Point Indication

Extraordinary Vessels (TCM)

Point Selection
Review 1
Extraordinary Vessels
• The Conception vessel (Ren Mai)
• Primarily treats reproductive and
gynecological problems, abdominal and chest
symptoms as well as general yin conditions.

• The Governing Vessel (Du Mai)

• Primarily treats pain in the spine, back and neck,

and neurological problems as well as general
yang conditions.
• The Girdling Vessel (Dai Mai) encircles the
body at the waist. It regulates the ascending
and descending of qi and treats pain in the
lower abdomen and back and leukorrhea.

• The Penetrating Vessel (Chong Mai)

regulates blood in the uterus and is used to
treat gynecological and digestive problems
as well as rebellious qi.
Girdle Vessel Penetrating Vessel
Dai Mai Chong Mai
• The Yin and Yang Motility Vessels (Qiao
Mai) regulate the opening and closing of the
eyes and muscle balance in the lower body.

• They treat musculoskeletal and neurological

problems as well as sleep disturbances.

• For example, the Yin Qiao treats medial leg

spasm, somnolence and night seizures, and
the Yang Qiao treats lateral leg spasm,
insomnia and day seizures.
Yang Motility Vessel Yin Motility Vessel
Yang Qiao Mai Yin Qiao Mai
• The Yin and Yang Linking Vessels (Wei Mai)
connect all the Yin and Yang channels
respectively.

• The Yang Wei Mai treats problems similar to

the Gallbladder Meridian and the Yin Wei
Mai treats problems similar to the
Pericardium Meridian.
Yang Linking Vessel Yin Linking Vessel
Yang Wei Mai Yin Wei Mai
• Each vessel has a confluent point, which we
have noted earlier. In some cases the
confluent point is a point of intersection of
the vessel with a regular channel, in some
cases it is not.

• The confluent points are often paired, and

the pairs have specific areas of influence
• Conception vessel (LU-7) is paired with the
Yin Motility Vessel (KID-6)

• Treats: Chest, diaphragm and throat

• Penetrating Vessel (SP-4) is paired with the
Yin Linking Vessel (P-6)

• Treats: Stomach, heart and chest

• Governing Vessel (SI-3) is paired with the
Yang Motility Vessel (BL-62)

• Treats: Inner canthus, neck, ear, shoulder,

upper back

• Girdling Vessel (GB-41) is paired with the

Yang Linking Vessel (SJ-5)

• Treats: Outer canthus, cheek, neck, back of

ears and shoulder
Sample Point Selection
for TCM Patterns
• This is a very simple methodology for
constructing point combinations. It uses
primarily very commonly-used points; other
points with similar or more specialized
functions may be substituted as you like.

• Some points are marked with an asterisk (*);

this means the point should be treated by
moxibustion.
Substance Patterns
 Qi

• (Deficiency) ST36, SP6, REN6

• (Stagnation) LR3, LR14, LI4
• (Sinking Qi) DU20, ST36, REN6
 Blood

• (Deficiency) BL17*, SP6, BL20

• (Stasis) LR3, SP10, LI4
• (Heat) SP10, BL40
• Fluids: see Kidney Yin Deficiency

• Jing: see Kidney Jing Deficiency

• Shen: see Heart patterns

Pathogen Patterns
 Wind

• (Exterior) LI4, LU7, GB20, BL12

• (Interior) GB16, GB20, DU20, GB31
 Cold

• (Exterior) LI4, LU7, BL12

• (Interior) REN4*, REN12*, ST36*
 Heat

• (Exterior) LI4, LI11, DU14

• (Interior) LI11, DU14 (XS); K3, K6 (Def)
 Damp

• SP9, BL20, REN9; add LI11 if Damp Heat

 Summerheat

• LI11, DU14; add SP9 if Damp

 Phlegm

• SP9, ST40; add LI11 if Heat

• (Lung) LU5
• (Heart) P5
Zang Fu Patterns
 Lung

• (Exterior pattern) LI4, LU7; LI11, TB5 if

Heat
• (Phlegm) LU5, ST40; add LU10 if Heat
• (Qi def) LU9, SP3, BL13
• (Yin def) LU5, LU9, K3
 Heart / SI
• (Qi def) H7, BL15, ST36
• (Blood def) H7, BL15, SP6, BL17*
• (Yang def) K3, H5, SI4
• (Yin def) K3 (or K6), H6, BL15
• (Fire) H8, K6, REN14 ; (->SI add ST39, REN4)
• (Blood Stasis) SP4, P6, P4, REN17
• (Phlegm) P5, ST40
 Spleen / Stomach

