J. Acupunct. Tuina. Sci. (2008) 6: 150-156 DOI: 10.1007/s11726-008-0150-9
Special Topic Study
Brief Introduction of TANG Style Scalp Acupuncture YE Ming-zhu () 1, TANG Hui-xian () 2 1 Jiangsu Community Health Service Center, Changning District, Shanghai 200050, P.R. China 2 Shanghai Guanghua Hospital of Integrative Chinese & Western Hospital, Shanghai 200052, P.R. China
Acupuncture Therapy; Scalp Stimulation Areas Key Words Scalp Acupuncture; Acupuncture CLC Number R245.32 Document Code B The TANG style scalp acupuncture was created by TANG Song-yan (1921-1982). TANG completed the book TANG Style Scalp Acupuncture (unpublished) Acupuncture (unpublished) in August 1979. The following is a brief introduction of this book according to the hand-written copy by TANG Hui-xian, TANG’s daughter.
1 Standard Line and Orbital Transverse Diameter For the convenience of determining the accurate location of scalp mapping areas and points, TANG set up three standardization lines. Since individuals have different sizes of head circumference, he used the orbital transverse diameter as the horizontal positionin posit ioning g size in the the head. head. 1.1 Anterior-p Anterior-posterior osterior (AP) midline ( ) The AP midline is a line connecting the glabellum with the center of the inferior border of the occipital prominenc prom inence. e. The middle middle point at 1/2 1/2 of the midline midline is referred to as yin-yang point. The line from yin-yang pointt to glabel poin glabellum lum is ascri ascribed bed to yin, and the the line from yin-yang point to the center of inferior border of the occipital prominence is ascribed to yang. 1.2 Vertical auricular (VA) line ( ) The VA line is a line connecting the anterior border of the supra-auricular notch with the transverse line between betwee n the anter anterior ior bord border er of auric auricle le and yinyin-yang yang point. poin t. 1.3 Canthus-occipita Canthus-occipitall (CO) line ( ) The CO line is a line connecting the orbital margin of outer canthus, along the supra-tragic notch, with the center of the inferior border of the occipital prominence. prominenc e. The canthus canthus-auricul -auricular ar line is a line connecting the anterior border of supra-tragic notch Author: YE Ming-zhu (1947- ), male, vice chief physician
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Fig.1. Schematic layout of TANG style s scalp mapping areas ’
and points (next number is corresponding data
with the orbital margin of outer canthus. The occipital-auricular line is a line connecting the anterior border of supra-tragic notch with the center of the inferior border of the occipital prominence. 1.4 Transverse diameter of the orbit ( ) The transverse diameter of the orbit refers to the straight line from orbital margin of the inner canthus to that of the outer canthus. The length of this straight line in the scalp is considered as a miniature of 1/4 length of the torso.
