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Acupuncture Point Selection

Before selecting acupuncture points for treatment, a diagnosis should be established using Chinese medicine principles like tongue and pulse analysis. Points can then be chosen locally for the affected area, adjacently in proximity, or distally that are clinically or meridian-related to the local points. Selection is also based on symptomology, TCM patterns, meridian/body pairings, and various point categories to determine the most effective treatment. Flexibility in the system allows for reducing many options into the points that will best address the condition.

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Sreekanth Krishnamurthy
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491 views8 pages

Acupuncture Point Selection

Before selecting acupuncture points for treatment, a diagnosis should be established using Chinese medicine principles like tongue and pulse analysis. Points can then be chosen locally for the affected area, adjacently in proximity, or distally that are clinically or meridian-related to the local points. Selection is also based on symptomology, TCM patterns, meridian/body pairings, and various point categories to determine the most effective treatment. Flexibility in the system allows for reducing many options into the points that will best address the condition.

Uploaded by

Sreekanth Krishnamurthy
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Acupuncture Point Selection

Before selecting acupuncture points for treatment you should already have


established a diagnosis based on Chinese Medicine principles. The diagnosis is
drawn from utilizing TCM diagnostic examinations such as the tongue and pulse among
others. Some general TCM diagnoses and their meanings are found here or read our more
detailed TCM Diagnostic Patterns section. One of the benefits of Chinese Medicine is the
inherent flexibility of the system. With this, however, comes the need to reduce many
treatment options into the most effective set of points. Many of the point selection
guidelines below will overlap when you choose points in an effective manner. In other
words, if the condition you are treating can be treated with points where the local and
distal points you are using are paired in some way and indicated clinically for the
condition you are treating you can treat with a very small number of points.

Local Area Point Selection:

Local area points are generally used to reduce inflammation, ease pain, and to improve the
circulation of Qi and Blood in a specific area. For example, in the case of low back pain you may
use the huatuo points to treat inflammation and pain near a herniation. One may choose local
points by area as described above or by the clinical usage of the point. In the example of low
back pain this would include points such as UB 23 which is useful locally and as it is the Back
Shu point of the Kidney it is useful for all chronic/acute low back issues. Treatment area point
selection may also include the addition of adjacent and/or distal points.

Adjacent Point Selection

Adjacent points are chosen due to their proximity to the area of injury or for the clinical
significance. For example, CV 17 for disorders of the breast, lung, or throat areas. Another
example would be using TH 5 for issues of the wrist, hand and/or fingers.

Distal Point Selection

Distal points are chosen by either clinical usage, by their relationship to points you are using
locally, or in relation to one of many synergistic point groupings such as extraordinary vessel
master/couple pairings. For example, in the case of asthma you may use Dingchuan as a local
point, and LU 7 and KD 6 which both have valid clinical usages as distal points individually.
Additionally, LU 7 and KD 6 are the yin qiao and ren mai extraordinary vessel pair which may
further strengthen the clinical effect of using these points.

Acupuncture Point Selection Based on Symptomology

Acupuncture points are often selected simply by their clinical indications. Within this category
are the empirical points that are often used within treatments regardless of the system you are
using to choose points. Examples are ST 36 for Qi Deficiency, SP 1 for uterine bleeding, or ST
40 for dampness in the body. Additionally, points are used from empirical pairings such as SI 3
and HT 6 for nightsweats.

Acupuncture Point Selection Based on TCM Diagnosis

Within this group you select points based on your tcm diagnosis. For example, someone
experiencing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome may have a TCM diagnosis of Yang Deficiency with Qi
Stagnation. You would then choose points to build the Yang energy of the body (KD 3, KD 7,
UB 23) and to resolve Qi stagnation (LI 4 and LV 3 as the "four gates" pairing used empirically
to move qi within the body).

Acupuncture Point Selection Based on Meridian/Body Pairings

Within this group you can choose points as Yin/Yang pairs. For example, SP 6 and ST 36 for
Blood Deficiency. Each point individually is clinically valid, but they are related as the Stomach
Meridian is the yang pair of the Spleen which is yin. You may also choose points based on
hand/foot meridian relationships. These pairings such as Tai Yang are illustrated on our meridian
chart, found here. An example would be using SI 3 and UB 62 for low back pain. The Small
Intestine and Urinary Bladder meridians are the Tai Yang meridian as well as the yang qiao mai
and du mai extraordinary vessel pair. Related to the hand/foot meridian relationships is the
symmetry or cross-needling method. Here you may choose points on the opposite side of the
body such as LI 4 on the (R) side to treat a problem with the (L) index finger. You may also
choose points on the opposite part (i.e. top and bottom) of the body in addition to it being on one
side or the other. For example, if a trauma is in the area of PC 4 on the (R) side you could needle
LV 5 on either the (R) or (L) side of the body depending on the theories you are using. In
addition to the basic pairings and point selection guidelines, point choices are often driven by the
many point categories which are covered in detail here.

Five Shu Points


Five Element Points

Lower He Sea Points

Xi Cleft Points
Yuan Source Points

Luo Connecting Points


Back Shu Points

Front Mu Points
Hui Meeting Points

EV Master Coupled Points

Command Points

 Four Seas Points


Sky Window Points

Thirteen Ghost Points (from Sun Si Miao)

Entry Exit Points


Shokanten Points and the Nine Continent Pulses

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