• (Qi def) SP3, SP6, ST36, BL20

• (Yang def) as above, add K7, BL23*
• (Rebellious Qi) P6, ST36, REN12
• (ST Heat) ST44, ST34, REN12
 Liver / GB

• (Qi stag) LR3, LR14, GB34

• (Blood def) LR3, BL17*, SP6
• (Fire) LR2, GB43, SJ6
• (Yang rising) LR3, K3, DU20
• (GB Damp Heat) GB24, GB34, GB43
 Kidney / BL

• (Yang def) K3, BL23, DU4*

• (Yin def) K3, K6, BL23
• (Qi def) K3, BL23, ST36
• (Jing def) K3, DU4, REN4
• (BL Damp Heat) REN3, SP9, BL28
 Large Intestine

• (Damp Heat) ST25, ST37, LI11, SP9

• (Cold) ST25*, BL25*, REN12*, ST37
• (Dry) TB6, SP6, ST25, KI6
Review for Final
THE FIVE SHU
POINTS
 Jing-well Points
• Where the Qi of the Channel emerges
• Restores consciousness
• Clears Heat & Stagnation, especially from
the opposite end of the channel
• Calms the Spirit (Shen)
• Treats fullness below the Heart
 Examples

• Bleed all twelve jing-well points in for

excess-type (Heat) collapse
• LU-11 for acute sore throat and mumps.
• HE-9 for Heart or chest pain
• Several Jing-Well point indicated for mania
 Ying-spring Points
• Where the Qi of the Channel “glides”
• Clears heat from the channel/organ (fire &
water point)
• Effect on the opposite end of the channel
(less than Jing-well)
• Can substitute for Jing-well
• Can combine w/Shu-stream to treat Zang
 Examples
• LU-10 clears heat from the throat and/or
Lung
• KID-2 clears deficiency heat from the
Kidneys
• LIV-2 clears Liver fire
• GB-43 clears heat from the GB channel.
• ST-44 clears fire from the Stomach channel
 Shu-stream Points
• Where Qi of the Channel begins to pour
• Yin Channels: same as Yuan-source pts
• Heaviness &/or pain of the joints
• Combine w/ Ying-spring to treat the Yin
organs
• Yang Shu-stream: channel stagnation
• Diseases which “come and go” - chronic
 Examples

• LU-9, SP-3, HE-7, KID-3, LIV-3 all tonify

their associated zang (Shu-stream + Yuan-
source)
• GB-41 disperses qi stagnation throughout the
shaoyang channel
• SI-3 for all disorders of the neck
 Jing-river Points

• Qi of the Channel begins to flow heavily

• Cough, Fever & Chills
• Change in voice
• Disorders of the muscles, tendons, bones,
joints
 Examples

• LU-8: cough, asthma, wheezing

• HE-4: sudden loss of voice
• BL-60: stiff neck, lumbar pain
• LIV-4: contracted sinews, lumbar pain
 He-sea Points
• Where the Qi of the Channel “unites with the
sea” -- communicates with organs
• Rebellious Qi, diarrhea, abnormal leakage of
fluids
• Skin diseases
• Treats the Fu organs
 Examples

• ST-36: every kind of Stomach or Spleen

disease
• SP-9: lack of appetite, diarrhea
• L.I.-11: skin diseases, itching of the skin
• LIV-8: itching of the genitals
 Mother-Child Points

• AKA, “Tonification (Supplementation)” and

• “Dispersion (Sedation) (Draining)” Points
• Based on Five-Phase (Five-Element) theory,
specifically Classic of Difficulties 69.
• Most often applied to Yin channels
 Classic of Difficulties
69

• “In deficiency, tonify the Mother

• In excess, drain the Child
• Tonify first and then drain”
• Mother Point = Point representing phase/
element preceding affected channel on
Sheng (Generating cycle)

• Example: Lung Deficiency: Tonify LU9

(Earth point on Metal Channel)

• Child Point = Point representing phase/

element following affected channel on Sheng
(Generating cycle)

• Example: Lung Excess: Drain LU5 (Water

point on Metal Channel)
 YUAN-SOURCE
POINTS
• Each of the twelve primary channels has a
yuan-source point where it is said the
original qi surfaces and lingers.

