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Point selection

选穴 〔選穴〕xuǎn xué

Points are selected by the following methods:

Pathocondition Point Selection (对症取穴 duì zhèng xuǎn xué

The medical literature of China contains numerous references to acupoints that are effective for specific diseases or regions of the body. The list below is drawn mostly from the verses that were didactic tools of acupuncturists in the Sòng, Yuán, and Míng dynasties. They were later incorporated into standard acupuncture texts.

Affected-Channel Point Selection (循经取穴 xún jīng qǔ xué)

Also selection of same-channel points (本经选穴běn jīng xuǎn xué). Selecting points on the same channel as the disease site. Points are selected at either local or distant locations. Disease sites in the head, face or trunk are often treated by distant points below the elbows and knees on the affected channel. For example, yáng brightness (yáng míng) headache can be treated by needling LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ), and stomach pain can be treatedby needling ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ). In some cases, points close to the affected area are chosen, e.g., LR-13 (Camphorwood Gate, 章门zhāng mén) for liver vomiting and pain or LI-20 (Welcome Fragrance, 迎香yíng xiāng) for nasal congestion and loss of sense of smell. See point selection.

Examples

Forehead

Temples

Back of the head

Nose

Teeth

Ear

Tongue

Throat

Chest

Greater Abdomen (upper abdomen)

Umbilical Region

Smaller abdomen (lower abdomen)

Rib-Side

Anterior yīn (genitals)

Posterior yīn (anus)

Local Point Selection (近道取穴 jìn dào qǔ xué)

Local points are acupuncture points located at the site of the sign or bowel or viscus being treated. Any point can be employed as a local point. Local points are most effective for chronic local diseases, but are occasionally used to treat acute local diseases too. Local points also include adjacent points—those situated near the disease site. These can replace local points in the treatment of acute conditions and can strengthen the effects of local (and distant) points. Although any point can function as an adjacent point, those that have a salient location are usually chosen. Several commonly used local points are conventionally used for certain local diseases.

Examples

Vertex

Forehead

Eyes

Nose

Ear diseases

Mouth and Teeth

Throat

Shoulder

Elbows

Wrists

Stomach

Kidney

Lumbus

Knees

Ankles

Distant Point Selection (远道取穴 yuǎn dào qǔ xué)

Selecting points far from the disease site. Distant points are usually connected with the disease site directly or indirectly through the channel system. Methods of selecting distant points include: selecting same-channel points; selecting opposite-channel points; selecting same-name channel points; selecting contralateral points; selecting same-channel points of corresponding location.

Affected-Channel Point Selection (循经取穴 xún jīng qǔ xué)

Also called same-channel point selection (本经选穴běn jīng xuǎn xué). After determining the channel on which the disease site is located, points can be selected on that channel for treatment. For instance, if a headache is identified as a yáng brightness (yáng míng) channel headache in the forehead, ST-8 (Head Corner, 头维 tóu wéi), LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ), and ST-41 (Ravine Divide, 解溪 jiě xī) may be chosen. For a lesser yáng (shào yáng) headache on the sides of the head, GB-8 (Valley Lead, 率谷 shuài gǔ), GB-32 (Central River, 中渎 zhōng dú), and GB-43 (Pinched Ravine, 侠溪 xiá xī) may be selected.

Opposite-Channel Point Selection (异经选穴 yì jīng xuǎn xué)

Also called exterior-interior channel point selection (表裏经选穴 biǎo lǐ jīng xuǎn xué). In some cases, a disease located on one channel may be treated by needling points located on the channel with which it stands in exterior-interior relationship, often in combination with same-channel points. For example, the nose lies on the hand yáng brightness (yáng míng) channel, so that disorders of the nose can be treated by combining the opposite-channel point LU-7 (Broken Sequence, 列缺 liè quē) with the same-channel point LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ). The throat is considered to belong to the hand greater yīn (tài yīn) lung channel, and hence it can be treated by combining the same-channel point LU-11 (Lesser Shang, 少商 shào shāng) with the opposite-channel point LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ). The stomach belongs to the foot yáng brightness (yáng míng) stomach channel, and stomach disorders are often treated by combining ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ) with SP-4 (Yellow Emperor, 公孙 gōng sūn). Abdominal distension is considered to be a foot greater yīn (tài yīn) disease and is often treated by combining SP-3 (Supreme White, 太白 tài bái) and SP-4 (Yellow Emperor, 公孙 gōng sūn) with ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ).

