A Manual of Acupuncture Peter Deadman, Mazin Al-Khafaji, Kevin Baker (2007)

BL23 · Contraindications & precautions Deep medially directed needling risks the kidney; perpendicular 0.5–1 cun.

BL23 · Functions Tonifies the Kidneys, strengthens yang and essence, benefits the lumbar region, the ears and bones.

BL23 · Indications Chronic low back pain, frequent urination, impotence, tinnitus, weak knees.

BL23 · Technique Perpendicular 0.5–1 cun; moxibustion very suitable.

BL40 · Contraindications & precautions Avoid the popliteal artery and vein.

BL40 · Functions Benefits the lumbar region and knees, clears heat, cools the blood, activates the channel.

BL40 · Indications Acute and chronic low back pain, knee pain, skin diseases, heatstroke.

BL40 · Technique Perpendicular 0.5–1 cun or bloodletting of superficial veins.

BL60 · Contraindications & precautions Contraindicated in pregnancy (strong stimulation may induce labour).

BL60 · Functions Clears heat, descends yang, benefits the spine, activates the channel.

BL60 · Indications Headache, neck stiffness, low back pain, ankle and heel pain, difficult labour.

BL60 · Technique Perpendicular 0.5–0.8 cun.

CV12 · How to find it Midway between the umbilicus and the sternocostal angle.

CV12 · Functions Harmonises the Stomach, fortifies the Spleen, resolves damp, regulates qi.

CV12 · Indications Epigastric pain, nausea, distension, poor appetite, diarrhoea.

CV12 · Indications Nausea

CV12 · Technique Perpendicular 1–1.5 cun.

CV17 · Functions Regulates qi, unbinds the chest, benefits the breasts, descends rebellious qi.

CV17 · Indications Chest pain and oppression, asthma, palpitations, insufficient lactation.

CV17 · Technique Transverse downward 0.3–0.5 cun.

CV4 · Contraindications & precautions Caution in pregnancy; empty the bladder before needling.

CV4 · Functions Fortifies original qi, benefits the Kidneys, regulates the uterus and menstruation, restores yang, regulates the Bladder.

CV4 · Indications General weakness, urinary and genital disorders, dysmenorrhoea, chronic diarrhoea, infertility.

CV4 · Technique Perpendicular 1–1.5 cun; tonifying moxibustion.

CV6 · Functions Tonifies qi and yang, regulates qi, resolves damp.

CV6 · Indications Fatigue, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, menstrual disorders, organ prolapse.

CV6 · Technique Perpendicular 1–1.5 cun; moxibustion.

EX-HN3 · Functions Calms the spirit, benefits the nose, expels wind.

EX-HN3 · Indications Insomnia, anxiety, frontal headache, sinusitis, rhinitis.

EX-HN3 · Technique Transverse downward 0.3–0.5 cun (pinch the skin up).

EX-HN5 · Functions Expels wind, clears heat, benefits the eyes, relieves pain.

EX-HN5 · Indications Temporal headache, migraine, eye pain and redness, facial paralysis.

EX-HN5 · Technique Perpendicular or oblique 0.3–0.5 cun; bloodletting for acute headache.

GB20 · Contraindications & precautions Deep needling directed superomedially risks the brainstem; direct toward the tip of the nose, max 1 cun.

GB20 · Functions Expels wind (exterior and interior), benefits the head and eyes, clears the sense organs, activates the channel.

GB20 · Indications Headache, dizziness, neck stiffness, common cold, eye disorders, hypertension.

GB20 · Technique Oblique toward the tip of the nose 0.5–1 cun.

GB21 · Contraindications & precautions Contraindicated in pregnancy (strong stimulation may induce labour).

GB21 · Contraindications & precautions Perpendicular or deep needling risks pneumothorax (apex of the lung); only oblique posteriorly, shallow.

GB21 · Functions Regulates qi, activates the channel, benefits the shoulder and neck, descends qi, promotes labour.

GB21 · Indications Neck pain

GB21 · Indications Shoulder and neck pain and stiffness, headache, mastitis, difficult labour.

GB21 · Technique Oblique posteriorly 0.5–0.8 cun.

GB30 · How to find it Side-lying with the upper leg flexed; the point lies deep in the gluteus.

GB30 · Functions Activates the channel, benefits the hip and lumbar region, expels wind-damp.

GB30 · Indications Sciatica, hip and low back pain, lower-limb paralysis.

GB30 · Technique Perpendicular 2–3 cun with a long needle.

GB34 · Contraindications & precautions Avoid the common peroneal nerve behind the fibular head.

GB34 · Functions Benefits the sinews and joints, spreads Liver qi, clears damp-heat from the Liver and Gall Bladder.

GB34 · Indications Knee pain, sciatica, hypochondrial pain, muscle spasm, hemiplegia.

GB34 · Technique Perpendicular 1–1.5 cun.

