5: Why in Tung's acupuncture the heart and lung are often discussed and treated together?

The points of the heart channel starts from the auxiliary at Jiquan (HT1), run downward along the medial side of the upper arm and then lower arm and end at the tip of the small finger. The points distributes along the ulnar nerve. The channel pathway originates in the heart, emerges from the lung artery and descends to connect with the small intestines. Its branch exits at the lung artery, ascends alongside the esophagus to connect with the eyes. Another branch also exits at the lung artery, passes through the lung and auxiliary at Jiquan (HT1), and run along the arm. The heart channel emerges at the lung artery for three times. Hence the disorders related to the heart also relate to small intestines, lung, esophagus and eyes. The heart disorders are also related to the digestive and respiratory disorders. In Tung's acupuncture, the heart and the lung are often discussed and treated together.

4: The points in the lung channel can treat lung diseases but also heart diseases. Why is that? Are there any special features of the needling techniques when needling points in the lung channel?

All vessels converge in lung. The pulse connects to the heart. Hidden pulse is treated by lung points, for instance Taiyuan (LU9). The points in the lung channel are most often used to treat respiratory system disorders, and secondarily to treat heart disorders. That is why many Tung's points treating the respiratory disorders can treat heart disorders. For instances, Renshi (33.13), Dishi (33.14), Tienshi (33.15), Quling (33.16) points located in the lung channel treat lung disorders as well as heart disorders. The lung channel also is related to the digestive system. One feature of the needling techniques of the lung channel is that no matter the diseases are in the respiratory system, heart, or lung, the needling depth is shallow to gain effect. The needling depth should not be too deep as it is said the lung governs the skin: puncturing the skin to treat the lung. Qimen (33.01), Qizheng (33.03) are needled subcutaneously to treat hemorrhoid. The anus is also called pomen (the door of po). The lung governs the po. Quit smoking is treated by needling Leiqu (LU7) penetrating to Yangxi (LI5) subcutaneously. That is a technique also addresses the lung. Shuijin (1010.20), a point to treat lung system disorders is also needled subcutaneously.

3: What is the Method of Selecting Five Shu Points of the Same Five-element Category (同氣相求療法)

I. Inter-promotion: This method is developed from the inter-promotion relation among the five elements. For instance, Taiyuan (LU 9) is the earth (Shu-Stream) point of the metal (Lung) and therefore can be used to supplement the earth to generate metal to treat lung qi deficiency; Shangqiu (SP 5), the metal point of the earth channel, can also be used to reinforce qi to treat diseases due to deficiency of qi in the middle energizer. No more examples are given here, since this is similar to the mother-son reinforcing-reducing method.

II. Inter-restriction: This method is developed from the inter-restriction relation among the five elements. For instance, Erjian (LI 2), the water point of the Large Intestine Meridian, is very effective for diseases of this meridian due to heat or fire such as toothache, and Neiting (ST 44) is also effective for toothache for the same reason; Yemen (TE 2), the water point of the Triple Energizer Meridian, is effective for diseases of the meridian due to heat or fire,. Chize (LU 5), the water (He-Sea) point of the Lung Meridian, can be used to treat diseases of the meridian due to fire, and is therefore the specific point for sore throat and tonsillitis.

III. Genuine Five Elements: Genuine five elements refers to genuine metal in metal, genuine earth in earth, genuine fire in fire, and so on. Zusanli (ST 36), the genuine earth of the earth meridian, has strong effect in regulating the spleen and stomach; Dadun (LR 1), also a wood point of the wood (Liver Meridian), is extremely effective for impotence, hernia and metrorrhagia, since these diseases are all diseases of the tendons, and the Liver Meridian circles around the genitalia and Liver stores blood. Laogong (PC 8), also a fire point of the fire (Pericardium Meridian), has excellent effect of purging fire, clearing away heart fire and chest fire and causing fire to descend, and therefore is often used to treat canker sore and heart stuffiness effectively.

IV. Inter-relation This is the most widely used method in the method of selecting points of the same five-element category, the principle of which is to fully utilize the close relation between the five elements and the visceral manifestations in the clinical practice. The application of this method to the clinical practice will be to select the meridian according to the primary disease mechanisms and the corresponding five-element points in this meridian according to the secondary disease mechanisms. For example, Xiangu (ST 43), the wood point of the earth meridian, is often used to treat diseases due to incoordination between the wood and earth (liver and spleen), especially diarrhea with abdominal pain, headache, migraine and dysmenorrhea; Yinlingquan (SP 9), the water point of the earth meridian, has strong effect of tonifying the earth and controlling water and is therefore used to induce diuresis in the treatment of edema. Houxi (SI 3) is the wood point of the Taiyang Meridian, and since wood controls the tendons it can be used to treat diseases along the Taiyang Meridian that are related to tendon, such as stiff neck, waist and legs; Yongquan (KI 1), the wood point of the water (Kidney Meridian), can also be used to treat vertex pain (or Jueyin headache) with the same mechanism, and is used as an important point for epilepsy and wind syndromes since wood dominates wind and the Jing-Well point has strong tranquilizing effect.

