The Study of Acupuncture: Sources and Study Techniques
Philip A.M. Rogers MRCVS
1980, 1982, 1984, updated 1990, 1993, 1995
Postgraduate Course in Veterinary AP, Dublin, 1996
1980, 1982, 1984, updated 1990, 1993, 1995
Postgraduate Course in Veterinary AP, Dublin, 1996
SUMMARY
1. Sources of acupuncture (AP) literature (textbooks, journals), equipment supply houses, societies, training courses and schools are discussed.
2. AP study techniques are discussed.
3. Memory aids help the learning of the Channel-Organ Systems (COSs) , direction and importance of Qi flow, Qi tides, first and last points on the Channels.
4. The course of the Channels is outlined.
5. Memory aids help the learning of Master Points: Shu-Back Association (Paravertebral Reflex) points; Mu-Front Alarm points; Luo-Connecting points; Yuan-Source points; Five Phase (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) points; Xi-Cleft points; Hour points; Earpoints and other important points.
6. This paper contains the basics of AP as regards the Jing-Luo (Channels and Collaterals), the COSs, and the main AP points. Its intrinsic difficulty is acknowledged but students are encouraged to read and re-read it until its contents are mastered.
INTRODUCTION
Elsewhere, we discussed the necessity of the transposition method from human AP as the essential starting point for a study of vet acupuncture (AP). In this paper, we consider information sources on human AP. Some techniques which I found useful to my study of the basic and classic concepts are discussed also.
TEXTBOOKS, JOURNALS, SUPPLY HOUSES AND EQUIPMENT
There are dozens of textbooks in English on human AP and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). If one also counts those in French, German and other European languages, the number of texts is very great. The beginner should be aware of few difficulties in choosing texts.
1. Many textbooks in European languages are poor copies of the originals in Chinese. They contain errors in the location of points and in the therapeutic indications. If possible, the beginner should choose texts published in European languages by the Chinese themselves. Examples are the Beijing text (1), the Shanghai text (2), Hong Kong texts (3,4,5) or the Shanghai charts (6). Having studied these texts, the student will be better able to integrate material from European sources.
2. Many texts (even some Chinese ones) use point names and alphanumeric point codes which differ from other texts. The beginner is advised to use one text as his/her basic reference work for point name and code and to check, point by point, each new text against that reference, making appropriate adjustments to point names and codes in the margins of the new book. This is essential, as most therapeutic indices which the student will create for personal use, use the alphanumeric point code. Thus, if the student uses the code LI04 for HoKu (Large Intestine 4) and another text uses Co (Colon) 4 for the same point, it is obvious that she/he must be aware of the difference. Similarly, some texts use ST01 for Tou Wei. Some differences occur between texts in the coding of Bladder points from the shoulder area to the back of the knee. The student is strongly advised to adopt one convention and to retain that one as his/her reference. It is not difficult to make appropriate changes in all new textbooks.
Basic charts: I suggest the Newest illustrations of the AP Points (1975), Medicine and Health Publishing Co., Hong Kong) (3) as a primary reference. The other texts (Beijing, Taiwan etc) can all be referenced back to this.
Basic texts: Basic texts recommended by IVAS are: The Essentials of Chinese AP (1); Chinese AP and Moxibustion (1a) and Grasping the Wind (1b). Other textbooks which I found helpful are listed in the Appendix. Some texts however, do not mention the classic AP Laws. They are purely technical or mechanical/pragmatic in their approach to AP.
Texts on Classical AP: For mastery of AP, one must study and incorporate into one,s day-to-day thinking the classical laws and concepts of AP. These are covered very well in The Web that has no Weaver (15b) and the Fundamentals of Chinese Medicine (15d); see also references 14, 14a, 15, 15a, 15c and 16.
Veterinary Texts: Having grasped the principles and the anatomy of human AP, one may then study the vet texts. Later in this paper, we will discuss aids to help memorize the human system. Unfortunately, I have no help to give you in memorizing the vet texts! They are difficult to learn because they are poorly integrated as compared with human texts. However, vets who deal mainly with horses and cattle can gain valuable information from Klide and Kung (9), Kothbauer (12a), Rubin (13), Westermayer (11, 12), White (12b) and Yu & Hwang (12c). Those who deal mainly with small animals will benefit from Altman (7a), Brunner (8), Demontoy (7c), Gilchrist (8a), Janssens (7b), Molinier (7d).
Journals which specialise in the publication of AP articles, or which frequently publish such articles are listed in the Appendix. One of the best, as regards clinical articles is the American Journal of AP. The latest (1990) is the International Journal of Clinical AP.
It must be understood that some of the papers which are accepted by specialist journals would not be accepted by more critical scientific or medical journals, as their quality would not pass professional referees on technical or academic grounds. Some of the "research" articles are of poor or very poor quality, have poor experimental design, no controls, have group sizes which are too small, lack detail, have no or poor statistics or are written badly. Nevertheless, these journals are the main source of new information on AP and allied methods.
AP Supply Houses are common in most European countries now. Some addresses are given in the Appendix, in case some of you have not made contacts in this area already.
AP EQUIPMENT
a. Needles: Standard hypodermic needles are satisfactory for occasional use: Large animals; 12-100 mm, 19-24 gauge. Small animals, 12-50 mm, 21-26 gauge.
Solid AP needles are preferable for routine AP. Small animals: human AP needles 12-50 mm, 21-30 gauge are satisfactory. Large animals: 12-150 mm, 21-24 gauge. The Richter Company (Feldgasse 19, A-4600 Wien, Austria) makes excellent needles for small and large animals but, as for most equipment, Hong Kong supply houses are usually cheaper for equipment, even if one pays air-freight and import taxes.
b. Moxa: Standard moxa punk is available at all Supply Houses.
c. Stimulators: There are dozens of electro-AP stimulators of Chinese, Japanese, American, Canadian and European manufacture on the market. Most of these are designed for human use but IVAS has assessed some veterinary models. In general, human stimulators are also suitable for vet work and ones with bipolar electrodes are less likely to cause electrolytic lesions than ones with conventional positive and negative electrodes. I am not competent to advise on which model is best. However, I find the Chinese model 71-3 General Purpose AP Apparatus or the cheaper AWQ-100 Multipurpose Electronic Acupunctoscope to be satisfactory for routine use. The latter has a variable resistor in the Point Detection facility, which may help beginners to locate low-resistance points in the vicinity of the AP point to be stimulated.
Other equipment which is available from Supply Houses includes magnetic-, static-, electrostatic-, electromagnetic, ultrasonic-, microwave- and laser- stimulators, TENS, TENS/roller stimulators etc.
SOCIETIES, TRAINING COURSES, SCHOOLS
SOCIETIES: Vet AP has a very short history in the West, dating from about 1973 (except for countries like France, Austria and Germany). At present, between 0.5 and 10% of vets in most Western countries use AP. Most countries in northern Europe now have formal vet AP societies. Medical AP societies exist in these and in many other countries and they often accept vets and dentists as associate members. The Appendix lists some of the vet societies.
VET AP TRAINING COURSES
Australia: Vet AP courses have been organised by AVAA.
Austria: Oswald Kothbauer (Fax: 43-724-62438) organises training courses with assistance from other vet colleagues and medical colleagues from the Ludwig Boltzmann AP Institute (Vienna).
Belgium: Luc Janssens (Fax: 32-3825-0040) and Emiel van den Bosch (Fax: 32-1656-1374) have run IVAS-standard (120-hour) courses with assistance from other colleagues in the BVDA.
France: l'AVAF (led by Milin, Molinier, Demontoy, Janacek and others) organises a course and week-end seminars.
Finland: In 1980, the Government introduced AP to the official university training of med, vet and dental students. Finland is the first Western country to do this and she must be congratulated for having set the precedent for other countries. Jukka Kuussaari (Fax: 358-247-391381) was the organiser of the Helsinki Course.
Norway: Are Thoresen (Fax: 47-334-66775) organised the first IVAS Course in the Vet School, Oslo, 1988-1989. A formal course will be run in 1996.
Sweden: Ritva Krokfors (Fax: 46-141-10371) organises training courses in Sweden.
USA: IVAS, founded in 1974, organizes training courses each year. Contact David Jagger, 5139 Sugarloaf Rd., Boulder, CO 80302-9217, USA (Fax: 1-303-449-8312). Though most participants are from North or South America, some European, Australian, South African and Far Eastern participants have taken the course. IVAS now has a policy to give the full course (in English) in any country which can organise enough participants to cover the cost of IVAS-approved lecturers.
Apart from these, recent AP seminars and training courses for vets in European countries have been run mainly by individuals or by national Vet AP groups, or in association with medical AP groups. Such courses have been given in Denmark, Germany, Sweden, UK. Details of future courses may be available from the national Vet AP societies (see Appendix).
AP SCHOOLS: Vets who wish to study AP formally have to decide whether to rely on week-end seminars or full-time study. Week-end seminars are run by the medical AP groups in most countries. Vets are usually welcome to attend as associate members.
Study of human AP in detail over a period of months to years is possible in special AP Schools. Some vets go to Vienna, Hong Kong, Taipei, Beijing or other Chinese centres for intensive training but most rely on their local schools. Unfortunately, there is little standardisation between schools. Some are excellent. Some are merely "diploma mills". Many of these "schools" are run by persons with no qualifications in medicine, vet medicine or science. They can be fine acupuncturists but poor clinicians. The student should seek advice from an experienced acupuncturist before she/he enrolls in one of these schools.
INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS: When one travels abroad, it is often very useful to have a contact in another country who can introduce one to people with similar interests. Therefore, should you be interested to meet other vet acupuncturists you may consult the addresses of contacts in the Appendix.
STUDY TECHNIQUES
On the assumption that most of you will not be able to attend full-time, intensive training in AP it follows that your knowledge of AP must be self-taught, at home. Most of the vet acupuncturists whom I know began in this way.
When I began my study of AP in 1973, I spent 3 hours a night, 5 nights a week for 6 months studying in the wrong way! I had no friend or colleague who could help my study, as I knew no vets or doctors in Ireland at the time who were acupuncturists. I bought the wrong textbooks (bastardized copies of the original Chinese) and tried to understand classic AP in too short a time. Most frustrating of all, my Western-trained mind asked too many questions which could not be answered to my satisfaction by the classic concept.
After 6 months of frustration, I was about to give up this study as hopeless, when, without warning, the picture began to "click" into position. Since then, I have made many valuable contacts who guided my study and I have learned from my many mistakes. I am still a student, with much to learn yet.
To those of you who wish to study AP in depth, I give the following advice:
1. Forget your Western training while you study the AP textbooks especially those dealing with classic AP, such as those by Austin, Connolly, Kapchuk, Mann, van Nghi or Wiseman.
2. "Skim" the books a few times in the beginning; read from cover to cover, quickly to get the general "feeling". Later, read them more slowly, trying to absorb as much detail as possible.
3. Use memory aids to remember the circuits of the Channel-Organ Systems (COSs), the Master Points (including the 66 Command Points), the first and last points etc. Examples of memory aids are given later; if these do not meet your needs, make up your own memory aids.
4. From the beginning, using one basic reference, as mentioned earlier, learn the points by their alphanumeric code and the Chinese name. As you study the details of each main point, check that the alphanumeric code refers to the correct point location. Repeat the exercise for each new textbook. (Codes are not the same in all books). Locate each point on your own body (or on a friend's body if the location is not visible on your own) and mark it with a pen. Remind yourself of its location frequently in the next days.
5. Learn one point on each Channel first (e.g.) LU07, LI04, ST36, SP06, HT07, SI06, BL23, KI03, PC06, TH05, GB34, LV03, CV12, GV26. Later add more points when you know these well.
6. Pick 3 or 4 common conditions, such as gastroenteritis, low-back syndrome, muscular lameness, dystocia. Compare the approach to treating these conditions in the various textbooks which you use and make a synthesis of your own approach. Expect to encounter differences in approach between the various sources and make your study interesting by noting where the authors agree and where they take alternative courses.
7. Experiment with AP on yourself and on family volunteers. Try to treat the simple day-to-day conditions such as toothache, headache, pulled muscles, stomach ache etc, using especially the massage technique or the non-invasive techniques using transcutaneous electrostimulation, ultrasound etc. If you have the courage, arrange with your dentist that he/she does your dentistry under AP analgesia. For this you will need a good electro-stimulator. Use needles in points Chia Che (ST06) and the Earlobe Dental Anaesthesia Point (10 mm needles, 30 gauge). Electro-stimulate to maximum tolerance for 30 minutes before surgery. You can sit in the car if you don't want to alarm other patients in the waiting room! (While the stimulator is working, your face will contract strongly in time with the stimulator, say 5 Hz!). Leave the stimulator on during surgery. For surgery on both sides of the mouth, needles will be required on the left and right sides.
8. Join med and/or vet AP study groups. As often as you can, meet medical and vet colleagues who use the method. Discussions on and observation of their techniques, successes and failures are very helpful.
9. Read the AP Journals, especially the American Journal of AP. Encourage your nearest University Library to subscribe to as many of these Journals as possible.
LEARNING THE COSs, DIRECTION OF QI FLOW AND THE QI TIDES
There are 12 pairs of main COSs (the main Channel (Meridian) Organ Systems of AP). The Channels either begin or end on a finger or toe: Lung (LU); Large Intestine (LI); Stomach (ST); Spleen-Pancreas (SP); Heart (HT); Small Intestine (SI); Bladder (BL); Kidney (KI); Pericardium (PC, Circulation-Sex, Heart Constrictor); Triple Heater (TH, Respiration-Digestion-Reproduction-Elimination and Endocrine); Gall-bladder (GB); Liver (LV). The superficial paths of the Channels are bilaterally symmetrical longitudinal lines of low electrical resistance (high conductivity) which connect AP points of similar function. The deep paths are planes of low electrical resistance (high conductivity) which connect the superficial path to their related organs. Each Channel (Jing) has a Mate Channel in the same Phase. Its connection to the Phase-Mate is by a special Luo (Collateral, or Connecting Channel).
There are Eight Extra Channels in addition to the 12 Main Channels. These are: the Du (Governing Vessel, GV) in the dorsal midline; the Ren (Conception Vessel, CV) in the ventral midline, plus six other Channels, which link other parts of the body. These are the: Chong; Dai; Yangqiao; Yinqiao; Yangwei and Yinwei. The Eight Extra Channels are seen as Qi reservoirs or regulators, which can help to maintain optimal levels of Qi in the main Channels. Each Extra Channel has its own superficial and deep pathways, which link with a number of the main COSs and with specific organs, such as the uterus, brain, eyes etc. Each has its own symptomatology, as described elsewhere (Anon 1993; Wiseman & Ellis 1995).
MEMORY AID FOR THE 12 MAIN CHANNELS AND THE DAILY QI CIRCUIT
A simple memory aid teaches the 12 main pairs of COSs: "LULISTo/SPHTSI/BLaKI-PC/TRI-GALL-LV" = LU LI ST / SP HT SI / BL KI PC / TH GB LV.
LULISTo/SPHTSI/BLaKI-PC/TRI-GALL-LV. Repeat this aloud, like a child, until you know it by heart. It is the basic memory aid. You must know it, or one like it.
LULISTo/SPHTSI/BLaKI-PC/TRI-GALL-LV: LU = Lung; LI = Large Intestine/Colon; ST = Stomach; SP = Spleen/Pancreas; HT= Heart; SI = Small Intestine; BL = Bladder; KI = Kidney; PC = Pericardium/Heart Constrictor/Circulation-Sex; TH = Triple Heater; GB = Gallbladder; LV = Liver.
LULISTo/SPHTSI/BLaKI-PC/TRI-GALL-LV. Say it aloud until you can say it in your sleep! Write it out forwards, backwards, downwards, upside-down. You must know this one (or your own version of it) inside-out!
TCM teaches that the vital (defence) energy (Qi) circulates in the Channels, which have superficial courses and deep (internal) connections to their respective organs and associated parts of the body. The COSs (LULISTo SPHTSI BLaKI-PC TRI-GALL-LV) are connected in a definite sequence, like a series of hose-pipes joined end to end in one continuous circuit.
The Qi flows through the COS circuit, in a diurnal cycle, like a tide. It begins in the LU COS at 4 a.m. (3-5 a.m.), going to the LI COS at 6 a.m. (5-7 a.m.) -> ST -> SP -> HT -> SI -> BL -> KI -> PC -> TH -> GB -> LV at 2 a.m. (1-3 a.m.). It then returns to the LU COS to begin a new day.
In the diurnal Qi circuit, the LU is called the Mother of LI (because it feeds LI) and LI is called the Son of LU (because it is fed by LU). In turn, LI is Mother of ST and ST is the Son of LI.
During the circuit of Qi through its daily cycle, it travels three times around the body (i.e.) each 24-hour cycle it composed or 3 X 8 hour revolutions:
Each or these 8-hour circuits is further divided into 4 X 2 hour phases: chest to finger, finger to face, face to toe and toe to chest (where a new, similar revolution around the body begins again). Thus in one day, the Qi travels three times around the body (Chest -> Finger -> Face -> Toe -> Chest in each circuit).