GB39 · Functions Benefits the marrow and sinews, expels wind, benefits the neck.

GB39 · Indications Neck stiffness, ankle pain, hemiplegia, hypochondrial pain.

GB39 · Technique Perpendicular 0.5–1 cun.

GV14 · How to find it The most prominent spinous process on neck flexion that does not move on head rotation.

GV14 · Functions Clears heat, expels wind, tonifies yang, clears the spirit.

GV14 · Indications Fever, common cold, neck stiffness, asthma, epilepsy.

GV14 · Technique Oblique upward 0.5–1 cun.

GV20 · How to find it Where the midline meets the line connecting the apices of the ears (ears folded forward).

GV20 · Functions Raises yang, subdues Liver wind, clears the senses, calms the spirit, benefits the brain.

GV20 · Indications Headache, dizziness, organ prolapse, insomnia, poor memory, windstroke.

GV20 · Indications Insomnia

GV20 · Technique Transverse 0.5–0.8 cun; moxibustion for prolapse.

GV26 · Functions Restores consciousness, benefits the face and nose, clears heat, benefits the spine.

GV26 · Indications Fainting, shock, acute low back pain, facial paralysis, facial swelling.

GV26 · Technique Oblique upward 0.3–0.5 cun; fingernail pressure in emergencies.

HT7 · Functions Calms the spirit, regulates and tonifies the Heart.

HT7 · Indications Anxiety

HT7 · Indications Insomnia, palpitations, anxiety, poor memory, wrist pain.

HT7 · Technique Perpendicular 0.3–0.5 cun.

KI3 · Functions Tonifies the Kidneys (yin and yang), strengthens the lumbar region and knees, regulates the uterus.

KI3 · Indications Low back pain, tinnitus, insomnia, frequent urination, heel pain, chronic asthma.

KI3 · Technique Perpendicular 0.5–1 cun.

KI6 · Functions Nourishes Kidney yin, benefits the throat and eyes, calms the spirit, opens the Yin Qiao.

KI6 · Indications Insomnia, dry sore throat, menstrual disorders, nocturnal epilepsy.

KI6 · Technique Perpendicular 0.3–0.5 cun.

LI10 · Functions Regulates qi and blood, relieves pain along the channel.

LI10 · Indications Forearm and elbow pain, upper-limb paralysis, abdominal pain.

LI10 · Technique Perpendicular 1–1.5 cun.

LI11 · Functions Clears heat, cools the blood, expels wind-damp, regulates qi and blood, benefits the elbow.

LI11 · Indications Fever, skin diseases (urticaria, eczema), elbow pain, hypertension, upper-limb paralysis.

LI11 · Technique Perpendicular 1–1.5 cun.

LI15 · How to find it With the arm abducted, two depressions appear at the acromion; the anterior one is LI15.

LI15 · Functions Benefits the shoulder joint, expels wind-damp, clears heat.

LI15 · Indications Shoulder pain and restricted movement, upper-limb paralysis, urticaria.

LI15 · Technique Perpendicular or oblique downward 1–1.5 cun (arm abducted).

LI20 · Functions Opens the nasal passages, expels wind, clears heat.

LI20 · Indications Nasal obstruction and discharge, sinusitis, anosmia, facial paralysis.

LI20 · Technique Oblique or transverse superomedially 0.3–0.5 cun; moxibustion contraindicated.

LI4 · Anatomy First dorsal interosseous muscle; branches of the radial nerve.

LI4 · Contraindications & precautions Contraindicated in pregnancy (strong stimulation may induce labour).

LI4 · How to find it With the thumb and index finger adducted, the point is at the highest spot of the muscle bulge, pressed toward the second metacarpal.

LI4 · Functions Regulates wei qi, expels wind, releases the exterior, relieves pain, benefits the face and mouth, induces labour.

LI4 · Indications Headache, facial and tooth pain, common cold, sweating disorders, pain anywhere (general analgesic point).

LI4 · Indications Toothache and facial pain

LI4 · Technique Perpendicular 0.5–1 cun; strong de qi.

LR3 · Contraindications & precautions Avoid the dorsalis pedis artery.

LR3 · How to find it Slide proximally from the web between the first and second toes until the finger stops between the two bones.

LR3 · Functions Spreads Liver qi, subdues Liver yang and wind, regulates menstruation, calms the spirit.

LR3 · Indications Headache, dizziness, hypertension, irritability, menstrual disorders, foot pain.

LR3 · Indications Anxiety and irritability

LR3 · Technique Perpendicular or oblique toward the heel 0.5–1 cun.

LU1 · Contraindications & precautions Deep or medially directed needling risks pneumothorax; needle obliquely laterally (0.5–0.8 cun).

LU1 · Functions Disseminates and descends Lung qi, clears Lung heat, regulates the water passages.

LU1 · Indications Cough, asthma, dyspnoea, chest and shoulder pain.

LU1 · Indications Asthma

LU1 · Technique Oblique insertion laterally 0.5–0.8 cun.

