Choice of Acupuncture points for particular conditions

INTRODUCTION

Western veterinary AP is based primarily on transposition of human AP principles to animal patients. To select effective points for therapy, one makes appropriate adjustments for differences in anatomy, location of peripheral nerves, and temperament of the animal (Rogers, 1980b; Molinier, 1983; Westermayer, 1981). There are some texts on traditional veterinary AP and some Western experts have produced texts which are based on traditional points. Others have written texts on the transposition method. Advantages and disadvantages of the transposition method have been discussed elsewhere (Rogers, 1982b).

Studies of the electrical resistance of skin in dogs, horses and cattle have confirmed the existence of REPP (reactive electropermeable points) at locations predictable from the human AP system (Janssens; Krueger; Greiff; Kothbauer). In AP research with primates, laboratory animals (mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits) and larger species, the human transposition system is the one used routinely to locate points such as LU01; LI04,11,15,20; ST09,25,36; SP06,09; HT07; BL points; PC06; TH05,08,14,17; GB20,30,34; LV03,14; GV26 etc. The clinical and experimental effects of stimulating these points have been confirmed worldwide in the past 10 years in many animal species (laboratory, farm, domestic and zoo).

Uses of the computer in AP and the advantages and disadvantages of computer -generated prescriptions were discussed elsewhere (Rogers 1984 a, b). Many professionals still refuse to use a computer. I believe that this refusal stems from fear (that they will not be able to master it) and ignorance of what a modern computer can and cannot do. Traditionally-trained acupuncturists may scorn the idea of cookbooks (although they use their own favourite prescriptions - a poor Cookbook). They would be horrified at the idea of computerising AP.

COOKBOOK AP: Many have told me that "prescription AP", especially the free availability of prescriptions, do AP a disservice. They assume that the cowboys (quacks, charlatans, get-rich-quick merchants) will proliferate and thrive if such information is freely available. I do not believe this. I would prefer to see AP develop rapidly. This will not happen if we must wait for a high percentage of the professions to develop to Master Acupuncturist status. The use of AhShi therapy and cookbooks brings more professionals into the active AP field than any other method that I know.

This paper discusses computer-based AP prescriptions for selected areas and symptoms under 3 main headings

: computer AP databases

: prescriptions for major body areas, functions, subregions

: prescriptions for common symptoms

It has taken me more than 11 years to amass these data. Therefore I ask each of you to treat the material as copyright. You are welcome to use it for clinical, study and research purposes, but not for commercial publication in text, computerised, microfiche form, etc. You are free to make personal copies for friends or colleagues, but only on condition that they also agree to respect the copyright.

The Channel and Point coding used throughout this text is: LU, LI, ST, SP, HT, SI, BL, KI, PC, TH, GB, LV, CV, GV; ST08 (TouWei) is on the temple, BL41 (FuFen) is at T2 and BL40 (WeiZhong) is in the popliteal crease. This is the same as that used by IVAS. The alphanumeric code and name of each point is shown in Appendix 1. As there is no internationally accepted coding system to-date, you are urged to check my coding system (Appendix 1) at this stage and to compare it with the one which you use. This is most important to prevent confusion and error.