Dr. Wei-Chieh Young: Discussions of Tung's Acupuncture

by Dr. Wei-Chieh Young
In recent years there has been increasing interest and inquiry into the various aspects of Tung’s extraordinary points, which is a very good phenomenon. However as a result of this popularity, individuals who have studied on their own without guidance are beginning to teach the work. Further there are several strange books spreading into the stores. For these reasons, we need to support new learners in getting correct information, rather than exposing them to a body of knowledge built solely from reading and conjecture. This will empower new learners to provide proper treatment and to realize the true manifestation of Tung’s points. Through direct transmission we can support the strength and integrity of Tung’s lineage. Currently, several fellow apprentices and students have collectively discussed the various academic and clinical virtues of Tung’s work. After reorganization, the related contents will be published in this website with more research and discussion to follow.
　

Remarks: Because many readers responded that the discussion questions are quite profound and difficult to fully comprehend, starting August, the advanced level and “theoretical-oriented” discussion questions will be presented in our private forum, which is open to those who have finished the complete and advanced courses. On this website, discussion questions of points and treatments will continue to be presented, and updated bi-monthly.

Question 1: What are the differences and similarities between Ti Ying Zhen Fa (Needling Method of Body [Tissue] Correspondence) and the general Ci Wu Ti Fa (Prickling Five Body [Tissue] Method)? Does the Wu Ti (five body [tissues]) refer to the text in Ling Shu, Guan Zhen (Authoratative Needling [Methods]) Chapter: “There are Wu Ci (five prickling [methods]) corresponding to the five viscera…”?

Answer: Ci Wu Ti Fa refers to the Wu Ci (including Ban Ci, Bao Wen Ci, Guan Ci, He Gu Ci, and Shu Ci) mentioned in the Ling Shu, Guan Zhen Chapter. Ti Ying Zhen Fa comprises abundant contents. It not only includes the Wu Ci of Ling Shu, Guan Zhen Chapter, but also contents from other sources. “Needling skin to treat skin and lung” is in accordance with not only Ba Ci (half needling), but also with Mao (hairy) Ci; “needling vessel to teat vessel and heart” with Bao Wen (leopard spot) Ci, but also Luo (collateral) Ci and Zan (assisting) Ci; “needling flesh to treat flesh and spleen” with He Gu (valley union) Ci, but also Fu (floating) Ci, Fen (parting) Ci; “needling bone to treat bone and kidney” with Shu (transport) Ci, but also Duan (short) Ci. That is to say, Ti Ying Zhen Fa not only comprises the contents of Wu Ci, but also those of Jiao (nine) Ci and Shi Er (twelve) Ci.

The main contents of Ti Ying Zhen Fa, also called Ti Ying Quan Xi (Body [tissue] Correspondence Holographic Method), are: 1. Needling body [tissue] to treat body [tissue] (Ti Ti Dui Ying (Body [tissue] and body [tissue] correspondence)); 2. Needling body [tissue] to treat viscera (Ti Zang Dui Ying (body [tissue] and viscera correspondence)); and 3. Needling body [tissue] to treat manifestation (Ti Xiang Dui Ying (body [tissue] and manifestation correspondence)).

First, needling tissue to treat tissue (Ti Ti Dui Ying) comprises the Ci Wu Ti Fa (prickling/needling five-tissue method), which is “needling bone to treat bone; needling tendon to treat tendon; needling vessel to treat vessel; needling flesh to treat flesh; needling skin to treat skin.” Numerous ancient acupuncture experiences are in correspondence with Ci Wu Ti Fa . Nowadays fragmentary usage experiences of Ci Wu Ti Fa are sometimes seen. However, comprehensive and complete treatise or description on it is hardly available. Secondly, needling tissue to treat viscera (Ti Zang Dui Ying), utilizing five tissues to treat five viscera, refers to the text of Ling Shu, Guan Zhen chapter “There are five needling [methods] corresponding to the five viscera….” However, complete and specific application of this text is hardly seen, too. Thirdly, needling tissue to treat manifestation (Ti Xiang Dui Ying) is a method the author expanded, and from which the therapeutic areas of the tissue correspondence is enlarged greatly. Five tissues corresponding to the manifestation of the five phases are such as needling tendon to treat wind; needling bone to treat coldness; needling flesh to treat dampness…. and so on. The scope of treatment of the tissue correspondence is hence expanded broadly. That is why the author named this grand and multiple-adaptive correspondence method “Ti Ying Zhen Fa (Needling Method of Body Correspondence).”

Most people apply “needling bone to treat bone; tendon to tendon; vessel to vessel; flesh to flesh; skin to skin” limited to the local diseased area. For instance, needling skin method is utilized by inserting needles to the skin layer on the diseased area to teat numbness and pain of the skin; needling tendon method is utilized by inserting needles on muscular tendons; needling bone method is commonly used to treat heel bony spur by needling KI6, KI5, and UB62, etc., to treat tennis elbow by needling LI12, and cervical spondylosis by needling SI16. Many applications of Tung’s extraordinary points are in correspondence with the method of needling tissues to treat tissues, but in Tung’s acupuncture, points located distally are more often selected to treat five-tissue related disorders, hence the results are much more effective and the scope of treatment is much broader than those needled locally. However, the author’s teacher Master Tung never described or explained this technique; many people use this method, but they do not know the reason why it is so, either. The author compiled and integrated all possible sources and made elucidations while widely applying this method to the fourteen channels and Tung’s extraordinary points, and further cultivated this method into a complete and practical systematic theory. He named this grand method “Ti Ying Zhen Fa.”

Question 2: When do you use all three lower huang (Tianhuangfu, Renhuang, DiHuang) and when do you use just Tianhuangfu and Renhuang? I have also heard that the emphasis of the lower three emperors changes based on the location of this point (Di Huang) - 3 down from shenguan or 3 up from renhuang- perhaps to be more Sp tonifying or Kd tonifying.

Answer: In general, point selections should be as simple and refined as possible, but if the disease is severe, all lower three huang could be used simultaneously. Sometimes the purpose of needling all the lower three huang is to amply the effect. But if some other points are selected as well, to avoid using too many points, it is sufficient to use only Tien Huang Fu and Ren Huang, or even either one. In the latter case, one needs to fully understand Tien Huang Fu and Ren Huang, their functions, locations, attribute or nature, and relationship with the surrounding 14 channel points, in order to know which specific emperor to choose. In the case of deficiency of all kidney, spleen, and liver, many think they have to use all the lower three huang. But in fact, sometimes two points or even one point of the lower three huang are sufficient, although in most cases Ren Huang must be incorporated because Ren Huang is slightly superior to SP6 (the meeting point of spleen, liver, and kidney) and will treat spleen, liver and kidney simultaneously.

As how to select Di Huang in accordance with the emphasis of treatment, I have lectured some contents of this part when I taught the treatment of the extraordinary points in some schools. To focus on tonifying kidney, select Di Huang 3” inferior to Shen Guan, or 3” superior to Ren Huang if tonifying spleen. However, this saying is not a complete answer. The scope and contents of Tung’s acupuncture are broad and abundant. The floating selections of Di Huang point have profound meaning not limited to the above. The point sandwiched between the floating selections also carries special meaning. I have listed out some review questions regarding this part not long ago. I would leave some blank for readers to think and expound by themselves for the time being.

Question 3: Why SanChaSan bears the most profound efficacy among all three SanCha points? How to locate it?

Answer: Sanchasan (A.04) is located on the dorsum of the hand, proximal to the margin of the web between the fourth and fifth phalanges (slightly closer to the fourth phalange), underneath the tendon and adjacent to the bone. Make a fist to locate the point. It is needled by inserting the needle distal to Yimen (SJ2), then penetrating the needle through Yimen (SJ2), Houxi (SI3), Zhongzhu (SJ3), Zhongbai (22.06) and Xiabai (22.07), Wounshunyi (22.08), and even Wounshuner (22.09). The great number of points it penetrates is matchless. The special grouping points it penetrates include Ying-spring, Shu-stream, and Yuan-source points. Because Sanchasan is located underneath the tendon and adjacent to the bone, and with small blood vessels neighbored distally, needling it treats tendon, bone and vessel related disorders. Since it penetrates through the Shu-stream and Yuan-source points, which are located on the fleshy region corresponding to the spleen, and hence can strengthen the spleen and supplement qi. The insertion of the needle is underneath cutaneous/skin layer and so is corresponding to the lung, and is the super effective point of common cold. Its exceptionally “gifted” position is unsurpassed by the other two Sanca points or even any other points. That is why its indications are numerous such as common cold, headache, shoulder pain, five sense organ diseases, sore throat, tinnitus, palpitation, red swollen & painful eyes, urticaria, leg pain, ptosis, heavy eyelids, fatigue, boost energy, and myasthenia. Sancasan is located on San Jiao channel but also supplement the kidney because of the extra relationship with Kidney. Sancasan treats spleen, liver, and kidney simultaneously, and also strengthen immunity function; hence its indications are abundant and it is very effective in treating them. Sancasan is one of my ten most commonly used points.