LU5 · Functions Clears Lung heat, descends rebellious qi, relaxes the sinews.

LU5 · Indications Cough, asthma, sore throat, elbow and arm pain.

LU5 · Technique Perpendicular 0.8–1.2 cun; bloodletting for heat.

LU7 · How to find it Cross the hands with the index finger on the styloid process; the point lies in the depression under the fingertip.

LU7 · Functions Expels wind, releases the exterior, promotes descending of Lung qi, opens the Ren Mai, benefits the head and neck.

LU7 · Indications Headache

LU7 · Indications Common cold, headache, neck stiffness, cough, wrist pain.

LU7 · Technique Oblique 0.3–0.5 cun proximally or distally.

LU9 · Contraindications & precautions Avoid the radial artery.

LU9 · Functions Tonifies Lung qi, transforms phlegm, influences the vessels and pulse.

LU9 · Indications Chronic cough, asthma, weak voice, wrist pain.

LU9 · Technique Perpendicular 0.2–0.3 cun, avoiding the artery.

PC6 · Contraindications & precautions Avoid the median nerve; an electric sensation means the nerve was touched.

PC6 · How to find it Three finger-breadths above the wrist crease, between the two tendons that stand out when the wrist is flexed against resistance.

PC6 · Functions Unbinds the chest, regulates Heart qi, harmonises the Stomach and stops vomiting, calms the spirit.

PC6 · Indications Nausea and vomiting, motion sickness, palpitations, chest pain, insomnia, anxiety.

PC6 · Technique Perpendicular 0.5–1 cun.

SI3 · How to find it With a loose fist, at the ulnar end of the distal palmar crease.

SI3 · Functions Benefits the neck and spine, opens the Du Mai, clears the spirit.

SI3 · Indications Neck stiffness and pain, low back pain, occipital headache, shoulder pain.

SI3 · Technique Perpendicular 0.5–1 cun toward LI4.

SP10 · Functions Cools the blood, regulates menstruation, benefits the skin.

SP10 · Indications Menstrual disorders, urticaria and eczema, knee pain.

SP10 · Technique Perpendicular 1–1.5 cun.

SP6 · Contraindications & precautions Contraindicated in pregnancy (strong stimulation may induce labour).

SP6 · How to find it Four finger-breadths above the medial malleolus, just posterior to the tibia.

SP6 · Functions Tonifies the Spleen and resolves damp, harmonises the Liver and tonifies the Kidneys, regulates menstruation, calms the spirit.

SP6 · Indications Insomnia

SP6 · Indications Menstrual and gynaecological disorders, insomnia, urinary and digestive disorders, leg pain.

SP6 · Technique Perpendicular 1–1.5 cun.

SP9 · Functions Resolves damp, opens the water passages, benefits urination.

SP9 · Indications Oedema, urinary disorders, diarrhoea, knee pain.

SP9 · Technique Perpendicular 1–1.5 cun.

ST25 · Contraindications & precautions No deep needling in pregnancy.

ST25 · Functions Regulates the intestines, regulates the Spleen and Stomach, resolves stagnation.

ST25 · Indications Diarrhoea

ST25 · Indications Diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain, distension.

ST25 · Technique Perpendicular 1–1.5 cun; moxibustion suitable.

ST36 · How to find it One finger-breadth lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia, in the tibialis anterior, 3 cun below the knee.

ST36 · Functions Harmonises the Stomach, fortifies the Spleen, tonifies qi and blood, strengthens wei qi, regulates the intestines, revives yang.

ST36 · Indications Digestive disorders (epigastric pain, nausea, distension, diarrhoea, constipation), fatigue, general weakness, knee and leg pain.

ST36 · Indications Nausea and vomiting

ST36 · Indications Knee pain

ST36 · Technique Perpendicular 1–1.5 cun; tonifying moxibustion.

ST40 · Functions Transforms phlegm and damp, calms the spirit, descends rebellious qi.

ST40 · Indications Phlegmy cough, dizziness, headache, mental cloudiness, leg pain.

ST40 · Technique Perpendicular 1–1.5 cun.

ST44 · Functions Clears Stomach heat, regulates qi, relieves pain.

ST44 · Indications Toothache, sore throat, abdominal pain, epistaxis, foot pain.

ST44 · Technique Perpendicular or oblique 0.3–0.5 cun.

ST6 · Functions Expels wind, activates the channel, benefits the jaw and teeth.

ST6 · Indications Toothache, trismus, facial paralysis, TMJ disorder.

ST6 · Technique Perpendicular 0.3–0.5 cun or transverse toward ST4.

TE5 · Functions Expels wind and releases the exterior, benefits the head and ears, opens the Yang Wei, activates the channel.

TE5 · Indications Temporal headache, fever, tinnitus, wrist and forearm pain, neck stiffness.

TE5 · Technique Perpendicular 0.5–1 cun.