LULISTo / SPHTSI / BLaKI-PC / TRI-GALL-LV is the basic memory aid of all AP. It can be arranged in 3 circuits of 4 COSs as shown below.
DIRECTION OF FLOW OF Qi
1. Sources of acupuncture (AP) literature (textbooks, journals), equipment supply houses, societies, training courses and schools are discussed.
2. AP study techniques are discussed.
3. Memory aids help the learning of the Channel-Organ Systems (COSs) , direction and importance of Qi flow, Qi tides, first and last points on the Channels.
4. The course of the Channels is outlined.
5. Memory aids help the learning of Master Points: Shu-Back Association (Paravertebral Reflex) points; Mu-Front Alarm points; Luo-Connecting points; Yuan-Source points; Five Phase (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) points; Xi-Cleft points; Hour points; Earpoints and other important points.
6. This paper contains the basics of AP as regards the Jing-Luo (Channels and Collaterals), the COSs, and the main AP points. Its intrinsic difficulty is acknowledged but students are encouraged to read and re-read it until its contents are mastered.
INTRODUCTION
Elsewhere, we discussed the necessity of the transposition method from human AP as the essential starting point for a study of vet acupuncture (AP). In this paper, we consider information sources on human AP. Some techniques which I found useful to my study of the basic and classic concepts are discussed also.
TEXTBOOKS, JOURNALS, SUPPLY HOUSES AND EQUIPMENT
There are dozens of textbooks in English on human AP and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). If one also counts those in French, German and other European languages, the number of texts is very great. The beginner should be aware of few difficulties in choosing texts.
1. Many textbooks in European languages are poor copies of the originals in Chinese. They contain errors in the location of points and in the therapeutic indications. If possible, the beginner should choose texts published in European languages by the Chinese themselves. Examples are the Beijing text (1), the Shanghai text (2), Hong Kong texts (3,4,5) or the Shanghai charts (6). Having studied these texts, the student will be better able to integrate material from European sources.
2. Many texts (even some Chinese ones) use point names and alphanumeric point codes which differ from other texts. The beginner is advised to use one text as his/her basic reference work for point name and code and to check, point by point, each new text against that reference, making appropriate adjustments to point names and codes in the margins of the new book. This is essential, as most therapeutic indices which the student will create for personal use, use the alphanumeric point code. Thus, if the student uses the code LI04 for HoKu (Large Intestine 4) and another text uses Co (Colon) 4 for the same point, it is obvious that she/he must be aware of the difference. Similarly, some texts use ST01 for Tou Wei. Some differences occur between texts in the coding of Bladder points from the shoulder area to the back of the knee. The student is strongly advised to adopt one convention and to retain that one as his/her reference. It is not difficult to make appropriate changes in all new textbooks.
Basic charts: I suggest the Newest illustrations of the AP Points (1975), Medicine and Health Publishing Co., Hong Kong) (3) as a primary reference. The other texts (Beijing, Taiwan etc) can all be referenced back to this.
Basic texts: Basic texts recommended by IVAS are: The Essentials of Chinese AP (1); Chinese AP and Moxibustion (1a) and Grasping the Wind (1b). Other textbooks which I found helpful are listed in the Appendix. Some texts however, do not mention the classic AP Laws. They are purely technical or mechanical/pragmatic in their approach to AP.
Texts on Classical AP: For mastery of AP, one must study and incorporate into one,s day-to-day thinking the classical laws and concepts of AP. These are covered very well in The Web that has no Weaver (15b) and the Fundamentals of Chinese Medicine (15d); see also references 14, 14a, 15, 15a, 15c and 16.
Veterinary Texts: Having grasped the principles and the anatomy of human AP, one may then study the vet texts. Later in this paper, we will discuss aids to help memorize the human system. Unfortunately, I have no help to give you in memorizing the vet texts! They are difficult to learn because they are poorly integrated as compared with human texts. However, vets who deal mainly with horses and cattle can gain valuable information from Klide and Kung (9), Kothbauer (12a), Rubin (13), Westermayer (11, 12), White (12b) and Yu & Hwang (12c). Those who deal mainly with small animals will benefit from Altman (7a), Brunner (8), Demontoy (7c), Gilchrist (8a), Janssens (7b), Molinier (7d).
Journals which specialise in the publication of AP articles, or which frequently publish such articles are listed in the Appendix. One of the best, as regards clinical articles is the American Journal of AP. The latest (1990) is the International Journal of Clinical AP.
It must be understood that some of the papers which are accepted by specialist journals would not be accepted by more critical scientific or medical journals, as their quality would not pass professional referees on technical or academic grounds. Some of the "research" articles are of poor or very poor quality, have poor experimental design, no controls, have group sizes which are too small, lack detail, have no or poor statistics or are written badly. Nevertheless, these journals are the main source of new information on AP and allied methods.
AP Supply Houses are common in most European countries now. Some addresses are given in the Appendix, in case some of you have not made contacts in this area already.
AP EQUIPMENT
a. Needles: Standard hypodermic needles are satisfactory for occasional use: Large animals; 12-100 mm, 19-24 gauge. Small animals, 12-50 mm, 21-26 gauge.
Solid AP needles are preferable for routine AP. Small animals: human AP needles 12-50 mm, 21-30 gauge are satisfactory. Large animals: 12-150 mm, 21-24 gauge. The Richter Company (Feldgasse 19, A-4600 Wien, Austria) makes excellent needles for small and large animals but, as for most equipment, Hong Kong supply houses are usually cheaper for equipment, even if one pays air-freight and import taxes.
b. Moxa: Standard moxa punk is available at all Supply Houses.
c. Stimulators: There are dozens of electro-AP stimulators of Chinese, Japanese, American, Canadian and European manufacture on the market. Most of these are designed for human use but IVAS has assessed some veterinary models. In general, human stimulators are also suitable for vet work and ones with bipolar electrodes are less likely to cause electrolytic lesions than ones with conventional positive and negative electrodes. I am not competent to advise on which model is best. However, I find the Chinese model 71-3 General Purpose AP Apparatus or the cheaper AWQ-100 Multipurpose Electronic Acupunctoscope to be satisfactory for routine use. The latter has a variable resistor in the Point Detection facility, which may help beginners to locate low-resistance points in the vicinity of the AP point to be stimulated.
Other equipment which is available from Supply Houses includes magnetic-, static-, electrostatic-, electromagnetic, ultrasonic-, microwave- and laser- stimulators, TENS, TENS/roller stimulators etc.
SOCIETIES, TRAINING COURSES, SCHOOLS
SOCIETIES: Vet AP has a very short history in the West, dating from about 1973 (except for countries like France, Austria and Germany). At present, between 0.5 and 10% of vets in most Western countries use AP. Most countries in northern Europe now have formal vet AP societies. Medical AP societies exist in these and in many other countries and they often accept vets and dentists as associate members. The Appendix lists some of the vet societies.
VET AP TRAINING COURSES
Australia: Vet AP courses have been organised by AVAA.
Austria: Oswald Kothbauer (Fax: 43-724-62438) organises training courses with assistance from other vet colleagues and medical colleagues from the Ludwig Boltzmann AP Institute (Vienna).
Belgium: Luc Janssens (Fax: 32-3825-0040) and Emiel van den Bosch (Fax: 32-1656-1374) have run IVAS-standard (120-hour) courses with assistance from other colleagues in the BVDA.
France: l'AVAF (led by Milin, Molinier, Demontoy, Janacek and others) organises a course and week-end seminars.
Finland: In 1980, the Government introduced AP to the official university training of med, vet and dental students. Finland is the first Western country to do this and she must be congratulated for having set the precedent for other countries. Jukka Kuussaari (Fax: 358-247-391381) was the organiser of the Helsinki Course.
Norway: Are Thoresen (Fax: 47-334-66775) organised the first IVAS Course in the Vet School, Oslo, 1988-1989. A formal course will be run in 1996.
Sweden: Ritva Krokfors (Fax: 46-141-10371) organises training courses in Sweden.
USA: IVAS, founded in 1974, organizes training courses each year. Contact David Jagger, 5139 Sugarloaf Rd., Boulder, CO 80302-9217, USA (Fax: 1-303-449-8312). Though most participants are from North or South America, some European, Australian, South African and Far Eastern participants have taken the course. IVAS now has a policy to give the full course (in English) in any country which can organise enough participants to cover the cost of IVAS-approved lecturers.
Apart from these, recent AP seminars and training courses for vets in European countries have been run mainly by individuals or by national Vet AP groups, or in association with medical AP groups. Such courses have been given in Denmark, Germany, Sweden, UK. Details of future courses may be available from the national Vet AP societies (see Appendix).
AP SCHOOLS: Vets who wish to study AP formally have to decide whether to rely on week-end seminars or full-time study. Week-end seminars are run by the medical AP groups in most countries. Vets are usually welcome to attend as associate members.
Study of human AP in detail over a period of months to years is possible in special AP Schools. Some vets go to Vienna, Hong Kong, Taipei, Beijing or other Chinese centres for intensive training but most rely on their local schools. Unfortunately, there is little standardisation between schools. Some are excellent. Some are merely "diploma mills". Many of these "schools" are run by persons with no qualifications in medicine, vet medicine or science. They can be fine acupuncturists but poor clinicians. The student should seek advice from an experienced acupuncturist before she/he enrolls in one of these schools.
INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS: When one travels abroad, it is often very useful to have a contact in another country who can introduce one to people with similar interests. Therefore, should you be interested to meet other vet acupuncturists you may consult the addresses of contacts in the Appendix.
STUDY TECHNIQUES
On the assumption that most of you will not be able to attend full-time, intensive training in AP it follows that your knowledge of AP must be self-taught, at home. Most of the vet acupuncturists whom I know began in this way.
When I began my study of AP in 1973, I spent 3 hours a night, 5 nights a week for 6 months studying in the wrong way! I had no friend or colleague who could help my study, as I knew no vets or doctors in Ireland at the time who were acupuncturists. I bought the wrong textbooks (bastardized copies of the original Chinese) and tried to understand classic AP in too short a time. Most frustrating of all, my Western-trained mind asked too many questions which could not be answered to my satisfaction by the classic concept.
After 6 months of frustration, I was about to give up this study as hopeless, when, without warning, the picture began to "click" into position. Since then, I have made many valuable contacts who guided my study and I have learned from my many mistakes. I am still a student, with much to learn yet.
To those of you who wish to study AP in depth, I give the following advice:
1. Forget your Western training while you study the AP textbooks especially those dealing with classic AP, such as those by Austin, Connolly, Kapchuk, Mann, van Nghi or Wiseman.
2. "Skim" the books a few times in the beginning; read from cover to cover, quickly to get the general "feeling". Later, read them more slowly, trying to absorb as much detail as possible.
3. Use memory aids to remember the circuits of the Channel-Organ Systems (COSs), the Master Points (including the 66 Command Points), the first and last points etc. Examples of memory aids are given later; if these do not meet your needs, make up your own memory aids.
4. From the beginning, using one basic reference, as mentioned earlier, learn the points by their alphanumeric code and the Chinese name. As you study the details of each main point, check that the alphanumeric code refers to the correct point location. Repeat the exercise for each new textbook. (Codes are not the same in all books). Locate each point on your own body (or on a friend's body if the location is not visible on your own) and mark it with a pen. Remind yourself of its location frequently in the next days.
5. Learn one point on each Channel first (e.g.) LU07, LI04, ST36, SP06, HT07, SI06, BL23, KI03, PC06, TH05, GB34, LV03, CV12, GV26. Later add more points when you know these well.
6. Pick 3 or 4 common conditions, such as gastroenteritis, low-back syndrome, muscular lameness, dystocia. Compare the approach to treating these conditions in the various textbooks which you use and make a synthesis of your own approach. Expect to encounter differences in approach between the various sources and make your study interesting by noting where the authors agree and where they take alternative courses.
7. Experiment with AP on yourself and on family volunteers. Try to treat the simple day-to-day conditions such as toothache, headache, pulled muscles, stomach ache etc, using especially the massage technique or the non-invasive techniques using transcutaneous electrostimulation, ultrasound etc. If you have the courage, arrange with your dentist that he/she does your dentistry under AP analgesia. For this you will need a good electro-stimulator. Use needles in points Chia Che (ST06) and the Earlobe Dental Anaesthesia Point (10 mm needles, 30 gauge). Electro-stimulate to maximum tolerance for 30 minutes before surgery. You can sit in the car if you don't want to alarm other patients in the waiting room! (While the stimulator is working, your face will contract strongly in time with the stimulator, say 5 Hz!). Leave the stimulator on during surgery. For surgery on both sides of the mouth, needles will be required on the left and right sides.
8. Join med and/or vet AP study groups. As often as you can, meet medical and vet colleagues who use the method. Discussions on and observation of their techniques, successes and failures are very helpful.
9. Read the AP Journals, especially the American Journal of AP. Encourage your nearest University Library to subscribe to as many of these Journals as possible.
LEARNING THE COSs, DIRECTION OF QI FLOW AND THE QI TIDES
There are 12 pairs of main COSs (the main Channel (Meridian) Organ Systems of AP). The Channels either begin or end on a finger or toe: Lung (LU); Large Intestine (LI); Stomach (ST); Spleen-Pancreas (SP); Heart (HT); Small Intestine (SI); Bladder (BL); Kidney (KI); Pericardium (PC, Circulation-Sex, Heart Constrictor); Triple Heater (TH, Respiration-Digestion-Reproduction-Elimination and Endocrine); Gall-bladder (GB); Liver (LV). The superficial paths of the Channels are bilaterally symmetrical longitudinal lines of low electrical resistance (high conductivity) which connect AP points of similar function. The deep paths are planes of low electrical resistance (high conductivity) which connect the superficial path to their related organs. Each Channel (Jing) has a Mate Channel in the same Phase. Its connection to the Phase-Mate is by a special Luo (Collateral, or Connecting Channel).
There are Eight Extra Channels in addition to the 12 Main Channels. These are: the Du (Governing Vessel, GV) in the dorsal midline; the Ren (Conception Vessel, CV) in the ventral midline, plus six other Channels, which link other parts of the body. These are the: Chong; Dai; Yangqiao; Yinqiao; Yangwei and Yinwei. The Eight Extra Channels are seen as Qi reservoirs or regulators, which can help to maintain optimal levels of Qi in the main Channels. Each Extra Channel has its own superficial and deep pathways, which link with a number of the main COSs and with specific organs, such as the uterus, brain, eyes etc. Each has its own symptomatology, as described elsewhere (Anon 1993; Wiseman & Ellis 1995).
MEMORY AID FOR THE 12 MAIN CHANNELS AND THE DAILY QI CIRCUIT
A simple memory aid teaches the 12 main pairs of COSs: "LULISTo/SPHTSI/BLaKI-PC/TRI-GALL-LV" = LU LI ST / SP HT SI / BL KI PC / TH GB LV.
LULISTo/SPHTSI/BLaKI-PC/TRI-GALL-LV. Repeat this aloud, like a child, until you know it by heart. It is the basic memory aid. You must know it, or one like it.
LULISTo/SPHTSI/BLaKI-PC/TRI-GALL-LV: LU = Lung; LI = Large Intestine/Colon; ST = Stomach; SP = Spleen/Pancreas; HT= Heart; SI = Small Intestine; BL = Bladder; KI = Kidney; PC = Pericardium/Heart Constrictor/Circulation-Sex; TH = Triple Heater; GB = Gallbladder; LV = Liver.
LULISTo/SPHTSI/BLaKI-PC/TRI-GALL-LV. Say it aloud until you can say it in your sleep! Write it out forwards, backwards, downwards, upside-down. You must know this one (or your own version of it) inside-out!
TCM teaches that the vital (defence) energy (Qi) circulates in the Channels, which have superficial courses and deep (internal) connections to their respective organs and associated parts of the body. The COSs (LULISTo SPHTSI BLaKI-PC TRI-GALL-LV) are connected in a definite sequence, like a series of hose-pipes joined end to end in one continuous circuit.
The Qi flows through the COS circuit, in a diurnal cycle, like a tide. It begins in the LU COS at 4 a.m. (3-5 a.m.), going to the LI COS at 6 a.m. (5-7 a.m.) -> ST -> SP -> HT -> SI -> BL -> KI -> PC -> TH -> GB -> LV at 2 a.m. (1-3 a.m.). It then returns to the LU COS to begin a new day.
In the diurnal Qi circuit, the LU is called the Mother of LI (because it feeds LI) and LI is called the Son of LU (because it is fed by LU). In turn, LI is Mother of ST and ST is the Son of LI.
During the circuit of Qi through its daily cycle, it travels three times around the body (i.e.) each 24-hour cycle it composed or 3 X 8 hour revolutions:
- Circuit 1 (0300-1100 h): The Qi tide is full in LU-LI-ST-SP.
- Circuit 2 (1100-1900 h): The Qi tide is full in HT-SI-BL-KI.
- Circuit 3 (1900-0300 h): The Qi tide is full in PC-TH-GB-LV.