2 Location and Indications of Scalp Mapping Areas and Points Based on the TCM yin-yang theory, the TANG style scalp acupuncture uses vertical auricular line as the dividing line: the anterior part to this line is ascribed to yin and the posterior part to this line is
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J. Acupunct. Tuina. Sci. (2008) 6: 150-156
ascribed to yang. The miniature of the frontal part of the body is ascribed to yin and inversely suspended in the anterior half of the scalp in a supine position. The miniature of the back part of the body is ascribed to yang and inversely suspended in the posterior half of the scalp in a prone position. Over the anterior and posterior scalp, there are 53 mapping areas and 9 points, 62 in total. 2.1 Yin-yang point ( ) (Fig.1. point 1) Location: At the midpoint of 1/2 of AP line Indications: Genitourinary system disorders such as itching or pain around perineum, and coccydynia. 2.2 Tiantu point ( ) (Fig.1. point 2) Location: The crossing point between anterior hairline and anterior midline Indications: Chest, lung or cervical diseases, including esophagus, trachea, thyroid gland, foreneck and throat. Remark: In cases of abnormal anterior hairline, one can divide the anterior hairline into three equal parts and locate the transverse crossing line between the lower 1/3 and upper 2/3 as the anterior hair line. 2.3 Xiphoid process point ( ) (Fig.1. point 3) Location: The crossing point between the anterior 1/3 and posterior 2/3 of the three equal parts in the midline connecting yin-yang point and Tiantu point. Indications: Pain or itching around the Xiphoid process and distending pain in the thoracic cavity. 2.4 Umbilical point ( ) (Fig.1. point 4, hereinafter inclusive) Location: The crossing point between the anterior 2/3 and posterior 1/3 of the three equal parts. Indications: Distension or pain around the umbilicus or abdomen. 2.5 Area of lower jiao ( ) Location: In between the yin-yang point and umbilical point. Its posterior borderline is the vertical auricular line. Its anterior borderline is the transverse line of the umbilical point (parallel to the vertical auricular line). Its bilateral margins are the bilateral ends of the orbital transverse diameter lateral to the anterior midline. Indications: Digestion and genitourinary system disorders including lower abdomen, external genitals, large and small intestine, urinary bladder and pelvic cavity. Stimulating this area can supplement Yuan-primordial qi and benefit the kidney. 2.6 Area of middle jiao ( ) Location: In between the umbilical point and Xiphoid process point. Its posterior borderline is the
transverse line of the umbilical point. Its anterior borderline is the transverse line of the Xiphoid process point. Its bilateral margins are the bilateral ends of the orbital transverse diameter lateral to the anterior midline. Indications: Distending pain of upper abdomen and stomach, indigestion and liver or spleen problems. Stimulating this area can benefit the stomach, strengthen the spleen and promote digestion. 2.7 Area of upper jiao ( ) Location: In between the Xiphoid process point and Tiantu point. Its anterior borderline is the anterior hairline. Its posterior borderline is the transverse line of the Xiphoid process point. Its bilateral margins are bilateral ends of the orbital transverse diameter lateral to the anterior midline. Indications: Disorders inside or outside the thoracic cavity including chest wall, mediastinum, heart, lung, bronchus and esophagus. Stimulating this area can soothe the chest, promote qi flow, clear the lung and tranquilize the mind. 2.8 Urogenital area ( ) Location: At the posterior 2/3 of the lower jiao area. Its anterior borderline is the crossing transverse line between the anterior 1/3 and posterior 2/3 of the lower jiao area. Its posterior borderline is the vertical auricular line. The bilateral margins are the bilateral ends of 1/2 of the orbital transverse diameter lateral to the anterior midline. Indications: Reproductive, urinary and endocrine system disorders including external genitals, uterus, and urinary bladder. 2.9 Gastric area ( ) Location: The center of the middle jiao area. Its posterior borderline is the crossing transverse line between the posterior 1/4 and anterior 3/4 of the middle jiao area. Its anterior borderline is the crossing transverse line between the posterior 3/4 and anterior 1/4 of the middle jiao area. Its bilateral margins are the bilateral ends of 1/2 of the orbital transverse diameter lateral to the anterior midline. Indications: Gastric distension and pain, poor appetite and indigestion. 2.10 Liver-spleen area ( ) Location: Its posterior borderline converges with the anterior borderline of gastric area (i.e., the crossing transverse line between the anterior 1/4 and posterior 3/4 of the middle jiao area). Its anterior borderline is the crossing transverse line between the posterior 1/4 and anterior 3/4 of upper jiao area. Its
