL respectively); KI points in KI disorders; PC points in PC disorders etc.

Similarly, where aches or pains are located on or near the course of a Channel, points are chosen on the Channel. For example in pain along the lateral thigh, points GB31 or 32 could be included; for pain along the lateral chest, points GB22 or 25; SP17 or 18 or 19 or 20 or 21 could be included; for pain on the inner aspect of the leg, one might include one or two points from: SP05,06,07,08,09; LV05,06,07; KI08,09,10.

5.DISTANT POINTS ON CHANNELS THROUGH THE AFFECTED AREA

In general, the most effective AP points are below the elbow and knee (the areas in which the 66 Command Points lie.

Problems at one end of the body may be treated by points at the other end. For example, disorders of the head and its organs may be helped by points below the elbow or below the knee (stifle). Points on the head may help problems below the waist.

Also, a local problem may be helped by needling a point above or below it on its Channel. For example GB34 in hip, flank or lateral, thoracic pain; TH05 in elbow, shoulder and side of neck pain; BL40 or 60 in lumbar pain; SP04 in genital pain etc.

A variation of this "Law" is that pain or other disorders at one end of a Channel may be treated by points at the opposite end of the Channel. Examples are: GV20 in haemorrhoids, tenesmus or rectal prolapse; GV26 in low back pain; KI01 in cerebral vascular accident, apoplexy; LI04 in rhinitis, sinusitis, toothache of lower jaw; ST44 in toothache of upper jaw or temporal headache; BL67 or GB37 in eye pain; LU01, HT01 or PC01 in pain in the palm of the hand; TH23, LI20 or SI19 in pain in the dorsum of the hand; SI03, 04 or 05 in tinnitus aurium; LI04, TH05 or SI03 in neck pain.

A Beijing text (9) advises that needles or moxa should not be applied to a wound, an ulcer or scar. The nearest local points should be used instead. This is at variance with two well established techniques: the treatment varicose leg ulcers (in Section 2 above) and the treatment of scar tissue in the paper on "Techniques of stimulation of the AP points").

6.POINTS ON RELATED CHANNELS

The Phase-Mate Channels (Husband-Wife pairs, or Linked Pairs in the same Phase) are: LU-LI; ST-SP; HT-SI; BL-KI; PC-TH; GB-LV. One member of each pair influences the other. Disease along one member of a pair or of the main organ of a pair may be helped by points on the other member of the pair. For example, gastric upsets or pain along the ST Channel may be helped by needling points on the SP Channel. LI points influence LU disorders. LV points are used in GB disorders (see below).

Also, points on nearby (anatomically related) Channels (for example SP, KI, LV in the leg and thigh area; TH, LI, SI on the forearm etc) influence pain etc in the area. Example, pain along LI Channel in the forearm should be helped by local or distal points TH or SI Channels.