Same-Name Channel Point Selection (同名经取穴法 tóng míng jīng qǔ xué fǎ )

Disorders can also be treated by needling points on the channel that bears the same yīn-yáng name as the affected channel. For example headache and pain in the nape and back can be treated by combining the foot greater yáng (tài yáng) channel points BL-60 (Kunlun Mountains, 昆仑 kūn lún) and BL-62 (Extending Vessel, 申脉 shēn mài) with the hand greater yáng (tài yáng) channel point SI-3 (Back Ravine, 后溪 hòu xī). Frontal headache and red sore swollen eyes can be treated by combining the foot yáng brightness (yáng míng) channel points ST-44 (Inner Court, 内庭 nèi tíng) and ST-41 (Ravine Divide, 解溪 jiě xī) with the hand yáng brightness (yáng míng) channel point LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ). Stomach pain or distension and fullness in the stomach duct can be treated by combining ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ) with LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ). Rib-side pain can be treated by combining the foot lesser yáng (shào yáng) point GB-34 (Yáng Mound Spring, 阳陵泉 yáng líng quán) with the hand lesser yáng (shào yáng) point TB-6 (Branch Ditch, 支沟 zhī gōu).

Contralateral Point Selection (交叉取穴 jiāo chā qǔ xué)

Points on one side of the body may be selected to treat disorders of the other. Contralateral points may be selected according to channel or according to corresponding location of the disorders. For example, toothache on the left can be treated by needling the LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ) of the right hand. Paralysis of the left side of the face can be treated by needling the LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ) and TB-5 (Outer Pass, 外关 wài guān) of the right extremity. Left-sided hemilateral headache can be treated by needling the TB-9 (Four Rivers, 四渎 sì dú) of the right arm. The left shoulder can be treated by needling the LU-5 (Cubit Marsh, 尺泽 chǐ zé), LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ), TB-5 (Outer Pass, 外关 wài guān), and SI-3 (Back Ravine, 后溪 hòu xī) of right. Finally, left hip pain can be treated by needling GB-34 (Yáng Mound Spring, 阳陵泉 yáng líng quán) of the right side. An example of treating disorders by the contralateral point corresponding to the location of the disorder is to treat pain on the left by needling LI-15 on right.

Contralateral point selection includes the method described in The Inner Classic (内经 nèi jīng), great needling, sometimes referred to by its French name grande piqûre, and cross needling.

Same-Name Channel Corresponding-Location Point Selection (同经相应取穴法 tóng jīng xiāng yìng qǔ xué fǎ)

The twelve regular channels comprise six pairs of channels, each pair of which shares the same yīn-yáng denomination. One channel of each pair is a foot channel, whereas the other is a hand channel. The arms and legs have corresponding locations, e.g., the fingers and toes, wrists and ankles, elbows and knees, etc. Selecting the same-name channel point of corresponding locations means that a disease affecting the channel at a point on the arm can be treated by needling a point on the same-name channel of the foot at the corresponding location on the opposite side of the body. Thus a disorder at LU-11 (Lesser Shang, 少商 shào shāng) on the hand greater yīn (tài yīn) channel can be treated by needling the corresponding point on the foot greater yīn (tài yīn) channel, which is SP-1 (Hidden White, 隐白 yǐn bái). See more examples in the list below.