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bilateral margins are the bilateral ends of the 3/4 orbital transverse diameter lateral to the anterior midline. The left side is liver area. The right side is spleen area. Indications: Chest and hypochondriac pain and splenohepatomegaly. Remark: The stimulating area should be based on the size or scope of individualized splenohepatomegaly. 2.11 Cardiac area ( ) Location: In the upper jiao area. Its posterior borderline converges with the anterior borderline of the liver-spleen area. Its anterior borderline is the crossing transverse line between the anterior 1/4 and posterior 3/4 of the upper jiao area. Its bilateral margins are bilateral to the anterior midline. The left side is 1/4 of the orbital transverse diameter and the right side is 1/2 of t he orbital transverse diameter. Indications: Cardiac diseases, neuroasthenia, and mental disorders including chest tightness, chest pain, palpitations, fearful throbbing, vexation, and hyperarousal. Stimulating this area can calm the mind, relieve convulsion and alleviate pain. 2.12 Lung-bronchus area ( ) Location: It shares the same posterior borderline with the cardiac area (i.e., the crossing transverse line between the posterior 1/4 and anterior 3/4 of the upper jiao area). Its anterior borderline is the anterior hairline. When it comes to the bilateral margins, the lung area is at the lateral ends of 3/4 of the orbital transverse diameter lateral to the anterior midline, and the bronchus area is at the 1/4 orbital transverse diameter. Indications: Acute or chronic bronchitis, coughs, profuse sputum, asthma, dysphagia, swallowing, and chest tightness or pain as well as problems involving lung, trachea, esophagus and chest wall. 2.13 Anterior cervical area ( ) Location: The anterior midline from Tiantu point to glabellum is referred to as forehead midline. Divide the forehead midline into 5 equal parts, the crossing transverse line between the upper 1/5 and lower 4/5 is its lower borderline, and the anterior hairline is its upper borderline. Its bilateral margins are at the 1/3 bilateral ends of the orbital transverse diameter lateral to the forehead midline. Indications: Conditions of thyroid gland, throat and anterior cervical area. 2.14 Gulamentum area ( ) Location: Divide the forehead midline into 5 equal 152
parts and sub-divides the upper 2/5 into two equal parts, the upper 1/2 of subdivided part is the gulamentum area. Its lower borderline is at the crossing transverse line between the upper 3/10 and lower 7/10 of the forehead midline. Its upper borderline converges with the lower borderline of the anterior cervical area. Its bilateral margins are at the 1/6 of the orbital transverse diameter lateral to the forehead midline. Indications: Disorders of throat, chin, mouth and neck. 2.15 Oral-labial area ( ) Location: Its upper borderline converges with the lower borderline of gulamentum area. Its lower borderline is the crossing transverse line between the upper 2/5 and lower 3/5 of the forehead midline. Its bilateral margins are downward extension straight lines from the lateral border of the gulamentum area (i.e., 1/6 of the orbital transverse diameter lateral to the forehead midline). Indications: Problems of mouth, lips, tongue and teeth Remark: Mild stimulating this area can help for needle faint. 2.16 Nasal area ( ) Location: Its lower borderline is the transverse line at 1/2 of the forehead midline. Its upper borderline converges with the lower borderline of oral-labial area. Its bilateral margins are at 1/6 of the orbital transverse diameter lateral to the forehead midline. Indications: Nasal problems such as stuffy nose, runny nose, anosmia, and nasal bleeding. 2.17 Eye area ( ) Location: Its upper borderline is the 1/2 transverse line of the forehead midline. Its lower borderline is the crossing transverse line between the upper 3/5 and lower 2/5 of the forehead midline. Its bilateral margins are at 1/4 of the orbital transverse diameter lateral to the forehead midline. Indications: Eye problems such as redness, itching and pain of eyes, visual deterioration, and myopia. 2.18 Ear area ( ) Location: It shares the same upper and lower borderlines with the eye area. It is actually the extended transverse line from the upper and lower borderline of the eye area. Its bilateral margins are at the 1/2 of the orbital transverse diameter lateral to the forehead midline. Indications: Tinnitus, deafness, painful ears, otitis media, vertigo, and temporal headache.
