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NOMENCLATURE
of Points
In the Acupuncture System

Prof. Dr. Raju C. Krishna

Acupuncture Scientist
Guest Lecturer - TNPESU
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Ah Shi - Points
“Oh.. Ouch.. Yes”

Those points that are Painful to the

patient, Tender or Hard on palpation or
touch – but do not belong to any
meridian or collateral. These are like
accidental Trigger points or specific spots
on sites of injury.
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Local - Points
“Acu points around the affected site”

Those points that are chosen

(meticulously) around the affected site of
pain or Qi obstruction.
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Distal - Points
“Acu points that remotely control the affected zone”

Those points that are very much away

(distal) from the affected zone in
consideration for a treatment. They are
chosen by either clinical usage, or by
their relationship to the meridian.
Though there are six clinically
known points, the table on the
right gives extensively more
distal points.

Head and Face - LI 4

Nape and Neck - LU 7
Chest and Epigastrium -P6
Abdomen and Stomach - ST 36
Lumbar region - UB 40
Pelvic region and Uterus - SP 6

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Mu (Front alarm) - Points
“Points anterior to the organ that become tender and
painful indicating the affected organ”
Lungs LU 1 Bladder REN 3
Large Intestine ST 25 Kidney GB 25

Stomach REN 12 Pericardium REN 17

Spleen LIV 13 Triple Heater REN 5
Heart REN 14 Gall Bladder GB 24,
GB 21(Most
Obstructions)
Small Intestine REN 4 Liver LIV 14, LIV 6
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Shu (Back alarm) - Points www.acu.in

“Points posterior to the organ that become tender and

painful indicating the affected organ – along the
autonomic nervous tracts (All points are on UB meridian”
Lungs UB 13 Stomach UB 21
Pericardium UB 14 Triple Heater UB 22

Heart UB 15 Kidney UB 23
Liver UB 18 Large UB 25
Intestine
Gall Bladder UB 19 Small UB 27
Intestine
Spleen UB 20 Bladder UB 28
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Dangerous - Points
“Acu points that need to be cautiously needled”

Those points that are over vital arteries,

organs, brain areas or sense organs and
points that cause rapid alteration to Qi
flow or homeostatis resulting in fainting.

LU 9, LI 18. P3, LU 1, ST 25 (right),

DU 15, DU 16, ST 1, LIV 3, SP 6
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Forbidden - Points
“Acu points that shouldn’t be used commonly”

These points are forbidden for common

use. Sensitive areas like Arm pit, Umbilicus
and Nipples are such points.
However . . . . .
H 1 is used during Angina for emergency.

REN 8 is filled with Salt and indirect Moxibustion is done

on a sliced ginger placed over it.

ST 17 is never needled but used as anatomical landmark.

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Yuan-Source - Points
“Earth is the source of all life below….while the source
of Heaven is unfathomable and mystic ever”

These points are vital pools of the

primordial (Yuan) Qi and connected to the
Triple Cavity for circulation of this Yuan Qi.
The Zang Source points are used to tonify
their respective organs. The Fu Source
points are used to expel pathogens.
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Meridian Yuan Source Point Meridian Yuan Source Point

SP 3 LI 4
K 3 SI 4
LIV 3 SJ 4
LU 9 ST 42
H 7 UB 64
P 7 GB 40

Yin Source is Earth, and these Yang Source is before the wood
points keep the Zang organ element point and indicates
grounded and attuned since the grounding through the
the Zang meridians start with roots again.
Wood element from roots.
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Xi -Cleft - Points

These points are the accumulation points

where the Qi and Blood of a meridian pool.
They are like makeshift reservoirs for the body
and used in treatment of acute conditions.

There are more Xi cleft points on some longer

meridians. They work like triggers.
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LU 6 - acute asthma, wind heat

LI 7 - sore throat, face pain/swelling
SP 8 - blood stagnation in the uterus or acute dysentery
ST 34 - breast issues, epigastric pain
H 6 - heart pain, reckless bleeding due to heat
SI 6 - severe pain along the SI channel
K 5 - menstrual problems due to deficiency a/or blood stagnation
UB 63 - acute cystitis
P 4 - severe chest pain, reckless bleeding due to heat
TW 7 - acute shoulder stiffness
LIV 6 - acute cystitis, blood stagnation in the uterus a/or lower abdomen
GB 36 - painful obstruction a/or atrophy of the lower limbs
UB 59 - yang qiao mai, acute cramps, fainting spells
K 8 - yin qiao mai, menstrual irregularities
K 9 - yin wei mai, severe and acute mental disorders
GB 35 - yang wei mai –acute Poisoning.
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Luo-Connecting - Points

These points lead to the splitting off collateral

that connect with the yin or yang paired
meridian. The Fu collaterals serve as a feedback
to the Zang and vice versa.

