Acupuncture in Genitourinary & Related Conditions
2a. Summary of Points & Protocols - Overview

Introduction
This is an Appendix to "Acupuncture in Genitourinary & Related Conditions" (Rogers 1999). It summarises the acupoints & AP protocols used in specified clinical disorders in gynaecology, obstetrics & andrology & urology. It has four main sections:
2a. This page (Overview of the Points & Protocols Summary)
2b. AP Treatment of "Female" Disorders
2c. AP Treatment of "Male" Disorders
2d. AP Treatment of Urinary & General Disorders

The data here are summarised from the main bibliography. Only abstracts which indicated the acupoints used are summarised below.

For comparative purposes, & as an aid to clinicians for conditions with few references in this bibliography, Section 2d also contains acupoint lists of 10 points in descending order of their point Citation frequency. These lists are from the ADA Database (Top Ten Points for Common Conditions, Rogers 1999), with some entries not available online up to now. In the ADA data, Main Points are listed first and the +/- sign indicates secondary, or Helper Points.

Search for similar organs / conditions: Division into General, "Female" & "Male" Disorders is arbitrary & artificial from the viewpoints of western medicine, embryology, neurophysiology & TCM. For example the innervation of the kidney, adrenal, testis & ovary, & in their neuroendocrine controls via the hypothalamus & pituitary, are similar. Similar parallels exist for the other genitourinary structures, as follows:

general: kidney, adrenal

Female: Ovary
Male: Testicle

General: kidney pelvis, upper ureter

Female: Bursa, Fallopian tube
Male: Epididymis

general: lower ureter

Female: Uterus horn
Male: Spermatic cord

general: bladder

Female: Uterus body
Male: Seminal vesicles

General: bladder sphincter

Female: Cervix
Male: Prostate

General: urethra, perineum

Female: Vagina, vulva, clitoris
Male: Penis, scrotum

Thus, acupoints used to treat disorders of organs in any one of the above Rows may be identical. For example points for organs in Row 1 (kidney, adrenal, ovary & testicle) can be identical, as can points for organs in Row 4 (bladder, uterus body & seminal vesicles), or points for organs in Row 5 (bladder sphincter, cervix & prostate).

Also, whether dysuria, stranguary or urinary retention occur in prostatomegaly, or postpartum, post-operatively after obstetrical, or other abdominal surgery, the acupoints to treat them are similar. Therefore points to treat postpartum urinary retention are in the general section, rather than the obstetrical section. Similarly, the points to treat nausea & vomiting in pregnancy, or postoperatively, are in the general section.

The summaries that follow are only guides for use by qualified acupuncturists. Although novices may be tempted to use these data as simple "Cookbook Acupoint Recipies", they are not meant to be misused in that way. In TCM, KI Qi Xu, LV Qi Stasis, Qi-Xue Stasis, Qi-Xue Xu, Stasis of Phlegm & Internal Damp, abnormality of Chongmai, CV & GV are important causes of genitourinary & reproductive problems. Though Cookbook AP may be helpful in simple cases, best results in complex cases depend on diagnosis & correction of the associated TCM Syndrome.

Clinical reports of AP protocols or acupoint combinations for some specific reproductive or genitourinary disorders in males or females are relatively scarce. Also, perusal of the summary data below shows great variation in the protocols taken by different authors in treating similar cases. Therefore, readers may wish to check for similar disorders / embryological parallels in all three sections above before they decide on the best AP protocol & combination of acupoints for a particular case, whether in a male or female.

Some of the protocols involve deep penetration into the abdomen or pelvic space. Clinicians should use standard medical precautions (sterile needles, sterilise the skin where appropriate, avoid penetration of vital organs etc). For more details (especially as regards manipulation of the needles), clinicians should consult the original abstracts & articles.

The importance of the Emotions in TCM: In TCM, each emotion relates to a Phase & a specific Zang-Organ. The relationships are:

Zang-organ: HT

Phase: Fire
Emotion: Excitement, joy
Spirit of the Organ: Shen
Spirit Point: Shentang-Spirit Hall
BL Point: BL44

Zang-organ: SP

Phase: Earth
Emotion: Obsession, worry
Spirit of the Organ: Yi
Spirit Point: Yishe-Reflection Abode
BL Point: BL49

zang-organ: lu

Phase: Metal
Emotion: Grief, sorrow
Spirit of the Organ: Po
Spirit Point: Pohu-Po Door
BL Point: BL42

Zang-Organ: KI

Phase: Water
Emotion: Fear, terror
Spirit of the Organ: Zhi
Spirit Point: Zhishi-Will Chamber
BL Point: BL52

Zang-Organ: Lv

Phase: Wood
Emotion: Anger, envy
Spirit of the Organ: Hun
Spirit Point: Hunmen-Hun Gate
BL Point: BL47

As in many other areas, psychological / emotional / mental factors (inhibition or excitation) can influence female and male reproductive & sexual function and urinary and general health. Problems may arise due to a previous emotional or sexual trauma, or in situations of poor emotional contact between the sexual partners - stress, fear, anger, etc. Ability to achieve, maintain & complete sexual arousal and orgasm in other situations, such as with (or fantasising) another partner, or solo, indicates that the basic ability is present & that sexual inhibition with one's current partner may have a psychological component. Counselling, hypnosis & visualisation can be important parts of therapy in such cases.

As well as addressing any imbalance of Qi or Xue in the Channels or Vessels, etc. (see later), TCM treatment of "female, male", urinary and general problems would address any psychological / emotional / spiritual causes, possibly using the related Spirit Points.

Phil Rogers MRCVS, Lucan, Dublin, Ireland​
Fax: 353-46-26154 Tel: 353-46-26740 (Lab)
[email protected]  |  [email protected]
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