Theory of Channels and Points - Handout 2 Flashcards
What are the basic concepts of Points (Shu Xue)?
- Shu means transportation
- Xue means or hole
- The Qi of the Zang Fu organs and channels is transported to the body surface through the points
- A point is a place where the activity of the channel may be more easily affected; diseases may be treated through the points
- Local points treat local disorders… distal points treat disorders distal to the point and are based on the channel pathway
- The Entry Point is the first point where Qi of the preceding meridian enters the next meridian.
- The Exit Point is where the Qi exits the meridian
Name the Different Categories of Points
60 Shu Transporting Points 12 Yuan Source Points 15 Luo -Connecting Points 16 Xi Cleft Points 6 Lower He Sea Points 8 Confluent Points 8 Influential Points 4 Command Points 12 Front Mu Points 12 Back Shu Points
Characteristics of 60 Shu Transporting Points Jing Well Ying Spring Shu Stream Jing River He Sea
- 5 points per channel
- located below the elbow and knees on the pathways of 12 Regular Channels
- The flow of the elemental (5 phase) relationship moves from the fingers to the elbows and from the toes to the knees
What is the Jing Well effective for?
Mania, Hysteria, fullness under heart (anxiety), resusitation, revive [FAST ACTING]
What is the Ying Spring effective for?
Clear heat, fever, febrile disease
clears heat, but doesn’t address underlying cause
What is the Shu Stream effective for?
joint pain, arthritis, bi-syndrome, heaviness in limbs and joints
What is the Jing River effective for?
Asthma, dryness, respiratory illness, sudden change in voice
What is the He Sea effective for?
counterflow in ST and intestines and Fu organs, sometimes Yin counterflow too
What are the characteristics of the 12 Yuan Source Points?
- Points on each of the 12 Channels where source Qi resides
- On the 6 Yin Channels, the source points are the same as the Shu Stream points
- On the 6 Yang Channels, the source point is the point just proximal to the Shu Stream point
What are the 4 Pillars of Diagnosis?
observation
palpation
inquiry
listening/smelling
3 Yin Arm
11LU, 9PC, 9HT Chest to Fingers
3 Yang Arm
20LI, 23SJ, 19SI Finger to Face
3 Yang Leg
45ST, 44GB, 67UB Face to Foot
3 Yin Leg
21SP, 14LV, 27KD Foot to Chest
Which Transporting Point do you use for a fast reaction?
Ying Spring
List the Transporting Points from Superficial to Deep
Jing Well Ying Spring Shu Stream Jing River He Sea
Where is the Jing Well located on extremity?
Furthest on extremity
Where is the Ying Spring located?
2nd on extremity
Where is the Shu Stream located?
3rd on extremity, except GB
Where is Jing River located?
Not 4th, but somewhere between Shu Stream and He Sea
Where is the He Sea located?
Always around the elbow or knee
Where is the Yuan Source point on the Yin Channels?
Always 3rd from extremity = Shu Stream
What is the Yuan Source point on the Yang Channels?
Always 4th from extremity, except GB
How many Luo Connecting points and what are their characteristics?
There are 15 or 16 depending
One for each channel + Ren + Du + Great Luo of SP (SP20) + Great Luo of ST (ST 40)
The place where the connecting vessel separates from the main channel.
When a zang-fu organ pair are both affected by disease, it is common to needle the luo connecting point of the channel more seriously affected or the more clinically affected organ. Luo-connecting points drain repletion or supplement vacuity.
How many Xi Cleft Points are there? And what do they do?
There are 16 Xi Cleft Points
Used to treat acute pain or abnormal bleeding
Often used in acupuncture anesthesia.
What are the characteristics of the Xi Cleft points?
- Qi and Blood accumulate here
- Sharp pain or pressure, redness or swelling indicates repletion
- Dull or mild pain or depression indicates vacuity
There are one on each channel and one on 4 of the 8 extraordinary vessels = 16
4/8 Extraordinary Vessels - be aware Yin Qiao Yang Qiao Yin Wei Yang Wei
Transporting points are also 5 Element Points. Match the Element with the Transporting point with Yin Channels.
Yin Jing Well = Wood Ying Spring = Fire Shu Stream = Earth Jing River = Metal He Sea = Water
Transporting points are also 5 Element Points. Match the Element with the Transporting point with Yang Channels.
Yang Jing Well = Metal Ying Spring = Water Shu Stream = Wood Jing River = Fire He Sea = Earth
How many Command Points are there? And what do they do?
There are 4 Command Points.
Command Points direct treatment to an area of the body.
- Face and Mouth = LI4 helps direct Tx to that area
- Head and Neck = LU7
- Abdomen = ST36
- Back = UB40
How many Influential Points are there? And what do they do?
There are 8 Influential Points
Influential Points Treat problems in body tissues
- Blood
- Bone
- Marrow
- Sinews
- Qi
- Zang
- Fu
- Vessels
How many Confluent Points are there and what do they do?
There are 8 Confluent Points.
The Confluent Points signal to they body that we want to access the 8 Extraordinary Vessels… It activates them…
How many Front Mu Points are there and what do they do?
There are 12 Front Mu Points. One for each internal organ.
Mu means Alarm… They are used to treat acute excess conditions and are located over or near their internal organ.
How many Back Shu points are there and what do they do?
There are 12 Back Shu Points.
Shu means transporting/movement. All are located on the UB Channel and also treat their organ, but are used more for chronic deficiency.
What do Zang/Fu usual signal treat?
Fu - means Hollow and treats more Acute/Excess problems
Zang - Stores and treats more chronic deficiency.
How many Lower He Sea Points are there and what do they do?
There are 3/6 Lower He Sea Points, depending on how you look at.
Primarily used to treat diseases of the 6 Fu (bowels)/Yang organs… All located in the legs.
3 points for the 3 Yang Foot
3 points for the 3 Yang Arm
