Acupuncture Theory

Front 1

Associated Effect Points (AEPs) DEFINITION

Back 1

+ a.k.a. Back Shu Points or Back Transporting Points
+ Points on the BL Meridian that are used to communicate directly with an Official
+ Qi of zang/fu can be accessed directly

Front 2

Associated Effect Points (AEPs) CHARACTERISTICS

Back 2

+ Strong, powerful points
+ Generally used with a Source point
+ Relatively Yang in nature (but can be used to treat Yin, as well)
+ Influence the active functions of an Official

Front 3

Causitive Factor (CF) DEFINITION

Back 3

+ Element of root problem or imbalance
+ Element of a person's constitution
+ Element of central focus for treatment

Front 4

Causitive Factor (CF) CHARACTERISTICS

Back 4

+ Area of greatest strength and weakness
+ Where most of signs of CSOE point
+ Can develop congenitally, very early in life, or as a result of trauma or illness

Front 5

Sheng Cycle

Back 5

+ Generating Cycle or Creative Cycle
+ Movement of energy clockwise around 5 element chart
+ No beginning and no ending
+ Energy always in motion
+ Energy moves from yin official to yin official, yang official to yang official

Front 6

Law of Mother/Child

Back 6

+ Each element is generated by the one that precedes it and generates the one that comes after it

Front 7

K'o Cycle

Back 7

+ Control Cycle
+ Prevents sheng cycle from getting out of control
+ Grandmother controls the child's growth
+ Exists simultaneously with sheng cycle
+ Energy moves from yin official to yin official

Front 8

Cheng Cycle

Back 8

+ Overacting Cycle
+ Grandmother becomes excessively controlling

Front 9

Wu Cycle

Back 9

+ Violation Cycle or Insulting Cycle
+ K'o cycle breaks down
+ Child violates/controls grandmother

Front 10

Law of Midday/Midnight

Back 10

+ Each meridian's energy flow is highest during a two-hour time period each day, and lowest during the opposite time of day.
+ Timing is according to the Chinese Clock

Front 11

Law of Least Action

Back 11

+ Do as little as possible to initiate desired effect
+ Give simple, clear, direct messages and work within natural laws

Front 12

Law of Cure DEFINITION

Back 12

+ Healing occurs in reverse chronological order (from most to lease recent)
+ From above to below
+ From within to without
+ From most important to least important organ

Front 13

Law of Cure CHARACTERISTICS

Back 13

+ Usually occurs within 24 to 48 hours after treatment and lasts no longer than 72 hours (skin reactions may persist longer)
+ Patient has experienced the problem before
+ Patient is doing well within themselves
+ Healing can begin on any level: body/mind/spirit
+ Law of Cure may reoccur until all healing has taken place

Front 14

Law of Husband/Wife DEFINITION

Back 14

+ Pulses on left should be slightly stronger in quality/quantity than those on right
+ Pulses on left are Husband
+ Pulses on right are Wife

Front 15

Internal Causes of Disease LIST

Back 15

+ Joy
+ Anger
+ Sadness
+ Grief
+ Worry, pensiveness
+ Fear
+ Fright

Front 16

External Causes of Disease LIST

Back 16

+ WInd
+ Cold
+ Fire, Heat
+ Dryness
+ Summer Heat
+ Damp

Front 17

Miscellaneous Causes of Disease LIST

Back 17

+ Constitution, heredity
+ Trauma, injury, surgery
+ Parasites, poisons, epidemics
+ Wrong treatment
+ Lifestyle (overwork, sex, diet, etc.)