Copyright©2008 Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian
J. Acupunct. Tuina. Sci. (2008) 6: 150-156
2.19 Facial area ( ) Location: Its upper borderline is the crossing transverse line between the upper 1/5 and lower 4/5 of the forehead midline. Its lower borderline is at 1/2 of the transverse line of the forehead midline. Its bilateral margins are at the 1/2 of the orbital transverse diameter lateral to the forehead midline. Indications: Facial pain, numbness, itching, puffiness, toothache, and facial palsy or spasm. 2.20 Frontal area ( ) Location: Its upper borderline converges with the lower borderline of eye and ear areas. Its lower borderline is the crossing transverse line between the upper 4/5 and lower 1/5 of the forehead midline. Its bilateral margins are at the 1/4 of the orbital transverse diameter lateral to the forehead midline, i.e., the downward extended straight line from the lateral border of the eye area. Indications: Frontal headache and dizziness. 2.21 Temporal area ( ) Location: The lateral aspect of the frontal area. It shares the same upper and lower borderlines with the frontal area. Actually it is the extended transverse line of the frontal area. Its bilateral margins are the extended straight lines from the lateral aspect of the ear area. Indications: Temporal headache, migraine and dizziness. 2.22 Anterior vertical area ( ) Location: Its upper borderline converges with the lower borderline of frontal or temporal area. Its lower borderline is at glabellum. Its bilateral margins are the extended arc lines from the lateral end of the lower borderline of temporal area (1/2 of the orbital transverse diameter) and the two margins merge at glabellum. Indications: Pain or itching in the anterior half of the vertex. 2.23 Anterior area of upper limbs ( ) Location: From the lateral border of the 1/2 of the upper jiao area, along the posterior part of the anterior hairline, to the top of the anterior end of canthus-auricular line. Indications: Problems involving the three hand-yin meridians at the medial aspect of the upper limbs. 2.24 Anterior shoulder area ( ) Location: The 1/2 of the lateral border line in the upper jiao area. Indications: Problems involving three hand-yang
meridians from the anterior end of bilateral acromions to anterior and inferior parts of the axillary fossa. 2.25 Medial elbow area ( ) Location: Divide the anterior area of upper limbs into 5 equal parts, the medial elbow area is at the crossing line between the upper 2/5 and lower 3/5. Indications: Problems involving the three hand-yin meridians at the medial aspect of the elbow joints. 2.26 Medial wrist area ( ) Location: The crossing line between the upper 4/5 and lower 1/5 of the anterior area of upper limbs. Indications: Problems involving the three hand-yin meridians at the medial wrist joints. 2.27 Finger-palm area ( ) Location: The lower 1/5 of the anterior area of the upper limbs, i.e., in between the medial elbow area and anterior end of canthus-auricular line. Divide this area into upper and lower parts, the upper 1/2 is the medial palm area; and the lower 1/2 is the yin aspect of the fingers. Indications: Swelling, pain, numbness or itching along the three hand-yin meridians at the medial aspect of the fingers and palms. 2.28 Axillary area ( ) Location: The middle 1/3 of the upper jiao area and 1/4 of the orbital transverse diameter away from the anterior shoulder area. Indications: Problems of axillary fossa. 2.29 Anterior area of lower limbs ( ) Location: From 3/4 of the lateral aspects in the lower jiao area, along the vertical auricular line, to the top of posterior part of canthus-auricular line. Indications: Problems involving the three foot-yin meridians at the medial aspect of the lower limbs. 2.30 Anterior groin area ( ) Location: The posterior 3/4 of the lateral border line in the lower jiao area. Indications: Problems involving the three foot-yin meridians at the groin area in the medial aspect of the thighs. 2.31 Medial knee area ( ) Location: Divide the anterior area of the lower limbs into 5 equal parts, the medial knee area is at the crossing line between the upper 2/5 and lower 3/5. Indications: Problems involving the three foot-yin meridians at medial aspect of the knee joints. 2.32 Medial ankle area ( ) Location: The crossing line between the upper 4/5 and lower 1/5 in the anterior area of lower limbs.