While Jing-Meridians are abrupt heavy and

vertical, the Collaterals are smooth lighter and
horizontal to disperse Qi and Blood into deeper
tissues.
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Meridian Luo Connecting Point Meridian Luo Connecting Point
SP 4 LI 6
K 4 SI 7
LIV 5 SJ 5
LU 7 ST 40
H 5 UB 58
P 6 GB 37
REN 15 DU 1 & 26
Great Collateral SP 21
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Group Luo - Points
There are 4 group luo points which are used in
cases where 3 related meridians are
imbalanced.

SJ 8 - treats 3 Yang meridians in the arm (LI, SJ, SI)

P 5 - treats 3 Yin meridians in the arm (LU, P, H)
GB 39 - treats 3 Yang meridians in the leg (ST, GB, UB)
SP 6 - treats 3 Yin meridians in the leg (SP, LV, KD)
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Jing well - Points
The Jing-Well points depict the arid desert or the Barren land
where the yin changes to yang and vice versa. They are the
‘Puteals’ as they have to be commonly accepted or
presumed to awaken the unconscious life force into action.

The twelve regular meridians either begin or end at the nail

base of fingers and toes. These fingertip points are the Jing
well points. The Yin Jing well points belong to Wood while
the Yang Jing well points are Air (Metal) points.

SP 1, K 1, LIV 1, LU 11, H 9, P 9 – Wood

LI 1, SI 1, SJ 1, ST 45, UB 67, GB 44 – Metal
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Yung Spring - Points
The Yung-Spring points represent springs of mountains
where fresh and original water springs up to quench the heat
and the deficiency of yin or yang. They are also known as
the ‘Effusories’ since the thermal states are modulated here.

These points succeed the Jing well points, and can be located
on the toe and finger web margins or nearer to the
phalanges. On Yang meridians they represent water, while on
Yin they depict fire.

SP 2, K 2, LIV 2, LU 10, H 8, P 8 – Fire

LI 2, SI 2, SJ 2, ST 44, UB 66, GB 43 - Water
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Shu Stream - Points
The Shu-Stream represents the trickling of energy down from
high peaks to low lying areas, and the source of the meridian
itself where communication is between the meridian and the
respective jiao. They are the ‘Inductories’ of the meridian.

These points are located around the wrist and ankle joints.
On the Yin channels they represent Earth while on the Yang
channels they are Wood points.

SP 3, K 3, LIV 3, LU 9, H 7, P 7 – Earth
LI 3, SI 3, SJ 3, ST 43, UB 65, GB 41 - Wood
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Jing River - Points
The Jing-River points are over the plains and represent
turbulent and dynamic alterative nature of flow used to clear
obstructive pathology and hence termed ‘Transitory’.

These points are along the length of the arms and legs. They
cause heavy displacement of energy (or matter). The Yin Jing
River points activate Air while Yang Jing River points trigger
Fire.

SP 5, K 7, LIV 4, LU 8, H 4, P 5 – Metal
LI 5, SI 5, SJ 6, ST 41, UB 60, GB 38 – Fire
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He Sea - Points
The He-sea is the ultimate entry of the meridian into the
organ and the broader functions are achieved here, and
aptly known as ‘Conjunctory’.

These are the final and fifth set of twelve points that lie
around the Elbow and Knee. Yin He Sea points induce
Water, and the Yang He Sea points build up Earth.

SP 9, K 10, LIV 8, LU 5, H 3, P 3 – Water

LI 11, SI 8, SJ 10, ST 36, UB 40, GB 34 - Earth
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Lower He Sea - Points
The Lower He-sea points also called the lower uniting he
points, are used to treat their respective FU organs. For
example, ST 37 - the lower he sea point of the Large
Intestine will treat diarrhea.
Point FU Organ Point FU Organ
ST 36 Stomach ST 37 Large Intestine
GB 34 Gall Bladder ST 39 Small Intestine
UB 40 Urinary Bladder UB 39 Triple Cavity
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Analgesic Points www.acu.in

Used to relieve pain. The nerve endings produce certain neurotransmitters

(peptides) like Acetylcholine, Adrenaline, Endorphin and Encephalin. In
addition to the nerves, the Brain and Pituitary gland produce Endorphin,
which is responsible for a great amount of pain relief. Acupuncture
needling or Acupressure, effectively increases the levels of such analgesic
substances in the Cerebrospinal fluid, resulting in Pain relief. Besides
Endorphin, Encephalin is a mediator secreted in the Gut Cells and the Pineal
gland and the Brain cells. Owing to a larger surface area of the Stomach
and the Bowels, very important Analgesic Points of Acupuncture lie over
the Stomach and Large Intestine Channels. Manual stimulation to certain
points, results in the elevation of the Pain Threshold of a person.
LI 4 ST 44 SI 18 LIV 3 UB 62 LI 10
This is the clinical list of points. However there are points that act as Analgesic,
when Qi obstruction pathway is cleared by proper and comprehensive diagnosis.
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Sedative Points www.acu.in

