Points-First Circuit Flashcards
LU-5 (Water point)
He-Sea
Ying-spring and Fire point of the Lung channel
Location
On the thenar eminence of the hand, in a depression between the midpoint of the shaft of the first metacarpal bone and the thenar muscles.
Location note
Locate and needle close to the border of the metacarpal bone.
Needling
Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1 cun.
Actions
Benefits the throat
Clears Lung heat
Descends rebellious qi
Harmonises the Stomach and Heart
LU-7
Luo Connecting
Confluent point of Conception Vessel
Gao Wu Command Point
Ma Dan-Yang Point
Xi-cleft point point of the Lung channel
Location
On the flexor aspect of the forearm, 7 cun proximal to Tàiyuān LU-9, on the line connecting Tàiyuān LU-9 with Chǐzé LU-5.
Location note
Divide the distance between Tàiyuān LU-9 and Chǐzé LU-5 into half. This is in a palpable depression 1 cun proximal to this midpoint.
Needling
Perpendicular or oblique insertion 0.5 to 1.5 cun.
Actions
Disseminates and descends Lung qi
Clears heat and moistens the Lung
Clears heat and stops bleeding
Moderates acute conditions
Location
On the antero-lateral aspect of the chest, below the lateral extremity of the clavicle, 6 cun lateral to the midline, in the centre of the hollow of the delto-pectoral triangle.
Needling
Transverse-oblique insertion 0.5 to 1 cun.
Caution: deep perpendicular or oblique insertion carries a substantial risk of causing a pneumothorax.
Actions
Clears Lung heat and disseminates and descends Lung qi
Dispels agitation and fullness
LU-2
Useful for lacating LU-1
LU-10 (fire)
Ying-Spring
Point of the Window of Heaven
Location
On the antero-lateral aspect of the upper arm, 3 cun inferior to the axillary fold in the depression between the lateral border of the biceps brachii muscle and the shaft of the humerus.
Location note
Divide the distance between the axillary fold and the cubital crease of the elbow into equal thirds. This is at the junction of the upper and middle third.
Needling
Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1 cun.
Note: according to several classical texts, this point is contraindicated to moxibustion. The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion says that if moxa is used it will cause counterflow and disordered qi.
Actions
Clears Lung heat and descends Lung qi
Cools blood and stops bleeding
Calms the corporeal soul (po)
Luo-connecting point of the Lung channel
Confluent point of the Conception vessel
Gao Wu Command point
Ma Dan-yang Heavenly Star point
Location
On the radial aspect of the forearm, approximately 1.5 cun proximal to Yángxī L.I.-5, in the cleft between the tendons of brachioradialis and abductor pollicis longus.
Location note
If the forefinger is placed at Yángxī L.I.-5, in the anatomical snuffbox, and moved directly proximally over the full extent of the styloid process of the radius, the finger falls into the cleft between the two tendons.
Needling
With the fingers of one hand pinch up the skin over the point, and with the other hand needle transversely in a proximal or distal direction, 0.5 to 1 cun, avoiding the cephalic vein.
Actions
Releases the exterior and expels wind
Promotes the descending function of the Lung
Pacifies wind and phlegm
Benefits the head and nape
Opens and regulates the Conception vessel
Regulates the water passages
Activates the channel and alleviates pain
LU-7
Luo Connecting
Confluent point of conception vessel
Gao Wu Command Point
Ma Dan-Yang
He-sea and Water point of the Lung channel
Location
On the cubital crease of the elbow, in the depression at the radial side of the tendon of biceps brachii.
Location note
i. Locate slightly lateral to the tendon rather than immediately next to it; ii. Locate and needle with the elbow slightly flexed, avoiding the cubital vein.
Needling
Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1 cun.
Actions
Clears heat from the Lung and descends rebellious qi
Regulates the water passages
Activates the channel
Relaxes the sinews and alleviates pain
LU-1
Front Mu
Meeting point ofr LU & SP
Front-mu point of the Lung
Meeting point of the Lung and Spleen channels
Location
On the lateral aspect of the chest, in the first intercostal space, 6 cun lateral to the midline,
Needling
Transverse-oblique insertion 0.5 to 1 cun medially along the intercostal space.
Caution: deep perpendicular or oblique insertion carries a substantial risk of causing a pneumothorax.
Actions
Disseminates and descends Lung qi and alleviates cough and wheezing
Transforms phlegm, clears heat and regulates the water passages
Descends Stomach qi
Shu-stream, Yuan-source and Earth point of the Lung channel
Hui-Meeting point of the Vessels
Location
At the wrist joint, in the depression between the radial artery and the tendon of abductor pollicis longus, level with Shénmén HE-7 (the proximal border of the pisiform bone).
Location note
The location of this point is normally given in relation to the crease of the wrist. Since wrist creases are a superficial and variable anatomical feature, it is better to locate this point in relation to the nearby pisiform bone: first locate Shénmén HE-7 at the lower (proximal) border of the pisiform bone, then find this at the same level.
Needling
Perpendicular insertion 0.3 to 0.5 cun, avoiding the radial artery.
Actions
Tonifies the Lung and transforms phlegm
Promotes the descending function of the Lung
Regulates and harmonises the one hundred vessels
Activates the channel and alleviates pain
LU-8 (metal point)
Jing River
LU-6
Xi-Cleft
Jing-well and Wood point of the Lung channel
Sun Si-miao Ghost point
Location
On the extensor aspect of the thumb, at the junction of lines drawn along the radial border of the nail and the base of the nail, approximately 0.1 cun from the corner of the nail.
Needling
Perpendicular or oblique insertion directed proximally 0.1 to 0.2 cun, or prick to bleed.
Actions
Revives consciousness
Clears heat and benefits the throat
LU-11 (wood)
Jing-well
SunSi Miao Ghost Point
LU-9 (earth)
Shu-Stream
Yuan Source
Hui Meeting point of vessel
Jing-river and Metal point of the Lung channel
Location
Above the wrist, 1 cun proximal to Tàiyuān LU-9, on the line connecting Tàiyuān LU-9 with Kǒngzuì LU-6, in the depression at the base of the styloid process of the radius and on the radial side of the radial artery.
Location note
If the forefinger is placed on Tàiyuān LU-9 and moved proximally over the palpable styloid process of the radius, it will naturally fall into the depression where this is located.
Needling
Oblique proximal or perpendicular insertion 0.3 to 0.5 cun, avoiding the radial artery.
Actions
Descends Lung qi and alleviates cough and wheezing
LU-3
Window of Heaven (not on neck)