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Indications: Problems involving three foot-yin meridians at medial ankle joints. 2.33 Sole and toe area ( ) Location: At the lower 1/5 of the anterior area of lower limbs, i.e., in between the medial ankle area and posterior part of canthus-auricular line. Divide this area into 3 equal parts, the upper 2/3 is the sole area, and the lower 1/3 is the yin aspect of the toes. Indications: Swelling, pain, cold, and numbness of sole and yin aspect of the toes as well as problems involving the three foot-yin meridians. 2.34 Triangle area ( ) Location: First, make an equilateral triangle by the upward apposition of the two ends of the two isometric lines of the canthus-auricular line. Then, make small triangles at the 1/2 point of each touchline, or triangle area. It covers upper triangle area, lower triangle area, anterior triangle area and posterior triangle area. Indications: The lower triangle area is mainly indicated for temporal headache, dizziness, aphasia, neuroasthenia, cerebral hypoplasia, and poor memory. The upper triangle area is mainly indicated for goiter. The anterior and posterior triangles are mainly indicated for fever due to common cold. 2.35 Dazhui point ( ) Location: Divide the posterior midline into 3 equal parts, the Dazhui point is at the crossing point between the upper 2/3 and lower 1/3. Indications: Neck or back pain. 2.36 Gastric ridge point ( ) Location: At the crossing point between the anterior superior 1/3 and posterior inferior 2/3. Indications: Soreness, pain, cold sensation and numbness in the back or low back, and distension or pain of the stomach. 2.37 Yangguan point ( ) Location: Divide the midline connecting yin-yang point and Dazhui point into 3 equal parts, the Yangguan point is at the crossing point of the upper 1/3 and lower 2/3. Indications: Acute or chronic low back soreness or pain, lumbar sprain, and lumbar soreness or pain due to kidney deficiency. 2.38 Sub-diaphragm point ( ) Location: At the crossing point between the upper 2/3 and lower 1/3 of the midline connecting yin-yang point and Dazhui point. Indications: Soreness and pain around T 8, bleeding involving lung, bronchus, stomach and intestine. 154
2.39 Fengfu point ( ) Location: Divide the midline connecting Dazhui point and center of the lower border of occipital prominence into 3 equal parts, the Fengfu point is at the crossing point between the upper 1/3 and lower 2/3. Indications: Occipital headache, neck rigidity, hoarseness, and aphasia. 2.40 Posterior vertical area ( ) Location: Its upper borderline: the crossing transverse line between the upper 2/3 and lower 1/3 of the midline connecting Dazhui point and the center of the lower border of occipital prominence. Its lower borderline is at the posterior terminal of midline. Its bilateral margins start from 1/2 of the orbital transverse diameter lateral to its upper borderline and then run interior and inferior to converge with the center of the lower border of occipital prominence in a shape of arc. Indications: Pain or itching in the posterior part of the vertex. 2.41 Occipital area ( ) Location: Its upper borderline is at the crossing transverse line between the upper 1/3 and lower 2/3 of the midline connecting Dazhui point and center of the lower border of the occipital prominence. Its lower borderline converges with the upper borderline of the posterior vertical area. Its bilateral margins are at 1/2 of the lateral ends lateral to the midline. Indications: Occipital headache, dizziness, blurred vision, and stiff neck. 2.42 Jingming area ( ) Location: Its lower borderline: at the crossing line between occipital area and posterior vertical area. Its upper borderline is the transverse line of Fengfu point. Its bilateral margins are at 1/4 of the lateral ends lateral to the midline. Indications: Visual deterioration, blurred vision, and redness or pain of the eyes. 2.43 Posterior occipital area ( ) Location: In between the transverse line of Dazhui point and of Fengfu point. Its bilateral margins are at the 1/3 of the lateral ends lateral to the midline. Indications: Stiffness, soreness and pain of nape and cervical problem. 2.44 Language-intelligence area ( ) Location: Its lower borderline is the crossing line between the posterior occipital area (Fengfu point) and occipital area. Its upper borderline is at 1/2 of the crossing transverse line of the posterior occipital area.