The secretion of Melatonin over a Day-night (Diurnal) scale has a rhythmic

cycle. The Melatonin level in Blood increases during darkness and decreases
with dawn. Certain points treated in Acupuncture influence the secretion of
Melatonin and such other mediators like Dopamine, for treating all
Psychosomatic disorders. Moreover, as the Five element theory states, Fire
stands for thoughts, emotions, anger, passion, anxiety and a state of
sleeplessness. Sedation of Fire is the goal of certain sedative points.

DU 20, P 6, EX 7,8,9, LIV 3, GB 34, ST 40, H7,P7, LI 4

This is the clinical list of points. However points that calm the Spirit (Shen) by
proper and comprehensive diagnosis act as sedative points.
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Homeostatic Points www.acu.in

Various Ions and Plasma proteins in Blood are responsible for the
Homeostatic states of the Life process like Fever and Chillness, Acidity and
Alkalinity of Blood, Urine and Cerebro-spinal fluid, High Blood Pressure and
Low Blood Pressure, ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate), Hemoglobin
content and so on. The Midbrain glands function to establish the Equilibrium
conditions at times of distress. Acupuncture points that are specific in
establishing Homeostasis have been found to have tremendous effect on the
Homeostasis, more than any other form of conventional therapy.

DU 14, P 6, EX 1, LIV 3, ST 36, LI 11, LI 4

Though this is not a complete list of Homeostatic points, they help to

restore balance when used in combination with other points.
Acupuncture treatment itself is focused on ultimate Homeostasis.
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Motor-recovery Points
There are specific points over muscular regions in the body, which help in the
restoration of the muscular activity in cases of Paralytic diseases.

ST 6 Motor Recovery point of the Face,

LI 10 Motor Recovery point of the Upper Limb,

ST 32 Motor Recovery point of the Lower Limb.

Certain Xi-cleft points and Group Luo points also work like Motor
Recovery points if they are sensitive or tender to palpate.
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Anti-allergic Points www.acu.in

act on the toxic substances or allergens, by producing mediators like Anti

Histamine, and Cortico Steroids.

SP 10, LIV 3, LI 11, K 7

Enhancement of Kidney Yang promotes Wei Qi (Defensive) for Anti-

pathogenic Anti-allergic action.
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Endocrine Points www.acu.in

have specific action on the Endocrine glands.

EX 1, LI 18, SJ 3, 8 Insulin point between UB 17 and UB 18

GB 21 is a major Endocrine point for most fertility conditions
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Emergency Points www.acu.in

are used to bring a person to consciousness at the time of Shocks, Fits,

Drowning, Coma and Fainting. Jingwell points are used for this purpose.
Pricking of these points results in awakening due to the release of
Adrenaline and increased Blood flow to the Brain.

K 1, LI 1, LU 11, DU 26, P 9
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Tonification Points
are almost similar to Immune Enhancing points. In addition they stimulate
Growth, Appetite and Absorption of nutrients.

ST 36, LI 11, REN 6, REN 12

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Influential Points
have specific action on specific components of the body - like Bones
(density & mineral storage), Muscles (expansion etc), Vessels (wall
thickness, permeability), Marrow (making blood components), Zang, Fu,
Xue (blood) and Qi (the flow and quality). The points trigger off certain
physiological and Bio chemical products which result ultimately in the
repair and improvement of the specific tissues. Thus, LU 9 is an Influential
point for the vessels, as it primarily results in the release of Anti-clot
mediator Heparin, and secondly enhances the Lung Qi for reducing the
content of Carboxy-Hemoglobin.

Zang LIV 13 Sinews GB 34

Fu CV 12 Vessels LU 9
Qi CV 17 Bones UB 11
Blood UB 17 Marrow GB 39
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The Eight Influential Points are also known as "Gathering Points," or Hui
meeting points, that have a broad effect on their related Gene from which
the relevant tissue originated.

