Acupuncture points for the treatment of human backpain

CONCLUSIONS

In practice, it is difficult to make a specific diagnosis of the cause of backpain, due to the difficulty of routine X-ray, myelography and other tests. Many patients presenting with backpain also have other signs or symptoms. One aims to help the patient towards self-healing, not to "heal the backpain". The general practitioner may be satisfied with clinical remission.

Palpation of the muscles, to locate TPs is an essential part of the clinical examination.

The combination of TPs, GB20,21, GV14, BL10, SI15 covers most neck pain. LI04,11, SI03, ST38 (or GB34) are useful distant points.

The combination of TPs, GV09,12,13,14, X 35 covers most thoracic backpain. Local BL points can be used instead of GV points. BL40,60 are useful distant points.

The combination of TPs, GV04, BL23,25,31, covers most backpain below the ribs, including radiating sciatic pain. BL37,40,60, GB30,34 are useful distant points.

The most common combination of points is: all TPs, plus 1-2 LOCAL points (near the affected organ or part). If an organ is thought to be involved, its Shu point is used, whether tender or not. To this can be added the Mu (abdominal alarm) point. This includes the use of Shu points in superficial problems which may not have direct organic involvement. For example, BL13 and 25 (Shu points for the LU and LI Channels) as part of a prescription to help resolve pain of an inside-forearm pain (in the Channel area of LU and LI). Similarly, BL23,28 (Shu of KI and BL) would be indicated in Achilles/heel pain (Channel area of KI and BL). One or two DISTANT points on a Channel passing through or near the problem area, on the Channel of the affected organ, or a CHAIN of points along an affected Channel or nerve are also helpful.

Many point combinations are possible. Points with special or general action may be considered. Useful points are:

Neck GB34, LU07

Thoracic limb LI04,11,15, TH05,15, GB21

Spinal column BL16

Lumbosacral and pelvic limb BL21,23,40,60, GB30,34, ST36

Muscles, tendons TH15, GB34, BL19,20

Bones, joints BL11,23

General effects LI04, ST36, BL23

Immunostimulation LI04,11, GV14, ST36

Lung BL13,43

Liver BL18, GV09

Stomach, appetite BL21, ST36

Hind gut BL25,30

Adrenal, stress conditions, urogenital, bones BL23,52, GV04

There are other methods of point selection (Earpoints, Face points etc) but these methods are not as well documented as bodypoint AP. They must be regarded as experimental until adequate documentation and comparative clinical trials are available.

Meanwhile, the database method gives points very similar to those which traditional AP would suggest. The computer has merely re-invented the wheel.

The use of other physiotherapies (massage, ultrasound, LASER etc) on the points (between sessions) helps to ensure high success rates.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I thank Dr. Pekka Pontinen, Tampere, Finland and the organisers of the Nordic Acupuncture Congress for financing my trip to the Congress.