Each or these 8-hour circuits is further divided into 4 X 2 hour phases: chest to finger, finger to face, face to toe and toe to chest (where a new, similar revolution around the body begins again). Thus in one day, the Qi travels three times around the body (Chest -> Finger -> Face -> Toe -> Chest in each circuit).
LULISTo / SPHTSI / BLaKI-PC / TRI-GALL-LV is the basic memory aid of all AP. It can be arranged in 3 circuits of 4 COSs as shown below.
DIRECTION OF FLOW OF Qi
Let us call these groupings Sequence 1.
Now construct a simple format as follows (see below): put 6 boxes in a line on top and 6 boxes in a line underneath this (See Diagram below). Starting at the top left, join all the boxes in a clockwise spiral. Put "LU"in the top left box and mark it 0400h (4 a.m.). Fill in the remaining circles, using Sequence 1 (above). Add 2 hours to each new position.
Let A to B divide the diagram vertically and C to D divide the diagram horizontally. Put an X where A-B intersects the spiral. Call this Diagram 1. This diagram (a very important memory aid) contains most of what you need to know on the COS sequence, the direction of flow, the Yin-Yang COSs, the Chinese Clock (Qi Tide times), the paired COSs and the Arm and Leg COSs.
DIAGRAM 1. BASIC MEMORY AID TO THE 12 MAIN COSs.
Now construct a simple format as follows (see below): put 6 boxes in a line on top and 6 boxes in a line underneath this (See Diagram below). Starting at the top left, join all the boxes in a clockwise spiral. Put "LU"in the top left box and mark it 0400h (4 a.m.). Fill in the remaining circles, using Sequence 1 (above). Add 2 hours to each new position.
Let A to B divide the diagram vertically and C to D divide the diagram horizontally. Put an X where A-B intersects the spiral. Call this Diagram 1. This diagram (a very important memory aid) contains most of what you need to know on the COS sequence, the direction of flow, the Yin-Yang COSs, the Chinese Clock (Qi Tide times), the paired COSs and the Arm and Leg COSs.
DIAGRAM 1. BASIC MEMORY AID TO THE 12 MAIN COSs.
In Diagram 1 (above), X indicates the Phase-Mates (Yin-Yang Pairs within each Phase). Also, note that the superficial Channels of:
to the left of line A-B are Yin COSs:
to the right of line A-B are Yang COSs:
The Arm Yins (LU, HT, PC) begin on the chest and go to the fingers (fingers 1, 5, 3, or thumb, little and middle fingers, respectively). They all run on the palmar/flexor (Yin) side of the forearm and hand.
The Arm Yangs (TH, SI, LI) begin on the fingers (fingers 4, 5, 2, or ring, little and index fingers, respectively) and go to the face. They all run on the dorsal/extensor (Yang) side of the hand and forearm.
The Leg Yangs (GB, BL, ST) begin on the face (near the eye) and go to the toes (toes 4, 5 and 2 respectively). They all run on the antero-lateral (Yang) side of the leg and foot
The Leg Yins (SP, KI, LV) begin on the toes (toes 1, s, 1, or big toe, sole and big toe, respectively) and go to the chest. The only exception is KI, which modern texts place on the sole of the foot. (In ancient texts, it was placed at the medial angle of the nail of the little toe, in a place analogous to HT at the medial angle of the nail of the little finger).
In Diagram 1, all the COSs above the C-D line go to or come from the fingers, i.e. are Arm COSs. All below the C-D line come from or go to the toes (i.e.) are Leg COSs. Thus, LU, HT, PC (Yin) and TH, SI, LI (Yang) are Arm COSs and SP, KI, LV (Yin) and GB, BL, ST (Yang) are Leg COSs.
The Qi of LU is maximal at 4 a.m. (0300-0500h). Going around the clockwise spiral, simply add 2 hours to fill in the time of high (Qi) tide in the other COSs: LI (0600h); ST (0800h); SP (1000h); HT (1200h, noon); SI (1400h); BL (1600h); KI (1800h); PC (2000h); TH (2200h); GB (0000h, midnight); LV (0200h). This is the concept of the body Qi tide.
Note: six COSs are related to sexual organs/function and activity. They are:
LI, ST, SP (0600-1000h, the time for lazy weekend lie-in sex?)
and KI, PC, TH (1800-2200h, the time for active, urgent sex?).
LV (0200h) also plays a role in metabolising steroids. In case some of you are worried that your sex-clock is out of order, not to worry! These are memory aids and any time will do in an emergency!
In diagram 1, the X on each pair of COSs marks the Phase-Mate Pairs (linked COSs within the same Phase). These are:
LU X LI->ST X SP->HT X SI->BL X KI->PC X TH->GB X LV
Metal->Earth->Fire->Water->Fire->Wood
Note that the underlined one in each-pair is Yin and the other one is Yang. The Yin COS of each pair is called the Wife and the Yang COS called the Husband. The arrow (->) indicates a Change of Phase.
Though this paper will not discuss the Five Phase Theory in great detail, the linked pairs are related to the Five Phases as follows:
- LU, HT, PC begin on the chest and go to the fingers;
TH, SI, LI begin on the fingers and go to the face;
GB, BL, ST begin at the eye and go to the toes;
SP, KI, LV begin at the toes and go to the chest;
to the left of line A-B are Yin COSs:
- LU, HT, PC = Arm Yin Channels;
SP, KI, LV = Leg Yin Channels;
to the right of line A-B are Yang COSs:
- TH, SI, LI = Arm Yang Channels;
GB, BL, ST = Leg Yang Channels.
The Arm Yins (LU, HT, PC) begin on the chest and go to the fingers (fingers 1, 5, 3, or thumb, little and middle fingers, respectively). They all run on the palmar/flexor (Yin) side of the forearm and hand.
The Arm Yangs (TH, SI, LI) begin on the fingers (fingers 4, 5, 2, or ring, little and index fingers, respectively) and go to the face. They all run on the dorsal/extensor (Yang) side of the hand and forearm.
The Leg Yangs (GB, BL, ST) begin on the face (near the eye) and go to the toes (toes 4, 5 and 2 respectively). They all run on the antero-lateral (Yang) side of the leg and foot
The Leg Yins (SP, KI, LV) begin on the toes (toes 1, s, 1, or big toe, sole and big toe, respectively) and go to the chest. The only exception is KI, which modern texts place on the sole of the foot. (In ancient texts, it was placed at the medial angle of the nail of the little toe, in a place analogous to HT at the medial angle of the nail of the little finger).
In Diagram 1, all the COSs above the C-D line go to or come from the fingers, i.e. are Arm COSs. All below the C-D line come from or go to the toes (i.e.) are Leg COSs. Thus, LU, HT, PC (Yin) and TH, SI, LI (Yang) are Arm COSs and SP, KI, LV (Yin) and GB, BL, ST (Yang) are Leg COSs.
The Qi of LU is maximal at 4 a.m. (0300-0500h). Going around the clockwise spiral, simply add 2 hours to fill in the time of high (Qi) tide in the other COSs: LI (0600h); ST (0800h); SP (1000h); HT (1200h, noon); SI (1400h); BL (1600h); KI (1800h); PC (2000h); TH (2200h); GB (0000h, midnight); LV (0200h). This is the concept of the body Qi tide.
Note: six COSs are related to sexual organs/function and activity. They are:
LI, ST, SP (0600-1000h, the time for lazy weekend lie-in sex?)
and KI, PC, TH (1800-2200h, the time for active, urgent sex?).
LV (0200h) also plays a role in metabolising steroids. In case some of you are worried that your sex-clock is out of order, not to worry! These are memory aids and any time will do in an emergency!
In diagram 1, the X on each pair of COSs marks the Phase-Mate Pairs (linked COSs within the same Phase). These are:
LU X LI->ST X SP->HT X SI->BL X KI->PC X TH->GB X LV
Metal->Earth->Fire->Water->Fire->Wood
Note that the underlined one in each-pair is Yin and the other one is Yang. The Yin COS of each pair is called the Wife and the Yang COS called the Husband. The arrow (->) indicates a Change of Phase.
Though this paper will not discuss the Five Phase Theory in great detail, the linked pairs are related to the Five Phases as follows:
|
Limb
Arm = = Leg = = |
Phase
Metal Fire Fire Wood Water Earth |
Yin (Wife)
Lu HT PC LV KI SP |
Yang (Husband)
LI SI TH GB BL ST |
The Phase-Mates (linked COSs, Wife-Husband pairs within each Phase) are important in classic AP, mainly because:
Thus, it is important to know which COSs are linked (the Husband-Wife pairs within each Phase) and the Luo points which allow interchange of Qi between them. (Note: in classic AP one always treats the Deficient COS, drawing Qi directly or indirectly from some other COS which has Excess Qi.
To return to the sequence of Qi flow, there are 3 complete Circuits or revolutions of Qi around the body every 24 hours. Then a new cycle begins.
Sequence 1 "LULISTo / SPHTSI / BLaKI-PC / TRI-GALL-LV" can be re-written:
- a.points on one of them (for example LI points) can help to treat disorders of the other member of the pair (LU); the Husband helps the Wife, and vice-versa and
b.the Luo-Connecting points (see Master Points later) allow Qi to be transmitted from one member of the Phase-Mates to the other member (for example from ST to SP or vice-versa). For instance, if there are symptoms of Excess Qi in SP and Deficient Qi in ST, needling the Luo-Connecting point of ST will divert the Excess from SP into ST, thus balancing the system. Also, in the Law of the Five Phases (see later), the Luo points are also used in both the creative (SHENG) cycle and the destructive (KO) cycle to balance the cycle.
Thus, it is important to know which COSs are linked (the Husband-Wife pairs within each Phase) and the Luo points which allow interchange of Qi between them. (Note: in classic AP one always treats the Deficient COS, drawing Qi directly or indirectly from some other COS which has Excess Qi.
To return to the sequence of Qi flow, there are 3 complete Circuits or revolutions of Qi around the body every 24 hours. Then a new cycle begins.
Sequence 1 "LULISTo / SPHTSI / BLaKI-PC / TRI-GALL-LV" can be re-written:
The midline Extra Channels, GV (Governor vessel, dorsal) and the CV (Conception Vessel, ventral) are not included in the 12 Main Channels. They are regarded more as reservoirs of Qi and their points are used mainly for local symptoms or disorders anywhere along their course and in some general prescriptions. They are not considered in relation to the Five Phase Laws, body Qi tide etc.
LEARNING THE FIRST AND LAST POINTS OF THE CHANNELS
One must know the position of the first and last points on the superficial path of each of the 12 main Channels for two reasons:
INJURY, SCARS ON CHANNELS: If there is a physical blockage along the course of a Channel (for instance strongly fibrosed scar tissue due to injury or surgery), one may see symptoms of Excess COS Qi up-stream (above the blockage) and Deficient COS Qi down-stream (below the blockage). Also, the Excess Qi may back-up into the Mother COS (upstream from the blocked Channel in the basic Qi circuit) and the Deficient Qi (downstream of the blocked Channel) may weaken the Qi in the Son COS (Sequence 1)).
WHY LEARN CHANNEL ANATOMY AND QI FLOW? The importance of scars/Channel blockage and of knowing the Qi circuits, direction of flow and anatomical/organ/function relationships of COSs is shown by the following:
A middle-aged man complained of a bewildering number of symptoms over a period of 8 years. First, he had haematuria and kidney/bladder pain which was treated by hospitalization and antibiotics as nephritis-cystitis. He had a few incidents of right-sided sciatica, which were temporarily relieved by hospitalization, ultrasound and traction. He had interscapular and shoulder-area pain on the right side; tinnitus in the right ear; conjunctivitis and headache on the right side. His most bizarre symptom (which occurred 2 or > times in 8 years) was to wake up at night with his right arm in spasm and a very severe pain shooting down the inner side of the right arm into his little finger.
Over an 8-year period, he had been treated by various specialists in urology, orthopaedics, an ear specialist, an eye specialist and a cardiologist. None of these specialists bothered to ask him about his scar! Two years before the first of the above symptoms (nephritis/cystitis), he had a right lobectomy for pulmonary TB. His thorax was incised from the sternum to within a few inches of his spine. Eight years later, when he consulted an acupuncturist, it was found that most of the scar was well healed but that, in the area of the two lines of the BL Channel on the right paravertebral area of the thorax, marked twisting and pulling of the tissues was caused by the scar. The acupuncturist knew that in TCM all the patient's symptoms could be traced to that scar, which was causing a blockage of Qi in the BL Channel. According to TCM, a block at the thoracic level of the BL Channel would cause Excess Qi above the block and Deficient Qi below it. The nephritis/cystitis, sciatica, interscapular pain, headache and conjunctivitis could be traced to the upset in the BL Qi. (The BL Channel begins at the inner canthus of the eye, passes across the head, down by the interscapular area, down over the kidney area and goes down the back of the leg (the classic sciatic area). The tinnitus and the arm spasm/ inner arm pain to the little finger could be traced to Excess Qi in the SI COS. The tinnitus and nephritis also relate to Deficient Qi in the KI COS (KI is the Son of BL and is related to the kidneys and ears, as well as to urogenital function). Note, in the sequence of Qi flow (LU-LI-ST-SP-HT-SI-BL-KI-PC-TH-GB-LV), the SI COS is the Mother of (precedes) the BL and Excess Qi in BL can back-up into SI) and KI is the Son of BL. Weakness in the lower part of BL would weaken the KI COS; the weak Mother can not feed the Son. The SI Channel begins at the little finger, runs the inside of the arm and ends at SI19, at the ear. The KI Channel begins at the sole of the foot and connects to the kidney and ear.
The acupuncturist did not believe that he could influence the case very much but he decided to try. Thus, he advised procaine injection of the tender points along the scar, a short course of needles in BL points and regular massage and physiotherapy of the scar and BL Channel, especially in the area of the scar. Although predicted by classic concepts, the outcome was quite fantastic. All the symptoms disappeared and, to my knowledge, did not return. This was the first time that the acupuncturist had used procaine injection in Scar Therapy. Since then, he has used it many times in patients with trigger points on scars, with excellent results.
A friend of mine had bunion-surgery on her big toe. After surgery, she had very severe pain in the toe and medial aspect of the foot. For 18 months she could not put weight on the medial aspect of the foot and was in constant pain. Six sessions of electro-AP at LV03, SP06; KI03, GB34, SP03 and web of toe 1 to 2, with one needle running under the scar give an improvement of 90%. Complete relief of pain followed two procaine therapies of the scar. The pain has not returned since.
Mary Austin and Felix Mann also give examples of trauma and scar tissue formation causing blockage of Channels and symptom pictures which were successfully eliminated by treatment of the scar. Also, the German-Austrian system of Neural Therapy and Scar Therapy pays particular attention to scar tissue. There are many examples of bizarre human symptoms which disappear after scar-therapy by massage, injection or other physiotherapy to release the blockage.
Be very careful to investigate scars: In taking the case history of a new human patient, a skilled acupuncturist will always inquire about body scars and will examine them for any possible connection between them and the symptom-picture of the patient in relation to Channel paths, the Mother and Son COSs and the symptomatology. This is also important in vet AP and it is advisable to check it out, just in case there may be a cause and effect relationship. If there is any connection, the scar must be treated as part of the therapy.
FIRST AND LAST POINTS ON THE CHANNELS: As a memory aid, prepare the following sequence (F = Finger; T = Toe):
LEARNING THE FIRST AND LAST POINTS OF THE CHANNELS
One must know the position of the first and last points on the superficial path of each of the 12 main Channels for two reasons:
- a.It helps to give a mental picture of the general course of the superficial Channel. This is relevant to diagnosis and AP therapy, especially of local problems.
b.It reminds you of the direction of Qi flow. In normal circulation, Qi always flows from the first to the last point. For instance, LU01 is on the chest and LU11 (last point) is on the thumb. (The Qi flow is from Chest to Thumb).
INJURY, SCARS ON CHANNELS: If there is a physical blockage along the course of a Channel (for instance strongly fibrosed scar tissue due to injury or surgery), one may see symptoms of Excess COS Qi up-stream (above the blockage) and Deficient COS Qi down-stream (below the blockage). Also, the Excess Qi may back-up into the Mother COS (upstream from the blocked Channel in the basic Qi circuit) and the Deficient Qi (downstream of the blocked Channel) may weaken the Qi in the Son COS (Sequence 1)).
WHY LEARN CHANNEL ANATOMY AND QI FLOW? The importance of scars/Channel blockage and of knowing the Qi circuits, direction of flow and anatomical/organ/function relationships of COSs is shown by the following:
A middle-aged man complained of a bewildering number of symptoms over a period of 8 years. First, he had haematuria and kidney/bladder pain which was treated by hospitalization and antibiotics as nephritis-cystitis. He had a few incidents of right-sided sciatica, which were temporarily relieved by hospitalization, ultrasound and traction. He had interscapular and shoulder-area pain on the right side; tinnitus in the right ear; conjunctivitis and headache on the right side. His most bizarre symptom (which occurred 2 or > times in 8 years) was to wake up at night with his right arm in spasm and a very severe pain shooting down the inner side of the right arm into his little finger.