• On yin channels, the yuan-source points are

the same as the shu-stream points.

• “When the five zang are diseased, select the

yuan-source points”, they are the primary
point on the yin channels for this purpose.
• On the yang channels their importance and
indications they are quite different from the
yuan-source points of the yin channels.

• Their principal actions are to dispel various

kinds of excess pathogenic factors and to
treat disorders along the pathway of their
respective channels.
 LUO CONNECTING
POINTS
• The actions of the luo-connecting points:
• i. treating disorders of their interiorly-
exteriorly related channel or zang-fu,

• ii. treating disorders in regions reached by

the luo-connecting channel

• iii. treating psycho-emotional disorders.

THE METHOD OF COMBINING THE
YUAN-SOURCE AND LUO-
CONNECTING POINTS

• Known as the ‘host and guest combination’

• The yuan-source point of the first or
primarily affected channel is combined with
the luo-connecting point of its interiorly-
exteriorly coupled channel.
 Group Luo Points
• Used in cases where all 3 yin or yang
channels of the arm or leg are affected.
• SJ 8 - 3 arm Yang (LI, SJ, SI)
• PC 5 - 3 arm Yin (LU, PC, HE)
• GB 39 - 3 leg Yang (ST, GB, BL)
• SP 6 - 3 leg Yin (SP, LIV, KD)
 XI-CLEFT POINTS

• Xi-cleft points in general are indicated in the

treatment of acute conditions and pain.

• Xi-cleft points of the yin channels have an

additional action of treating disorders of
blood.
 BACK-SHU POINTS
• “the shu points are situated in the yang
region, they may be used to treat yin
diseases”- most practitioners use the back-
shu points of the zang more frequently, while
the front-mu points may be favored for
diseases of the fu.

• Back-shu points do not treat channel

disorders; may be indicated in some
disorders of the sense organs.
 FRONT-MU POINTS
• Front-mu points have a wide application,
including excess, deficiency, hot and cold
patterns; they can be used diagnostically (as can
the back-shu points).

• The front-mu points their respective zangfu but

not their respective channel.

• The corresponding back-shu and front-mu

points are also frequently combined in
treatment.
 HUI-MEETING
POINTS
• LIV-13: hui-meeting point of the zang
• REN-12: hui-meeting point of the fu
• REN-17: hui-meeting point of the qi.
• BL-17: hui-meeting point of blood.
• GB-34: hui-meeting point of the sinews.
• LU-9: hui-meeting point of the pulse and
vessels.

• BL-11: hui-meeting point of bone.

• GB-39: hui-meeting point of marrow.
 LOWER HE SEA
POINTS
• Used to treat their respective fu organs.
• Large Intestine ST 37
• Stomach ST 36
• Sanjiao BL 39
• Gall Bladder GB 34
• Small Intestine ST 39
• Urinary Bladder BL 40
 FOUR AND SIX
COMMAND POINTS
• ST-36 - abdomen.
• BL-40 - lumbar region and back.
• LU-7 - head and nape.
• L.I.-4 - face and mouth.
• P-6 - chest and lateral costal region
• DU-26 - resuscitation.
 FOUR GATES

• Points: L.I.-4, LIV-3

• Common combination usually indicated for
stagnation of Qi and/or Blood, with
associated symptoms of pain and emotional
stress.
Hand Taiyin Lung
Channel
 ZHONGFU LU-1***
• Front-Mu point of the Lung
• ACTIONS: Disseminates and descends Lung
qi, stops cough, transforms phlegm, clears
heat, regulates the water passages, descends
Stomach qi

• INDICATIONS: Cough, turbid phlegm,

wheezing, fullness/ pain of the chest, heat in
the chest, difficult ingestion
 CHIZE LU-5****
• He-Sea and Water point
• Dispersion (child) point
• ACTIONS
• Clears heat from the Lung, descends
rebellious qi
• Regulates the water passages
• Activates the channel, alleviates pain
• INDICATIONS
• Cough &/or wheezing d/t heat or phlegm-
damp, fullness of the chest, coughing blood,
nosebleed, frequent urination, Bi pain of the
elbow, arm, back or knee

