Lecture on Point Categories

Introduction

• Topics: Five shoe transport points, Yuan source points, She cleft points, Luo connecting points
• Categories collectively known as "antique points"
• Live streamed, edited for brevity
• Time codes and lecture slides available in the description
• Practice test available
• Thank Patreon members for support

Importance of Point Categories

• Purpose: Makes it easier to learn and remember the functions of acupuncture points
• Reasoning: Instead of memorizing 361 points, categorize points to make it manageable
• Prioritization: Not all points are equally important
  • Example: LI4 is used frequently; ST16 is rarely used

Types of Point Categories

• Universal Categories: Exist on every channel (Five shoe transport points, She cleft points, etc.)
• Collection Categories: Grouped for their function but not present on every channel (e.g., 8 Hui Meeting Points)

Five Shoe Transport Points

• Exist on every channel and impact the flow of Qi along that channel
• Channel Progression Concept:
  • Starts at tips of fingers/toes, superficial and narrow
  • Becomes wider and deeper as it moves to trunk

Actions of Five Shoe Transport Points

• Jing-Well Points
  • Location: Tips of fingers and toes
  • Function: Clear heat, restore consciousness, treat fullness below the heart, disorders of the spirit
• Ying-Spring Points
  • Location: Second point along the channel
  • Function: Clear heat, treat changes in complexion, and treat Yang channels/Yin organs
• Shu-Stream Points
  • Location: Third point along the channel (Exception: GB channel)
  • Function: Treat heaviness and pain in joints, related to dampness, treat Yang channels/Yin organs, and diseases manifesting intermittently
• Jing-River Points
  • Location: Fourth or fifth point
  • Function: Treat cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, changes in voice, diseases of sinews and bones
• He-Sea Points
  • Location: Around elbows/knees
  • Function: Treat rebellious Qi, diarrhea, disorders of regular eating, and Yang organs

Mnemonic for Point Functions

• Most Sane Families Are Against Insects:
  • Most Sane: Jing-Well - Quick effect, upper channel
  • Families: Ying-Spring - Clear Heat
  • Are: Shu-Stream - Arthritis (pain and heaviness)
  • Against: Jing-River - Asthma (cough/shortness of breath)
  • Insects: He-Sea - Intestines (diarrhea)

Five Phase Correspondences

• Yin Channels: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water
• Yang Channels: Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, Earth

Yuan Source Points

• Exist on every channel
• Function:
  • Yin channels: Tonify the organ
  • Yang channels: Treat excess conditions and expel pathogens
• Example Points: LI4, ST42

She Cleft Points

• Treat acute conditions and pain
• On Yin channels, also treat blood disorders (stagnation/bleeding)
• Example: SP8 (menstrual issues), LU6 (nose bleed)

Luo Connecting Points

• Connect yin-yang paired channels (e.g., Lung and Large Intestine)
• Functions:
  • Treating disorders of their paired channel
  • Affecting areas covered by the Luo connecting channel
  • Addressing psycho-emotional disorders

Host and Guest Method

• Combines Yuan Source point and Luo Connecting point of paired channel
• Example: LU9 + LI6 for lung deficiency; LI4 + LU7 for pathogen expulsion

Lower He-Sea Points

• Additional points for three Yang channels of the arm
• Treat internal organs in the lower body (e.g., ST37 for large intestine)

Conclusion

• Part 2 Preview: Front Mu and Back Shu Points, GaoWu Command Points, etc.
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References

• Books: Deadman, Machiocha, Wang Juyi, Nan Jing