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J. Acupunct. Tuina. Sci. (2008) 6: 150-156
Its bilateral margins are at 1/4 of the occipital auricular line lateral to the midline. Indications: Hoarseness, dementia, mental disorder and language disorder. 2.45 Back area ( ) Location: In between the transverse line of Dazhui point and of gastric ridge point. Its bilateral margins are at the lateral ends of orbital transverse diameter lateral to the midline. Indications: Soreness and pain in the back. The area shares the similar function with the 12 Back-shu points. 2.46 Low back area ( ) Location: In between the transverse line of Yangguan point and of gastric ridge point. The bilateral margins are at the lateral ends of orbital transverse diameter lateral to the midline (i.e., the upward extension line of the lateral border of the back area). Indications: Soreness or pain in back or low back and problems involving kidney, stomach and large or small intestine. 2.47 Sacrococcygeal area ( ) Location: In between the transverse line of Yangguan point and of vertical auricular line. Its bilateral margins are at the lateral ends of orbital transverse diameter lateral to the midline (i.e., the upward extension line of the lateral border of the low back area). Indications: Pain, itching, and numbness in perineum, sacrococcygeal region, anus, hip and buttocks as well as problems involving large and small intestine and urinary bladder. 2.48 Posterior area of lower limbs ( ) Location: This area starts from the 3/4 of the lateral border of the sacrococcygeal area, along the posterior part of vertical auricular line, to the top of anterior part of the occipital auricular line. Indications: Problems involving the three foot-yang meridians at the lateral aspect of the lower limbs. 2.49 Posterior hip area ( ) Location: At 3/4 of the bilateral borderlines in the sacrococcygeal area. Indications: Soreness, pain, and numbness in hip joint and buttocks. 2.50 Lateral knee area ( ) Location: Divide the posterior area of lower limbs into 5 equal parts, the lateral knee area is at the crossing line between the upper 2/5 and lower 3/5. Indications: Problems involving the three foot-yang
meridians at lateral aspect of knee joints. 2.51 Lateral ankle area ( ) Location: At the crossing line between the upper 4/5 and lower 1/5. Indications: Problems involving the three foot-yang meridians at lateral aspect of the ankle joints. 2.52 Foot dorsum and toe area ( ) Location: In between the lateral ankle area and the anterior part of occipital auricular line. Divide this area into 3 equal parts, the upper 2/3 is foot dorsum area and the lower 1/3 is the yang area of toes. Indications: Swelling, pain, numbness and itching in foot dorsum or yang aspects of the toes. 2.53 Posterior area of upper limbs ( ) Location: This area starts from the inferior and posterior 1/3 of the lateral border of the back area and then runs down to the posterior part of the middle 1/3 of the occipital auricular line. Indications: Problems involving the three foot-yang meridians at lateral aspects of the upper limbs. 2.54 Posterior shoulder area ( ) Location: At the inferior and posterior 1/3 of the bilateral line in the back area. Indications: Swelling, pain, sore, and numbness around shoulder joints or lateral aspects of the shoulder. 2.55 Posterior elbow area ( ) Locations: Divide the posterior area of upper limbs into 5 equal parts, this area is at the crossing line between the upper 2/5 and lower 3/5. Indications: Problems involving the three hand-yang meridians at lateral aspects of elbow joints. 2.56 Lateral wrist area ( ) Location: At the crossing line between the upper 4/5 and lower 1/5 in the posterior area of upper limbs. Indications: Problems involving the three hand-yang meridians at lateral aspects of wrist joints. 2.57 Lateral hand area ( ) Location: In between the lateral wrist area and posterior part of middle 1/3 of occipital auricular line. The upper 1/2 is hand dorsum area. The lower 1/2 is yang aspect area of fingers. Indications: Swelling, pain, sore, numbness and itching in dorsum of hand and yang aspects of fingers. 2.58 Hypertension area ( ) Location: A straight line at the same level of Fengfu point vertically extended from the crossing line between the posterior 1/4 and anterior 3/4 of the occipital auricular line. Indications: Ataxia, hypertension or hypotension.