Over an 8-year period, he had been treated by various specialists in urology, orthopaedics, an ear specialist, an eye specialist and a cardiologist. None of these specialists bothered to ask him about his scar! Two years before the first of the above symptoms (nephritis/cystitis), he had a right lobectomy for pulmonary TB. His thorax was incised from the sternum to within a few inches of his spine. Eight years later, when he consulted an acupuncturist, it was found that most of the scar was well healed but that, in the area of the two lines of the BL Channel on the right paravertebral area of the thorax, marked twisting and pulling of the tissues was caused by the scar. The acupuncturist knew that in TCM all the patient's symptoms could be traced to that scar, which was causing a blockage of Qi in the BL Channel. According to TCM, a block at the thoracic level of the BL Channel would cause Excess Qi above the block and Deficient Qi below it. The nephritis/cystitis, sciatica, interscapular pain, headache and conjunctivitis could be traced to the upset in the BL Qi. (The BL Channel begins at the inner canthus of the eye, passes across the head, down by the interscapular area, down over the kidney area and goes down the back of the leg (the classic sciatic area). The tinnitus and the arm spasm/ inner arm pain to the little finger could be traced to Excess Qi in the SI COS. The tinnitus and nephritis also relate to Deficient Qi in the KI COS (KI is the Son of BL and is related to the kidneys and ears, as well as to urogenital function). Note, in the sequence of Qi flow (LU-LI-ST-SP-HT-SI-BL-KI-PC-TH-GB-LV), the SI COS is the Mother of (precedes) the BL and Excess Qi in BL can back-up into SI) and KI is the Son of BL. Weakness in the lower part of BL would weaken the KI COS; the weak Mother can not feed the Son. The SI Channel begins at the little finger, runs the inside of the arm and ends at SI19, at the ear. The KI Channel begins at the sole of the foot and connects to the kidney and ear.
The acupuncturist did not believe that he could influence the case very much but he decided to try. Thus, he advised procaine injection of the tender points along the scar, a short course of needles in BL points and regular massage and physiotherapy of the scar and BL Channel, especially in the area of the scar. Although predicted by classic concepts, the outcome was quite fantastic. All the symptoms disappeared and, to my knowledge, did not return. This was the first time that the acupuncturist had used procaine injection in Scar Therapy. Since then, he has used it many times in patients with trigger points on scars, with excellent results.
A friend of mine had bunion-surgery on her big toe. After surgery, she had very severe pain in the toe and medial aspect of the foot. For 18 months she could not put weight on the medial aspect of the foot and was in constant pain. Six sessions of electro-AP at LV03, SP06; KI03, GB34, SP03 and web of toe 1 to 2, with one needle running under the scar give an improvement of 90%. Complete relief of pain followed two procaine therapies of the scar. The pain has not returned since.
Mary Austin and Felix Mann also give examples of trauma and scar tissue formation causing blockage of Channels and symptom pictures which were successfully eliminated by treatment of the scar. Also, the German-Austrian system of Neural Therapy and Scar Therapy pays particular attention to scar tissue. There are many examples of bizarre human symptoms which disappear after scar-therapy by massage, injection or other physiotherapy to release the blockage.
Be very careful to investigate scars: In taking the case history of a new human patient, a skilled acupuncturist will always inquire about body scars and will examine them for any possible connection between them and the symptom-picture of the patient in relation to Channel paths, the Mother and Son COSs and the symptomatology. This is also important in vet AP and it is advisable to check it out, just in case there may be a cause and effect relationship. If there is any connection, the scar must be treated as part of the therapy.
FIRST AND LAST POINTS ON THE CHANNELS: As a memory aid, prepare the following sequence (F = Finger; T = Toe):
Let us call this Sequence 2. The boxes are numbered (2), (3), (1) from top to bottom, indicating which Qi Body Circuit will occupy them.
Note that: finger/toe 1 and 3 are Yin; finger/toe 2 and 4 are Yang and finger/toe 5 has 2 Channels each, one Yin and one Yang.
Now, using Body Circuit 1 from Sequence 1 (LU-LI-ST-SP), fill in the Channels in the bottom box, as shown below. Then, using Body Circuit 2 from Sequence 1 (HT-SI-BL-KI), fill in the Channels in the top box below. Finally, using Body Circuit 3 from Sequence 1 (PC-TH-GB-LV), fill in the Channels in the centre box below:
Note that: finger/toe 1 and 3 are Yin; finger/toe 2 and 4 are Yang and finger/toe 5 has 2 Channels each, one Yin and one Yang.
Now, using Body Circuit 1 from Sequence 1 (LU-LI-ST-SP), fill in the Channels in the bottom box, as shown below. Then, using Body Circuit 2 from Sequence 1 (HT-SI-BL-KI), fill in the Channels in the top box below. Finally, using Body Circuit 3 from Sequence 1 (PC-TH-GB-LV), fill in the Channels in the centre box below:
We know from Diagram 1 that LU goes from chest to finger. Sequence 2, therefore, tells us that the last point (LU11) is on F1 (thumb). Similarly, LI goes from finger to face, therefore LI01 is on F2 (index finger).
There are two small anomalies in this memory aid. Firstly, KI01 is now shown as being on the sole of the foot (see standard texts). However, in ancient texts, it was shown on the 5th toe. Also, LV01 is not on the 3rd toe, but is on the 1st (big) toe. To distinguish them, think of stubbing the inside of your big toe on a rock. In English, to vent Spleen = to show ANGER . SP01 is on the medial side of the big toe nail. Also, a very important liver point (Tai Chung, LV03) is between the upper ends of metatarsal bones 1 and 2, in the same position as HoKu (LI04) of the hand. Remember LV03 as the HoKu equivalent of the foot. (This helps you remember LV01 as lateral side of big toe nail).
Similarly, two COSs are associated with the little finger (F5) (HT and SI). The last point of HT (HT09) is on the thumb-side (radial side) of the nail of F5 and SI01 is on the opposite (ulnar) side of the nail of F5 (the side next to the chopping edge of the hand). Another way to remember this is to hold your hand, palm open, towards your face. Now look at the "Heart Line" of the palm. (This line runs from the little finger side, towards the index finger. Now, if you slowly clench your fist, you will see that the heart line makes a crease which ends at the edge of the fist near the little finger. The end of this crease is SI03 (an important point). Again, open the hand and slowly flex the 4th and 5th fingers. They will touch the "Heart Line" in the palm. This point is HT08. Thus, if you can remember SI03 and HT08 you can work out where HT09 and SI01 should be.
The TSUN, CUN, or Chinese INCH: When learning the location of AP points, the TSUN is used as the unit of body measurement. In the human adult 1 TSUN is approximately 1 inch (25 mm), but it varies with body size. It is better understood as a ratio in relation to fixed body landmarks:
THE POSITIONS OF THE TWELVE POINTS NEAR THE NAILS ARE:
Arm Yin (last points at a finger nail)
However, we are still missing 12 more points (the chest and face points). Diagram 1 tells us that LU, HT, PC begin on the chest; LI, SI, TH end on the face; ST, BL, GB begin at the eye and SP, KI, LV end on the chest. The positions of these points are:
Arm Yin (first point on chest)
THE SUPERFICIAL COURSE OF THE CHANNELS
When learning this section, students should consult standard AP texts (see references 1, 1a, 3). Trace the pathways on your body, or that of a friend. Mark in the first and last points, and other "landmark" points.LU begins at LU01, in 1st intercostal space, travels down the arm to LU05 (on the radial side of the biceps tendon), to LU09 (in the depression on the radial side of the radial artery, at the tip of the transverse crease of the palmar surface of the wrist, to LU11 on the radial side of thumb-nail.
LI begins at LI01 on the radial side of the nail on the index finger. It travels up the finger to LI04 (at the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone, towards the thumb side (at the highest point of the muscle when the thumb and index finger are brought close together) to LI11 (at the lateral aspect of the elbow, half-way between the biceps tendon and the lateral epicondyle of the humerus), to LI15 (at the acromio-clavicular joint) to LI20 near the ala nasi.
ST begins at ST01, at the lower edge of the orbit, directly under the pupil of the eye. It runs down the face to the labial canthus (ST04), around to ST06 at the angle of the jaw. It receives a branch from the temple (ST08, Tou Wei). It goes to ST09 on the carotid artery to ST17 on the nipple (forbidden to moxa or needle!!), to ST25 (2 TSUN lateral to umbilicus), to ST36 (4 finger-breaths below patella, one finger breath lateral to anterior crest of tibia), to ST45 on the lateral side of the nail of toe 2.
SP begins at SP01 at the medial side of the nail on the big toe. It runs along the side of the foot to the ankle and up the leg to SP06 (3 TSUN above the tip of the medial malleolus of the tibia, just behind the posterior border of the tibia. SP06 is a most important point in AP. Its name (SanYinChiao) means "Three Yins Meeting" (the crossing point of the 3 Yin Channels). This point influences the functions of SP, KI, LV COSs and should be studied. The line then continues up to SP10 (2 TSUN above superior border of patella, at middle of the bulge of the vastus medialis). It then runs up the inside of the thigh to the groin to SP12 (lateral to femoral artery, 3 TSUN lateral to midpoint of upper border of pubic symphysis). From there, it travels up the abdomen to SP20 (in second intercostal space to 6 TSUN lateral to the sternum) and SP21 (in the 6th intercostal space, midway from axilla to free tip of rib 11).
HT begins at HT01 in the axilla, travels down the inner aspect of the arm to HT03 (between the medial end of the transverse cubital crease at the medial epicondyle of the humerus when the elbow is bent) to HT07 (on the palmar surface of the wrist at the posterior border of the pisiform bone at the wrist crease) to HT08 (on the heart line of the palm of the hand, where the flexed 4th and 5th fingers meet the palm) to HT09 on the radial side of the nailbed of finger 5.
SI begins at SI01 on the ulnar side of the nail on the little (5th) finger, travels up the ulnar side of the finger to SI03* (at the end of the transverse crease proximal to the 5th metacarpal-phalangeal joint when the hand is half-clenched). SI03 may also be found by clenching the fist. It is at the end of the "Heart Line" on the palm, where it meets the chopping edge of the fist. It goes to SI06 (flex elbow with palm placed on the sternum; SI06 is in the bony cleft on the radial aspect of the styloid process of the ulna), to SI08 (between the olecranon process of the ulna and the tip of the medial epicondyle of the humerus) to SI09 (1 TSUN above the upper tip of the posterior axillary fold). It then zig-zags over the scapular area, up the postero-lateral aspect of the neck to SI18 (in the depression below the lower border of the zygomatic bone, directly below the outer canthus of the eye), to SI19 between the ear tragus and the mandibular joint when the mouth is opened.
BL begins at BL01 at the inner canthus of the eye, runs upwards and backwards over the head about 1 TSUN lateral to the midline; it runs down the back of the head to BL10 (about 1.3 TSUN lateral to the midline, level with the space between vertebral spines C1-C2). Here the BL Channel splits into two lines, an inner and an outer line.
The inner BL line goes to BL11 (1.5 TSUN lateral to the midline, level with the lower edge of the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra, half-way between midline of the spine and the medial border of the scapula). It continues down to BL30 (1.5 TSUN lateral to midline, level with the 4th sacral foramen. (BL13 to 28 are the Shu points- among the most important points in AP- and each one should be studied in detail). From BL30, the Channel runs upwards to BL31 (level with the 1st sacral foramen, midway between the posterior superior iliac spine and the midline) and passes down through BL32,33,34 at the level of 2nd, 3rd and 4th sacral foramina. Thus, BL27,28,29,30 (over the 4 sacral foramina) are level with BL31,32,33,34. Then the Channel passes down the back of the thigh to join the second BL line at BL40, (WeiZhong) in the middle of the popliteal crease.
The outer BL line leaves BL10 to join BL41 (FuFen, 3 TSUN lateral to midline level with the lower border of the spinous process of vertebra T2). This line continues downward 3 TSUN from the midline to BL52, level with BL23 (between L2-3). Between vertebrae T2 and L3 (BL12 to 23), each point on the outer line is paired with a point on the inner line; each pair of points has similar functions. These pairings are easy to remember: the code of the outer point = 29 + the code of the inner point, i.e. BL12 and 41 are paired, BL21 and 50 are paired and BL23 and 52 are paired:
There are two small anomalies in this memory aid. Firstly, KI01 is now shown as being on the sole of the foot (see standard texts). However, in ancient texts, it was shown on the 5th toe. Also, LV01 is not on the 3rd toe, but is on the 1st (big) toe. To distinguish them, think of stubbing the inside of your big toe on a rock. In English, to vent Spleen = to show ANGER . SP01 is on the medial side of the big toe nail. Also, a very important liver point (Tai Chung, LV03) is between the upper ends of metatarsal bones 1 and 2, in the same position as HoKu (LI04) of the hand. Remember LV03 as the HoKu equivalent of the foot. (This helps you remember LV01 as lateral side of big toe nail).
Similarly, two COSs are associated with the little finger (F5) (HT and SI). The last point of HT (HT09) is on the thumb-side (radial side) of the nail of F5 and SI01 is on the opposite (ulnar) side of the nail of F5 (the side next to the chopping edge of the hand). Another way to remember this is to hold your hand, palm open, towards your face. Now look at the "Heart Line" of the palm. (This line runs from the little finger side, towards the index finger. Now, if you slowly clench your fist, you will see that the heart line makes a crease which ends at the edge of the fist near the little finger. The end of this crease is SI03 (an important point). Again, open the hand and slowly flex the 4th and 5th fingers. They will touch the "Heart Line" in the palm. This point is HT08. Thus, if you can remember SI03 and HT08 you can work out where HT09 and SI01 should be.
The TSUN, CUN, or Chinese INCH: When learning the location of AP points, the TSUN is used as the unit of body measurement. In the human adult 1 TSUN is approximately 1 inch (25 mm), but it varies with body size. It is better understood as a ratio in relation to fixed body landmarks:
- between the nipples is 8 TSUN;
- umbilicus to symphysis pubis is 5 TSUN;
- umbilicus to sternum is 8 TSUN;
- pubic symphysis to upper edge of patella is 18 TSUN;
- lower edge of patella to medial malleolus of tibia is 15 TSUN;
- anterior axillary crease to elbow crease is 9 TSUN;
- elbow crease to wrist crease is 12 TSUN;
THE POSITIONS OF THE TWELVE POINTS NEAR THE NAILS ARE:
Arm Yin (last points at a finger nail)
- LU11 At root of thumb-nail on the radial side
- HT09 At nail root or little (5th) finger on the radial side
- PC09 At tip of third finger
- LI01 At nail root of index (2nd) finger, on the radial side
- SI01 At nail root of little (5th) finger on the ulnar side
- TH01 At nail root of ring (4th) finger, on the ulnar side
- ST45 At nail root of 2nd toe on lateral side
- BL67 At nail root of 5th toe on lateral side
- GB44 At nail root of 4th toe on lateral side
- SP01 At nail root of 1st (big) toe on medial side
- KI01 At sole of the foot, between the midpoints of metatarsals 2-3
- LV01 At nail root of 1st (big) toe on lateral side
However, we are still missing 12 more points (the chest and face points). Diagram 1 tells us that LU, HT, PC begin on the chest; LI, SI, TH end on the face; ST, BL, GB begin at the eye and SP, KI, LV end on the chest. The positions of these points are:
Arm Yin (first point on chest)
- LU01 In 1st intercostal space, 6 TSUN lateral to CV line (ventral midline) (in animals it is usually in 2nd intercostal space, behind shoulder)
- HT01 In centre of axilla, just medial to axillary artery
- PC01 In 4th intercostal space, 1 TSUN lateral to nipple
- LI20 Between midpoint of outer border of ala nasi and naso-labial groove
- SI19 In depression between Ear tragus and mandibular joint, with mouth open
- TH23 On lateral border of orbit at lateral tip of eyebrow
- ST01 At border of orbit, directly below pupil of eye
- BL01 At inner canthus of eye
- GB01 0.5 TSUN lateral to outer canthus of eye
- SP21 6th intercostal space, midway between axilla and free tip of rib 11
- KI27 1st intercostal space, 2 TSUN lateral to CV line, midway CV to nipple
- LV14 6th intercostal space, 2 TSUN directly below nipple (3.5 TSUN lateral to CV14, which is 2 TSUN below xiphoid or 6 TSUN above umbilicus)
THE SUPERFICIAL COURSE OF THE CHANNELS
When learning this section, students should consult standard AP texts (see references 1, 1a, 3). Trace the pathways on your body, or that of a friend. Mark in the first and last points, and other "landmark" points.LU begins at LU01, in 1st intercostal space, travels down the arm to LU05 (on the radial side of the biceps tendon), to LU09 (in the depression on the radial side of the radial artery, at the tip of the transverse crease of the palmar surface of the wrist, to LU11 on the radial side of thumb-nail.
LI begins at LI01 on the radial side of the nail on the index finger. It travels up the finger to LI04 (at the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone, towards the thumb side (at the highest point of the muscle when the thumb and index finger are brought close together) to LI11 (at the lateral aspect of the elbow, half-way between the biceps tendon and the lateral epicondyle of the humerus), to LI15 (at the acromio-clavicular joint) to LI20 near the ala nasi.
