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TCM Point Categories: Five Shu Transport Points, Yuan Source Points, Xi Cleft Points, and Luo Connecting Points

Jul 11, 2024

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TCM Point Categories: Five Shu Transport Points, Yuan Source Points, Xi Cleft Points, and Luo Connecting Points

Introduction

  • Discussing point categories: Five Shu Transport Points, Yuan Source Points, Xi Cleft Points, Luo Connecting Points, and Lower He Sea Points.
  • Purpose: To make it easier to learn and remember the 361 main acupuncture points.
  • Emphasizes the significance of categorizing points for prioritization and ease of memorization.

Why Learn Point Categories?

  • Memorizing 361 points individually is challenging.
  • Categories help in understanding functions and indications of multiple points effectively.
  • Experienced practitioners prioritize commonly used points like LI4, whereas some points like Stomach 16 are rarely used.
  • Categories exist to provide structure and prioritize significant points.

Types of Point Categories

  1. Categories on Every Channel:

    • Five Shu Transport Points
    • Yuan Source Points
    • Xi Cleft Points
    • Luo Connecting Points
    • Lower He Sea Points

  2. Selective Groupings: Based on shared functions, not necessarily present on every channel (e.g., Confluent Points, Heavenly Star Points).

Five Shu Transport Points

  • Found on each of the twelve channels.
  • Represent the flow of Qi along the channels.
  • Points categorized by their location from the extremities to trunk.

Imagery of Channel Flow

  • Channels start narrow at the fingertips/toes and get deeper and wider towards the trunk.
  • Qi flows like water: from well (narrow and superficial) -> spring -> stream -> river -> sea (deep and wide).

Functions and Characteristics

  1. Jing Well Points (Most superficial, quick effect, often treat the face/head):

    • Treats quick conditions, fullness below the heart, and spirit disorders.
    • Clear heat, restore consciousness.

  2. Ying Spring Points (Clear heat, swift action):

    • Treat heat and complexion changes.

  3. Shu Stream Points (Deals with heaviness and joint pain, transports pathogens):

    • Treat heaviness and pain, relates to dampness.

  4. Jing River Points (Cough, fever, voice changes, deeper influence):

    • Treat sinews and bones, respiratory issues, and voice changes.

  5. He Sea Points (Deep effect, treat rebellious Qi, and diarrhea):

    • Affect the organs, treat deep conditions.

Mnemonic for Five Shu Points

  • Most Sane Families Are Against Insects: M, S, F, A, I.
    • M for Most Superficial (Jing Well)
    • F for Fire (Ying Spring)
    • A for Arthritis (Shu Stream)
    • A for Asthma (Jing River)
    • I for Intestines (He Sea)

Five Phase Correspondences on Shu Points

  • Yin Channels:

    • Jing Well (Wood) -> Ying Spring (Fire) -> Shu Stream (Earth) -> Jing River (Metal) -> He Sea (Water)
    • Based on seasonal and elemental cycles.

  • Yang Channels:

    • Jing Well (Metal) -> Ying Spring (Water) -> Shu Stream (Wood) -> Jing River (Fire) -> He Sea (Earth)
    • Importance of control cycle (Ko Cycle).

  • Correlations help in understanding point treatments in five phase theory.

Yuan Source Points

  • Exist on all twelve channels.
  • Yin Channels: Third point (Tonify organ)
  • Yang Channels: Fourth point (Treat excess, expel pathogens)

Xi Cleft Points

  • Treat acute conditions and pain.
  • Yin Channels: Also treat blood disorders.

Luo Connecting Points

  • Branch off the primary channels.
  • Treat paired channel disorders, regions reached by the Luo channels, and psycho-emotional disorders.

Lower He Sea Points

  • Exception for three Yang channels on the arm: needs additional points on legs for deeper organ treatment.
    • E.g., ST37 (Lower He Sea of Large Intestine)

General Principles

  • Lower body points treat deep/channel-specific issues.
  • Upper body (trunk) points treat regional issues; functions based on body area rather than channel-specific.

Conclusion

  • Categories simplify memorization and clinical application.
  • Five Shu points, Yuan Source, Xi Cleft, and Luo Connecting points are foundational for acupuncture practice.
  • Stay tuned for additional point categories in Part 2 (e.g., Confluent, Command, Star Points).

Resources and Support

  • Lecture slides and practice tests available.
  • Support through Patreon and merchandise.

Note: Above structure and notes are for better retention and practical understanding of acupuncture point categories.

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