The choice of Acupuncture points for AP therapy

9.SELECTION OF POINTS ACCORDING TO SYMPTOMS

Symptomatic points: Certain points are known to be highly effective for common symptoms, such as vomiting, nausea, fever etc. In treating a clinical syndrome, points are chosen for the main problem and others may be added for the symptoms. For example, in gastritis: CV12 and ST36 might be chosen as the main points. If symptoms of nausea and fever were also present, points PC06 and GV14 might be added. The Beijing text (2) lists the following points for the common symptoms:

Cough; CV22; LU07; SP06

Diarrhoea: ST25,36; SP04; CV06

Difficulty swallowing: CV22,23; PC06

Dreams, nightmares: BL15; HT07; LV03

Excess mucus, cough: ST40.

Excessive-perspiration: HT06; KI07

Fever: LI04,11; GV14.

Hiccough, diaphragmatic spasm: BL17; ST36

Insomnia: HT07; SP06; KI03; CV24.

Nausea, vomiting: PC06; ST36.

Night sweats: SI03; HT06; Z 01

Pain in the cardiac area: PC06; CV17

Palpitation: PC06,04

Salivation: ST04; CV24,23

Shock: GV26; CV08,04; PC06,09

Other examples of points specific for symptoms are:

GB34 in acute, traumatic or muscular pain. (This is the pain point par excellence. It is usually combined with one of two local points for the affected area).

ST36 in upper abdominal disorders;

SP06 in lower abdominal disorders;

GV26; KI01 in anaesthetic emergencies (collapse, apnoea, cardiac arrest);

PC06 in disorders of the heart, lungs, thorax;

Earpoint Lung in relieving the symptoms of narcotic or alcohol withdrawal.

10.SELECTION OF POINTS ACCORDING TO NERVE SUPPLY

For diseases in any region (head, neck, limbs, internal organs), one may select points from areas supplied by the same spinal nerves, nerve plexus or nerve trunks as supply the problem area. Often, direct needling of the nerve trunk or plexus is used. In this respect, the paravertebral BL points and the paravertebral X 35 (HuaToChiaChi) points are especially useful for many conditions which do not appear (on casual examination to have anything to do with the back. This may be the explanation for the success of chiropractic and other manipulative systems which concentrate on spinal massage and pressure manipulation. These systems would concentrate on the same areas as the BL and X 35 paravertebral points.

11.SELECTION OF FORE AND AFT POINTS

In local disorders, such as knee pain, arm trauma etc, a combination of Fore and Aft points (in front of and behind) are used. These are almost always local points. Examples are: Knee pain: L 16 (HsiYen) and BL40; Forearm pain: PC06 and TH05. The Mu/Shu combination is also an example.

12.EARPOINTS

Sensitive earpoints, plus other earpoints known to be related to the affected areas or functions are used in Ear AP. The system is highly effective in man but needs much more development before it can be recommended for routine use in animals.