Question 4: I have heard about the nature of space of acupoints. Could you expound this idea?

Answer: The contents of the nature of space of acupoints are broader and more than those of the nature of time. Here, I would also use the five transport points to example and explain.

1. “When the disease is at the Zang (viscera), select the jing-well point.” Jing-well points treat spiritual and will/emotional or mental (Shen Zhi) disorders. According to the hand against torso and foot against torso correspondences among the body segment correspondences, the finger and toe tips correspond to the head. Hence Jing-well points carry the functions of Baihui (DU20) and Shenting (DU24) and are able to treat spiritual and mental, and head disorders. They are most often used for acute spiritual and mental disorders, and certainly commonly used for other types of spiritual and mental diseases, for example, SP1 and ST45 in combination to sedate spirit and treat nightmare and restless sleep. Besides, Jing-well points can open orifice and expel coldness and are good at treating “orifice related diseases.” For instance, Daduan (LV1), the Jing-well point of Liver channel, treats impotence; Yinbai (SP1) and Daduan (LV1) are combined to treat metrorragia, because spleen controls blood and liver stores blood.

“Jing-well points master fullness below the heart.” “Fullness below the heart” refers to the glomus stuffiness and fullness (pi man) in the middle part of gastric cavity (zhong wan). In acute syndromes, fullness, stuffiness and obstruction below the heart or heart orifice obstructed or closed by excess pathogens are commonly seen. Jing-well points can course and purge pathogenic heat, open and unobstruct the heart orifice and hence are good at treating acute disorders.

2. “When the disease is manifested on the (complexions) color, select the ying-spring point.” “Ying-spring points master body heat.” “Ying-spring and Shu-stream points treat external channels.” Here “external channels” refer to the channels as well as the external pathogens. According to holographic correspondence, Ying-spring points correspond to the regions of the eyes, nose, throat, and face. They are also effective in treating primary neuralgia.

3. “When the disease is intermittently alleviated and aggravated, select the shu-stream point.” “Ying-spring and Shu-stream points treat external channels.” Rheumatism, pains of the tendons and muscles are often treated with Shu-stream points. “Ying-spring and Shu-stream points treat external channels.” Ying-spring and Shu-stream points are located close to the surface of the body, and so are good at treating externally contracted diseases. Ying-spring and Shu-stream points are good at treating disorders of the channel and the body surface of each channel pathway. Overall, Shu-stream points correspond to the five-sense organs (for detail please refer to my book “Lectures on Tung’s Acupuncture: Treatment Study, the chapter “Taiji, Holography, and Correspondence”), joints, and half external and half internal (ex. combination syndromes (hebing) or concurrent syndromes (jienbing) of Shao-Yang and Yang-Ming). That is to say Shu-stream points are good at treating those diseases.

4. “When the disease manifests as changes in the patient’s voice, select the jing-river point.” “Jing-river points master panting, cough, cold and heat.” The five-phase of Jing-river points of Zang (yin) channels belong to metal. Metal pertains to “sound” and corresponds to “lung”, which relates to wind-cold. Overall, the indications of Jing-river points are related to viscera or regions that make sound, which are lung, throat, tongue, mouth, and teeth.

5. “When the channel is full and with stagnated blood, the disease is in the Stomach and disorders resulting from intemperance of food and drink, select the he-sea point.“ “He-sea points master counter flow qi and diarrhea.” Every Zang Fu has its counterflow qi disorders, which all could be treated with He-sea points. For example, Chize (LU5) treats asthma (Ode of Spiritual Brightness); ST36 treats abdominal distension, vomiting, (The Great Compendium; Song of Points for Miscellaneous Diseases; Ode of One Hundred Symptoms) and arrest wheezing (Ode of Xi Hong; Song of Jade Dragon; Song of Points of Miscellaneous Diseases; Song of Essentials of Needle Manipulation); SP9 treats the fullness of regions of the heart, abdomen, chest and hypochondria (Ode of Xi Hong; The Golden Mirror). “Disorders resulting from intemperance of food and drink, select the he-sea point,“ a common clinical exertion of He-sea points. For example, ST36, LI11, and SP9 are He-sea points commonly used for digestive disorders. Blood stagnation often is treated by bleeding points such as LU5, UB40, and ST36, the essential points of bleeding. As “He-sea points treat internal Fu”, it means He-sea points are good at treating the Fu (actually including Zang) organ disorders of their respective channel.

Question 5: Could you briefly talk about your experience in treating trigeminal neuralgia (TN)?

Answer: Certainly. Acupuncture is very effective and is commonly used in treating trigeminal neuralgia. I have once published an article regarding acupuncture treating trigeminal neuralgia in the China Times newspaper in Taipei. During a week, almost seventy patients of trigeminal neuralgia visited my clinic. Obviously this is not a rare disease.

Pain distribution of TN is usually unilateral and follows the sensory distribution of cranial nerve V, typically radiating to the maxillary (V2) or mandibular (V3) area, which corresponds to the courses of the three Yang channels, and has a particularly close relationship with the Foot Yang Ming Stomach channel. Foot Yang Ming Stomach channel and Foot Shao Yang Gall Bladder channel both travel to the lateral sides of the head and face; Hand Tai Yang Small Intestine channel “…. going upward to the cheek, arrives the outer canthus of the eye, travels posteriorly to enter the ear; a branch separates from the previous branch on the cheek and ascends to the infra-orbital region then travels along the nose to the inner canthus, and crosses obliquely to connect the zygomatic region”. Those channel pathways are close related to the distribution of TN.

Quite a few points are super effective in treating primary TN. Personally I prefer to select distal points, such as the first pair SI3 and Dabai (22.04) or LI3 as ruling points. Select Dabai at the healthy side as the treatment point with SI3 at the diseased side as the guiding point, or SI3 at the healthy side with Dabai at the diseased side. Both combinations give good results. Second pair is Casanli (77.22) and Shenguan (77.18) as ruling points, which is a good combination too. Those combination points are very effective in TN. Pain caused by TN sometimes is very severe and intolerable. Needling those combination points usually stops the pain immediately. Generally two points are enough to sedate the pain.

Casanli located between Yang Ming channel (the earth channel) and Shao Yang channel (the wood channel) is good at treating disorders caused by disharmony of wood and earth. It is effective in treating diseases related to either Yang Ming channel or Shao Yang channel, and is particularly effective in the pain related to or caused by combination syndromes (hebing) of Yang Ming and Shao Yang channels, hence is good at treating migraine headache and TN with dramatic efficacy since both Shao Yang and Yang Ming channels are involved. If the pain is caused or aggravated by emotions (disharmony between wood and earth or liver and spleen), Casanli is especially good. In chronic cases, Shenguan could be added, since the kidney is often involved in chronic diseases. Needling Shenguan will supplement the kidney. Shenguan is located on the spleen channel, and through the extra relationship between the spleen and small intestine, it is effective in treating TN. The two points complement each other. Combination of them makes the efficacy superb.

Small Intestine channel “…. going upward to the cheek, arrives the outer canthus of the eye, travels posteriorly to enter the ear; a branch separates from the previous branch on the cheek and ascends to the infra-orbital region then travels along the nose to the inner canthus, and crosses obliquely to connect the zygomatic region.” This paragraph of the classical text points out the cheeks, zygomatic regions, nose, inner and outer canthuses of the eyes are on the course of the small intestine channel, which generally correspond to the distribution of the Trigeminal nerves. The pathway of a channel reflects the indications of the channel. Haoxi (SI3) is the Shu-stream (wood) point of the small intestine channel. Shu-stream points master body heaviness and joint pain, especially intermittently aggravated or alleviated pain. The five element of SI3 belongs to wood corresponding to wind. One of the characteristics of wind is suddenness. TN often attacks suddenly as wind does; hence this point is very effective in treating TN.