Front 18

Command Points DEFINITION

Back 18

+ Command and affect the energy of entire meridian
+ Include element and junction points

Front 19

Command Points CHARACTERISTICS

Back 19

+ Powerful
+ Safe, relative to body points
+ Affect body/mind/spirit
+ Distal to elbows and knees

Front 20

Order of Element Points on YIN Meridians (Distal to Proximal)

Back 20

Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water

Front 21

Order of Element Points on YANG Meridians (Distal to Proximal)

Back 21

Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, Earth

Front 22

Horary Points DEFINITION

Back 22

+ Point on each meridian that corresponds to its element
+ Follows Law of Midday/Midnight for timing

Front 23

Horary Points CHARACTERISTICS

Back 23

+ Powerful because energy of each meridian is more accessible during horary time
+ Not as safe as Source points
+ Treat Officials without transferring energy between meridians

Front 24

Tonification Points DEFINITION

Back 24

+ Element point of PRECEDING element on Sheng cycle
+ (Mother point in the child)

Front 25

Tonification Points CHARACTERISTICS

Back 25

+ Can be used as a Tonification point ONLY when Mother has RELATIVELY more energy than Child
+ Pulls or calls energy from Mother to Child
+ Transfers Yin to Yin and Yang to Yang on Sheng cycle

Front 26

Sedation Points DEFINITION

Back 26

+ Element point of the element FOLLOWING on the Sheng cycle
+ Child point in the Mother

Front 27

Sedation Points CHARACTERISTICS

Back 27

+ Can be used as a Sedation point ONLY when the Mother has RELATIVELY more energy than Child
+ Moves energy by dispersing or pushing energy from Mother to Child
+ Not as direct a statement to the energy as Tonification
+ Most likely to be used when Mother's energy is excessive

Front 28

Junction Points DEFINITION

Back 28

+ Points that connect and move energy between Yin and Yang meridians within an element
+ A network of connecting channels

Front 29

Junction Points CHARACTERISTICS

Back 29

+ Typically Junction point in more deficient meridian is tonified
+ If necessary, Junction point in excessive meridian may be dispersed

Front 30

Source Points DEFINITION

Back 30

+ a.k.a. Yuan Source Points
+ Points that contain Source Qi (called Yuan Qi or Original Qi), which comes from the Kidneys
+ Source Qi can be accessed from these points

Front 31

Source Points CHARACTERISTICS

Back 31

+ Safe, simple, gentle, powerful
+ Do not transfer energy
+ Self-regulating
+ Tonified or dispersed
+ Used as spirit points
+ Often the first CF treatment on patient

Front 32

Xi Cleft Points DEFINITION

Back 32

+ a.k.a. Accumulation Points
+ Where Qi and blood converge/accumulate

Front 33

Entry/Exit Points CHARACTERISTICS

Back 33

+ Connect meridians in sequence of Chinese Clock
+ Work on superficial (Wei Qi) level of meridian
+ Usually tonified

Front 34

Conception Vessel/Governer Vessel DEFINITION

Back 34

+ Extraordinary meridians
+ Act as reservoirs for main channels, which are like rivers
+ Derive energy from Kidneys
+ Anterior Heaven/pre-birth reservoirs of Qi
+ Operate on Wei Qi level

Front 35

Conception Vessel/Governer Vessel CHARACTERISTICS

Back 35

+ Often used for spirit
+ Often used for anatomical location and proximity to organs
+ Extraordinary meridians with their own points

Front 36

Conception Vessel DEFINITION

Back 36

+ a.k.a. Sea of Yin Channels
+ Runs up anterior midline of body
+ Begins at perineum, ends at chin below lower lip
+ Nourishes Yin energy, including reproductive system
+ Regulates uterus and blood in women
+ Influences all burners

Front 37

Conception Vessel CHARACTERISTICS

Back 37

+ Has to do with receptivity
+ Relatively more Yin than GV
+ Associated with Earth rather than Heaven

Front 38

Governor Vessel DEFINITION

Back 38

+ a.k.a. Sea of Yang Channels
+ Runs up posterior midline of body
+ Begins at tip of coccyx, ends at upper gum line in mouth
+ Tonifies Kidney Yang and strengthens the back
+ Nourishes spine and brain
+ Strengthens mental and physical levels of energy if depleted

Front 39

Governor Vessel CHARACTERISTICS

Back 39

+ Relatively more Yang than CV
+ Associated with activity and direction
+ Associated with Heaven rather than Earth
+ Holds things up

