The choice of Acupuncture points for AP therapy

7.MASTER POINTS

In Classic AP the Five Phase Points (60 points in total) are very important but these are often ignored in western and modern Chinese AP. They are discussed elsewhere, as are the Master Points of AP.

The most important of the Master Points for therapy are the Shu-Back Association points, Mu-Front Alarm points, Yuan-Source, Luo-Passage and Xi-Cleft points. Whether or not these points are sensitive when their respective organs are upset), these points often are used in therapy.

Combinations of Shu and Mu Points are prescribed frequently when an organ (or its functions/correspondences) is abnormal:

Shuand Mu

BL13 and LU01 in disorders of the Lung

BL25 and ST25 in disorders of the Colon

BL21 and CV12 in disorders of the Stomach

BL20 and LV13 in disorders of the Spleen-pancreas

BL15 and CV14 in disorders of the Heart

BL27 and CV04 in disorders of the Small Intestine

BL28 and CV03 in disorders of the Bladder

BL23 and GB25 in disorders of the Kidney

BL14 and CV17 in disorders of the Pericardium, Circulation-Sex

BL22 and CV05 in disorders of the Triple Heater

BL19 and GB24 in disorders of the Gallbladder

BL18 and LV14 in disorders of the Liver

Combinations of Yuan-Source and Luo-Passage points. In disease of an organ or its Channel, the Yuan point of the affected Channel is used with the Luo point of its Phase-Mate Channel, for example in LU disorders (or disorders of the LU Channel), LU09 (Yuan of LU) and LI06 (Luo of LI) could he used:

affected Yuanand Luo of Mate

in LU disorders: LU09 and LI06

in LI disorders: LI04 and LU07

in ST disorders: ST42 and SP04

in SP disorders: SP03 and ST40

in HT disorders: HT07 and SI07

in SI disorders: SI04 and HT05

in BL disorders: BL64 and KI04

in KI disorders: KI03 and BL58

in PC disorders: PC07 and TH05

in TH disorders: TH04 and PC06

in GB disorders: GB40 and LV05

in LV disorders: LV03 and GB37

The Xi-Cleft points are indicated mainly in acute diseases of their respective Channels or organs. In haemoptysis: LU06 (Xi of LU); in acute colitis: LI07 (Xi of LI); in epigastric pain: ST34 (Xi of ST); in acute lower abdominal pain at menstruation: SP08 (Xi of SP).

Various combinations of Master Points are possible. For example, in liver disease, or in problems of the eyes or nails (which are controlled by LV), the LV Shu point (BL18, KanShu), the LV Mu point (LV14, ChiMen), the LV Yuan point (LV03, TaiChung) and the LV Xi-Cleft point (LV06 ChungTo) might be combined. In liver and gallbladder disease (or in problems controlled by LV and GB Channels), the Luo points LV05 (LiKou) and GB37 (KuangMing) might be combined with the Mu, Shu and/or Xi-Cleft points for liver and gallbladder (LV14, GB24; BL18, BL19; LV06, GB36).

8.COMBINATION OF LOCAL AND DISTANT POINTS

This is one of the most common methods of choosing points. Examples are:

Face and cheek disorders: local points (ST04,06) plus distant points on Channels to the area (e.g.) LI04, ST44.

Eye disease: BL01; ST01 (local) plus SI06; GB37 (distant).

Ear disease: GB02; SI19; TH17 (local) plus SI03, GB43.

Hip arthritis: GB30 (local) plus GB34 (distant).

Other examples are shown in Table 1 (below).

The "Adjacent" point is another type of point, recommended in recent Chinese texts. This is a powerful point, located 1-20 tsun from the local disorder or problem area. Examples are, GB20 for head and eye; GV20 for forehead; GB25 for lower dorsal area and lumbar area; LV13 in gastric pain. Other examples are given in Table 1 (below).

For best results, "Adjacent" points usually are combined with local and distant points as in Table 1. Example: acute gastritis with gastric pain: ST36; PC06 (remote points on the leg and arm) plus CV12 (local point plus Mu point) plus LV13 ("Adjacent point" and Mu of SP).