Sanjian (LI3) is the Shu-stream point of Large Intestine channel. As Shu-stream points master body heaviness, and joint pain, Sanjian (LI3) is the one of the most commonly used point for pain. Facial and head regions of Yang Ming channel pathway correspond to the distribution of the Trigeminal nerves. The pathway of a channel reflects the indications of the channel. The point belongs to wood among the five elements, which corresponds to wind. As stated above, one of the characteristics of wind is suddenness, similar to the onset of TN. So this point is very effective in treating TN. According to the Chinese medicine, chronic diseases often concurrent with Kidney deficiency. If the TN is chronic, it is better to select LI3 slightly distally adjacent to the bone, which equals to Dabai point. Dabai corresponds to the head region of the metacarpal bone in accordance with the holographic theory. Dabai hence is also an outstanding point for pain located on the head and face.

Shenguan, a point on spleen channel, is good at treating diseases related to the spleen channel. Through the extra relationship of the spleen and small intestine, it will treat small intestine related disorders. Small intestine channel passes the distribution of TN, Shenguan treats TN because of this extra relationship. Besides, Shenguan belongs to both earth and water among the five-elements, so is good at treating diseases related to the pre- and post-foundations, supplementing spleen and enhancing qi, reinforcing kidney and expelling coldness, it is a very good point for TN especially in chronic cases.

Question 6: Could you talk about your experience in treating Luo Zhen (stiff neck)?

Answer: Luo Zhen (stiff neck) or literally “falling from pillow” is a very common disorder, and acupuncture is very effective in treating it. Usually patients wake up in the morning to find their neck stiff and painful and with difficulty in turning. Sometimes the shoulder and back are involved too. Luo Zhen is often due to qi and blood stagnation and tendon and vessel spasm that are caused by improper position during deep sleep, sleeping on a high pillow, or contracting external wind-cold pathogen that lodges the channels. Main clinical manifestations are painful and stiff neck and nape (mostly on unilateral neck muscles). Patients feel their neck/nape stiff and discomfort. Muscles on the local area are spasm, painful, and heaviness, and the pain is aggravated if being pressed. The movement of the neck is limited. The head and neck may tilt to one side (the head tilts to the diseased side, and the chin to the healthy side). The pain may be aggravated and radiated to the shoulder or upper arm when the patient is trying to turn the neck.

To treat Luo Zhen, first select either Chongzi (22.01) or Chongxian (22.02) point, and add Chengjiang (DU24). The result is outstanding. If the pain more focuses on the neck, selecting Chongxian is better. If the pain more focuses on the shoulder, choose Chongzi. If both neck and shoulder are with pain, certainly both Chongzi and Chongxian are used. Then add Chengjiang (DU24) point and then ask the patient to move around his/her neck and shoulder (diseased areas). The result will be much better with this Dongqi technique, and patient will feel the pain is much reduced instantly. If the patients go to the acupuncture clinic for treatment right after the onset, most of them feel the pain completely gone after the treatment. If seeking for treatment after two or three days later, patients usually still feel 80% better after the acupuncture treatment.

There are many other points used to treat Luo Zhen. Other effective points are such as: Neiguan (PC6), Weiguan (SJ5), Shugu (UB65), Juegu or Xuenzhong (GB39), Zhigo (SJ6), Luozhen, Zhengjin (77.01), Yanglao (SI6), Tinggong (SI19), Fengchi (GB20), Yanglingquan (GB34), Dazhuei (DU14), Huoxi (SI3), Tienjing (SJ10), Zhongzhu (SJ3), Yimen (SJ2), etc. They all are the effective “one needle therapeutic method” for Luo Zhen (for details, please refer to the soon-to-be-published “One-Needle Therapeutic Method by Young Wei-chieh.”)

Why select Chongzi, Chongxian, and Chengjiang (DU24)? When the neck, back or shoulder is painful, the bluish vessels floating to the surface are often seen around the locations of Chongzi and Chongxian. Chongzi and Chongxian not only can manifest the diseases, but also treat them. These two points are located on the coverage of the Lung channel and hence are very effective in treating diseases of the respiratory system and Lung channel. Through the extra relationship between Lung and Urinary Bladder, they are very effective in treating neck, shoulder and back pain. Instant result is seen when two points are used to treat Luo Zhen. If Chengjiang (DU24) is combined, the result is even more outstanding. The reason of selecting Chengjiang is because it is the meeting point of Ren, Du, Hand and Foot Yang Ming channels. As Du channel enters the brain, Ren channel moistens yin, Yang Ming channels are with abundant qi and blood and hence are able to regulate qi and blood, Chengjiang bears strong functions of tranquilization and pain sedation and is an important and common point for nervous system diseases. Besides, needling Chengjiang to treat Luo Zhen reflects the anterior- posterior correspondence and applying yin to treat yang (use the mouth to treat the neck/nape; apply Ren channel to treat Du channel). I have treated hundreds of cases of Luo Zhen in my thirty years of clinical practice and have always received instant result.

Question 1: Is it true one need to master the fundamentals of Chinese medicine and 14 channels if he/she would like to learn Tung’s Acupuncture well?

Answer: Some people think they could learn extraordinary points well without studying the fundamentals of Chinese medicine and 14 channels. That is a very wrong idea. From my many years of teaching experience, I realized that the stronger foundation of one’s Chinese medicine, the better the person could learn 14 channels and extraordinary points. If a person did not learn extraordinary point well, usually he had not learned 14 channels well, either. The realm of extraordinary points is a chain of Chinese medicine. The Yin Yang, Five Phases, channels and collaterals (network vessels), visceral manifestations, and differentiations are the predecessors. One needs to reach a certain level of those basic theories to learn extraordinary points well. Master Tung’s foundation of 14 channels was very profound. In the earlier period of time, Master Tung used mainly 14 channel points in clinic. Until the end of 60’s, he started to publicly apply extraordinary points to the treatments. That is why some senior apprentices are/were very good at 14 channels, but do/did not know extraordinary points. Take Chen Guo-Jing, a senior apprentice resided in US, as an example. He ranked the 6^th among Master Tung’s 73 disciples. He used 14 channels excellently and had treated many famous people, even including foreign Presidents. But he did not know extraordinary points at all. That is because he studied with Master Tung in the earlier period, then left Taiwan, and practiced abroad. Therefore, those who learned extraordinary points better are those who continued to study with Master Tung until his pass away. This indicates Master Tung’s knowledge and applications of 14 channels were also at top. Learning 14 channels will assist one make a deep study of extraordinary points. Vice versa, studying extraordinary points will also enhance and promote the knowledge of 14 channels. They complement each other. Personally, I compiled and wrote An Elucidation of Master Tung’s Extraordinary Points (1980) after I wrote my two books in 14 channels acupuncture, Zhen Jiao Jing Wei (The Longitude and Latitude of Acupuncture and Moxibustion) (1975), specializing in needling methods and point combinations of 14 channels, and Zhen Jiao Jing Xue Xue (Acupuncture and Moxibustion: channels and points) (1979), specializing in the study and the applications of points of the 14 channels. Without the strong foundation of 14 channels, I would not be able to elucidate Tung’s extraordinary points.

After lecturing two times of the Complete Course of Tung’s Acupuncture in the recent two years, I noticed that the levels among acupuncturists are quite different. Some attendants raised strange questions that made me think their fundamentals of Chinese medicine were not well learned. Sometimes I had to go through those questions and the class schedules were impeded. Another even stranger phenomenon is that some dare to teach even they have just learned a small part of Tung’s acupuncture and/or have just been an acupuncturist for a couple of years.

Question 2: The original indications of Wood points and Heart Gate of Tung’s acupuncture are only hyperactivity of liver-fire and irritability; and heart diseases and dry cholera, respectively. But in your book, you expanded many indications. Those points are very effective on their expanded indications. How did you expand them?
　