Front 40

Front Mu Points DEFINITION

Back 40

+ Front Collecting Points or Alarm Points
+ Where structive energy of Official is expressed
+ Points on abdomen that compliment Back Shu points

Front 41

Front Mu Points CHARACTERISTICS

Back 41

+ Found close to corresponding organ
+ Relatively Yin in nature

Front 42

Front Mu Points CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Back 42

+ Useful diagnostically
+ Used to treat an organ or area around organ
+ May combine Mu/Shu points in one treatment

Front 43

AEP Points CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Back 43

+ Use only after determining CF
+ Use when treatment isn't holding or moving
+ Use in acute/chronic situations (mostly chronic)
+ May combine Mu/Shu points in one treatment

Front 44

Upper Kidney Points DEFINITION/CHARACTERISTICS

Back 44

+ Spirit points in Worsley tradition
+ One or two used per treatment
+ Used with any CF
+ May be combined with Outer Bladder Line points

Front 45

Outer Bladder Line Points DEFINITION/CHARACTERISTICS

Back 45

+ Deep mental/spiritual points
+ Use alone or with Inner Bladder Line Points or Upper Kidney Points
+ Have associations with particular Officials
+ Can be used on any CF
+ Can be used for emotional problems

Front 46

Influential Points DEFINITION/CHARACTERISTICS

Back 46

+ Gathering or Assembling Points
+ Have special effect on each of the eight constituents that make up human being
+ Used when constituent needs attention

Front 47

Eight Constituents

Back 47

+Yin Officials
+Yang Officials
+Qi
+Blood
+bone
+marrow
+sinews
+vessels

Front 48

Transporting Points DEFINITION

Back 48

+ Affect meridian according to their location on channel (most distal to most proximal)

Front 49

Windows of the Sky Points DEFINITION

Back 49

+ Points that give patient a clearer and/or greater perspective on life possibilities

Front 50

Windows of the Sky Points CHARACTERISTICS

Back 50

+ Tremendous effect on spirit and mind
+ Can be too open, closed too tightly, or too dirty to let light in

Front 51

Reunion Points DEFINITION/CHARACTERISTICS

Back 51

+ Crossing/Meeting Points
+ Points where several meridians join or are confluent, often through deep pathways
+ Can affect energies of more than one meridian

Front 52

Forbidden Points DEFINITION

Back 52

+ Points that may not be needled/moxa'd for the following potential reasons:
+ Physical conditions
+ Anatomical or structural considerations
+ Power of the point
+ Specific conditions in the patient

Front 53

Internal/External Dragons Block DEFINITION

Back 53

+ Serious lack of control in patient's body/mind/spirit
+ Patient can't be reached beyond superficial level
+ IDs are related to internal causes of disease
+ EDs are related to external causes of disease
+ Also called Possession

Front 54

IDs/EDs DIAGNOSTIC FACTORS

Back 54

+ Unable to create rapport with patient
+ Unable to see Shen in patient's eyes
+ Supporting signs do not prove possession
+ Not based on history

Front 55

IDs/EDs SUPPORTING SIGNS

Back 55

+ Patient is out of control or in chaos
+ Feels something else is in control
+ Does not respond to regular treatment
+ History of drugs/alcohol
+ Attempted suicide or destructive behaviors
+ Clear demarcation of time when patient changed
+ Emotional disturbance
+ Chaotic pulses
+ Practitioner discomfort

Front 56

IDs/EDs CONSIDERATIONS

Back 56

1. If possession is suspected, do treatment
2. Must do all points
3. Generally start with IDs unless there is a reason to start with EDs
4. May be a long and unpredictable treatment. Make enough time.
5. Be intentional. Drive out devils and don't let them go to someone else.
6. Stay present.
7. Protect yourself.
8. Consider how you will present idea of treatment to patient