• Also used to strengthen Lung & Kidney

relationship, e.g. Kidney not grasping qi
 KONGZUI LU-6***
• Xi-Cleft point
• ACTIONS: Disseminates and descends Lung
qi, clears heat and moistens the Lung, stops
bleeding, moderates acute conditions
• INDICATIONS: Cough (acute &/or with
blood), wheezing, chest pain, throat swelling
and pain, severe pain of elbow and upper
arm, headache, hemorrhoids.
 LIEQUE LU-7*****

• Luo-Connecting point
• Confluent point of the Conception vessel
• Command point
• ACTIONS
• Releases the exterior and expels wind
• Promotes the Lung descending function
• 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
• INDICATIONS
• Exterior Wind invasion: Chills and fever,
nasal congestion, throat pain, cough,
sweating, facial paralysis.

• Headache and stiffness of the neck and nape

• Luo vessel problems: Weakness or pain of
the wrist and hand, pain of the thumb,
shoulder pain.
• Conception vessel* or Water passage
problems: Post-partum, retention of lochia,
bloody/hot/painful urination, edema.

• * Conception vessel - frequently combined

with KID-6
 TAIYUAN LU-9****

• Shu-Stream, Yuan-Source and Earth point

• Hui-Meeting point of the Vessels
• ACTIONS: Tonifies the Lung, transforms
phlegm, descends Lung Qi, regulates the
vessels, activates the channel, alleviates pain
• INDICATIONS
• Qi Deficiency: Cough (esp weak or with
watery phlegm), wheezing, shortness of
breath, much yawning

• Yin deficiency: Heat in the palms, dry throat,

coughing blood

• Irregular or faint pulse

• Pain of the wrist, arm, shoulder, chest and
back
 YUJI LU-10***

• Ying-Spring and Fire point

• ACTIONS: Clears Lung heat, benefits the
throat, descends rebellious qi
• INDICATIONS: Cough (heat or w/blood),
sore throat, loss of voice, fever, heat in the
palm, vomiting, agitation.
Hand Yangming Large
Intestine Channel
 HEGU L.I.-4*****
• Yuan-Source point, Command point of the
face, Four Gates point
• ACTIONS: Regulates the defensive qi and
adjusts sweating, expels wind and releases
the exterior, regulates the face, eyes, nose,
mouth and ears, activates the channel and
alleviates pain, induces labor, restores the
yang
• INDICATIONS: Exterior wind-cold (or
wind-heat) pattern, copious sweating, absence
of sweating.

• Face / senses: Eye pain, nosebleed, nasal

congestion, toothache in the lower jaw, mouth
ulcers, swelling of the face, facial paralysis,
deafness, tinnitus, sore throat, headache.

• Amenorrhea, delayed labor, hypertension, Bi

and Wei, hemiplegia.
 QUCHl L.I.-11*****
• He-Sea and Earth point
• Sun Si-miao Ghost point
• ACTIONS: Clears heat, cools the blood,
eliminates wind, drains damp and alleviates
itching, regulates qi and blood, activates the
channel and alleviates pain
• Any Excess Heat pattern
• Fever, thirst, sore throat, toothache, redness
and pain of the eyes, agitation, mania,
hypertension, dizziness.

• Various skin disorders (esp d/t Heat), itching

of the skin.