LV 13 - meeting of the yin organs, also SP Mu

CV 12 - meeting of the yang organs, also ST Mu
CV 17 - meeting of the Qi, also PC Mu, moves Qi in the chest
UB 17 - meeting of the Blood, builds blood, resolves stagnation and
disperses heat in the Blood
GB 34 - meeting of the sinews, resolves stiffness and contracture
LU 9 - meeting of the Blood vessels, stimulates circulation, tonifies LU Qi,
harmonizes the Qi and Blood in the chest, stops bleeding
UB 11 - meeting of the bones, any bone disorder, osteoporosis
GB 39 - meeting of the marrow, bone disorders, mental functioning, useful
post-stroke
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Confluent Points www.acu.in

The eight extraordinary confluent points are very vital acupuncture

points also called the intersection, meeting, command, opening,
master, and the flowing and pooling points. These Ancestral
channels (Qi Jing Ba Mai) carry the Jing to connect with Qi of the
Principal channels, for strengthening, control, storage and
regulation of Qi and blood of channels (reservoirs).

These Eight Pre-natal meridians were the lines of creation of the

Embryo by Qi - initiated at conception after the egg and sperm
come together. They support the Eight Planes and support the
regular meridians to absorb genetic essence. They provide a map
for us to fulfill our potential, our destiny, the purpose of life, and to
convert Jing into Shen through the transmuting power of Qi.
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Extra Meridian Confluent Points Plane www.acu.in
CHONG INTERIOR
Gongsun (SP 4)
Thoroughfare Vessel

YIN WEI
Neiguan (P 6)
Yin Regulatory Vessel INFERIOR
DU POSTERIOR
Houxi (Si 3)
Governor Vessel

YANG QIAO
Shenmai (UB 62)
Yang Heel Vessel LEFT
YANG WEI SUPERIOR
Yang Regulatory Waiguan (SJ 5)
Vessel

DAI Zulingqi (GB 41) EXTERIOR

Girdling Vessel
REN ANTERIOR
Lieque (LU 7)
Conception Vessel

YIN QIAO
Zhaohai (K 6)
Yin Heel Vessel RIGHT
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Sea Points
The Four Seas and point groupings strongly effect their related system within the
body (Qi, Blood, Marrow, Nutrition).

The Sea of Qi Points (ST 9, REN 17, DU 15, DU 14) effect the amount and flow of Qi
(energy) within the body.

The Sea of Blood Points (UB 11, ST 37, ST 39) effect the amount and flow of Blood
within the body. For Blood issues, points such as UB 17, UB 18, UB 19, SP 10 and
LIV 8 are much more widely used.

The Sea of Nutrition Points (ST 30, ST 36) effect digestion and appetite.

The Sea of Marrow Points (DU 20, DU 16) effect mental functioning and energy
levels.
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The prenatal energies, Jing and Yuan, act in the early stages of development and
produce the four substances - Marrow, Qi, Blood and Ying (nutritive Qi), which
form the basic building blocks for the developing embryo. These four substances
are linked to the four seas in the four cardinal directions and in this manner are
linked with an early interaction between Heaven and Earth.

• The sea of marrow opening point is Du 20 Baihui and the exit point is Du 16
Fengfu.

• The sea of Qi opening points are Du 15 Yamen and Du 14 Dazhui (and Bl 10

Tianshu) and the exit points are St 9.

• The sea of blood opening points are Bl 11 Dazhu and the exit points are St 37
Shangjixu and St 39Xiajuxu.

• The sea of nourishment opening points are St 30 Qichong and the exit points
are St 36 Zusanli.
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Ghost Points
Ghost points were categorized from Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD)
publication of Sun Si-Miao within the "Thousand Ducat Formulas". As
culture advanced many psychological illnesses became more prevalent.
The Ghost points were used as a systemic approach to the treatment of
mental illness.

‘Demons and ghosts’ may be taken to be a form of thought that sees the
illness as a pure external accident.

When conventional treatments fail, we call them ‘Possessions’.

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The 13 Ghost Points:

1. Guigong – Ghost Palace (Renzhong Du 26)

2. Gui Zhen – Ghost Pillow (Fengfu Du 16)
3. Guitang – Ghost Hall (Shangxing Du 23)
4. GuiShi – Ghost Market (Chengqiang Ren 24)
5. Guixin – Ghost Faith (Shaoshang Lu 11)
6. Guitui – Ghost Leg (Quchi LI 11) (Yanglingquan GB 34)
7. Guichuang – Ghost’s Bed (Jiache ST 6)
8. Guilei – Ghost Fortress (Yinbai SP 1)
9. Guixin – Ghost Heart (Daling PC 7) (Taiyuan LU 9)
10. Guicu – Ghost Cave (Laogong PC 8)
11. Guilu – Ghost Path (Shenmai BL 62) (Jianshi P 5)
12. Guifeng – Ghost Seal (Haiquan extra point below tongue)
13. Guicang – Ghost Store (Huiyin Ren 1) (Xingjian LIV 2)