Choice of Acupuncture points for particular conditions

1. LOCAL CONDITIONS OR REGIONS: Let us pick problems of the eye, nose, neck, shoulder, elbow, lowback, hip and knee (stifle) as examples from Appendix 1:

EYE: BL01 (b); LI04 (c, as the LI Channel connects to ST Channel at the eye); GB2O (c);also Wood (GB,LV) controls the eyes; ST01 (b); Z09 (b, k); BL02 (b); ST02 (b); GB14 (b,c (Wood)); TH23 (b); BL18 (liver controls eyes. BL18 is Shu point of liver, b). The combination BL01, ST01, Z 09, GB14 meets law (e) above and is very useful in eye diseases. 7/10 of these points are local points.

NOSE: LI04 (c,g,i,j); LI20 (b); GB20 (j); GV23 (c); LI11 (c,i,j); GV14 (c,j); Z 03 (b,k); BL07 (c); LI19 (b); ST02 (b). The combination LI20, Z 03, ST02 also meets law (e). 4/10 of these points are local points.

NECK: GB2O (b); GV14 (b); LI04 (c,g,i); BL10 (b); SI03 (c,i.j); LI11 (c,i,j); OT01 (AhShi point - a); GB21 (b,c depending on site of problem); GB39 (c,j); SI15 (b). The combination GB20,21, BL10, GV14, SI15 also meets law (e). 5/10 of these points are local.

SHOULDER area: LI15 (b,j); LI11 (c,i,j); TH14 (b,j); Sl11 (b); Sl09 (b); LI04 (e,g,j); OT01 (a); Sl10 (b); OT05 (local points, b); BL11 (d ,j ). A combination of SI09, LI15 and a new point l" above anterior axillary crease is known as the "shoulder triplet". The combination meets law (e) above and has powerful effects in shoulder conditions. 6/10 of these points are local points.

ELBOW: LI11 (b,i,j); TH05 (c,j); LI04 (c,g,i); HT03 (b,i); LU05 (b,i); LI10 (b); OT01 (a); LI12 (b); TH10 (b); SI07 (c). 6/10 of these points are local.

LOWBACK: BL23 (b,j); BL40 (c,i,j); GB30 (c, linked to lowback via BL Channel, d,j); BL60 (c,i,j); GB34 (c (via BL link), i,j); BL25 (b); BL37 (c); GV04 (b); BL57 (c); BL31 (b). 4/10 of these points are local.

HIP: GB30 (b,j); GB34 (c,i,j); GB29 (b); GB31 (c); BL40 (c via link to GB Channel, i,j); BL60 (c,i,j); OT01 (a); GB39 (c,i,j); ST36 (d,i); LV08 (-). Although only 2/10 of these points are local, 2 of the top 3 points are local.

KNEE: GB34 (b,i,j); BL40 (b,i,j); L 16 (b,k); ST35 (b); SP09 (b); ST36 (c,i); ST34 (b); LV08 (c); OT01 (a); GB31 (c). The first05 of these points are the most commonly used combination (obeying law e) and all are local points.

In the eight local conditions discussed above, seven have a local point as the first in the list (the 8th has a local point as second on the list).

2.CONDITIONS OF INTERNAL ORGANS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS: Let us consider the Top Ten points in five of the conditions in Appendix 2. Close examination of other lists in the appendices will show that they follow similar logic.

PLEURA: BL42, BL47, BL43, KI23, KI22, BL13, GB32 (7/10 points) are on the thorax or dorsal paravertebral area (local). Two of the other three (ST12, BL11) are at the thoracic inlet and the 10th point (GB44) obeys law (c).

HEART, PERICARDIUM: Only 3 of the Top Ten (BL15, BL14, CV17) are over or near the organs. They obey laws (b), (d), (e) and (f). Six of the remainder (PC06, PC07, HT05, PC05, PC07, PC04) are on the HT or PC Channel (laws c, i, j). The 10th point (ST36) is a Master Point, with many functions, including effects on HT and PC.

COUGH, GENERAL: BL13, CV22, GV12, BL12, CV17 (5 of the top 10 points) are over the thorax, trachea or dorsal paravertebral area. They obey laws (b), (d), (e), (f), (j). Three points (LU05,07, 10) are on the LU (lung) Channel (laws c, i). The remaining two points (ST4O, GV14) meet laws c and i.

LIVER: 6/10 points (BL18,19,20,48; GV09; LV13) are over or near the liver. They obey laws b, d, e, f, j. The remaining four points (LV03, ST36, GB34, SP06) are master points. They obey laws c, g, i, j.

GENITALIA FEMALE AND REPRODUCTION: 6/10 points are in the lumbosacral innervation area (low abdomen or l/s paravertebral area). They are: CV03,04,06; GV04; GB26; BL32. They obey laws (b), (d), (e), (j). The four remaining points (SP06,10; LV03; ST36) are Master Points with major effect on low abdomen and its functions. They obey laws (c), (i), (j).

2a. IF AN ORGAN OR FUNCTION HAS NO NAMED CHANNEL, points can be chosen from combinations relating to the nearest organs, or Channels, or functions. For example, suppose there were no entries for the following organs:

Thymus: consider points from combinations for heart, lungs, stomach (nearest organs) and immunity (a closely allied function).

Diaphragm, oesophagus: consider heart, lung, stomach combination.

Appendix: consider lower right abdomen and large intestine combinations + immunity.

Adrenal (beside kidney): consider kidney combinations.

Ovary, tubes, uterus: consider kidney, bladder, low abdominal and large intestinal combinations.

Vagina, vulva, scrotum, testicles, penis: these are controlled by the 3 Leg Yin Channels (SP, LV, KI). Consider points on these Channels + points for low abdomen, bladder.