ST begins at ST01, at the lower edge of the orbit, directly under the pupil of the eye. It runs down the face to the labial canthus (ST04), around to ST06 at the angle of the jaw. It receives a branch from the temple (ST08, Tou Wei). It goes to ST09 on the carotid artery to ST17 on the nipple (forbidden to moxa or needle!!), to ST25 (2 TSUN lateral to umbilicus), to ST36 (4 finger-breaths below patella, one finger breath lateral to anterior crest of tibia), to ST45 on the lateral side of the nail of toe 2.
SP begins at SP01 at the medial side of the nail on the big toe. It runs along the side of the foot to the ankle and up the leg to SP06 (3 TSUN above the tip of the medial malleolus of the tibia, just behind the posterior border of the tibia. SP06 is a most important point in AP. Its name (SanYinChiao) means "Three Yins Meeting" (the crossing point of the 3 Yin Channels). This point influences the functions of SP, KI, LV COSs and should be studied. The line then continues up to SP10 (2 TSUN above superior border of patella, at middle of the bulge of the vastus medialis). It then runs up the inside of the thigh to the groin to SP12 (lateral to femoral artery, 3 TSUN lateral to midpoint of upper border of pubic symphysis). From there, it travels up the abdomen to SP20 (in second intercostal space to 6 TSUN lateral to the sternum) and SP21 (in the 6th intercostal space, midway from axilla to free tip of rib 11).
HT begins at HT01 in the axilla, travels down the inner aspect of the arm to HT03 (between the medial end of the transverse cubital crease at the medial epicondyle of the humerus when the elbow is bent) to HT07 (on the palmar surface of the wrist at the posterior border of the pisiform bone at the wrist crease) to HT08 (on the heart line of the palm of the hand, where the flexed 4th and 5th fingers meet the palm) to HT09 on the radial side of the nailbed of finger 5.
SI begins at SI01 on the ulnar side of the nail on the little (5th) finger, travels up the ulnar side of the finger to SI03* (at the end of the transverse crease proximal to the 5th metacarpal-phalangeal joint when the hand is half-clenched). SI03 may also be found by clenching the fist. It is at the end of the "Heart Line" on the palm, where it meets the chopping edge of the fist. It goes to SI06 (flex elbow with palm placed on the sternum; SI06 is in the bony cleft on the radial aspect of the styloid process of the ulna), to SI08 (between the olecranon process of the ulna and the tip of the medial epicondyle of the humerus) to SI09 (1 TSUN above the upper tip of the posterior axillary fold). It then zig-zags over the scapular area, up the postero-lateral aspect of the neck to SI18 (in the depression below the lower border of the zygomatic bone, directly below the outer canthus of the eye), to SI19 between the ear tragus and the mandibular joint when the mouth is opened.
BL begins at BL01 at the inner canthus of the eye, runs upwards and backwards over the head about 1 TSUN lateral to the midline; it runs down the back of the head to BL10 (about 1.3 TSUN lateral to the midline, level with the space between vertebral spines C1-C2). Here the BL Channel splits into two lines, an inner and an outer line.
The inner BL line goes to BL11 (1.5 TSUN lateral to the midline, level with the lower edge of the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra, half-way between midline of the spine and the medial border of the scapula). It continues down to BL30 (1.5 TSUN lateral to midline, level with the 4th sacral foramen. (BL13 to 28 are the Shu points- among the most important points in AP- and each one should be studied in detail). From BL30, the Channel runs upwards to BL31 (level with the 1st sacral foramen, midway between the posterior superior iliac spine and the midline) and passes down through BL32,33,34 at the level of 2nd, 3rd and 4th sacral foramina. Thus, BL27,28,29,30 (over the 4 sacral foramina) are level with BL31,32,33,34. Then the Channel passes down the back of the thigh to join the second BL line at BL40, (WeiZhong) in the middle of the popliteal crease.
The outer BL line leaves BL10 to join BL41 (FuFen, 3 TSUN lateral to midline level with the lower border of the spinous process of vertebra T2). This line continues downward 3 TSUN from the midline to BL52, level with BL23 (between L2-3). Between vertebrae T2 and L3 (BL12 to 23), each point on the outer line is paired with a point on the inner line; each pair of points has similar functions. These pairings are easy to remember: the code of the outer point = 29 + the code of the inner point, i.e. BL12 and 41 are paired, BL21 and 50 are paired and BL23 and 52 are paired:
From BL52, the outer line passes back to BL53 (outside BL28, level with foramen S2), to BL54 (outside BL30 and 34, level with foramen S4). From BL54, the Channel passes straight down the back of the thigh to BL40 (WeiZhong), where it joins the first line. From here it passes down the back of the calf to BL57 (8 TSUN below BL40) and then curves outwards towards the lateral malleolus of the tibia to BL60 (between the lateral malleolus and the Achilles tendon. The Channel then passes along the lateral edge of the foot to the last point (BL67) at the outer angle of the nail on the little toe.
If you would learn only one Channel, choose the BL Channel!! It has points (Shu points, see later) for all the major organs, is involved in neck and back problems, sciatica, leg problems, reproductive problems and is most important in obstetric analgesia, dystocia etc.
KI begins at KI01, on the sole of the foot between the upper half of the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal-phalangeal joints. It runs up the medial aspect of the foot to KI03 (opposite BL60, i.e. between the Achilles tendon and the medial malleolus). From here it does a loop through KI04,5,6 in the ankle region and then climbs upwards to points KI07,8,9 on the inner side of the leg, to KI10 on the postero-internal thigh and then emerges above the pubis at KI11 (at the superior border of the pubic symphysis 0.5 TSUN lateral to the midline). From here it climbs parallel to the midline to KI21 (0.5 TSUN lateral to midline, level with CV14 (6 TSUN above the umbilicus). From KI21 the line passes to KI22 - KI27, running parallel to midline but 2 TSUN lateral to it. The last point (KI27) is 2 TSUN lateral to midline in hollow between the lower border of the clavicle and rib 1.
PC begins at PC01 in the 4th intercostal space, 1 TSUN lateral to the nipple. It passes down the anterior aspect of the arm to PC03 on the ulnar side of the biceps tendon of the elbow crease. It continues down the anterior surface of the forearm to PC06 (2 TSUN above the palmar wrist crease, between the flexor tendons) to PC08 (on the palm of the hand between 2nd and 3rd metacarpal bones, where the fully flexed middle finger meets the palm) to the last point (PC09), at the midpoint of the tip of the middle (3rd) finger.
TH begins at TH01 at the nail of the 4th (ring) finger, towards the ulnar side. It climbs the back of the hand, to TH05 (2 TSUN above the dorsal wrist crease, between the radius and the ulna), to TH10 (1 TSUN behind and above the olecranon process of the ulna), to TH14 (between the acromion process of the scapula and the greater tubercle of the humerus), to TH17 (between the mastoid process and the angle of the mandible). It then curves behind the ear and ends at TH23 at the lateral tip of the eyebrow, on the lateral border of the orbit.
GB begins at GB01, 0.5 TSUN lateral to the outer canthus of the eye. It goes to GB12 behind the ear, then curves forward again to GB14 (one TSUN above the midpoint or the eyebrow). Then the Channel curves across the head, on a line with the pupil-midpoint of the eyebrow, to GB20 (in the depression between the acromion process and GV14 (between the spinous process of vertebrae C 7 and T 1) on the highest point of the shoulder muscles). From here, the line zig-zags down the lateral aspect of the thorax and abdomen to GB28 (anterior and interior to anterior-superior iliac spine) to GB30 (behind the great trochanter of the femur). From here it passes down the lateral aspect of the thigh and knee to GB34 (in the depression anterior and interior to the little head of the fibula, to GB40 (below and in front of the lateral malleolus of the tibia, to the last point (GB44) on the lateral angle of the nail of the 4th toe.
LV begins at LV01 at the lateral angle of the nail of the big toe, passes up to LV03 (between the upper heads of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones) to LV04 (1 TSUN antero-lateral to the medial malleolus). From here the line curves up the inner aspect of the leg to points LV07,8,9 in the region of the postero-medial aspect of the knee, to LV11 (on the femoral nerve, just lateral to the artery in the inguinal groove), to LV13 (at the free end of the 11th rib) to LV14 (directly below the nipple, in the 6th intercostal space.
CV begins at CV01, between the anus and the scrotum/vulva in the midline. It runs up the midline of the abdomen, through the umbilicus (CV08) to the tip of the xiphoid (CV15) to between the nipples (CV17), to the sternal notch (CV22), to end in the cleft between the chin and the lower lip (CV24).
GV begins at GV01 (between the tip of the coccyx and the anus, in the midline). It travels up the back, in the vertebral midline, through GV04 (between spinous processes of vertebrae L2-L3) to GV14 (between the spinous processes of vertebrae C7-T1) to GV26 (the SHOCK POINT, in the philtrum, 1/3 the distance from the nose to the upper lip), to GV28 (on the frenum between the upper lip and the upper gum).
Let us recall once again the number of points on each Channel:
LU LI ST SP HT SI BL KI PC TH GB LV CV GV
11 20 36 21 09 19 67 27 09 23 44 14 24 28
Beginners need only learn in detail the position and function of only 1 or 2 points on each Channel. The exception is the BL Channel, where BL13-30 (Shu Points) should be studied in detail.
Later, as your knowledge increases, try to integrate the position of points in relation to each other. For instance, using the Beijing or Hong Kong or Shanghai charts (1, 1a, 3), study the position of the following points and mark them on your own body:
If you would learn only one Channel, choose the BL Channel!! It has points (Shu points, see later) for all the major organs, is involved in neck and back problems, sciatica, leg problems, reproductive problems and is most important in obstetric analgesia, dystocia etc.
KI begins at KI01, on the sole of the foot between the upper half of the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal-phalangeal joints. It runs up the medial aspect of the foot to KI03 (opposite BL60, i.e. between the Achilles tendon and the medial malleolus). From here it does a loop through KI04,5,6 in the ankle region and then climbs upwards to points KI07,8,9 on the inner side of the leg, to KI10 on the postero-internal thigh and then emerges above the pubis at KI11 (at the superior border of the pubic symphysis 0.5 TSUN lateral to the midline). From here it climbs parallel to the midline to KI21 (0.5 TSUN lateral to midline, level with CV14 (6 TSUN above the umbilicus). From KI21 the line passes to KI22 - KI27, running parallel to midline but 2 TSUN lateral to it. The last point (KI27) is 2 TSUN lateral to midline in hollow between the lower border of the clavicle and rib 1.
PC begins at PC01 in the 4th intercostal space, 1 TSUN lateral to the nipple. It passes down the anterior aspect of the arm to PC03 on the ulnar side of the biceps tendon of the elbow crease. It continues down the anterior surface of the forearm to PC06 (2 TSUN above the palmar wrist crease, between the flexor tendons) to PC08 (on the palm of the hand between 2nd and 3rd metacarpal bones, where the fully flexed middle finger meets the palm) to the last point (PC09), at the midpoint of the tip of the middle (3rd) finger.
TH begins at TH01 at the nail of the 4th (ring) finger, towards the ulnar side. It climbs the back of the hand, to TH05 (2 TSUN above the dorsal wrist crease, between the radius and the ulna), to TH10 (1 TSUN behind and above the olecranon process of the ulna), to TH14 (between the acromion process of the scapula and the greater tubercle of the humerus), to TH17 (between the mastoid process and the angle of the mandible). It then curves behind the ear and ends at TH23 at the lateral tip of the eyebrow, on the lateral border of the orbit.
GB begins at GB01, 0.5 TSUN lateral to the outer canthus of the eye. It goes to GB12 behind the ear, then curves forward again to GB14 (one TSUN above the midpoint or the eyebrow). Then the Channel curves across the head, on a line with the pupil-midpoint of the eyebrow, to GB20 (in the depression between the acromion process and GV14 (between the spinous process of vertebrae C 7 and T 1) on the highest point of the shoulder muscles). From here, the line zig-zags down the lateral aspect of the thorax and abdomen to GB28 (anterior and interior to anterior-superior iliac spine) to GB30 (behind the great trochanter of the femur). From here it passes down the lateral aspect of the thigh and knee to GB34 (in the depression anterior and interior to the little head of the fibula, to GB40 (below and in front of the lateral malleolus of the tibia, to the last point (GB44) on the lateral angle of the nail of the 4th toe.
LV begins at LV01 at the lateral angle of the nail of the big toe, passes up to LV03 (between the upper heads of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones) to LV04 (1 TSUN antero-lateral to the medial malleolus). From here the line curves up the inner aspect of the leg to points LV07,8,9 in the region of the postero-medial aspect of the knee, to LV11 (on the femoral nerve, just lateral to the artery in the inguinal groove), to LV13 (at the free end of the 11th rib) to LV14 (directly below the nipple, in the 6th intercostal space.
CV begins at CV01, between the anus and the scrotum/vulva in the midline. It runs up the midline of the abdomen, through the umbilicus (CV08) to the tip of the xiphoid (CV15) to between the nipples (CV17), to the sternal notch (CV22), to end in the cleft between the chin and the lower lip (CV24).
GV begins at GV01 (between the tip of the coccyx and the anus, in the midline). It travels up the back, in the vertebral midline, through GV04 (between spinous processes of vertebrae L2-L3) to GV14 (between the spinous processes of vertebrae C7-T1) to GV26 (the SHOCK POINT, in the philtrum, 1/3 the distance from the nose to the upper lip), to GV28 (on the frenum between the upper lip and the upper gum).
Let us recall once again the number of points on each Channel:
LU LI ST SP HT SI BL KI PC TH GB LV CV GV
11 20 36 21 09 19 67 27 09 23 44 14 24 28
Beginners need only learn in detail the position and function of only 1 or 2 points on each Channel. The exception is the BL Channel, where BL13-30 (Shu Points) should be studied in detail.
Later, as your knowledge increases, try to integrate the position of points in relation to each other. For instance, using the Beijing or Hong Kong or Shanghai charts (1, 1a, 3), study the position of the following points and mark them on your own body:
- Wrist area: see HT07; PC07; LU09; LI05; TH04; SI05
- Elbow area: see HT03; PC03; LU05; LI11; TH10; SI08
- Clavicle area: see LI16; LU02; CV22; ST11,12
- Nipple to nipple line: see SP18; PC01; ST17; KI23; CV17
- Navel line: see GB26; SP15; ST25; KI16; CV08
- Pubic border: see SP12,13; ST29,30; KI11; CV02
- Knee area: see LV08; KI10; BL40; GB33; ST35; Hsi Yen (L 16)
- Ankle area: see KI03,4,5,6; SP05; LV04; ST41; GB40; BL60,61
- Laryngeal prominence: see LI18; ST09; CV23
- Point of left to point of right shoulder, through spine of T 2: see LI15; TH14; SI10,12,13,14; BL10; GV13
- From lower (caudal) angle of left to right scapula, through spine of T 8: see BL17,46; GV09
- From free tip of left to right rib 12, between spines of L1-L2: see LV13; GB25; BL22,51; GV05
- Line joining points 1 TSUN below highest points of left and right femoral trochanters, through lower rim of sacral foramen 4: see GB30; BL30,34,54; GV02
- Line between left SI09 and right SI10: see relationships with right LI15; TH14; SI10,12,13; BL13,41,42,43; GV12; SI09,11
- Join a line from 2 TSUN below highest point of left femoral trochanter and the free end of right 12th (last) rib, via space between spines of L4-L5: see relationship with left GB30; BL26,53; GV03; Right BL24,52; GB25
LEARNING THE MASTER POINTS
In the Appendix of the last paper the Master Points were mentioned briefly. The Master Points include Shu-Mu, Luo-Yuan, Five Phase, Xi-Cleft, Hour, Test and RYODORAKU electro-test points.
These points are important in AP and some of them, especially the paravertebral Shu points, the Front Mu points, the Luo-Connecting points, the Yuan-Source points and the Xi-Cleft points are very useful in diagnostic and therapeutic AP. They should be learned. Memory aids help the learning process. Memory aids are given below but if they don't suit you, make up your own versions.
THE 18 SHU POINTS
There are 18 pairs of Shu points; 12 relate to one of the 12 main COSs (LU-LI / ST-SP / HT-SI / BL-KI / PC-TH / GB-LV) and 6 relate to other functions (see below).
The 18 pairs of Shu points are BL13-30, on the 1st BL line, paravertebral from T3 to S4. The Chinese name for each point indicates its function, i.e. FeiShu (BL13) means Lung Shu; HsinShu (BL15) means Heart Shu; KeShu (BL17) means Diaphragm Shu etc.
The Shu points (BL13-30 inclusive) are located 1.5 TSUN from the dorsal midline (GV line), at the lower border of the spinous process of the vertebra indicated in the memory aid and tables below.
Shu points are called the Back-Association, or Paravertebral Reflex points. (The Mu points are called Front Alarm points, see later). Shu (and Mu) points often are tender to palpation when their associated organs are diseased. Each COS has a corresponding Shu and Mu point.
