wk10 & 11 - SP fxns & indications

Question 1

SP 1 – functions

Answer 1

1) regulates & manages blood (usually use moxa)
2) supports & warms the SP
3) clears the Heart & stabilizes the spirit
4) warms Yang & returns inversions (use moxa to warm Yang) (“returns inversions” refers to resuscitation function of Jing Well, among other things)

Question 2

SP 1 – indications

Answer 2

• abnormal bleeding such as uterine bleeding, bloody stool, menorrhagia, blood stasis, nose bleeds
• abdominal distention
• mental disorders, dream disturbed sleep, convulsions

Question 3

SP 2 – functions

Answer 3

1) fortifies the SP & harmonizes the ST

2) returns Yang & stems counterflow

Question 4

SP 2 – indications

Answer 4

• abdominal distention & ST pain

- febrile heat disease without sweating

Question 5

SP 3 – functions *

Answer 5

(Shu Stream & Yuan Source)

1) supports SP & harmonizes middle jiao
2) regulates Qi dynamic (together SP 3 & SP 4 organize the up & down movement between SP & ST)
3) helps movement & transformation (aka supports SP)

Question 6

SP 3 – indications

Answer 6

gastric pain, abdominal distention, constipation, dysentary, vomiting, diarrhea, borborygmous, sluggishness, beriberi

Question 7

SP 4 – functions *

Answer 7

(Luo & Confluent of Chong)

1) supports the SP & ST
2) rectifies Qi (together SP 3 & SP 4 organize the up & down movement between SP & ST)
3) regulates the Chong meridian

Question 8

SP 4 – indications

Answer 8

gastric pain, abdominal pain & distention, dysentery, vomiting, diarrhea, borborygmous

Question 9

SP 5 – functions

Answer 9

fortifies the SP & disinhibits dampness (used for edema in ankles)

Question 10

SP 5 – indications

Answer 10

rumbling intestines, abdominal distention, painful stiffness at root of tongue, constipation, diarrhea, ankle pain

Question 11

SP 6 – functions *

Answer 11

1) supplements SP and helps movement & transformation
2) frees qi stagnation
3) courses the lower jiao (helpful w cramping & stagnation in uterus)
4) regulates the LV & KD (bc LV & KD channels cross at SP 6)
5) dispels wind-damp from the channels & connecting vessels (SP 6 so powerful that it can work on the exterior)

Question 12

Why is SP 6 called San Yin Jiao, or “Three Yin Meeting Point”?

Answer 12

The 3 Foot Yins (SP, LV, KD channels) all cross at SP 6. In other words, SP 6 is a connecting point on LV & KD channels.

Question 13

Generally Yin channels treat interior patterns, and Yang channels treat exterior patters. How is SP 6 an exception?

Answer 13

• SP 6 is on a Yin channel but it is so powerful that it can work ont he exterior
• SP 6 dispels wind damp from channels & connecting vessels, which is a fxn normally seen on Yang channels

Question 14

SP 6 – indications

Answer 14

• muscular atrophy, motor impairment, paralysis, pain of the lower limbs
• abdominal pain & distention, diarrhea, borborygmous, dysmenorrhea
• irregular menstruation, uterine bleeding, morbid leukorrhea, prolapse of the uterus, sterility, delayed labor pain in external genitalia, hernia
• noctural emission, impotence, enuresis, dysuria
• edema, headache, dizziness, vertigo, insomnia

Question 15

SP 7 – functions

Answer 15

1) fortifies the SP & harmonizes the ST
2) disinhibits dampness & disperses swelling
3) frees the channels & quickens the network vessels
4) regulates qi & blood

Question 16

SP 7 – indications

Answer 16

abdominal distention, borborygmous, reversal cold or numbness of the leg & knee

Question 17

SP 8 – functions *

Answer 17

(Xi Cleft)

1) removes obstructions from the channel
2) regulates qi & blood
3) regulates the uterus
4) stops pain

• used mostly for acute menstrual pain bc moves stuff through; also can be used just before a period to bring it on

Question 18

SP 8 - indications

Answer 18

abdominal pain & distention, diarrhea, edema, dysuria, nocturnal emission, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea

Question 19

SP 9 – functions *

Answer 19

(He Sea)

1) warms & moves the middle jiao
2) regulates the SP
3) transforms damp (often use moxa)
4) regulates the waterways
5) dispels wind cold (again, an exterior fxn like SP 6 although on a Yin channel)

Question 20

SP 9 – indications

Answer 20

knee pain, incontinence of urin, enuresis, dysuria, edema, jaundice, edema, pain in external genitalia, dysmenorrhea, abdominal distention, diarrhea, dysentery

Question 21

SP 10 – functions *

Answer 21

“Sea of Blood”:

1) clears the head & disinhibits damp
2) promotes free flow through the waterways
3) cools the blood, removes stasis of blood, tonifies blood, regulates menses *

Question 22

SP 10 – indications

Answer 22

pain in medial aspect of thigh, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, uterine bleeding, amenorrhea, eczema, erysipelas

Question 23

Which point on the SP channel addresses almost any pathology of blood (heat, vacuity, stasis)?

Answer 23

SP 10

Question 24

Which point on the SP channel is used for skin problems caused by blood stasis, blood vacuity, or heat in the blood, and can be combined with LI 11 for skin issues / urticaria?

Answer 24

SP 10

Question 25

Which point on the SP channel would you moxa to transform dampness in the Spleen?

Answer 25

SP 9 – major point to moxa to warm the spleen (spleen doesn’t like cold) and help with transformation process

Question 26

Which point on the SP channel would you use for acute menstrual pain, or to bring on a period just before its onset? Why?

Answer 26

SP 8 – moves Qi & Blood, therefore can be used for acute menstrual pain or to bring on a period

Question 27

Which point on the SP channel can nourish Blood & nourish Yin? Why?

Answer 27

SP 6:

• it is the “Three Yin Meeting Point” where SP, LV, and KD channels cross
• can nourish Blood due to connection with LV
• can nourish Yin due to connection with KD

Question 28

Which point on the SP channel is contraindicated during pregnancy? Why?

Answer 28

SP 6 – because this point moves Blood (therefore it can be used to promote labor)

Question 29

Which point on the SP channel would you moxa to for abnormal bleeding, especially uterine bleeding? Why?

Answer 29

SP 1 – because it regulates & manages blood, and is the Jing Well