Answer: I would say “elucidate” is a better word than “expand.” The original indications of Wood points are only two. In my book, eight items are added to a total of ten. The indications of Heart Gate are also added with the most useful and effective applications of knee pain and coccygeal pain. To apply a point, one may follow the train of thought as prescribing an herbal formula, going through the following aspects. They are: recognition of the main pattern (syndrome), grasp of the pathomechanism (disease mechanism), clarification of the channels and collaterals, insight of the five elements (phases), and awareness of the locations, etc. Both 14 channels and extraordinary points could go through those aspects to be elucidated.
　

1. The first step is to recognize the main syndrome (pattern) while following the original text/meanings. 2. Secondly, grasp of the pathomechanism. 3. Clarification of the channels and collaterals: the point’s located channel, its exterior-interior channel, (hand and foot) same-name channel, corresponding channel of Zang Fu extra relationships, etc. 4. Awareness of the locations: correspondences of Dui Ying (body segments) and of TiYing (tissues). See if there are relationships with a tendon, a bone, a vessel, skin and/or flesh. If the point is close to a tendon, it will be able to treat tendon related diseases. Same theory applies to other tissues. Then find out which body segments the point is located. A point on the upper treats the lower. 5. Insight of the five elements (phases). Check if the point’s name has any relationship with five elements, and if there are near-by five transport points (five elements) of the 14 channels. Once those factors are grasped, the applications of an acupuncture point could be elucidated greatly.
　

Let’s take the pair of Wood points as an example. Recognition of main syndrome (pattern) and grasp of pathomechanism (disease mechanism): the original and main indications of Wood points are hyperactivity of liver-fire and irritability (described as Pi Qi Zao “spleen qi fussy”), reflecting liver and spleen disharmony. So, we know this point has the functions of coursing the Liver and regulating the Spleen, clearing and benefiting the head and the eyes, opening the orifices and soothing the Liver. Clarification of the channels and collaterals: this point is located on the index finger, Large Intestine channel, which has the exterior-interior relationship with Lung, and the relationship of (hand-foot) same-name channel with Stomach, and also has the relationship with Liver through Zang Fu Bei Tong. Through the communication of Liver and Large Intestine, Wood points are able to treat quite a few diseases, especially nasal problems. The reasons are because of the functions of the channels and collaterals (the pathway of Large Intestine travels to the exterior nasal orifice, and the pathway of Liver runs upward to the posterior to the throat, entering the nasopharynx, the interior nasal orifice); and also Liver being coursed. The reason this point treats eye diseases, such as dry eyes and profuse tears, is also because of Liver pathway. The exterior and interior relationship of Large Intestine and Lung makes this point good at treating hand skin diseases and skin itchiness. Insight of the five elements (phases): The name of Wood points corresponds to Wind and hence they will treat diseases related to it. Therefore those points are good at treating common cold due to contracting exterior Wind evil, and also very good at skin itchiness. It usually stops nasal discharge due to common cold immediately after the point is needled. This is also because Liver/Wood governs Wind. Awareness of the locations: This pair of points is located on the index finger, and is between Jing-well and Ying-spring points. The lower Wood point is about the same level of Ying-spring point. Now think what diseases Ying-spring points treat (hints: the applications of five transport points and their space correspondences), and try to elucidate on your own.

As for Heart Gate point, the applications and elucidations of it also follow the same steps: 1. Recognition of the main syndrome (pattern), 2. Grasp of the pathomechanism (disease mechanism). 3. Clarification of the channels and collaterals. 4. Insight of the five elements (phases). 5. Awareness of the locations. By thinking through those essential factors, Heart Gate will be elucidated greatly, too.

The development of a point follows the above guidelines, so as the clinical applications. And not only extraordinary points are applicable, 14-channels points as well. To sum up, the elucidations of the functions of a point start on those: determination of locations (channels and collaterals, Zang Fu, five tissues, body segments…etc); determination of nature (the nature of the point, and the nature of the corresponded diseases); determination of quantity (depth of needle insertion, duration of needle retention, and the frequency of needling).

Question 3: The method of image-establishing analogy is commonly used in Chinese herbal medicine. Does acupuncture also apply the same method?

Answer: Yes, image-establishing analogy is a major method of thinking in Yi Jing (The Classic of Changes) and also an important methodology of Chinese medicine. It is widely applied to the Chinese medicine, not only in Chinese herbal medicine, but also commonly used in acupuncture. For example, the correspondences of Ti Ying (body tissues) and Dui Ying (body segments) in acupuncture are derived from the method of image-establishing analogy. The flowers and leaves of Chinese herbs have the nature and functions of being light, floating, ascending and scattering; the seeds and fruits being heavy, sinking, and descending; the branches traveling outwardly to four extremities; the skins inducing water [metabolism] and reducing swelling. Certain part of certain things corresponds to the similar part of human body. The correspondences of hand-torso and foot-torso in acupuncture, for example, and the currently popular Holography all use this method, too. Other examples are: eating liver strengthens liver, eating brain (ex, walnut) enhances brain, eating kidney supplements kidney, etc. These types of ideas of “Tung Lei Xiang Zhao (Creatures of the same kind call one another together.)” and “Tung Qi Xiang Qio (Creatures that have affinity in their natures seek one another.)” are established through long-term practices and repeated recognitions. The tissue correspondences in acupuncture are good examples of image-establishing analogy: needling bone treats bone (related diseases); needling tendon treats tendon; needling flesh treats flesh…etc. Other than needling tissues to treat tissue diseases, needling tissues to treat viscera is another application of tissue correspondences: needling bone to treat kidney (related diseases); needling tendon to treat liver, needling flesh to treat spleen…. etc. Another application is needling tissues to treat manifestations of viscera, such as needling bone to treat coldness or kidney deficiency; needling tendon to treat spasm and wind twitching; needling flesh/muscle to treat fatigue and loose stool or diarrhea…etc.

The method of image-establishing analogy is also applied to treatment strategies and principles. They are the results from analogical reasoning of the natural phenomena. For example, pulling a boat up against stream [is to describe treating dysentery caused by exterior pathogen sinking to the interior]; and lifting the lid on the kettle [is to relieve obstruction force to promote water flowing out of the spout, a common strategy for difficulty in urination, constipation or edema]. If those analogies are used in acupuncture, wonderful results are often seen. Points of Master Tung treating various stone diseases (kidney, bladder, and urethra) are located on the face. They are the examples of lifting the lid on the kettle, with the function of opening the upper orifice to activate the lower orifice. Besides, five transport points also apply the analogical reasoning of five elements (phases). For example, if the nature of a point is metal, it corresponds to purifying, depurative, sinking, descending, collecting, and storing. Wood nature of a point corresponds to ascending, developing, dispersing and scattering. Thereafter, although Jing-well points govern “fullness below the Heart, Jing-well points on the Yang channels tend to descend qi, reduce fullness; while Jing-well points on the Yin channels tend to disperse Liver and regulate qi. Ying-spring points govern heat in the body. Ying-sping points on Yang channels belong to water; hence they tend to supplement water to clear heat. Ying-spring points on Yin channels belong to fire, and they tend to purge fire to clear heat. Other examples are points of wood nature govern wind and tendon; points of earth nature govern spleen and qi. If one knows how to apply the method of image-establishing analogy to acupuncture, he will make a point more profound and ingenious and can select very few points to treat multiple diseases simultaneously.

Question 4: Could you briefly talk about your experience of treating Bell’s palsy?

Answer: Sure. Acupuncture is very effective on Bell’s palsy. If treatments start early and are performed serially, generally it could be cured in a week or even sooner. In 1981, I published my experience to Taipei Journal of Chinese Medicine, a periodical of Taipei Chinese Medical Association. In 1990, Overview of Chinese Medicine in Taiwan, compiled by Fu Jian College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, also covered my experience of treating 50 cases of Bell’s palsy. In summer 1998, United Daily News, a major newspaper in Taiwan, reported a story about my curing my self’s Bell’s palsy in four days. After the article published, within a couple of days afterward, almost 50 patients of Bell’s palsy visited my clinic seeking for treatments. Thereafter, one can see Bell’s palsy is not a rare disease. I recently treated several cases. They all were completely cured within a week (Patient’s mouth is centered and able to whistle, eyes can close.)

There are many super effective points for Bell’s palsy. Here I would only introduce those I commonly use.