If the Shu and Mu point is tender to light palpation, this indicates hypofunction (Deficiency, Yin) of the associated organ; if tender to heavy palpation, this indicates a hyperfunction (Excess, Yang) of the associated organ. In AP diagnosis, always palpate the Shu and Mu points. Note: Injury/scar on a Shu or Mu point can disturb the function of the corresponding organ!
Shu points may be combined with Mu points (see later) in treating disorders of the associated organs. For instance, needling BL13 and LU01 (LU Shu and Mu) helps in asthma; BL18 and LV14 (LV Shu and Mu) helps in hepatitis.
Also, Shu and Mu combinations can help in diseases of the sense organs of other functions associated with the corresponding internal organ. For instance, the eye/vision and ear/hearing are associated with the LV and KI COS respectively. In eye diseases, needling BL18 and LV14 (LV Shu and Mu) or in ear diseases BL23 and GB25 (KI Shu and Mu) respectively would be indicated. Bone and throat are also associated with KI function. Thus, BL23 and GB25 could be used in bone and throat diseases. The skin is controlled by LU, so BL13 and LU01 (LU Shu and Mu) can be used in skin diseases. Speech is controlled by HT COS. BL15 and CV14 (HT Shu and Mu) help speech disorders.
MEMORY AID FOR THE SHU POINTS:
In the Appendix of the last paper the Master Points were mentioned briefly. The Master Points include Shu-Mu, Luo-Yuan, Five Phase, Xi-Cleft, Hour, Test and RYODORAKU electro-test points.
These points are important in AP and some of them, especially the paravertebral Shu points, the Front Mu points, the Luo-Connecting points, the Yuan-Source points and the Xi-Cleft points are very useful in diagnostic and therapeutic AP. They should be learned. Memory aids help the learning process. Memory aids are given below but if they don't suit you, make up your own versions.
THE 18 SHU POINTS
There are 18 pairs of Shu points; 12 relate to one of the 12 main COSs (LU-LI / ST-SP / HT-SI / BL-KI / PC-TH / GB-LV) and 6 relate to other functions (see below).
The 18 pairs of Shu points are BL13-30, on the 1st BL line, paravertebral from T3 to S4. The Chinese name for each point indicates its function, i.e. FeiShu (BL13) means Lung Shu; HsinShu (BL15) means Heart Shu; KeShu (BL17) means Diaphragm Shu etc.
The Shu points (BL13-30 inclusive) are located 1.5 TSUN from the dorsal midline (GV line), at the lower border of the spinous process of the vertebra indicated in the memory aid and tables below.
Shu points are called the Back-Association, or Paravertebral Reflex points. (The Mu points are called Front Alarm points, see later). Shu (and Mu) points often are tender to palpation when their associated organs are diseased. Each COS has a corresponding Shu and Mu point.
If the Shu and Mu point is tender to light palpation, this indicates hypofunction (Deficiency, Yin) of the associated organ; if tender to heavy palpation, this indicates a hyperfunction (Excess, Yang) of the associated organ. In AP diagnosis, always palpate the Shu and Mu points. Note: Injury/scar on a Shu or Mu point can disturb the function of the corresponding organ!
Shu points may be combined with Mu points (see later) in treating disorders of the associated organs. For instance, needling BL13 and LU01 (LU Shu and Mu) helps in asthma; BL18 and LV14 (LV Shu and Mu) helps in hepatitis.
Also, Shu and Mu combinations can help in diseases of the sense organs of other functions associated with the corresponding internal organ. For instance, the eye/vision and ear/hearing are associated with the LV and KI COS respectively. In eye diseases, needling BL18 and LV14 (LV Shu and Mu) or in ear diseases BL23 and GB25 (KI Shu and Mu) respectively would be indicated. Bone and throat are also associated with KI function. Thus, BL23 and GB25 could be used in bone and throat diseases. The skin is controlled by LU, so BL13 and LU01 (LU Shu and Mu) can be used in skin diseases. Speech is controlled by HT COS. BL15 and CV14 (HT Shu and Mu) help speech disorders.
MEMORY AID FOR THE SHU POINTS:
THE LOCATIONS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE 18 PAIRS OF SHU POINTS ARE:
Six pairs of Shu points (BL16,17,24,26,29,30) do not belong to a specific pair of the 12 main COSs. They have local uses
THE 12 MU POINTS
As Shu points are called the Back Association or paravertebral reflex points, the Mu points are called Front Alarm points.
Mu (and Shu) points often are tender to palpation when their associated organs are diseased. Each COS has a corresponding Mu and Shu point. If the Mu and Shu point is tender to light palpation, this indicates hypo-function (Yin) of the associated organ; if tender to heavy palpation, this indicates a hyper-function (Yang) of the associated organ. In AP diagnosis, always palpate the Shu and Mu points. Note: Injury/scar on a Shu or Mu point can disturb the function of the corresponding organ!
Mu points may be combined with Shu points in treating disorders of the related organs and of the local area. For instance, needling LV13 and BL20 (SP Mu and Shu) helps in chronic diarrhoea, with undigested food in the stool (Deficient SP Qi) and GB24 and BL19 (GB Mu and Shu) helps in cholecystitis. In disorders of the large intestine/ appendix, needling ST25 and BL25 (LI Mu and Shu) can help. Similarly, LV14 + BL18 can help in hypochondriac pain and ST25 + BL25 can help in lower abdominal pain.
Also, Mu points may be combined with Shu points in diseases of the sense organs of other functions associated with the corresponding internal organ. For instance, the eye/vision and ear/hearing are associated with the LV and KI COSs respectively. In eye diseases, needling LV14 + BL18 (LV Mu and Shu) or in ear diseases GB25 + BL23 (KI Mu and Shu) respectively would be indicated. Bone and throat are also associated with KI function. Thus, GB25 + BL23 could be used in bone and throat diseases. The skin is controlled by LU, so LU01 + BL13 (LU Mu and Shu) can be used in skin diseases. Speech is controlled by HT COS. CV14 + BL15 (HT Mu and Shu) help speech disorders.
THE 12 MU-ALARM POINTS:
As Shu points are called the Back Association or paravertebral reflex points, the Mu points are called Front Alarm points.
Mu (and Shu) points often are tender to palpation when their associated organs are diseased. Each COS has a corresponding Mu and Shu point. If the Mu and Shu point is tender to light palpation, this indicates hypo-function (Yin) of the associated organ; if tender to heavy palpation, this indicates a hyper-function (Yang) of the associated organ. In AP diagnosis, always palpate the Shu and Mu points. Note: Injury/scar on a Shu or Mu point can disturb the function of the corresponding organ!
Mu points may be combined with Shu points in treating disorders of the related organs and of the local area. For instance, needling LV13 and BL20 (SP Mu and Shu) helps in chronic diarrhoea, with undigested food in the stool (Deficient SP Qi) and GB24 and BL19 (GB Mu and Shu) helps in cholecystitis. In disorders of the large intestine/ appendix, needling ST25 and BL25 (LI Mu and Shu) can help. Similarly, LV14 + BL18 can help in hypochondriac pain and ST25 + BL25 can help in lower abdominal pain.
Also, Mu points may be combined with Shu points in diseases of the sense organs of other functions associated with the corresponding internal organ. For instance, the eye/vision and ear/hearing are associated with the LV and KI COSs respectively. In eye diseases, needling LV14 + BL18 (LV Mu and Shu) or in ear diseases GB25 + BL23 (KI Mu and Shu) respectively would be indicated. Bone and throat are also associated with KI function. Thus, GB25 + BL23 could be used in bone and throat diseases. The skin is controlled by LU, so LU01 + BL13 (LU Mu and Shu) can be used in skin diseases. Speech is controlled by HT COS. CV14 + BL15 (HT Mu and Shu) help speech disorders.
THE 12 MU-ALARM POINTS:
Memory aid for the Mu points (6 of the points are on the CV line):
CV03,04,05 = BLoody SIlly THeme (= BL, SI, TH)
CV12,14,17 = STuffed HearTs Constrict (= ST, HT, PC)
Lung and Liver, First and Last (LU = LU01, LV = LV14)
Spleen before Liver (SP = LV13)
KI = free tip of last rib (last costal arch in animals) (KI = GB25)
GB before KI (GB = GB24)
LI = McBurney (appendicitis) point = ST25
THE NAMES AND LOCATIONS OF THE MU POINTS:
CV03,04,05 = BLoody SIlly THeme (= BL, SI, TH)
CV12,14,17 = STuffed HearTs Constrict (= ST, HT, PC)
Lung and Liver, First and Last (LU = LU01, LV = LV14)
Spleen before Liver (SP = LV13)
KI = free tip of last rib (last costal arch in animals) (KI = GB25)
GB before KI (GB = GB24)
LI = McBurney (appendicitis) point = ST25
THE NAMES AND LOCATIONS OF THE MU POINTS:
LUO-CONNECTING POINTS
Referring back to Diagram 1, you will remember that each of the Five Phases has a Yin-Yang (Wife-Husband) pair of COSs (the Phase-Mates) and the Fire Phase has two pairs:
Referring back to Diagram 1, you will remember that each of the Five Phases has a Yin-Yang (Wife-Husband) pair of COSs (the Phase-Mates) and the Fire Phase has two pairs:
|
Limb
Arm = = Leg = = |
Phase
Metal Fire Fire Wood Water Earth |
Yin (Wife)
Lu HT PC LV KI SP |
Yang (Husband)
LI SI TH GB BL ST |
Each of the 12 main COSs has a Luo point, used in classic AP to transfer Qi from the Husband to the Wife (or vice versa) of each linked pair of COSs (LU-LI / ST-SP / HT-SI / BL-KI / PC-TH / GB-LV).
The Luo point for each COS is distal to the elbow or knee. Luo points are used in two main ways in AP:
a. the Yuan-Luo combination and
b. in balancing Excess Qi in one COS and Deficient Qi in another, using Five Phase Principles.
NAMES AND LOCATIONS OF THE 12 LUO-CONNECTING POINTS:
The Luo point for each COS is distal to the elbow or knee. Luo points are used in two main ways in AP:
a. the Yuan-Luo combination and
b. in balancing Excess Qi in one COS and Deficient Qi in another, using Five Phase Principles.
- a. The Yuan-Luo combination uses the Yuan-Source point, see below) of the affected COS with the Luo-Connecting point of the linked COS (Wife or Husband), i.e in lung disease, LU09 (Yuan of LU) plus LI06 (Luo of LI).
- b. In Five Phase Theory, when there is Excess Qi in one COS and Deficient Qi in another, the Luo point of the Deficient COS is always used. For instance, if LU is Deficient and LI has Excess Qi, needle the Luo point of LU (LU07). This will remove the Excess from the Husband (LI) and restore Qi to the Wife (LU). If GB is Deficient and LV has Excess Qi, needle the Luo of GB (GB37). This will remove the Excess from the Wife (LV) and restore Qi to the Husband (GB). (For details of other uses of Luo points, see paper on Holistic Concepts and on The Use of Five Phase Theory in Medicine).
NAMES AND LOCATIONS OF THE 12 LUO-CONNECTING POINTS:
MEMORY AID FOR THE LUO-CONNECTING POINTS:
4 = KISP (KI04, SP04)
5 = HTLVTH (HT05, LV05, TH05)
6 = LIPC (LI06, PC06)
7 = LUSI (LU07, SI07)
From '37-'40 GreatBritain STarred 58 BLondes (GB37, ST40, BL58)
THUS, THE 12 LUO-CONNECTING POINTS ARE:
4 = KISP (KI04, SP04)
5 = HTLVTH (HT05, LV05, TH05)
6 = LIPC (LI06, PC06)
7 = LUSI (LU07, SI07)
From '37-'40 GreatBritain STarred 58 BLondes (GB37, ST40, BL58)
THUS, THE 12 LUO-CONNECTING POINTS ARE:
THE YUAN-SOURCE POINTS
Each of the 12 main COSs has a Yuan point, which is often tender to palpation when its COS is diseased. The Yuan point may be used alone (or with the Shu-Mu combination) in disease of its organ. The Yuan-Luo combination uses the Yuan of the affected COS with the Luo of the linked COS (Husband or Wife), i.e in lung disease, LU09 (Yuan of LU) plus LI06 (Luo of LI).
MEMORY AID FOR THE 12 YUAN-SOURCE POINTS:
They are very easy to memorise if you know the YU point for the COS. (See Five Phase points, next section!)
THUS, THE YUAN-SOURCE POINTS ARE:
Each of the 12 main COSs has a Yuan point, which is often tender to palpation when its COS is diseased. The Yuan point may be used alone (or with the Shu-Mu combination) in disease of its organ. The Yuan-Luo combination uses the Yuan of the affected COS with the Luo of the linked COS (Husband or Wife), i.e in lung disease, LU09 (Yuan of LU) plus LI06 (Luo of LI).
MEMORY AID FOR THE 12 YUAN-SOURCE POINTS:
They are very easy to memorise if you know the YU point for the COS. (See Five Phase points, next section!)
- a. For Yin COSs, the Yuan point = 2 points proximal to the most distal point, (i.e. Yuan point = YU point, Position 3, Earth). These are:
- Arm Yin: LU09, PC07, HT07
Leg Yin: SP03, LV03, KI03
- Arm Yang: LI04, TH04, SI04
Leg Yang: ST42, GB40, BL64
- Arm Yin: LU09, PC07, HT07
THUS, THE YUAN-SOURCE POINTS ARE:
LEARNING THE FIVE PHASE POINTS AND THEIR USES
Each of the 12 main COSs has a point for each Phase (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). There are thus 60 points (5 x 12 = 60). The theory of the Five Phases and the use of the 60 Phase POINTS to drain Excess Qi in one COS to augment Deficient Qi in another is covered in detail in the paper The Theory of Five Phases and its use in Medicine, to which the reader is referred. Methods of using the Phase points to balance imbalances of Qi are discussed in that paper.
LOCATION OF THE PHASE POINTS:
The Five Phase points are located between the digits and the elbow or knee (stifle). Let us call the most distal location (at a nail) Position 1 and the most proximal (near the elbow or knee) Position 5. The Chinese terms and their translation for the 5 positions are:
Each of the 12 main COSs has a point for each Phase (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). There are thus 60 points (5 x 12 = 60). The theory of the Five Phases and the use of the 60 Phase POINTS to drain Excess Qi in one COS to augment Deficient Qi in another is covered in detail in the paper The Theory of Five Phases and its use in Medicine, to which the reader is referred. Methods of using the Phase points to balance imbalances of Qi are discussed in that paper.
LOCATION OF THE PHASE POINTS:
The Five Phase points are located between the digits and the elbow or knee (stifle). Let us call the most distal location (at a nail) Position 1 and the most proximal (near the elbow or knee) Position 5. The Chinese terms and their translation for the 5 positions are:
Apart from their use in balancing Qi in the Five Phase Cycle, the TSING points are used in emergencies (shock, collapse etc), in mental disorders and in sensations of suffocation or fullness in the chest. YUNG points are used in fevers. YU points are used in bone and joint rheumatism and in diseases/pain caused by exposure to wind and damp. CHING points are used in asthma, cough and disorders of the throat. HO points are used in disorders of the Yang COSs (LI, ST, SI, BL, TH, GB).
The first 3 positions (TSING, YUNG, YU) are easy to remember. They are the 3 most distal points on each of the 12 main COSs, with one exception: GB, in which case the YU point is the 4th point from the end (GB41, not GB42).
The first 3 positions (TSING, YUNG, YU) are easy to remember. They are the 3 most distal points on each of the 12 main COSs, with one exception: GB, in which case the YU point is the 4th point from the end (GB41, not GB42).
* the only exception to the pattern is GB, in which case the YU point = 4th point from the end (GB41, not GB42).
The last 2 positions (CHING and HO), unfortunately, do not form an easily remembered number-pattern, but they lie at or above the wrist/ankle (CHING) and at or near the elbow/knee (HO). The HO position (elbow/knee) is the Earth point for the Yang Channels and the Water point for the Yin Channels. The points are:
The last 2 positions (CHING and HO), unfortunately, do not form an easily remembered number-pattern, but they lie at or above the wrist/ankle (CHING) and at or near the elbow/knee (HO). The HO position (elbow/knee) is the Earth point for the Yang Channels and the Water point for the Yin Channels. The points are:
The relationship between the 5 Positions and the Five Phase points is as follows. Note: To grasp these and following principles, beginners should also study the paper on the Five Phases.
In the following table, the symbol "->" means "engenders, creates, nourishes, fosters or feeds". The symbol "|" means "controls, restrains, governs, disciplines, brings order to".
In the following table, the symbol "->" means "engenders, creates, nourishes, fosters or feeds". The symbol "|" means "controls, restrains, governs, disciplines, brings order to".
For Yang COSs, Position 1 is Metal and positions 2 to 5 follow the SHENG (Creative) Cycle of the Five Phases: (Metal -> Water -> Wood -> Fire -> Earth).
For Yin COSs, Position 1 is Wood and positions 2 to 5 follow the SHENG (Creative) Cycle of the Five Phases: (Wood -> Fire -> Earth -> Metal -> Water).