Examples

Pairs on the Greater yīn (tài yīn)

  • LU-11 (Lesser Shang, 少商 shào shāng) and SP-1 (Hidden White, 隐白 yǐn bái)
  • LU-10 (Fish Border, 鱼际 yú jì) and SP-3 (Supreme White, 太白 tài bái)
  • LU-9 (Great Abyss, 太渊 tài yuān) and SP-5 (Shang Hill, 商丘 shāng qiū)
  • LU-7 (Broken Sequence, 列缺 liè quē) and SP-6 (Three Yīn Intersection, 三阴交 sān yīn jiāo)
  • LU-6 (Collection Hole, 孔最 kǒng zuì) and SP-8 (Earth’s Crux, 地机 dì jī)
  • LU-5 (Cubit Marsh, 尺泽 chǐ zé) and SP-9 (Yīn Mound Spring, 阴陵泉 yīn líng quán)
  • LU-4 (Guarding White, 侠白 xiá bái) and SP-11 (Winnower Gate, 箕门 jī mén)

    • Pairs on the yáng brightness (yáng míng)

    Group Point Selection (特定穴组选穴 tè dìng xué zǔ xuǎn xué)

    The use of acupoints that belong to special groups is an important aspect of point selection. It is common for every point in a prescription to be a member of a group and often the primary reason for choosing a point is because it belongs to such a group.

    Back Transport Points (背俞穴 bèi shù xué)

    The back transport points are located on the foot greater yáng (tài yáng) bladder channel, 1.5 cùn lateral to the spine. They each have a strong therapeutic effect on the bowel or viscus after which they are named. Repletion in the bowels and viscera can be treated by a draining stimulus, while vacuity conditions can be treated by supplementing. For example, cough or panting is often treated with BL-13, the transport point of the lung, while eye problems are often treated with BL-18, the transport point of the liver (the liver opens at the eyes).

    Five Transport Points (五输穴 wǔ shū xué)

    The five transport points are located below the elbows and knees on each of the twelve regular channels. These are, from the extremities, the well (jǐng) points, spring (yíng) points, stream (shù) points, channel (jīng) points (also called river points in English), and uniting (hé) points (also called sea points). The qì flow becomes deeper successively deeper through these points, being much deeper at the uniting points than at the well points. Note that the source (yuán) points, which are discussed further ahead, have been included in the table, since they largely coincide with the stream points.

    The five transport points are used in the following ways:

    Specific conditions: The five transport points are used for specific conditions, although suggested indications vary from text to text. Modern Chinese texts highlight the important of the 68th Difficult Issue of the Nàn Jīng, which states: The wells govern fullness below the heart; the springs govern generalized heat effusion; the streams govern heavy body and joint pain; the channels (rivers) govern cough, panting, and [alternating aversion to] cold and heat [effusion]; and the uniting (sea) points govern counterflow qì and discharge (diarrhea). These are the indications of the wells, springs, streams, channels, and uniting (sea) points of the bowels and viscera. These statements are interpreted s follows:

    Traditionally, Chinese medicine emphasized needling different transport points in different seasons, reflecting the natural rising and sinking of qì at different times of the year. This is discussed further ahead.

    Five Transport Points of Each Channel
    WellSpringStreamSourceRiverUniting
    Yīn Channels (with source points)
    WoodFireEarthSourceMetalWater
    LU-11LU-10LU-9LU-9LU-8LU-5
    PC-9PC-8PC-7PC-7PC-5PC-3
    HT-9HT-8HT-7HT-7HT-4HT-3
    SP-1SP-2SP-3SP-3SP-5SP-9
    LR-1LR-2LR-3LR-3LR-4LR-8
    KI-1KI-2KI-3KI-3KI-7KI-10
    Yáng Channels (with source points)
    MetalWaterWoodSourceFireEarth
    LI-1LI-2LI-3LI-4LI-5LI-11
    TB-1TB-2TB-3TB-4TB-6TB-10
    SI-1SI-2SI-3SI-4SI-5SI-8
    ST-45ST-44ST-42ST-42ST-41ST-36
    GB-44GB-43GB-41GB-40GB-38GB-34
    BL-67BL-66BL-65BL-64BL-60BL-40

    Five-phase correspondences: The five transport points may also be used for treatment based on their five-phase correspondences. These are as follows:

    Points are selected in accordance with the restraining and engendering cycles of the five phases. The approach applies the dual principle of in vacuity, supplement the mother; in repletion, drain the child. Here, mother is the phase that engenders a given phase and the child is the phase engendered by it. Thus, for repletion of lung-metal, we can apply a draining stimulus at the water point of the lung channel, LU-5 (chǐ zé,Cubit Marsh), since kidney-water is the child of lung-metal.

