Huà Tuo’s paravertebral points

A group of points, named after the famous 3rd century BCE (Eastern Han) physician Hua Tuo, located along either side of the spine about 0.5 cùn lateral to the lower end of the spinous process of each vertebra. Their functions are similar to those of the governing dū vessel and transport points between which they are located. They are notably used for diseases of the back and lumbus. Although Hua Tuo’s points do not include points beside the cervical vertebrae, in modern clinical practice, however, cervical paravertebral points are used effectively in the treatment of neck pathoconditions. The extended group may be referred to simply as paravertebral points.