The choice of Acupuncture points for AP therapy

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FINAL SELECTION OF POINTS

 

In the last two sections, we saw that points can be selected from therapeutic indices (Cookbook Approach) or by reference to the Laws of AP. (There are other Laws not discussed in this seminar). Ideally one should keep the number of points used in any one session to a minimum. In practice, however, western acupuncturists may use up to 10 or often 20 points in certain cases. Usually, the number would be <10; Master acupuncturists usually use <5 points. The ultimate aim of the Master is to cure with only 1 needle: few western-trained practitioners attain that standard.

 

There is no hard and fast rule as to the choice of points. Various combinations are possible but all combinations use the Sensitive (AhShi, Trigger etc) Points, when these are present. Examples would be:

 

ORGAN DISEASES:

 

Sensitive Points (if present) + Mu + Shu points + points for symptoms

 

(or) Sensitive points + Yuan + Luo + Xi + points for symptoms

 

(or) Sensitive points + Earpoints

 

(or) Sensitive points + Local points + Distant points on the affected Channel

 

(or) many other combinations.

 

LOCAL DISORDERS (say elbow pain):

 

Sensitive points (if present) + Local points + Distant points on affected and related Channels

 

(or) Sensitive Points + Earpoints for Elbow + Earpoint ShenMen

 

(or) Sensitive Points + TianYing point + Fore and Aft points

 

(or) other combinations.

 

As mentioned earlier, the Cookbook approach, especially when it is based on a comprehensive (cumulative) therapeutic index, may suggest dozens of points in specific conditions. One way to make a final selection is to use only those points which are most frequently recommended and to ensure that two or more of the AP Laws mentioned above are included in making that selection. An example of this method is given below.

 

Example: In my files, based on a large number of textbooks and other sources, the following points are recommended for the treatment of elbow pain, strain, trauma, arthritis, rheumatism, etc. The various authors are coded (1) to (22). For the purpose of this exercise, only the Channel points are noted.

 

Author Points Recommended as Effective

 

  1. LU05,06; LI08,11,12,13,14,15; HT03; SI07,08,11; PC03; TH05,15; GB21,34; AhShi
  2. LI11; HT03
  3. LI10,11; HT03; SI09; BL10,20,23,37; GV04,12,14; LI11; TH05
  4. LU05; LI11; TH05;
  5. LU05; LI08,11,12,13; SI04,07,11; PC04
  6. LU05; LI01,04,11; PC03; TH05,10; AhShi
  7. LI11
  8. LU05,06; LI08,12,13; SI04,07,11; PC03; TH01
  9. LI10,11; BL40
  10. LI10,11; SP04; HT04; SI04; PC06; TH01,03,05
  11. LU05,07; LI04,06,11; HT01; SI08; PC03; TH10
  12. LI04,10,11,12; HT03; TH05,10;
  13. LI11,12; HT04; SI04; TH03,05,10; GB34; AhShi
  14. LI02,04,05,10,11,13; SI04,08,10,11,12,13,14; BL42,43,44,45; TH04,06,13,14,16; AhShi
  15. LI11; GB34; AhShi
  16. LU05; LI04,11,14,15; HT03; SI03,06,07,08; TH05,15; GV14; AhShi
  17. LI11; TH10
  18. LI02,03,04,10,11; TH05; AhShi
  19. LI10,11; HT03; GB21
  20. LI11; AhShi
  21. LU05; LI11; TH05; AhShi

 

Ranking these points in order of frequency, we find that in 22 text books, LI11 was listed 21 times. Then followed: TH05; LU05; LI10; AhShi points (in local area, shoulder area and neck) 8-9 times; LI03,04,12; HT03; SI04,07,08,11; PC03; TH10 (4-6 times); LU06; LI02,08,14,15; TH01,03,15; GB21,34; GV14 (2-3 times), Mentioned only once were: LU07; LI01,03,05,06; SP04; HT04; SI03,06,09,10,11,12,13,14; BL10,20,23,37,40,42,43,44,45; PC01,04,06; TH04,06,13,14,16; GV04,12.

 

Looking through these data, we can select the following points as those most frequently recommended:

 

LI11,10; TH05; LU05; AhShi points. Let us call these the "Primary Points". Further down the list (frequency 4-6/22) we have LI03,04,12; HT03; SI04,07,08,11; PC03; TH10. Let us call these the "Secondary Points". Still further down the list (frequency 2-3/22), we have LU06; LI02,08,14,15; TH01,03,15; GB21,34; GV14. Let us call these the "Tertiary Points". Other points (listed above) are recommended by single authors but for the purpose of the exercise they are ignored.

 

I would regard the Primary Points as the most important from which to choose the main points. Local and distant points would be chosen from the primary, secondary and (occasionally) tertiary points (or from other sources of information).

 

In the final prescription for elbow pain, sprain, arthritis, rheumatism etc, we could select the points as follows:

 

MAIN POINTS (all cases): LI11; TH05 and AhShi points. LOCAL POINTS (depending on the site of pain) from: LU05; LI10,12; HT03; SI09; PC03; TH10. For example, for pain along the biceps tendon: PC03 or LU05 or HT03 would be added to the main points.

 

DISTANT POINTS (depending on the site of pain) from: LU06; LI02,03,04,08,14,15; SI04,07,11; TH01,03,15; GB21,34; GV14. For example, in pain of the olecranon, distant points (TH03 or SI07 or LI04) could be added to the main points for elbow (LI11; TH05; AhShi) and local points near the olecranon (TH10 or SI08 and LI12).

 

This approach to the prescription would fulfil at least 3 of the Laws of choosing points and would also choose the most frequently recommended points for the condition. It should be a successful prescription for routine use and would be expected to give better results than if the Cookbook approach alone was used.

 

The greatest weakness of Cookbook AP is that it is statistical rather than individual therapy. The "best AP" is to adapt the Cookbook to individual cases and to fulfil at least 2 of the LAWS on the choice of points. At the same time, one should also try to see the whole case (not just the elbow pain) and to treat the patient as an integrated individual.