First choice (also Master Tung’s first choice) is Inner Jia Che (inner St6), located inside of mouth, directly opposite to St6, on the prominence of the masseter muscle. Prick Inner Jia Che eight to ten times with a three-edged needle at about 0.1-cun depths. Wait till blood come out by itself, and then rinse the mouth with warm water. Perform once every two or three days. Facial paralyses mostly are caused by Wind Cold pathogens attacking channels and collaterals, resulting obstruction or impedance of qi and blood. Liver channel encircles the inner mouth. Pricking inner mouth will drain Liver, expel Wind and invigorate channels and collaterals. Pricking inner mouth also regulate qi of Yang Ming channels (as Yang Ming channels also encircle mouth), by which will assist the sinews of the channels being nourished; once the righteous qi returns, the pathogens will be expelled, and the flaccid of facial muscle will be recovered. Bleeding Inner Jia Che is the number one method in treating deviated mouth. The result is much more effective than needling. If the patient receives treatments in the very early stage, it usually only takes two or three treatments to recover. You may choose to needle first then perform bleeding. Master Tung usually selected Ci Xia San Li, which I sometimes use. But, most of time I prefer St37 or Liv3.

The reasons of needling Liv3: the regions of facial paralyses related to Yang Ming channels and Liver channel. Liver channel “connects the eye system” and, “travels downward to contour the inside of the lips.” As the pathway of a channel reflects its indications and functions, Liv3 is efficacious in diseases related to the circle of the eyes, the face and the lips. “Bai Zheng Fu (Odes of a Hundred Patterns)” says: “Taichong (Liv3) drains/reduces deviated mouth to accelerate healing.” Liv3 is the Shu-stream point of Liver channel, an earth point on the wood channel. It can course/disperse Liver, expel wind and also regulate Spleen, Stomach and Large Intestine (also as Liver and Large Intestine communicate). Large Intestine channel travels the mouth and the lips, too. Liv3 is also the Yuan-source point of Liver channel, which is powerful in regulating qi. Liver stores blood. Treating wind, blood should also be addressed. Liv3 can spread Liver, regulate qi, and invigorate channels and blood. Wind disorders caused by blood depletion or Yin deficiency both can be treated with Liv3. Facial paralyses are diseases related to channels and channel sinews. Liv3, a point of Liver channel, is certainly good at treating tendon disorders, as Liver governs tendons. If Liv3 is needled with penetrating technique to Kid1, results will be more profound as supplementing water moistens wood. If Liv3 is selected proximally along the bone edge, which equals to Huo Zhu point of Tung’s acupuncture, results will be more effective too. Because needling bone treats bone and also corresponds to Kidney, it bears the functions of supplementing water moisten wood and extinguish wind.

The reasons of needling St37: Ling Shu: Channel Sinews says: “Foot Yang Ming… sudden deviation of mouth.” The pathway of Hand Yang Ming “traverses the cheek, enter the lower teeth/gum, return and encircles the mouth and lips, meets at Ren Zhong (Du26) as left channel goes to right, right channel goes to left, continues and terminates at side of nostril”. The pathway of Foot Yang Ming “descends parallel along the nose, enters the upper teeth/gum, returns and encircles the mouth and lips, descends and (right and left channels) meets at Chen Jiang (Du24).” Both Hand and Foot Yang Ming channels encircle mouth and lips. St37 is the Xia He Xue (lower uniting or lower He-sea point) of Large Intestine, but is located on Stomach channel. One point has both properties of Large intestine and Stomach, and will certainly treat diseases related to both channels. “Biao Yao Fu (Odes to Elucidate Mysteries)” says: “Diseases on head (upper), needle the foot (lower)." If St37 is selected, then channel and bowel are both treated and hence result is good. If the facial paralysis is being treated at early stage, the result will be so much better than treated delayed. Within a couple of treatments, mouth should be straightened; eyes should be able to close. If treatments start three months after onset, sometimes it takes more than ten visits to see results. If St37 combined with St36, more powerful and faster results will be seen. St36 is also the lower uniting point of Stomach channel. Using both lower uniting points of Stomach and Large Intestine will form a Dao Ma, and result is definitely effective and powerful.

Question 5: You mentioned the nature of time of acupuncture points. Could you briefly talk about it?

Answer: The nature of time and space of acupuncture points is the result from the applications of “the unity of Heaven and Human” and “Holism.”　 The nature of space of acupuncture points is a broader topic and contains more contents than those of the nature of time. Here I would like to talk about the nature of time of points first, and I would like to take Five Transport points as examples. Ling Shu, Shun Qi Yi Ri Fen Wei Si Shi (The human healthy energy in the day and night corresponds with the energies of the four seasons): “When the disease is at the Zang (viscera), select the jing-well points; when the disease is manifested on the (complexions) color, select the ying-spring points; when the disease is intermittently alleviated and aggravated, select the shu-stream points; when the disease manifests as changes in the patient’s voice, select the jing-river points; when the channel is full and [with stagnated] blood, the disease is in the Stomach and disorders resulting from intemperance of food and drink, select the he-sea points.

Ling-Shu, Xie Qi Zang Fu Bing Xing (The visceral diseases caused by evil qi): Ying-spring and shu-stream points treat the exterior channels, he-sea points treat the internal fu (bowels).”

Nan Jing, the 68^th difficult (issue): Jing-well points master fullness below the Heart; ying-spring points master body heat; shu-stream points master heaviness of the body and pain of joints; jing-river points master panting and cough, cold and heat; he-sea points master counterflow qi and diarrhea.

Jing-well points treat the most acute/urgent diseases. “When diseases are at the Zang, select Jing-well points.” Ancient people believe that loss of Shen (spirit) and consciousness indicates the diseases are at the Zang. In wind stroke, other than loss of consciousness, one’s spirit is often changed. Jing-well points are able to wake brain and open orifices, quite Shen (spirit) and clear heat, drain excess and expel evils.

Ying-spring points are for secondly acute/urgent diseases. “Ying-springs treat exterior channels.” “Ying-spring points master body heat.” Here, “exterior channels” relate to “channels” as well as “exterior evils.” Externally contracted syndromes are wind-“cold” or wind-“heat”. Ying-spring points belong to “water” or “fire” and hence are good at externally contracted diseases. Externally contracted diseases are not as urgent as loss of consciousness in wind stroke, but wind evil is migratory and changeable, and often causes diseases suddenly and hence they also belong to urgent diseases, but less urgent than wind stroke.

Shu-stream points are for intermittently happened diseases and diseases between acute/urgent and chronic/slowly-developed. “When diseases are intermittently alleviated and aggravated, select Shu-stream points.” Those diseases are most commonly seen in clinic. Other than pain in “Wind injured (externally contracted)” and ‘cancerous” diseases, almost all kinds of pain are “intermittently alleviated and aggravated.

The indications of Jing-river points include both the nature of Shu-stream and He-se points. Jing-river could treat acute diseases, but mostly treat chronic diseases. “Jing-river points master panting, cough, cold and heat.” Panting and cough are diseases with changes in voice. Some of them are due to external contraction, but most of them are chronic and long-term, such as chronic bronchitis, and chronic asthma, etc. Those diseases are often triggered by external contraction, but still belong to chronic; hence Jing-river points are better for chronic diseases manifested with voice changes.

He-sea points are mainly for chronic diseases, especially all kinds of Zang Fu chronic diseases. “He-sea points treat internal Fu.” “When the channels are full and [with stagnated] blood, the diseases are in the Stomach, and disorders resulting from intemperance of food and drink, select the he-sea points.” The indications of He-sea points are mainly for Zang Fu diseases, which are mostly chronic. “When the channels are full and [with stagnated] blood… select He-sea points,” indicates bleeding the He-sea points. Chronic diseases may be caused by blood stagnation or may result in blood stagnation, and are often treated with bleeding on the elbow and knee flexion areas. In Chinese medicine, it is believed that chronic diseases eventually enter the Kidney, hence Kidney must be supplemented at the first place. Some believe in chronic diseases, the functions of Spleen and Stomach will be insufficient, and hence Spleen and Stomach must be tonifed. He-sea points belong to Earth (in Yang channels), and Water (in Yin channels). Earth corresponds to post-natal foundation, Spleen and Stomach; water corresponds to pre-natal foundation, Kidney. Needling He-sea points will adjust both pre- and post-natal foundations. That is why He-sea points are good at Zang Fu diseases.

Other special point groupings such as Yuan-source points, Luo-connecting points, back-Shu points, front Mu points, Xi-cleft points, etc all have their nature of time. Here I will temporarily leave them out.