    Mother and child treatment of the affected channel:Repletion in a given channel may be drained through the point on the affected channel that corresponds to the child phase of that channel. For example, repletion in a metal channel can be treated by applying a draining stimulation to the water point (child) on that channel. Thus, a patient presenting with acute cough and panting as part of a lung repletion pattern could be treated with the water point (LU-5) of the lung (metal) channel.

    Vacuity in a given channel may be supplemented through the point on the affected channel that corresponds to the mother of that channel. Vacuity in a metal channel can be treated by applying a supplementing stimulus to the earth point (mother) on that channel. Therefore, a patient who has shortness of breath and profuse sweating as part of a lung vacuity pattern may be treated with the earth point of the lung channel, LU-9 (tài yuān,Great Abyss).

    Treatment of the affected channel via mother and child channels:Repletion in a given channel can be treated by using a transport point on the channel corresponding to the child phase of the affected channel. This is another way of treating repletion by draining the child. For example, repletion in the liver (wood) channel may be treated by draining the heart (fire) channel. The point on the child channel that corresponds to the phase of that channel is chosen and given a draining stimulus. In this example, HT-7 (shén mén,Spirit Gate), the fire point of the fire (child) channel, would be drained to treat liver channel repletion. Repletion of the lung (metal) channel can be addressed by draining the water point of the kidney (water) channel, KI-10 (yīn gǔ,Yīn Valley), and repletion in the heart (fire) channel can be treated with the earth point of the spleen (earth) channel, SP-3 (tài bái,Supreme White) and so on.

    Vacuity in a given channel can be treated by using the transport point on the channel that corresponds to the mother phase of the affected channel. This is known as treating vacuity by supplementing the mother. For example, vacuity in the lung (metal) channel may be treated by supplementing the spleen (earth) channel. The point on the mother channel that corresponds to the phase of that channel is given a supplementing stimulus. In the example mentioned here, SP-3 (tài bái,Supreme White), the earth point of the earth channel, can be supplemented to treat lung channel vacuity. Vacuity of the heart (fire) channel can be treated by supplementing the wood point of the wood channel, LR-1 (dà dūn,Large Pile), and vacuity of the spleen (earth) channel can be addressed by employing the fire point of the fire channel, HT-8 (shào fǔ,Lesser Mansion), and so on.

    Treatment according to season: According to the Nèi Jīng and Nàn Jīng, the transport points are used in different seasons. However, the points to be needled differ between the two classics.

    Application of Transport Points
    ChannelVacuityTreatment via Affected ChannelTreatment via Mother or Child Channel
    Repletion
    LungVacuityLU-9, earth of metal channelSP-3, earth of earth channel
    RepletionLU-5, water of metal channelKI-10, water of water channel
    HeartVacuityHT-9, wood of fire channelLR-1, wood of wood channel
    RepletionHT-7, earth of fire channelSP-3, earth of earth channel
    PericardiumVacuityPC-9, wood of fire channelLR-1, wood of wood channel
    RepletionPC-7, earth of fire channelSP-3, earth of earth channel
    Large
    Intestine    		VacuityLI-11, earth of metal channelST-36, earth of earth channel
    RepletionLI-2, water of metal channelBL-66, water of water channel
    Small
    Intestine    		VacuitySI-3, wood of fire channelGB-41, wood of wood channel
    RepletionSI-8, earth of fire channelST-36, earth of earth channel
    Triple
    Burner    		VacuityTB-3, wood of fire channelGB-41, wood of wood channel
    RepletionTB-10, earth of fire channelST-36, earth of earth channel
    SpleenVacuitySP-2, fire of earth channelHT-8, fire of fire channel
    RepletionSP-5, metal of earth channelLU-8, metal of metal channel
    KidneyVacuityKI-7, metal of water channelLU-5, metal of metal channel
    RepletionKI-1, wood of water channelLI-I, wood of wood channel
    LR-8 water of wood channelKI-10, water of water channel
    RepletionLR-2, fire of wood channelHT-8, fire of fire channel
    StomachVacuityST-41, fire of earth channelSI-5, fire of fire channel
    RepletionST-45, metal of earth channelLR-1, metal of metal channel
    BladderVacuityBL-67, metal of water channelLI-1, metal of metal channel
    RepletionBL-65, wood of water channelGB-41, wood of wood channel
    GallbladderVacuityGB-43, water of wood channelBL-66, water of water channel
    RepletionGB-38, fire of wood channelSI-5, fire of fire channel
    Note: Where this table calls for supplementation by use of a well (jǐng) point, many practitioners substitute the uniting (hé) point in its place because of the difficulty of applying a supplementing stimulus to the well (jǐng) points.