Front 57

Aggressive Energy DEFINITION

Back 57

+ A block created by independently circulating toxic or polluted energy that moves along K'o cycle
+ Sources are internal/external stressors Official can't cope with
+ Only in Worsley system
+ Test is also the treatment

Front 58

Aggressive Energy DIAGNOSTIC FACTORS

Back 58

+ Only sure sign is redness around needles as compared to test needles
+ Signs/symptoms show up along K'o Cycle

Front 59

Aggressive Energy SUPPORTING SIGNS

Back 59

+ Serious emotional/physical illness
+ Substance abuse or toxic situations
+ Feeling chaotic but still in control
+ Will know something is wrong but not what
+ Patient feels more emotional
+ Practitioner may feel uncomfortable
+ Practitioner may suspect AE from past experience with that patient
+ Treatments don't hold or move
+ Sharp or unusual quality on pulses

Front 60

Aggressive Energy TREATMENT POINTS

Back 60

+ BL 13
+ BL 14
+ BL 15
+ BL 18
+ BL 20
+ BL 23

Front 61

Aggressive Energy TREATMENT PROTOCOL

Back 61

1. Insert all needles top to bottom into all AEPs except BL 15. Insert shallowly to 1 fen. Needles should hang down without touching skin.
2. Insert test needles, one per jiao, inside or outside Inner Bladder line but not on a point. Each jiao's test needle is inserted immed. after the point needles for that jiao.
3. When there is AE, erythema/redness appears at treatment needle that is darker or longer-lasting than test needle.
4. Retain each needle until erythema disappears.
5. If no redness, remove after a few minutes and continue with treatment.
6. If redness appears on one side only, may have missed point.
7. After all other points cleared, insert BL 15 and new test needle.

Front 62

Aggressive Energy CONSIDERATIONS

Back 62

+ Don't leave patient with inserted needles
+ AE can recur and be tested for whenever suspected
+ After draining, patient may feel better or worse for a brief time
+ Next treatment is Akabanes
+ May not clear completely in presence of IDs/EDs

Front 63

Aggressive Energy CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Back 63

+ Must be cleared to prevent spread to other Officials during treatment
+ May clarify CSOE
+ Usually first treatment unless there are IDs/EDs
+ Will not work in presence of Possession

Front 64

Husband/Wife Block DEFINITION

Back 64

+ Left side pulses as a whole must be slightly stronger than right side. If not, there is H/W block
+ Strength = volume and quality
+ If suspected, should be treated

Front 65

Husband/Wife Block DIAGNOSTIC FACTORS

Back 65

+ Diagnosis made solely by pulses
+ Pulse quality on right is hard/rigid/dominating
+ Pulse quality on left is relatively weak, empty, thready

Front 66

Husband/Wife Block SUPPORTING SIGNS

Back 66

+ Deep struggle in patient
+ Feeling of being split apart
+ Chronic illness
+ Relationship troubles
+ Treatments not moving/holding

Front 67

Husband/Wife Block TREATMENT PROTOCOL

Back 67

1. Check for AE
2. Transfer from Metal to Water (tonify BL 67 and KI 7)
3. Transfer across K'o Cycle from Earth to Water (tonify KI 3)
4. Transfer across K'o Cycle from Metal to Wood (tonify LR 4)
5. Tonify Source Points in HT and SI, putting the Supreme Controller back on throne (tonify SI 4 and HT 7)
6. Check pulses between each step.

Front 68

Husband/Wife Block FURTHER TREATMENT OPTIONS

Back 68

+ If block doesn't break from normal treatment, use following options:
1. Tonify AEPs of LR and KI
2. Disperse AEPs of LU and SP and tonify AEPs of LR and KI
3. Disperse all wife AEPs and tonify all husband AEPs at same time
4. Disperse Sources on right-side officials and tonify Sources of left-side officials

Front 69

Husband/Wife Block CONSIDERATIONS

Back 69

+ Dangerous imbalance
+ Do as much as possible in one treatment
+ Have strong intention
+ Lack of movement/direction. Everything is stuck.