Question 6: I would like to express my gratitude to you (Dr. Young) for publishing the Academic and Clinical Discussions of Tung’s Acupuncture. After reading them, I wish I had not attended those Tung’s acupuncture seminars instructed other than by you. Not only I realized that many of the teachings were wrong, the teachings were also very shallow, and some materials were not the lineage of Tung’s style acupuncture but Mr. So-and-so's style. I felt regretted that I had wasted lots of time and money. Those discussions helped tremendously in clarifying and correcting many of the confusions and mistakes caused by some books or instructors and answered many of my questions that for a long time I could not, nor those instructors could figure out.

Because of time and distance limitations, I might not be able to attend your Complete Course of Tung’s Acupuncture. I believe there are many others who are unable to make it for whatever reasons. May you be kind enough to answer my following questions?

Does any TCM School in US offer education on the lineage of (orthodox) Tung’s Acupuncture ?   Who teaches the lineage of (orthodox) Tung’s Acupuncture in US?

Answer: Recently several renowned TCM schools have invited me to lecture Tung’s Acupuncture. They are the Doctoral program of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) at Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, Portland, and The Doctoral program of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) at Five Branches Institute in San Jose. In the past, Emperor College of TCM in Los Angeles also invited me to lecture Advanced Internal Medicine, and Tung’s Acupuncture for several years. Anyone who is interested in learning the lineage of Tung’s Acupuncture may attend the Complete Course of Tung’s Acupuncture sponsored by the World Association of Tung's Acupuncture, or check with the above schools for course information.

As for who teaches the lineage of (orthodox) Tung’s Acupuncture in US, the answer is very clear. They are “Dr. Young Wei-Chieh”, “Dr. Wang Chuan-Ming” and “Dr. Carson (in Canada)”, who all are the direct disciples of Master Tung and all have almost 40 years of clinical experience. Another person is Susan Johnson, who has been a student of Dr. Young Wei-Chieh and Miriam Lee for twenty years, and has almost 30 years of clinical practice. Miriam Lee learned Tung’s Acupuncture from Master Tung and Dr. Young Wei-Chieh in Taiwan in 1972 and was the first person to promote Tung’s Acupuncture in US.   The above doctors and acupuncturist teach the lineage of (orthodox) Tung’s acupuncture and are trustworthy and worth of my recommendation. (back to page top)

Question 6. Is the core idea of Tung’s Acupuncture ZangFuBeiTong or YinYangWuXing (Yin Yang Five Elements)?

Answer: ZangFuBeiTong is a distinguishing feature of Tung’s Acupuncture. It is also the center of the JingLuo (channels and collaterals) theory of Tung’s Acupuncture. As for WuXing, it is certainly a center of the whole traditional Chinese medicine and 14 channels, as well as the JingLuo system of Tung’s Acupuncture. I would give you some examples to explain the above statements. Why are the first five points of Tung’s Acupuncture, Da, Xio, Wai, Fu, and Zhong Jian, able to treat hernia, testicle pain, and urinary tract infection? Why is the sixth point, MuXue (wood point), able to treat dry eyes, and profuse tears? I had once asked Master Tung for reasons. He did not know the reasons, either. He only told me, “Just use them this way.” My curiosity was not stopped because of so, but to grow bigger. I decided to study and research more materials to discover the reasons myself. In YiJingJinYi (The Essential Meanings of Medical Theory) by Tang Zong-Hai in Qing Dynasty, I read the term “ZangFuBeiTong (Zang Fu extra relationships).” Although the book gives only simple explanation, no practical applications, and lacks the relationship of Stomach and Pericardium, I was inspired by this concept and started to apply it to acupuncture. I named this technique “ZangFuBeiTong needling method.” In the beginning of the 70s, I only used ZangFuBeiTong needling method on 14 channels. For example, LI11 for headache (Liver and Large Intestine communicate), PC6 for knee pain and stomachache (Stomach and Pericardium communicate), the results are super effective. I wrote those findings in my book “Zhen Jio Jing Wei” published in 1975, and “Zhen Jio Jing Xue Xue” published in 1978. Later I found ZangFuBeiTong theory could explain the application theory of Tung’s Acupuncture. The above-mentioned six points are all located on the index finger. If not explained by Liver and Large Intestine communication of ZangFuBeiTong, what else could resolve the mystery? More than one third of theory of Tung’s Acupuncture could be explained with ZangFuiBeiTong. In my “Tung’s Acupuncture Extraordinary Points” published in 1980, I started using ZangFuBeiTong to explain the applications of Tung’s Acupuncture. On my later exploration, I discovered ZangFuBeiTong is also related to YiJing and KaiHeShu (opening, closing and pivot) in NeiJing. For more details on this part, please refer to my book “Zhen Jiao Bao Dien (Treasures on Acupuncture).” The theory of ZangFuBeiTong is not only useful on Acupuncture. It is also very practical on the differentiations and prescriptions of ShangHan (Cold Damage) and WenBing (Warm Diseases).

Question 7. Some people use 6 Chong (clashes) and 12 Gong (palaces) to explain Zang Fu Bei Tong. Does that make sense?

Answer: Utilizing 6 clashes only explains half of ZangFuBeiTong. Only the mutual opposite and complement relationships between Zang Fu are explained. I have tried this approach 20 years ago while I was writing my book “Xi Tong Ba Zi Xue (The Study of Systematic Eight Cyclical Characters)” and was teaching Eight Cyclical Characters (or called 4 pillars of destiny) in colleges. During that time, I focused on the study of Xing Chong Hui He (punishments, clashes, convergences, and combinations.) and tried it on explaining Zang Fu Bei Tong. The counteractions between the six Yang stems make some sense, but the six Yin ones do not. Please refer to the following chart: Zi Wu Chong, Yin Shen Chong, Chen Xu Chong.

This chart comprises the 12 XiaoXiGua (12 tidal hexagrams), which manifest the waning and waxing, inter-dependence and inter-restraint, developing and inter-transforming of Yin Yang harmony. The feature of the motion of Yin and Yang in this chart is endlessly cyclical. The opposite palaces are each other’s FuGua (opposite hexagram). The six Yao (lines) of a hexagram change to the opposite nature of Yao and a FuGua (opposite hexagram) is formed. That means Yin Yao (line) changes to Yang Yao (line), and vice versa. FuGua (opposite hexagam) helps us think from positive and negative directions, and to understand diseases from both approaches. ZiShi (11:00pm~1:00am) or ZiWui (the 11^th month), the first Yao of FuGua (hexagram of returning) is Yang Yao (the rest are Yin Yao), reflecting the originating of Yang. WuShi (11:00am ~1:00pm) or WuWui (the 5^th month), the first Yao of GouGua (hexagram of encountering) is Yin Yao (the rest are Yang Yao), reflecting the waxing of Yin. The natures of total Yao of both Gua are 6 Yin and 6 Yang, a harmonious status. The total yin and yang in palaces of Chao (1:00am~3:00am) and Wei (1:00pm~3:00pm) are 6 and 6, too. The total Yin and Yang of other pairs of opposite palaces are even and so in a harmonious status, too. That means when energy in one palace is in strongest status, in its opposite palace will be the weakest. Take Kidney as an example. Kidney energy is strongest at YouShi (time between 5:00pm and 7:00pm), and starts to wane until MaoShi (time between 5:00am and 7:00am), its weakest, and starts to wax again until YouShi, its strongest again, and so on. Other ZangFu follow the same logic. This could be applied to clinical practice. WuJingXie (Five o’clock or morning diarrhea) happens around five o’clock in the morning, MaoShi, when Kidney energy is in its weakest status. Its root cause is deficiency of MingMen (life gate) or Kidney Fire. To treat, Kidney Fire should be supplemented. Heart diseases often happen around ZiShi (11:00pm~1:00am, midnight), when Heart is in its weakest status. The cause is Def. of Heart. To treat, Heart should be regulated.

Question 8. You said the core idea of Tung’s Acupuncture is YinYangWuXing (Yin, Yang and Five elements). Could you give explanations?