    Source Points (原穴 yuán xué)

    The source point are points located on each of the twelve regular channels where the source qì resides. They coincide with the stream (shù) points among the five transport points in most cases.

    The source points regulate source qì and hence are intimately related to the triple burner. They are used to treat disease of the viscus or bowel of their channel.

    Network Points (络穴 luò xué)

    The network points are points on the twelve regular channels and the governing and controlling vessels at which a network vessel springs from the channel or vessel pathway.

    Five Transport Points According to Season in the Nèi Jīng and Nàn Jīng
    SeasonNèi JīngNàn Jīng
    SpringSpring (yíng)Well (jǐng)
    SummerRiver (jīng)Spring (yíng)
    AutumnUniting (hé)River (jīng)
    WinterWell (jǐng)Uniting (hé)

    The network points are applied in two ways:

    Treatment of bowels and viscera standing in exterior-interior relationship: When a viscus and its related bowel are both affected by disease, it is usual to needle the network point of the channel of the more severely or chronically affected organ. For example, a condition marked by both lung and large intestine signs can be treated by the network point of either the lung or large intestine, depending on which organ is more severely affected. This application includes the treatment of conditions that display symptoms along the course of the channel of the two organs that stand in exterior-interior relationship.

    Treatment of network vessel symptoms: Each network vessel has a set of associated symptoms, which can be treated through the network points. The following indications come from Líng Shū, Chapter 10.

    Cleft Points (郄穴 xī xué)

    The cleft points are ones located at indentations in the body at which signs of vacuity or repletion can be observed. Acute pain on pressure, redness, or swelling at the cleft points indicates repletion; a dull or mild pain or a pronounced depression indicates vacuity.

    The cleft points are as follows: All twelve regular channels have cleft points. The yīn and yáng springing vessels and the yīn and yáng linking vessels each have cleft point belonging to other channels.

    Lower Uniting Points (下合穴 xià hé xué)

    The lower uniting points are points on the three foot yáng channels where the qì of these channels meets with the qì of the three hand yáng channels. The Nán Jīng explains that the lower uniting points for the small and large intestines are located on the stomach channel because these bowels belong to the stomach. Furthermore, it implies that the lower uniting point of the triple burner is locate on the bladder channel because these two bowels are involved in the movement and transformation of water.

    Four Command Points (四总穴 sì zǒng xué)

    The four command points are used to treat certain areas. Command points are often combined with the points more specific to the disease being treated. For example, treatment of lumbar pain may combine BL-40, the command point of the back and lumbus, with local points such as BL-23 and BL-30.

    Alarm Points (募穴 mù xué)

    The alarm points (募穴 mù xué literally means mustering points) are points on the chest and abdomen where channel qì of the associated bowel and viscus collects, which are often not on the associated channel. Changes at the points such as swellings or depressions indicate morbidity. Stimulation of the alarm points of the bowels is frequently used clinically to treat disease of the bowels. The alarm points of the viscera are seldom used, the back transport (bèi shù) points being used instead. The alarm points are as follows:

    Alarm point of the bowels

    Alarm points of the viscera

    Intersection Points (交会穴 jiāo huì xué)

    The intersection points are points at which two or more channels intersect. Stimulus at such points can affect both channels. There are over 90 intersection points over the whole body, although sources differ as to the exact number. Here are a few examples:

    If a disorder is located near an intersection point, then the treatment of points on any of the intersecting channels may be appropriate. BL-62, for example can treat sciatic pain, which occurs in areas traversed by the gallbladder channel, because GB-30, located in a region where the pain is usually felt, is the intersection point of the bladder and gallbladder channels.