• Intestinal complaints.
• Bi & Wei patterns.
 JIANYU L.I.-15****
• Meeting point of the L.I. channel with the
Yang Motility vessel
• ACTIONS: Dispels wind-damp, alleviates
pain, benefits the shoulder joint, eliminates
wind, regulates qi and blood, dissipates
phlegm nodules
• INDICATIONS: Pain in shoulder & arms,
motor impairment of upper limbs, Wind-Heat
skin rashes, goiter, hypertension.
 YANGXI L.I.-5***
• Jing-River and Fire point
• ACTIONS: Clears heat and alleviates pain,
clears yangming fire, calms the spirit,
benefits the wrist joint
• INDICATIONS: Headache, rhinitis,
nosebleed, redness pain and swelling of the
eye, toothache, sore throat, fright, mania-
depression, pain of the wrist.
 PIANLI L.I.-6***
• Luo-Connecting point
• ACTIONS: Expels wind and clears heat,
opens and regulates the water passages
• INDICATIONS: Redness of the eye, edema
(esp facial edema), difficult urination,
tinnitus, deafness, nosebleed, pain of hand
and arm, sore throat, manic depression.
 SHOUSANLI L.I.-
10***
• “Arm ST-36”
• ACTIONS: Regulates qi and blood, activates
the channel and alleviates pain, harmonizes
the intestines and Stomach
• INDICATIONS: Pain / immobility of the
arm and shoulder, windstroke, hemiplegia,
deviation of the mouth, abdominal pain,
diarrhea, toothache, swelling of the cheek.
 YlNGXIANG L.I.-
20***
• ACTIONS: Opens the nasal passages, expels
wind and clears heat
• INDICATIONS: Nasal congestion and
discharge, nasal obstruction, nosebleed,
deviation of the mouth, swelling and itching
of the face, round worms in the bile duct.
• Main local point for nose problems
Foot Yangming Stomach
Channel
ZUSANLI ST-36*****
• He-Sea and Earth point, Command point of
the abdomen, Sea of Water and Grain Point

• ACTIONS: Harmonizes the Stomach,

fortifies the Spleen and resolves dampness,
supports the correct qi and fosters original
qi, tonifies qi and nourishes blood and yin,
clears fire and calms the spirit, activates the
channel and alleviates pain, revives the yang
and restores consciousness
• Stomach patterns
• Spleen patterns
• Qi & Blood Deficiency
• ST channel: Breast, leg, hemiplegia, bi pain.
• Mania, depression, fright
• Hypertension
 FENGLONG ST-
40*****
• Luo-Connecting point
• ACTIONS: Transforms phlegm and dampness
(Lung, Heart, etc), stops cough, calms the spirit,
activates the channel and alleviates pain
• INDICATIONS: Phlegm patterns: any Phlegm
pattern. Most important point for Phlegm
• ST channel problems: numbness, atrophy or pain
of the lower limbs
 SHANGJUXU ST-
37****
• Lower He-Sea point, Sea of Blood Point
• ACTIONS: Regulates the intestines and
transforms stagnation, clears damp heat,
alleviates diarrhea and dysentery, regulates
the Spleen and Stomach, activates the
channel and alleviates pain

• INDICATIONS: Intestinal disorders, Qi

deficiency, Leg problems
 NEITlNG ST-44****
• Ying-Spring and Water point
• ACTIONS: Clears heat from the Stomach
channel, alleviates pain, harmonizes the
intestines, clears damp-heat, calms the spirit

• INDICATIONS: ST Fire: (channel)

Toothache, pain or paralysis of face, sore
throat, nosebleed, foot swelling and pain,
hot-type skin problems.

• (Fu) Epigastric pain, acid reflux, etc

 TIANSHU ST-25****
• Front-Mu point of the Large Intestine
• ACTIONS: Regulates intestines, Spleen and
Stomach, resolves dampness/damp-heat,
regulates qi & blood and eliminates stagnation

• INDICATIONS: LI/SP/ST disorders

• Qi & Blood stagnation, esp lower jiao
• Damp.
LIANGMEN ST-21***
• ACTIONS: Regulates qi and alleviates pain,
harmonizes the middle jiao and transforms
stagnation, raises the qi and stops diarrhea
• INDICATIONS: Epigastric pain, vomiting,
poor appetite, ab distention, diarrhea.
• Mainly for acute excess stomach problems
(such as LR -> ST).
• JA: Stomach (L) / duodenal (R) ulcer reflex
 SHUIDAO ST-28***

• ACTIONS: Regulates the lower jiao and dispels

stagnation, benefits the Bladder and the uterus
• INDICATIONS: Damp stagnation & Blood
stasis: Lower abdominal distension, retention of
urine, edema, hernia, prostatitis, dysmenorrhea,
uterine masses.
 GUILAI ST-29***
• ACTIONS: Warms the lower jiao, regulates
menstruation and benefits the genital region
• INDICATIONS: Retention of Cold in the uterus:
Ab pain, ab masses hernia, dysmenorrhea,
irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, leukorrhea,
prolapse of the uterus, infertility.
• Also for GYN disorders d/t Kidney yang def
LIANGQIU ST-34***
• Xi-Cleft point of the Stomach channel
• ACTIONS: Activates the channel,
harmonizes the Stomach, alleviates pain,
moderates acute conditions
• INDICATIONS: Epigastric pain, acid reflux,
mastitis, swelling and pain of the knee,
motor impairment of the lower limbs.
 TIAOKOU ST-38***