Answer: YinYangWuXing is a doctrine/study incorporating Systematology, Cybernetics, and Informatics. There is a saying, “Without the knowledge of ZangFu, and JingLuo (channels and collaterals), one makes mistakes all the time.” Another saying is “Without the knowledge of YinYangWuXing, Chinese medicine can not progress a tiny step.” WuXing is the core of Chinese medicine and channels and points of acupuncture. It is certainly the kernel of Tung’s Acupuncture. DaoMa and QianYin needling methods both have close relationships with WuShu (five transport) points. Open the book of Tung’s Acupuncture Extraordinary Points; you could see almost everywhere is related to WuXing. On the 1.1.-region on fingers, points named directly with WuXing are ex. MuXue (wood point), MuYen (wood inflammation), ZhiWuJin (finger five metal), ZhiChienJin (finger thousand metal), HuoXi (fire knee)…etc. Other points named with ZangXiang (visceral manifestation) are also related to WuXing. For example, points on the 2.2.-region, such as DaBai (big white), ZhongBai (middle white), ShangBai (upper white), XiaBai (lower white), and TuShui (earth water) are also named directly according to WuXing. Points on hands, feet, lower legs, and forearms all have close relationships with WuShu points (including WuXing). WuShu points correspond to time and space. If one can master this concept, he or she will be able to use WuShu points, and certainly extraordinary points ingeniously. Understanding the time correspondence of WuShu points, one will naturally figure out the reason MuHuo (wood fire) point should not be retained for too long.

Most people studying WuXing limit to its generation, restriction, over-restriction, and counter-restriction. However, the transformation, correspondence, assistance and penetration between WuXing are far more important, and are frequently used in acupuncture. The applications of the natures and properties of WuXing are also very important, including upward, downward, ascending, descending, gathering inward , scattering outward , returning, and repeating. Because metal sinks, and water descends, metal and water belong to Yin. Wood and fire are going upward and ascending, so they belong to Yang. The channels and collaterals of Lung, Heart, Pericardium (as Yin, Wu, Xiu combine to form fire), and SanJiao, Large Intestine, Small Intestine (as Hai, Mao, Wei combine to form wood) all go upward, and travel the upper part of body. Please refer to the chart of 12 tidal hexagrams in the previous question. The Jing Well points of the five transport points of Yin channels begin with wood; Yang channels with metal. This is an example of the applications of the natures and properties of WuXing. The newly revised book and will be published next year, “Zhen Jiao Wu Shu Xue Fa Hui” (The Elucidations of Acupuncture Five Transport Points) is an replacement and a upgrade of the book “Zhen Jiao Wu Shu Xue Ying Yung” (The Applications of Acupuncture Five Transport Points), which was published in 1981, has never been revised and currently on its 10th prints. In the new book, more details will be given on the time and space natures of the five transport points, and the applications of the natures and properties of the WuXing. There will also be a chapter specifically discuss the relationships of Tung’s Acupuncture and five transport points. In the Advanced Course of the Tung’s Acupuncture in Autumn 2008, I will particularly focus on this part too.

Question 9. Some said: It does not matter how many points are used in a treatment, as long as the treatment is effective. What do you think of this statement?

Answer: It is certainly true the goal of acupuncture needling is for an efficacious treatment, but the discomfort caused to patients by needling should also be considered. If one needle is enough for a desired result, the second needle must not be used. If two points are sufficient to cure, then don’t use the third one. Always aim at minimizing patients’ discomforts or pain caused by needling. If an acupuncturist doesn’t aim at refining point selections, he or she is not ethical and not making progress on his/hers skills. However, nowadays, in modern industrial times, everyone is very busy, and unable to visit the acupuncture clinic frequently, but is usually with multiple ailments. If those ailments are due to one cause, or a part of a generalized disease, then few points are needed. If they are unrelated, or are multiple diseases, even only one needle is used for each disorder; a few points must be needed. In this type of situation, it would be difficult to reduce the number of points. But still it shouldn't be a lot of points, if the acupuncturist has cultivated a good habit of minimizing point selections.

Although I advocate one-needle therapeutic needling method, I would recommend prepare a group of one-needle to be used alternatively, or to suit patients’ convenience. Several one-needle may be combined to amplify the efficaciousness if the total of points is minimum. For example, to treat Meniere’s syndrome, LI11 and PC6 both are super effective points. Through the communication between Liver and Large Intestine, LI11 is good at treating dizziness . Through the communication between Stomach and Large Intestine, same name hand and foot YangMing channels, LI11 is able to resolve vomiting and nausea. One needle is effective in treating Meniere’s syndrome. Through the communication between Pericardium and Liver, hand and foot JueYin channels, PC6 is good at treating dizziness. Through Pericardium and Stomach communication, PC6 is also very good at treating vomiting and nausea. One needle is enough for Meniere’s syndrome too. However, in this situation, when two one-needle are combined and the efficacy of the treatment will be amplified, and since the total number of selected points is still minimum, why not add one more point? (back to page top)

Question 1: There is a Mr. Lee whose book mentions Heng (Horizontal) DaoMa. There are also a Mr. Chu and some others teaching DaoMa, who claim there are various DaoMa, such as in Tung's Acupuncture, Men Jin (66.05) and Huo Zhu (66.04) DaoMa, Mu Dou (66.07) and Men Jin (66.05) DaoMa; in 14 Channels, PC5 and HT7 DaoMa; ST44 and LV2 DaoMa … etc. May I ask if there is such a Heng (Horizontal) Dao Ma?

Answer: As a direct disciple of Master Tung and followed him in the clinic for many years, I think I am qualified and obligated to comment. Currently many people make DaoMa very complicated and confusing. Heng (Horizontal) DaoMa is a very wrong teaching. Those who teach or advocate it have never seen Master Tung needle patients. If combining any 2 or 3 adjacent points is called Dao Ma, then everywhere on the whole body could be a DaoMa. That will be very ridiculous.

The term DaoMa was used every day in Master Tung’s clinic, but it was not seen in Master Tung’s first and the only book, Tung’s Zhen Jiao Zhen Jing Qi Xue Xue (Tung’s Acupuncture Extraordinary Points on Regular Channels). Only the term “Hui Ma” was mentioned at two places. Until 1975, while Master Tung was still alive, DaoMa needling method was formally described in words in my book “Zhen Jiao Jing We (The Longitude and Latitude of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).” With Master Tung’s permission, DaoMa was widely promoted since then. I remember those old days when I followed Master Tung in clinic. One day I saw Master Tung needled LingGu, DaBai. I said, “Today Teacher needled DaBai, LingGu.” Master Tung corrected me instantly, “It is LingGu, DaBai!” Another time, I saw Master Tung needle HuoZhu and MenJin. I asked, “It is DaoMa, isn’t it?” Master Tung simply answered, “How could it be? Think harder!” Although Master Tung did not talk much, he did give important hints in key timings.

The most crucial factor of DaoMa needling method is to use points on the same channel. Two or three points next to each other or one another on the same channel are needled at the same time. This is based on the principle of “Rather missing the point but never the channel”, which is to ensure correct point locations. The two serial points of DaoMa are with generating relationship, never with counter acting relationship, which results in amplified efficacy. Using a couple of points on the same channel could be traced back to ancient times, but Master Tung made the technique more flexible and mature. Meanwhile, the word Hui 回 “return” and the word Hui 迴 “reverse” could be used interchangeably with. Dao “倒” has the meaning of “to inverse”. Quite a few metaphorical meanings of the terms are worth of studying and researching.

Question 2: There is a Mr. Hu who made Tung’s Acupuncture very complicated. Take MuHuo point as an example. In his book, he added many MuHuo points to the original one Mater Tung published, but then he emphasized that only the MuHuo on the middle finger (the original) is used most frequently. Isn’t this complicated and confusing? His efforts seemed a superfluous action.

Answer: Some people did make Tung’s Acupuncture more complicated and confusing. MuHuo is increased to MuHuo One, Two, Three, and Four. Every finger other than the thumb has a MuHuo point. But they then emphasized that the MuHuo on the middle finger are used most frequently. In Master Tung’s book Tung’s Acupuncture Extraordinary Points on Regular Channels, only one MuHuo point, located on the middle finger, is mentioned. How could it be increased to four points? I guess this author doesn’t fully understand Master Tung’s point positioning principles or theories. Neither did the person improve along with his teacher’s progress. If the person truly understands the time and space natures of Tung’s Acupuncture, he would know the reasons MuHuo must be positioned on the middle finger, the diseases it will treat, and the reason MuHuo should not be retained for too long. The points Master Tung published were after his careful deliberation and sufficient reflections.