V. Inter-connection: This is a method in which two points of the same five-element category are used in combination. For instance, Chize (LU 5) is the water point of the metal (Lung Meridian) and Fuliu (KI 7) is the metal point of the water (Kidney Meridian). The two points used together have the effect of connecting metal with water to treat dysfunction of the lung and kidney with good effect. The author often uses these two points to treat chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma effectively. Similarly, Shaohai (HT 3) is the water point of the fire (Heart Meridian) and Rangu (KI 2) is the fire point of the water (Kidney Meridian). The two points can be used in combination to treat diseases due to incoordination or disharmony between the heart and kidney, such as symptoms often seen in neurasthenia like insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, seminal emission, palpitation, poor memory, vertigo, tinnitus, dry mouth and throat, aching loin and knees, afternoon fever, spontaneous sweating, etc.

1. Would you please discuss the hand Yang Ming governs the Jin (body fluid) related illnesses?

“Body fluid (jin)” is the liquid that the body excretes outwardly and includes sweat, nasal discharge, and saliva, etc. “Humor (ye)” mainly indicates the liquid that remains internally in such as joints, brain, marrows, orifices, etc and functions as lubrication and moisture and nutrients.

Hand Yang Ming Large Intestine channel governs the “body fluid” related diseases. The described diseases include toothache, neck swelling, yellowing of the eyes, dry mouth, runny snivel, nose bleeding, throat bi, etc. The involved regions such as mouth, teeth, nose, eyes, and pharyngeal and throat, are passed by hand Yang Ming channel and are also the distribution areas of the “body fluid”. Zhang Jing-yue’s commentary says “The Large Intestine and the Lung are the exterior and interior pair. Lung governs qi. Body fluid (jin ye) is the result of qi transformation (qi hua). Hence, the diarrhea or the constipation of the Large Intestine is both the diseases of fluid and ruled by Large Intestine.” Zhang Yin-yen’s commentary says “Large Intestine transports water and grain, transform essentials, and hence governs body fluid production. When it is ill, the body fluid will be depleted and fire exuberant and result in yellowing of eyes, dry mouth, runny snivel nose bleeding, and throat bi, etc.” The Muxue (wood point) (11.17) in Tung’s extraordinary points treats dry eyes, profuse tears, dry nose and profuse nasal discharge. Those indications are the applications of “Large Intestine governs the body fluid.”

7: What is the holographic standpoint of the five transport points? How to apply the concept to clinic practice?

In Ling Shu, Jiu Zhen Shi Er Yuan (The Nine Types of Needle and the Twelve Yuan-source Points) says “The twenty seven qi flow and pour into the five transport points…” That means the twelve channels and the fifteen collaterals flow, pour into, exit from and enter to the five transport points. This indicates that the five transport points are related to the whole body. In Ling Shu, Guan Neng (According to the Official Ability) says “Understanding the functions of the five transport points, one is able to apply the swift and slow needling techniques according to the excess or deficient conditions of the diseases. One also is able to recognize how the channel qi flows, and where does it bend, extend, enter and exit. It follows certain rules.” This paragraph indicates that mastering the five transport points is the prerequisite of successful clinical practice. Both quotes reflect the importance of the five transport points.

The connections of the five transport points and the body parts, and the five-element assignments of the five transport points complete the five transport points to a five-element sub-system. This sub-system is connected to the five-element sub-system of the Zang Fu organs and together they constitute the holographic standpoint of the five transport points. The five transport points of each channel are the holographic points of that channel. Each channel may communicate and act on the respectively related organs through the five elements of the five transport points.

The holographic concept of the five transport points includes the holism, naturalism, and image-numberism. The naturalism of the five transport points refers to the connections between space-time and the five transport points. The flowing from shallow to the deep levels and the distribution locations of the five transport points decide the space nature of the five transport points. For example, the Jing-well points correspond to the head region; Ying-spring points to the facial region; Shu-stream points to the neck or lumbar region (depends on the first or second level correspondence); Jing-river points belong to fire or metal which correspond to lung or heart; He-sea points belong to earth and water which correspond to spleen and kidney. In addition, those points belong to wood correspond to liver and gallbladder. Hence, when the diseases are related to the liver or gallbladder, points belong to wood may be chosen. The rest five-element may be deduced by analogy. The correspondence includes the five body tissue (skin, vessel, flesh, sinew, and bone) correspondence. Those points belong to wood are able to treat sinew problems; points belong to fire to treat blood vessels…etc. I have discussed this part in the previous rounds of the discussion questions. Here I would omit the details.

The time nature of the five transport points nurtures the ideology of the “oneness of heaven and humanity”. The example applications of this concept are such as point selections according to acute (ex. Jing-well points), chronic (ex. Jing-river and He-sea points), or intermittent (Shu-stream points) conditions; and the point selections according to the four seasons a year or four timings a day; Midnight-Noon Ebb-Flow; and the Eight Methods of Magic Turtle.

Besides, the image-numberism of the five-elements includes Tong Qi Xiang Qio (similar energy attracts one another), and Jiao Ji (mutually supplementing)…etc. The points belong to wood treat liver, gallbladder and sinew diseases; points belong to fire treat small intestine and blood vessel diseases. Those are the applications of image-numberism of the five transport points. More examples are such as when diseases manifested with tremor, cramp pains and sudden-onset like winds are categorized into “wind” diseases. Those diseases may be treated with wood points. The chances to apply the concept are extensive and that will be the major content of the five transport points. To put forth effort on this aspect will enhance the flexibility in treating diseases and increase the effect of the treatment. Numerous applications of the Master Tung acupuncture are based on the image-numberism.