MEMORY AID FOR THE YIN CHANNELS: Remember a red-hot coal (Fire) in the palm of the hand (YUNG, Position 2)! Therefore, Wood is distal (TSING, Position 1, fingers) and Earth, Metal, Water are proximal (Positions 3-5, i.e. YU, CHING, HO at wrist, forearm, elbow respectively).
MEMORY AID FOR THE YANG CHANNELS: Remember that at each of the 5 positions, the Yang Phase controls the Yin Phase, as in the KO (Controlling) Cycle. In Position 2 (YUNG, opposite the palm of the hand), Water (of Yang Channels) controls Fire (of Yin Channels); in the TSING position, Metal (of Yang Channels) controls Wood (of Yin Channels); in the YU position, Wood (of Yang Channels) controls Earth (of Yin Channels); in the HO position, Earth (of Yang Channels) controls Water (of Yin Channels).
From the tables of points corresponding to the 5 positions (above), we can re-write the table for SI and HT as follows:
For Yin COSs, Position 1 is Wood and positions 2 to 5 follow the SHENG (Creative) Cycle of the Five Phases: (Wood -> Fire -> Earth -> Metal -> Water).
MEMORY AID FOR THE YIN CHANNELS: Remember a red-hot coal (Fire) in the palm of the hand (YUNG, Position 2)! Therefore, Wood is distal (TSING, Position 1, fingers) and Earth, Metal, Water are proximal (Positions 3-5, i.e. YU, CHING, HO at wrist, forearm, elbow respectively).
MEMORY AID FOR THE YANG CHANNELS: Remember that at each of the 5 positions, the Yang Phase controls the Yin Phase, as in the KO (Controlling) Cycle. In Position 2 (YUNG, opposite the palm of the hand), Water (of Yang Channels) controls Fire (of Yin Channels); in the TSING position, Metal (of Yang Channels) controls Wood (of Yin Channels); in the YU position, Wood (of Yang Channels) controls Earth (of Yin Channels); in the HO position, Earth (of Yang Channels) controls Water (of Yin Channels).
From the tables of points corresponding to the 5 positions (above), we can re-write the table for SI and HT as follows:
Rearranging the points by their Phases (starting with Wood), this becomes:
Applying the same principle (rearranging the points for the 5 Positions by Phase rather than by Position), the Five Phase POINTS are:
Thus, the Earth Point of SI is SI08; the Water Point of ST is ST44; the Fire Point of LV is LV02 etc. The 60 Five Phase points + the 6 Yuan points of the Yang COSs make up the 66 Command Points. (The Yuan Points of the Yin COSs = the YU/Earth Points).
THE XI-CLEFT POINTS
Each of the 12 main COSs has a Xi-Cleft Point, which may be used in acute disorders of the associated organ and in pain along the course of the affected Channel.
MEMORY AID FOR THE 12 XI POINTS:
I visualise a lazy Sunday, disrupted by thoughts of pre-war ('34-'36) blabbering between the Kremlin and Whitehall:
Sex at 4 (the PC COS is also called Circulation-Sex; PC04)
KIds at 5 (KI05)
HearTy LUnch of LiVerSI at 6 (HT06, LU06, LV06, SI06)
Stoned (LI-TH) (lith = stone) at 7 (LI07, TH07)
SParkling wine at 8 (SP08)
Between '34 and '36, STalin and GreatBritain / BLabbered 63 times (ST34, GB36, BL63).
THE XI-CLEFT POINTS ARE:
THE XI-CLEFT POINTS
Each of the 12 main COSs has a Xi-Cleft Point, which may be used in acute disorders of the associated organ and in pain along the course of the affected Channel.
MEMORY AID FOR THE 12 XI POINTS:
I visualise a lazy Sunday, disrupted by thoughts of pre-war ('34-'36) blabbering between the Kremlin and Whitehall:
Sex at 4 (the PC COS is also called Circulation-Sex; PC04)
KIds at 5 (KI05)
HearTy LUnch of LiVerSI at 6 (HT06, LU06, LV06, SI06)
Stoned (LI-TH) (lith = stone) at 7 (LI07, TH07)
SParkling wine at 8 (SP08)
Between '34 and '36, STalin and GreatBritain / BLabbered 63 times (ST34, GB36, BL63).
THE XI-CLEFT POINTS ARE:
THE HOUR POINTS
Each of the 12 main COSs has an Hour Point, which = the Phase Point for each COS.
The Fire points of the Fire COSs are HT08, SI05, PC08, TH06.
The Earth points of the Earth COSs are ST36, SP03.
The Metal points of the Metal COSs are LU08, LI01.
The Water points of the Water COSs are BL66, KI10.
The Wood points of the Wood COSs are GB41, LV01.
THE HOUR POINTS CAN BE RE-WRITTEN:
Each of the 12 main COSs has an Hour Point, which = the Phase Point for each COS.
The Fire points of the Fire COSs are HT08, SI05, PC08, TH06.
The Earth points of the Earth COSs are ST36, SP03.
The Metal points of the Metal COSs are LU08, LI01.
The Water points of the Water COSs are BL66, KI10.
The Wood points of the Wood COSs are GB41, LV01.
THE HOUR POINTS CAN BE RE-WRITTEN:
LEARNING THE EARPOINTS
Human Earpoints: Vets who wish to learn AP are advised to study the human Earpoints. There are good ear charts, such as in the Beijing text (1), the Shanghai charts (6), the Hong Kong charts (3) or Practical Ear-Needling Therapy (5).
As one will usually have access to Ear charts, it is not necessary to memorise the locations of all the Earpoints. Certain points are important, as they are frequently used. Their functions are listed in the texts which accompany the charts.
The important human Earpoints are: LU, HT, KI, ST, Adrenal, Shenmen, Sympathetic, Internal Secretion (Endocrine), Subcortex, Occiput. If one is interested in treating pain and lameness, one should note the points for the main body regions: Neck, Thoracic vertebrae, Lumbo-sacral vertebrae, Shoulder, Elbow, Hip, Knee, etc. Note also the Dental Analgesia point on the earlobe.
Sensitive Earpoints are relatively easy to detect. In practice, rather than using Earpoints listed in Cookbook prescriptions, points which may not be sensitive on probing/electrical detection, one is more likely to use the sensitive/reactive earpoints (irrespective of their location).
Animal Earpoints: The ear in animals is anatomically quite different from that in humans. There is little evidence that human Ear-reflex locations (Ear-AP points) can be transposed simply to the animal ear. Some studies have been done in small animals by Jan Still et al (Brno Vet School) and by French, American and other colleagues but documentation of the location and uses of animal Earpoints is incomplete at present.
THE MOST IMPORTANT POINTS FOR STUDY
An analysis of a database from > 55 textbooks and other articles on AP indicates that certain points are very frequently used in clinical AP. These points should be studied in detail by beginners. They include the following points, with the more important ones underlined:
Channel Number and Name of Points for Study
CONCLUSIONS
This is probably the most difficult paper, which you will have to study on AP. It contains a lot of (apparently useless) detail, much of which needs to be interpreted against other papers, such as those dealing with classical AP and the Five Phases. However, please read and re-read it, using memory aids (mine or your own). When you master this paper, you will know most of the basics relating to the principles of AP and the relationships of the COSs and points.
As aids to your study of AP, the following are suggested:
The student must not expect to become an expert in all aspects of AP in a short time. It is better to study slowly over months and years than to attempt to learn the complete AP system quickly. It is a difficult, deep subject to master. Long-term commitment and great patience are needed. If you have the commitment, the mental rewards are great.
Human Earpoints: Vets who wish to learn AP are advised to study the human Earpoints. There are good ear charts, such as in the Beijing text (1), the Shanghai charts (6), the Hong Kong charts (3) or Practical Ear-Needling Therapy (5).
As one will usually have access to Ear charts, it is not necessary to memorise the locations of all the Earpoints. Certain points are important, as they are frequently used. Their functions are listed in the texts which accompany the charts.
The important human Earpoints are: LU, HT, KI, ST, Adrenal, Shenmen, Sympathetic, Internal Secretion (Endocrine), Subcortex, Occiput. If one is interested in treating pain and lameness, one should note the points for the main body regions: Neck, Thoracic vertebrae, Lumbo-sacral vertebrae, Shoulder, Elbow, Hip, Knee, etc. Note also the Dental Analgesia point on the earlobe.
Sensitive Earpoints are relatively easy to detect. In practice, rather than using Earpoints listed in Cookbook prescriptions, points which may not be sensitive on probing/electrical detection, one is more likely to use the sensitive/reactive earpoints (irrespective of their location).
Animal Earpoints: The ear in animals is anatomically quite different from that in humans. There is little evidence that human Ear-reflex locations (Ear-AP points) can be transposed simply to the animal ear. Some studies have been done in small animals by Jan Still et al (Brno Vet School) and by French, American and other colleagues but documentation of the location and uses of animal Earpoints is incomplete at present.
THE MOST IMPORTANT POINTS FOR STUDY
An analysis of a database from > 55 textbooks and other articles on AP indicates that certain points are very frequently used in clinical AP. These points should be studied in detail by beginners. They include the following points, with the more important ones underlined:
Channel Number and Name of Points for Study
- LU 05 ChihTse; 07 LiehChueh; 09 TaiYuan
- LI 04 HoKu; 11 ChuChih; 15 ChienYu
- ST 25 TienShu; 36 TsuSanLi; 40 FengLung; 41 ChiehHsi
- SP 04 KungTsui; 06 SanYinChiao; 09 YinLingChuan; 10 HsuehHai
- HT 03 ShaoHai; 05 TungLi; 07 ShenMen
- SI 03 HouHsi; 06 YangLao; 08 HsiaoHai; 11 TienTsung
- BL 11 TaChu; the Shu points 13-30; especially 23 ShenShu; 41 FuFen; 42 PoHu; 43 KaoHuang; 44 ShenTang; 45 YiHsi; 36 ChengFu; 40 WeiChung; 57 ChengShan; 60 KunLun
- KI 03 TaiHsi; 08 ChiaoHsin
- PC 03 ChuTse; 06 NeiKuan
- TH 05 WaiKuan; 14 ChienLiao; 17 YiFeng
- GB 20 FengChih; 30 HuanTiao; 34 YangLingChuan; 39 HsuanChung
- LV 03 TaiChung; 13 ChangMen
- CV 03 ChungChi; 06 ChiHai; 12 ChungWan; 22 TienTu
- GV 04 MingMen; 12 FengFu; 14 TaChui; 20 PaiHui; 26 JenChung
CONCLUSIONS
This is probably the most difficult paper, which you will have to study on AP. It contains a lot of (apparently useless) detail, much of which needs to be interpreted against other papers, such as those dealing with classical AP and the Five Phases. However, please read and re-read it, using memory aids (mine or your own). When you master this paper, you will know most of the basics relating to the principles of AP and the relationships of the COSs and points.
As aids to your study of AP, the following are suggested:
- 1. "Skim" a few good textbooks a few times. Then go through them in detail, referring to the notes in this paper.2. Learn the Channel circuits, the position and function of the first and last points.
3. Study one other point on each COS in detail (LU09, LI04, ST36, SP06, HT07, SI03, BL23, KI03, PC06, TH05, GB34, LV03, CV12, GV26). Add others when you know the location and uses of these.
4. Learn the positions of the Master Points (Shu-Mu, Yuan-Luo, Xi). Add the Five Phase points later. Study the uses of these points.
5. Experiment on yourself, your family and friends, using first-aid AP without needles (transcutaneous electro-stimulation, AP-point massage etc) in common human conditions (headache, toothache, muscle pain etc).
6. Pick a few simple conditions in animals (disc disease, muscle lameness, dystocia, female infertility etc). Study the approach to their treatment, comparing and contrasting the approaches in your reference texts.
The student must not expect to become an expert in all aspects of AP in a short time. It is better to study slowly over months and years than to attempt to learn the complete AP system quickly. It is a difficult, deep subject to master. Long-term commitment and great patience are needed. If you have the commitment, the mental rewards are great.
APPENDIX
GENERAL INFORMATIONJOURNALS ON AP AND ALLIED FIELDS
ACUPUNCTURE AS A KEYWORD IN ABSTRACTING JOURNALS
VETERINARY AP GROUPS/SOCIETIES/ASSOCIATIONS
Many of these groups run AP seminars or courses. Contact persons are given.
MEDICAL AP SOCIETIES AND SCHOOLS
Many Western countries have specialist AP schools (but whose teachers are not medically qualified). They provide classical training in AP and usually accept vet and med professionals but the courses are too long for most of those professionals.
Medical AP Societies and groups hold shorter AP courses and seminars. Most accept vets at these meetings. Other Institutes arrange short or longer crash-courses, as needed by professionals:
AP SUPPLY HOUSES (NEEDLES, BOOKS, EQUIPMENT ETC)
VETERINARY AP CHARTS
For practical purposes, most AP points in animals are located by transposition from human positions, making allowances for differences in anatomy. Traditional charts and accompanying booklets exist for horses, cattle, pigs, goats and camels. IVAS can supply charts for many species. (See also the Vet texts below). Although this is an incomplete list, other sources of animal AP charts are:
Primate/lab animal charts: by transposition from standard human texts
AP READING MATERIAL
BASIC TEXTS (those asterisked are suggested as essential texts)
CLASSIC CONCEPTS
OTHER TEXTS
MASTER POINTS FOR COS THERAPY
Taken together, the 66 Command/Su Points, plus the Shu, Mu, Luo, Xi, Test, Ryodoraku, HE, Hour and SP21 Points are called the Master Points of AP.
1. In disorder of the associated Channel-Organ System (COS), there is usually tenderness on palpation of the Yuan, Mu, Shu and Test points. The Test points may feel cold in Yin states and hot in Yang states. The RYODORAKU points are electro-sensitive diagnostic points used in Japanese diagnosis. Their readings are hypo- in Yin and hyper- in Yang states.
2. All Master Points, except Shu, Mu and HE points, are on their own Channels and lie between the elbow and finger or between the knee and toe.
3. The Yuan-Luo combination uses the Yuan of the affected COS with the Luo of the Phase-Mate COS, i.e in lung disease, LU09 (Yuan of LU) plus LI06 (Luo of LI).
4. SP21 is the Great Luo point (Luo point of all the Yin COSs).
GENERAL INFORMATIONJOURNALS ON AP AND ALLIED FIELDS
- Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, InnoVision Communications, 101 Columbia Ave, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656, USA. e-mail: [email protected]
- Alternative and Complementary Therapies, Bimonthly, Mary Ann Liebert Inc. Publishers, 1651 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10128, USA.
- Alternative Medicine J, Prime National Publishing Corp, 470 Boston Post Road, Weston, MA 02193, USA. Tel: (617) 899-2702.
- American Academy of Medical AP, 4126 Southwest Freeway, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77027, USA.
- American J of Acupuncture, 1840 41st Ave., Suite 102, POB 610, Capitola, CA 95010, USA.
- American J of Chinese Medicine, Box 555 Garden City, New York, USA.
- Australian J of AP, POB 417, Mullumbimby, NSW 2482, AUSTRALIA.
- Australian J of Holistic Nursing, PO Box 5005, East Lismore, NSW 2480, AUSTRALIA. e-mail: [email protected]
- AP and Electrotherapeutics Research (Pergamon Press, Oxford, UK).
- AP in Medicine (British Medical AP Society, Newton Lane, Lower Whitley, Warrington, Cheshire WA4 4JA (Tel: (44) 01925 730727; Fax: 01925 730492)
- AP Research Quarterly (C.A.R.F. Box 84-223, Taipei, Taiwan).
- Bulletin de l'Association Veterinaires Acupuncteurs de France (3 rue Letellier, Paris 75015, France)
- California J of Oriental Medicine, 1231 State Street, Suite 208-A, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA. Tel: (800) 477-4564; e-mail: [email protected]
- Chinese Medical J (English). Guozi Shudian, Box 399 Beijing, China.
- Complementary Therapies in Medicine, Quarterly, Pearson Professional Ltd, PO Box 77, Harlow , Essex, CM19 5BQ, UK. Tel: (44) 01279-623623; Fax: 01279-639609.
- European J of Oriental Medicine (Biannually), 179 Gloucester Place, London, NW1 6DX, UK. Tel: (44) 0171-724-5756
- FootPrints, J of the Reflexology Association of Australia, P.O. Box 1032, Bondi Junction, NSW 2022, AUSTRALIA. Fax: 612/9913-2815
- Guidepoints: AP in Recovery, J&M Reports, 7402 NE 58th Street, Vancouver, WA 98662-5207, CANADA. Tel/Fax: 360/260-8620; e-mail: [email protected] International J Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Monthly, Green Library, Homewood House, Guildford Road, Chertsey, Surrey KT16 0QA, UK.
- International J Chinese Medicine, 5266 Pomona Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90022, USA. International J Clinical AP. Allerton Press Inc., 150 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10011, USA.
