Luo Connecting Points and Their Clinical Applications

General Introduction

• Presenter: Clara, a TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and acupuncture enthusiast.
• Focus: Discussing Luo connecting points in acupuncture, their clinical applications, and layers of meridians.

Importance of Layers of Meridians

• Meridians go from deep within the body to the surface on the skin.
• Deepest Layers: 12 main meridians (Yin and Yang) and 8 extra vessels.
  • Main function: Carry Qi and blood.
  • Extra vessels: Carry essence.
• Intermediate Layers:
  • 12 Divergent Meridians: Extend the pathway of main meridians.
  • 15 Collaterals (sometimes referred to as 16): Reinforce internal/external related meridians.
• Surface Layers:
  • 12 Muscular Regions: Correspond to the main meridians.
  • 12 Dermatomes: Correspond to the skin area related to the main meridians.

The Luo Connecting Points

• Function: Connect and reinforce related meridians (e.g., Lung-Large Intestine), carry nutritive Qi, help expel pathogens and repressed emotions.
• Location: Usually found near wrists or ankles.
• Pathway: Very short compared to other meridians.

Clinical Applications of Luo Connecting Points

Lung 7 and Large Intestine 6

• Location: Both on the wrist.
• Use: Expel pathogens and alleviate swelling, e.g., allergic reactions with swelling.

Spleen 4 and Stomach 40

• Location: Spleen 4 (foot), Stomach 40 (leg).
• Use: Balances digestive system, especially for blood sugar issues like diabetes. Calms the mind for long-standing anxiety.

Heart 5 and Small Intestine 7

• Location: Heart 5 (wrist), Small Intestine 7 (forearm).
• Use: Emotional and physical balance. Helps interstitial cystitis and emotional repression (e.g., anxiety).

Kidney 4 and Bladder 58

• Location: Kidney 4 (ankle), Bladder 58 (lower leg).
• Use: Kidney stone pain relief, addresses phobias and long-standing fears.

Pericardium 6 and Sanjiao 5

• Location: Pericardium 6 (forearm), Sanjiao 5 (wrist).
• Use: Releases tension from anxiety, focuses on the chest and mid-back area.

Liver 5 and Gallbladder 37

• Location: Liver 5 (leg), Gallbladder 37 (lower leg).
• Use: Addresses external genitalia issues and eye problems. Helps with breast tenderness and fibrocystic breast issues.

Ren 15 and Du 1

• Use: Prevents epileptic attacks by balancing the spine and the brain (essence).

Additional Points

Spleen 21 (Major Luo Point)

• Use: Treats chronic muscle pain like fibromyalgia. Acts as a spider web for all muscular regions.

Stomach Major Luo (Ren 17 to Stomach 18)

• Use: Shortness of breath with palpitations and chest pain. Connects and balances heart and lung Qi.

Combining TCM with Other Treatments

• Discussion of integrating crystal therapy or biofeedback with acupuncture for enhanced results.

Conclusion

• Regular interaction through live sessions to enhance understanding and application of TCM principles.
• Importance of balancing physical and emotional health in TCM treatment.