Not only this, there are some other points being increased without sufficient reasoning. For example, FuKe (Female) points are increased from three to five. FengChao (male phoenix nest) and HuanChao (return to nest) points are questionable too. I have to repeat; the author did not capture Master Tung’s quintessence, did not improve along with Master’s progress, and did not fully understand the principles and theories of Tung’s Acupuncture. In 1968, Master’s handouts appended FengChao (male phoenix nest) and HuangChao (female phoenix nest). But in his book “Tung’s Acupuncture Extraordinary Points in Regular Channels” published in 1973, only HuanCao (return to nest), located on E line of the ring finger, was recorded. I asked Master for reasons. He replied me “Always improve your skills by refining points.” It is very obvious Master Tung went through a condensing process. The process implied profound theories. I would like to make a special declaration: Only Master Tung’s Tung’s Acupuncture Extraordinary Points on Regular Channels published in 1973 is orthodox. Anyone studies, and researches Tung’s Acupuncture should use this book, the only book, as a standard.

Question 3: Some acupuncturists use many points on each treatment. I have heard Master Tung used very few points. Is it true an acupuncturist should optimize his skills by minimizing point selections?

Answer: Yes. Point selections should be simple but with developing potentials. A general guideline is to select one point for each disease. You would rather select one point for multiple diseases, then multiple points for one disease. With this approach, you train yourself to comprehend every point in depth. Master Tung usually selected two-point DaoMa for large-area diseases. He used four-point or six-point Big DaoMa for multiple pains or diseases relating to ZangFu (viscera and bowel) system. DaoMa method has the effects of amplifying and QuanXi (Holographic) correspondence. Generally, Master Tung did not use more than 6 points. In most cases, two or three points were selected. Sometimes, only one point was enough. If we treat general diseases with more than four points, or treat ZangFu diseases with more than 6 points, we are only using the points of Tung’s Acupuncture, but not the needling methods or techniques of Tung’s Acupuncture.

Learning, one should not follow rigid rules. To develop as well as to carry on the heritage makes a theory progress. Take the headache treatment for example. In the past, I followed Master Tung’s point selections by needle CeSanLi, CeXiaSanLi and ShenGuan to treat various headaches. Later, I developed my own formula which uses fewer points but with better result. Select SanCaSan and DaBai on right and left hand alternatively for various headaches. The point DaBai is good for frontal headache and head-face diseases. Large Intestine channel communicating with Liver channel (wood/wind), according to ZangFuBeiTong, makes DaBai good for all kinds of headaches. The nature of DaBai point is also wood/wind, which is good for exterior syndrome. Needling the point along bone is good for chronic diseases. As for SanCaSan, it is located on SanJiao channel and thus is good for lateral headache and ShaoYang syndrome. As “Ying spring and Shu stream points are to treat exterior channels”, SanCaSan is an important point for exterior syndrome. This point is also needled along bone and tendon, and then inserted to Shu stream point, located on the fleshy region. One needle penetrating to several tissues and points, SanCaSan’s functions and indications are many and is able to treat Spleen, Liver and Kidney related diseases. It treats both headaches due to interior or exterior causes, and is especially good for the latter. DaBai and SanCaSan are more convenient to locate and more effective when used together than CaSanLi, CaXiaSanLi, and ShenGuan.

In learning acupuncture, it is not true that the more points you know, the better you are. It is more important to use points ingeniously. Increasing the number of points meaninglessly will only confuse oneself. Same idea applies to herbal prescriptions. You would rather master some commonly used formulas than aspiring after more prescriptions senselessly. The person good at acupuncture masters only dozens of points of 14 Channels or Extra points, which is quite sufficient.

Question 4: Is QianYin (Guiding) needling method one of Tung’s Acupuncture needling methods? Why is it categorized to PingBuPingXie (Even) needling techniques in your book “Zhen Jiao Jing Wei (The Longitude and Latitude of Acupuncture and Moxibustion)”?

Answer: Of course QianYin needling method does not belong to Master Tung’s needling methods. The “Triangle” or “ZhiHui (Commanding)” needling methods developed by some others are not Master Tung’s needling methods, either. The only needling method written formally in Master Tung’s book is “DaoMa” needling method. The other is described as: after needle insertions, request patient to move diseased areas to activate/move Qi to gain better results. In 1975 when I was writing my book “Zhen Jiao Jing Wei”, with Master Tung’s permission, I named this described method as “DongQi” (Moving Qi) needling method. With another section of QianYin (Guiding) needling method, I wrote them into a chapter of “The Three Even Needling Methods.” The stimulus of QianYin and DongQi needling methods are not strong. They do not emphasize in reinforcing or reducing. Their main goal is to Ping (balance or even), to harmonize energy, and Yin and Yang. They are not different from other Even needling techniques in those aspects. Regarding the operations of QianYin needling method, please refer to my books, which are clearly written. I will not waste space here.

Question 5: Could you give more details on the point positioning theories of MuHuo (Wood Fire) and HuanChao (Return to Nest)?

Answer: In fact in my book, Lectures on Tung’s Acupuncture: Points Study, this question is clearly answered. Here, I will supplement some more. Extra points are a part of Chinese medicine. They cannot exist if separating from the theories of Chinese medicine. If one has deeper understanding on Yin Yang, Five Elements, ZangXiang (organ image), channels, etiologies, pathologies, and BingJi (disease mechanisms), etc., he or she will comprehend Extra points or 14-Channel points better and will be able to use them comprehensively. To understand the point positioning theories of MuHuo and HuanChao, we need to begin with the basic TCM theory.

MuHuo point must not be located other than middle finger. MuHuo is on Fire channel (Pericardium channel), close to Jing Well (Wood) point. This is one of the reasons it is named MuHuo (Wood Fire). It is also located between Jing Well (Wood) point and Ying Spring (Fire) point. Its nature is Wood and Fire. This is the second reason it is named MuHuo (Wood Fire). Same location on index and ring fingers would be Metal and Water (On Yang channel, the Jing Well point is Metal, Ying Spring point is Water. Point located in between must be Metal and Water.) Small finger has Small Intestine channel and Heart channel, one yang one yin. Only middle finger renders pure and powerful Wood Fire (MuHuo) point.

ZhongFong (Stroke) has closest relationship with Wind (Wood) and Phlegm (Fire). The pathways of Liver (Wood) and Heart (Fire) channels travel upward to head. (Other Yin channels do not go to head and face regions.) Liver Wind and Phlegm Fire are main causes of stroke. MuHuo point located on Hand JueYin (Pericardium/Fire) channel, which communicates with the same name Foot JueYin (Liver/Wood) channel, is able to treat Wood and Fire related diseases. MuHuo is good for sequelae of stroke. It also strengthens other points used to treat sequelae of stroke. This is the third reason it’s named MuHuo. To treat Wood (Wind) and Fire (Phlegm), only the MuHuo on the middle finger is capable. No matter from whichever perspectives, such as Five Elements, channels, etiologies, and indications, it is unquestionable that MuHuo must be located on the middle finger. There should not have any other MuHuo points on any other fingers.

The reason HuanChao located on the fourth finger is also related to channels. In Master Tung’s book, Tung’s Acupuncture Extraordinary Points of Regular Channels published in 1973, only HuanChao (return to nest) point, located on E line of the fourth finger, is mentioned. That means he omitted FengChao (male phoenix nest), kept HuangChao (female phoenix nest) but renamed the latter HuanChao (return to nest). This simplification will bear stronger result if using penetrating method, one needle two points. Why Master Tung omitted FengChao, kept HuangChao (the one close to small finger), and renamed it HuanChao? The main reason Master Tung finalized the point on SanJiao channel is because SanJiao communicates with Kidney (according to ZangFuBeiTong). Through regulating SanJaio, tonifying Kidney, HuanChao is effective for its indications. SanJaio channel starts at the ulnar (small finger) side of the tip of the fourth finger (GuanChong point), and travels up along ulnar (small finger) side of ring finger, and enters Yimen point. HuanChao locates exactly on this meridian. Keeping HuangChao (female phoenix nest) (the one close to the small finger) made so much sense. Renaming it HuanChao (return to nest) means Feng (male phoenix) returns to the nest, which is to emphasize its outstanding efficacy on gynecological disorders. (back to page top)