• ACTIONS: Expels wind-damp and alleviates

pain, benefits the shoulder
• INDICATIONS: Frozen shoulder, pain or
weakness of the lower limb.
• Empirical for frozen shoulder
 XIAJUXU ST-39***
• Lower He-Sea point of the Small Intestine
• Point of the Sea of Blood
• ACTIONS: Moves Small Intestine qi,
regulates the intestines, clears damp-heat,
activates the channel and alleviates pain
• INDICATIONS: Low ab pain, backache
referring to the testes, mastitis, diarrhea,
dysentery, numbness and paralysis of the
lower limbs.
 XIANGU ST-43***
• Shu-Stream and Wood point
• ACTIONS: Regulates the Spleen, dispels
edema, regulates and harmonizes the
Stomach and intestines
• INDICATIONS: Edema (body & face), ab
pain, borborygmus, swelling and pain of the
dorsum of the foot.
Foot Taiyin Spleen
Channel
 SANYINJIAO SP-
6*****
• Meeting point of the Spleen, Liver and Kidney
channels

• ACTIONS: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach,

Resolves dampness, harmonizes the Liver and
tonifies the Kidneys, Regulates menstruation
and induces labour, harmonizes the lower jiao,
Regulates urination and benefits the genitals,
Calms the spirit, Invigorates blood, Activates
the channel and alleviates pain
• INDICATIONS:
• Spleen and Stomach deficiency
• OB / GYN
• Andrology
• Urinary
• Palpitations, insomnia, dizziness, blurred
vision, tinnitus, hypertension.

• Damp: Skin diseases, joint pain, swelling, etc

 YINLlNGQUAN SP-
9*****
• He-Sea and Water point
• ACTIONS: Regulates the Spleen and
resolves dampness, opens and moves the
water passages, benefits the lower jiao
• INDICATIONS: Dampness: edema, swelling
of the lower limbs, retention of urine,
difficult urination, enuresis, qi painful urinary
dysfunction, abdominal distention, diarrhea.
 DIJI SP-8****
• Xi-Cleft point of the Spleen channel
• ACTIONS: Regulates menstruation and
invigorates blood, harmonizes the Spleen
and resolves dampness, moderates acute
conditions
• INDICATIONS: Dysmenorrhea, irregular
menstruation, abdominal masses in women,
abdominal pain and distension, difficult
urination, edema.
 XUEHAI SP-10****
• ACTIONS: Invigorates the blood and dispels
stasis, cools blood, harmonizes menstruation,
benefits the skin
• INDICATIONS: Blood disorders (esp
stasis/heat): Irregular menstruation,
dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, uterine bleeding,
bloody urine.
• Skin: Urticaria, eczema, herpes zoster,
redness, pain and itching.
GONGSUN SP-4****
• Luo-Connecting point, Confluent point of the
Penetrating vessel
• ACTIONS: Fortifies the Spleen, harmonizes
the middle jiao, regulates qi, resolves
dampness, calms the spirit, benefits the Heart
and chest, regulates Penetrating vessel

• INDICATIONS: Epigastric pain, vomiting,

abdominal pain, mania-depression, insomnia
and restlessness, Heart pain, irregular
menstruation, GYN disorders.
 TAIBAI SP-3***
• Shu-Stream, Yuan-Source and Earth
• ACTIONS: Tonifies the Spleen and resolves
dampness and damp-heat, harmonizes the
Spleen and Stomach, regulates qi
• INDICATIONS: SP-ST Deficiency: abdominal
distension, constipation, diarrhea,
borborygmus, sluggishness, joint pains.
 DAHENG SP-15***

• ACTIONS: Moves qi and regulates the

intestines
• INDICATIONS: Constipation, abdominal
pain and distension, diarrhea, dysentery.