- J of Alternative and Complementary Medicine: Research on Paradigm, Practice and Policy, Quarterly, Mary Ann Leibert,Inc, Publishers, 2 Madison Avenue, Larchmont NY 10538, USA. Fax: (914)834-3771, Managing Editor: Jackie Wootton: e-mail: [email protected]
- J of Chinese Medicine, Quarterly, 22 Cromwell Road, Hove, Sussex, BN3 3EB, UK. Fax: (44) 01273-748588.
- J of Complementary Medicine, Churchill Livingstone, Maple House 149, Tottenham Court Rd, London, W1P 9LL, UK.
- Lasers in Surgery and Medicine
- Newsletters from the various National Vet AP Societies
- North American J of Oriental Medicine, 896 West King Edward Ave, Vancourver, B.C, V5Z 2E1, CANADA.
- Oriental Medicine, 3723 N. Southport, Chicago, IL 60613, USA. Tel: (312) 477-1000; e-mail: [email protected].
- Research and Information in Complementary Medicine, Quarterly, RCCM, 60 Great Ormond Street, London, WCIN 3JF, UK. e-mail: [email protected]
- Sciences of TCM, 1835 S. Del Mar Ave, #102, San Gabriel, CA 91776, USA. e-mail: [email protected]
- Traditional AP J, Suite 100, American City Building, Columbia, MD 21044, USA. World J of AP and Moxibustion, Quarterly, 18 Beixincang, Dongzhimen Nei, Beijing 100700, PR CHINA. Tel: 4014411-2925.
ACUPUNCTURE AS A KEYWORD IN ABSTRACTING JOURNALS
- Current Contents
- Index Medicus
- Index Veterinarius
- Veterinary Bulletin
VETERINARY AP GROUPS/SOCIETIES/ASSOCIATIONS
Many of these groups run AP seminars or courses. Contact persons are given.
- Australia: AVAA, c/o Ulrike Wurth, 88 Barrabool Rd., Highton, VIC 3220; Sheila White, Veterinary School, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6153
- Austria: Austrian Vet AP Society, c/o Oswald Kothbauer, Windberg 2, 4710 Grieskirchen, Ober-Osterreich.
- Belgium: BVDA, c/o Luc Janssens, 37 Oudestraat, 2610 Wilrijk.
- Canada: c/o E.R. Clare Holmes, RR 4, Alliston, Ontario L0M 1N0.
- Finland: Finnish Vet AP Society, c/o Jukka Kuussaari, 25460 Toija.
- France: l'AVAF, Headquarters, 115 Rue d'Amiens, 60000 Beauvais; l'AVAF Secretariat, 9 Rue des Ecoles, 92330 Sceaux.
- Germany: contact Walter Greiff, Donaustrasse 39, Grenzhof, Memmingen, Schwaben.
- IVAS: International Vet AP Society, Secretary, David Jagger, 5139 Sugarloaf Rd., Boulder, CO 80302-9217, USA.
- Japan: JVAS, c/o Kaoru Kitazawa, Faculty of Agriculture, Gifu University, Yanagido 1-1, 501-11 GIFU.
- Netherlands: SNVA, c/o Emil Hovius, Heike 9, 5508 PA Veldhoven.
- Norway: NVAS, c/o Are Thoresen, Leikvollgt 31, Sandefjord.
- South Africa: c/o Jan Still, Vet School, MEDUNSA, Pretoria.
- Sweden: SVAS, c/o Ritva Krokfors, Nasby Sodergard, S-59592 Mjolby.
- Switzerland: Swiss Vet AP Society, c/o Konrad Zerobin, Vet School, Winterhurerstrasse 260, ZURICH.
- Taiwan: Contact Lin Jen-Hsou, Dept. Animal Husbandry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- UK: c/o Eric Nelson, 32 Painshawfield Rd., Stocksfield, Northumberland, UK NE43 7PX.
- USA: see IVAS
MEDICAL AP SOCIETIES AND SCHOOLS
Many Western countries have specialist AP schools (but whose teachers are not medically qualified). They provide classical training in AP and usually accept vet and med professionals but the courses are too long for most of those professionals.
Medical AP Societies and groups hold shorter AP courses and seminars. Most accept vets at these meetings. Other Institutes arrange short or longer crash-courses, as needed by professionals:
- Austria: Ludwig Boltzmann AP Institute, Mariangasse 9, A-1090 Vienna
- China: Special courses in Beijing for vets: contact IVAS.
- Taiwan: Chinese AP Research Foundation (CARF), Box 84-223 Taipei, R.O.C.
- UK: British Medical AP Society, Newton Lane, Lower Whitley, Warrington, Cheshire WA4 4JA (Phone 092-573727)
AP SUPPLY HOUSES (NEEDLES, BOOKS, EQUIPMENT ETC)
- Austria: Richter & Co., Feldgasse 19, A-4600 Wels
- Hong Kong: Mayfair Medical Supplies, Rm 501-3, 5/F, Far East Consortium Bldg., 204-206 Nathan Rd., KOWLOON (Fax 852-3-721-2851)
- UK: Acumedic, 101-103 Camden High St., London NW1 7JN (Fax 01-387-5766)
- UK: John Scarborough & Partners, Orchard Hse, West Bradley, nr Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 8PB (Phone 0458-50491)
VETERINARY AP CHARTS
For practical purposes, most AP points in animals are located by transposition from human positions, making allowances for differences in anatomy. Traditional charts and accompanying booklets exist for horses, cattle, pigs, goats and camels. IVAS can supply charts for many species. (See also the Vet texts below). Although this is an incomplete list, other sources of animal AP charts are:
Primate/lab animal charts: by transposition from standard human texts
- Horse charts:Traditional (Klide & Kung; Kothbauer; Rubin; Sobin; Weinstein; Westermayer; Yu & Hwang; White) Transposition (Cain; l'AVAF (France); Sutherland; White)
- Cattle charts: Traditional (Klide & Kung; Rubin; Westermayer; Wheeler; Yu & Hwang) Transposition (Kothbauer, Turnbull, Westermayer)
- Pig charts: Traditional (Klide & Kung; Lin; Rubin; Yu & Hwang)
- Dog/cat charts: Transposition method and in-vivo or post-mortem detection with point-finders: Altman; Demontoy; Gilchrist; Janssens; Milin; Molinier; Still.
- Earpoint charts: Horse (Hill; Hwang; McKibbin; Yu & Hwang) Cattle (Kothbauer) Dog (l'AVAF; Jeannot; Sadowsky; Still)
- Altman, S. 5647 Wilkinson Ave., N. Hollywood, CA 91505, USA.
- l'AVAF, Headquarters, 115 Rue d'Amiens, 60000 Beauvais, France; Secretary, 9 Rue des Ecoles, 92330 Sceaux, France.
- Cain,M.J. Unison Rd., Molehill 20465, VA 22141, USA (Tel: 1-703-5541-8183).
- Demontoy, A. c/o l'AVAF Headquarters, 115 Rue d'Amiens, 60000 Beauvais, France.
- Gilchrist, D. c/o Ulrike Wurth, 88 Barrabool Rd., Highton, VIC 3220, Australia.
- IVAS International Vet AP Society, Secretary, David Jagger, 5139 Sugarloaf Rd., Boulder, CO 80302-9217, USA.
- Janssens,L.A.A., 37 Oudestaat, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
- Jeannot,R. 62 Cours Desbiey, 33120 Arcachon, France.
- Klide,A. Dept. Anaesthesiology, Vet. School, 3800 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19174, USA.
- Kothbauer,O. Windberg 2, 4710 Grieskirchen, Ober-Osterreich, Austria.
- Lin,Jen-Hsou Dept. Animal Husbandry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- McKibbin,L. Wheatley Hall Farm, Box 28, Wheatley, Ontario, Canada
- Milin,J. 95 l'Isle Adam, France.
- Molinier,F. Ecole Veterinaire, 94 Maisons-Alfort, PARIS, France.
- Rubin,M. (Vet AP Manual) c/o Maloine Publishers, Paris, France.
- Sobin,J.M. (Sobin International), Sobin Park, Boston, Mass 02210, USA.
- Still,J. Dept. Surgery, Vet School, MEDUNSA, South Africa.
- Sutherland,E. POB 12009, Lexington, KY 40579-2009, USA.
- Turnbull,J. N3653 U.S. HWY. 16, RR 2, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA.
- Weinstein,W. Equine AP Monograph, c/o Eastwind Publishing Co., North Hollywood, CA, USA.
- Westermayer,E. The late Erwin's textbooks and charts on equine AP were published posthumously in 1993 by Karl F. Haug Verlag, Heidelberg: Lehrbuch der Veterinarakupunktur (Vol 1 (73 pp) and Vol 2 (302pp)).
- Wheeler,A.J. Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50010, USA.
- White,S. Veterinary School, Murdoch University, Murdoch, W. Australia 6153.
AP READING MATERIAL
BASIC TEXTS (those asterisked are suggested as essential texts)
- 1. Anon (1993). (*) Essentials of Chinese AP. (Coll. Trad. Chin. Med., Beijing, Shanghai, Nanking) Foreign Languages Press, Beijing. 432pp.
- 1a. Cheng Xinnong et al (1987) (*) Chinese AP and Moxibustion. Foreign Languages Press, Beijing. 432pp.
- 1b. Ellis,A., Wiseman,N. & Ross,K. (1989) (*) Grasping the Wind. Paradigm Publications, Brookline, Massachusetts, 462 pp.
- 2. Anon (1977). (*) Basic AP: a scientific interpretation and application. Chinese Acup. Res. Foundation, Box 84 - 223, Taipei, Taiwan.
- 3. Anon (1975, or later version) (*) Newest illustrations of the AP points (Charts and Booklet). Medicine and Health Publishers, Hong Kong.
- 4. Anon (1978) Treatment of 100 common Diseases by new AP. Medicine and Health Publishers, Hong Kong.
- 5. Anon (1977) Practical Ear needling therapy
- 6. Anon (1976) Anatomical Charts of the AP Points and 14 Meridians. Shanghai People's Publishing House, Shanghai. (Alternative to (3) above).
- 7. Anon (1974) (*) The Barefoot Doctor's Manual. Running Press, Philadelphia. 948pp. Excellent, but for advanced students only.
- 7a. Altman,S. (1981) AP for animals (c/o 5647 Wilkinson Ave., North Hollywood, CA 91607, USA, 281pp. Excellent.
- 7b. Janssens,L. (1984) (*) Atlas of the AP points and Meridians in the dog (c/o Oudestraat 37, Wilrijk 2610, Antwerp, Belgium).
- 7c. Demontoy,A. (Contact author at French address)
- 7d. Molinier,F. (Contact author at French address)
- 8. Brunner,F. (1980) AP fur Tierarzte: AP der Kleintiere. WBV Biologisch Med. Verlag, Ipweg 5, D4070 Schorndorf, Germany, 320pp.
- 8a. Gilchrist,D. (1981) Manual of AP for small animals. Also: Greyhound AP (1984) Published privately, c/o 219 Byrnes Street, Mareeba, Australia 4880.
- 9. Klide,A. & Kung,S. (1977) Vet AP. Univ Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, USA. 297pp.
- 10. Rubin,M. (1976) Manuel d'AP Veterinaire pratique moderne. Maloine Publishers, Paris, 85pp (in French).
- 11. Westermayer,E. (1978) Atlas of AP for cattle. English and German versions. WBV Biologisch Verlag, Ipweg 5, Schorndorf, Germany, 60pp. Excellent.
- 12. Westermayer,E. (1980) Treatment of Horses by AP. English version. Health Science Press, Holsworthy. Devon, UK, 90pp. Excellent. German version: WBV Biologisch Med. Verlag, Ipweg 5, D4070 Schorndorf, Germany.
- 12a. Kothbauer,0. (1983) AP in the ox, horse and pig (in German). (WBV Biologisch Verlag, Ipweg 5, Schorndorf D4070, Germany). Excellent.
- 12b. White,S.S. (1984) Electro-AP in Vet. Med. Chinese Materials Centre, San Francisco. 122 pages. Excellent.
- 12c. Yu Chuan & Hwang Yann-Ching (1990) Handbook on Chinese Veterinary AP and Moxibustion. FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, 193pp.
CLASSIC CONCEPTS
- 13. Austin, Mary (1974) AP Therapy. Turnstone books, London. 290pp.
- 14. Wu Wei Ping (1973) Chinese AP. Health Science Press, Holsworthy. Devon, UK. 181pp.
- 14a. Mann, Felix (1973) (*) AP cure of many Diseases. Heinemann Medical Books, London, UK.
- 15. van Nghi, Nguyen (1971) Pathogenie et Pathologie energetiques en medicine chinoise. Imprimerie Ecole Tech. Don Bosco, Marseille, France.
- 15a. Connolly Dianne (1979) (*) Traditional AP: The Law of the Five Elements. Centre for Traditional AP, American City Building, Columbia, Maryland 21944, USA. 197pp.
- 15b. Kaptchuk, Ted (1983) (*) The Web that has no Weaver. Congdon & Weed, New York, USA.
- 15c. Porkert,M. (1983) The Essentials of Chinese Diagnostics. Acta Medicinae Sinensis, Chinese Medical Publications Ltd., Zurich, Switzerland. 292pp.
- 15d. Wiseman,N. & Ellis,A. (1995) (*) Fundamentals of Chinese Medicine (English translations and amendments of texts by the Beijing, Nanjing and Shanghai Colleges of Chinese Medicine). Paradigm Publications, 44 Linden St., Brookline, Mass 02146, USA, 532 pp.
OTHER TEXTS
- 16. Mann,F. (1977) (*) Scientific aspects of AP. Heinemann Medical Books, London, UK.
- 17. Moss,L,. (1972) (*) AP and You. Paul Elek Books, London, UK. Excellent text on Trigger-Point Therapy.
- 18. Fox,W.W. (1975) Arthritis and allied Conditions: a new and successful Approach. Ranelagh Press, S. Hill Park, Hamsted, London, UK. Excellent text on Trigger-Point Therapy.
- 19. Yau,P.S. (1977) Scalp Needling Therapy. Medicine and Health Publishers, Hong Kong.
- 20. Kwong,L.C. (1978) Nose, Hand and Foot AP. Medicine and Health Publishers, Hong Kong.
- 21. Shui Wae (1975) A research into AP and its clinical Practice. Commercial Press Ltd., Hong Kong.
- 22. Chung,C. (1983) The AH SHIH Point. Illustrated guide to clinical AP (Chen Kwan Books, 5-2, 1F CHUNG CHING SOUTH ROAD, Sect. 3, Taipei, Taiwan), 212pp.
- 23. Lee,J.F. & Cheung,C.S. (1978) Current AP Therapy, Med. Interflow Publ. House, Hong Kong, 408pp.
- 24. O'Connor,J. and Bensky,D. (1983) AP - A Comprehensive Text, Shanghai College of Trad. Med. (Eastland Press, Chicago), 750pp.
- 25. Ulett,G. (1982) Principles and practice of physiological AP. (Warren Green Inc., 8356 Olive Blvd., Missouri 63132), 220pp.
- 26. Anon (1974) The Principles and practical use of AP Analgesia. Medicine and Health Publishing Co., Hong Kong, 325pp.
- 27. Niboyet,J.E.H. et al (1973) L'anaesthesia par l'AP. Maisonneuve.
- 28. Travell,J. and Simons,M. (1984) Myofascial pain and dysfunction: the Trigger Point Manual, Part 1. (Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore & London), 713pp.
- 29. Travell,J. & Simons,M. (1985) Myofascial pain and dysfunction: the Trigger Point Manual, Part 2. (Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore & London).
MASTER POINTS FOR COS THERAPY
Taken together, the 66 Command/Su Points, plus the Shu, Mu, Luo, Xi, Test, Ryodoraku, HE, Hour and SP21 Points are called the Master Points of AP.
1. In disorder of the associated Channel-Organ System (COS), there is usually tenderness on palpation of the Yuan, Mu, Shu and Test points. The Test points may feel cold in Yin states and hot in Yang states. The RYODORAKU points are electro-sensitive diagnostic points used in Japanese diagnosis. Their readings are hypo- in Yin and hyper- in Yang states.
2. All Master Points, except Shu, Mu and HE points, are on their own Channels and lie between the elbow and finger or between the knee and toe.
3. The Yuan-Luo combination uses the Yuan of the affected COS with the Luo of the Phase-Mate COS, i.e in lung disease, LU09 (Yuan of LU) plus LI06 (Luo of LI).
4. SP21 is the Great Luo point (Luo point of all the Yin COSs).
ROUGH GUIDE TO CHANNEL RELATIONSHIPS ON NECK, THORAX AND ABDOMEN
This is a guide to the major functions of AP points on the neck, thorax and abdomen. THERE IS CONSIDERABLE OVERLAP IN POINT FUNCTION ! It helps if you use good Channel charts when studying the anatomical relationships between these points and their relationships to vertebrae and spinal innervation.
This is a guide to the major functions of AP points on the neck, thorax and abdomen. THERE IS CONSIDERABLE OVERLAP IN POINT FUNCTION ! It helps if you use good Channel charts when studying the anatomical relationships between these points and their relationships to vertebrae and spinal innervation.
All material © New York Complementary & Alternative Veterinary Medical Association 2026.