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2.59 Wind area ( ) Location: A straight line at the same level of Fengfu point vertically extended from 1/2 of the occipital auricular line. Indications: Migraine, insomnia, fearful throbbing, poor memory, aphasia, neuroasthenia, and cerebral hypoplasia. Stimulating this area can soothe the liver and stop wind. 2.60 Tranquilization area ( ) Location: This area starts from the crossing point between the anterior 1/4 and posterior 3/4 of the occipital auricular line and vertically extends downward. Its lower border is at the border of cranial bone. Its upper border is at the same level of ear apex. Indications: Insomnia, neuroasthenia, dizziness, headache, hypertension, restlessness and hyperarousal. 2.61 Vestibular area ( ) Location: Its upper borderline is the crossing line between the upper 3/5 and lower 2/5 of the posterior area of upper limbs. Its lower borderline is the transverse line of auricle. The anterior border converges with the vertical auricular line. The posterior borderline is at the upward extension line of the tranquilization area. Indications: Dizziness, headache, blurred vision, tinnitus, deafness, and hearing impairment. 2.62 Anmian (sound sleep) area ( ) Location: The posterior 1/3 of the line connecting outer canthus and tragus (i.e., canthus-auricular line). Indications: Insomnia. Stimulating this area can calm the mind.
3 Treatment Based on Meridian Distribution and Pattern Identification TANG considers that the miniature of the front and back parts of the body contains the miniature of the 14 meridians. The yin-yang point is the converging point of the Governor Vessel and Conception Vessel. The anterior midline from glabellum to yin-yang point is the Conception Vessel and ascribed to yin, and the posterior midline from the center of the lower border of occipital prominence to yin-yang point is the Governor Vessel and ascribed to yang. The micro-meridian system of the 12 regular meridians shares similar distribution law with the 12 regular meridians. The three hand-yin meridians are located in the anterior area of upper limbs. The three foot-yin 156
meridians are located in the anterior area of the lower limbs. The distribution law: Shaoyin in located in the anterior, Taiyin in the posterior, and Jueyin in the middle. The three hand-yang meridians are located in the posterior area of the upper limbs. The distribution law: Taiyang is located in the anterior, Yangming in the posterior, and Shaoyang in the middle. The three foot-yang meridians are located in the posterior area of the lower limbs. The distribution law: Yangming is located in the anterior, Taiyang in the posterior and Shaoyang in the middle. Therefore the corresponding areas can be punctured in clinical practice. The treatment method can also be based on pattern identification. For example, the tranquilization area can be used for insomnia, the middle part of the back area [similar function as Xinshu (BL 15)] can be used for hyperactivity of heart-fire, and the lower part of low back area [similar function as Shenshu (BL 23)] can be used for kidney-yin deficiency. The combination of these areas can improve sleep.
4 Indications Scalp acupuncture has extensive indications, including internal or external medicine, gynecology, and pediatrics.
5 Operation Method 5.1 Needles and body position Stainless needles sized 0.30 mm in diameter and 25 or 40 mm in length were selected; sitting or lying position was taken. 5.2 Operation Insertion: Press the selected area or point with the left hand, insert the needle into scalp with right hand at the angle of 15°-30°, followed by small amplitude lifting, thrusting and rotating. Retain the needles after arrival of qi. Usually we use more needles with mild stimulation. Sometimes we can also use less needles or even one needle only. Time of needle retaining: 1 hour or more for intractable conditions. Once every day or every other day, 20 times for one course, 2-4 weeks interval between any two courses or 2-3 successive courses.
Copyright©2008 Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian
Translator: HAN Chou-ping( ) Received Date: December 26, 2007