    Confluence Points of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels (八脉交会穴 bā mài jiāo huì xué)

    The confluence points of the eight extraordinary vessels are points located on the four limbs that are effective in treating disorders associated with the eight extraordinary vessels.

    The Confluence (jiāo huì) Points of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels
    Confl. PointsExtraordinary VesselRegions of Effect
    PC-6
    SP-4    		Yīn linking
    Thoroughfare    		Heart, stomach, and chest
    TB-5
    GB-41    		Yáng linking GirdlingOuter canthus, area behind the ear, shoulder, neck (front)
    LU-7
    KI-6    		Controlling
    Yīn springing    		Diaphragm, throat, lung
    SI-3
    BL-62    		Governing vessel
    Yáng springing    		Inner canthus, neck (front and back), ear, shoulder, small intestine and bladder

    Eight Meeting Points (八会穴 bā huì xué)

    The eight meeting points are points that each have a powerful therapeutic effect on one of the following: viscera, bowels, qì, blood, sinews, marrow, bones, and vessels. For example, BL-17 (gé shù), the meeting point of the blood, can be combined with SP-1 and LR-1 to treat flooding and spotting, while GB-34 (yáng líng quán), the meeting point of the sinews, can be combined with local points in the treatment of sprains and strains in any part of the body.

    Thirteen Ghost Points (十三鬼穴 shí sān guǐ xué)

    The thirteen ghost points are a group of points that originated with the Táng dynasty physician Sūn Sī-Miǎo’s method for treating conditions such as mania, withdrawal, and epilepsy, which were once understood to be caused by ghosts and demons. These points are located on the twelve regular channels and the eight extraordinary vessels. In Chinese, these points have alternate names that highlight their status as ghost points, as the full list below shows.

    Huà Tuó’s Paravertebral Points (华陀夹脊穴 huà tuó jiā jǐ xué)

    Huà Tuó’s paravertebral points are points named after the legendary Chinese physician, who may have lived between 145–208 CE. They are situated along both sides of the spine about 0.5 cùn lateral to the lower end of the spinous process of each vertebra. Their functions are similar to the functions of the governing (dū) vessel and the back transport (bèi shù) points between which they are located.

    Nine Needles for Returning Yáng (回阳九针 huí yáng jiǔ zhēn)

    The nine needles for returning yáng are not needles but points, specifically re GV-15, PC-8, SP-6, KI-1, KI-3, CV-12, GB-30, ST-36, and LI-4. They are used to treat yáng collapse, which is marked by reversal cold of the extremities, aversion to cold, green-blue lips, somber-white facial complexion, and a faint pulse on the verge of expiration.

    Five Pillar Points (五柱穴 wǔ zhù xué)

    The five pillar points are CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct, 中脘 zhōng wǎn), CV-14 (Great Tower Gate, 巨阙 jù què), CV-10 (Lower Stomach Duct, 下脘 xià wǎn), and bilateral ST-21 (Beam Gate, 梁门 liáng mén), (CV-12 is two cùn from each of the other points), which are poled to treat spleen vacuity diarrhea and cold-damp diarrhea.

    Note: CV-12 is four cùn above the umbilicus and is two cùn from each of the other points. Compare cross moxa.

    Ten Diffusing Points (十宣 shí xuān)

    Ten acupoints each on in the center of a fingertip. They are used for emergency treatment of wind stroke and summerheat stroke with clouded spirit.

    Four Creases (四缝 sì fèng)

    Also four crease points. Four acupoints each located at the center of the creases of the proximal interphalangeal joints on the palmar aspect of each of the four fingers. They are used to treat infantile gān accumulation; infantile indigestion; whooping cough; diarrhea; biliary ascariasis.

    Alert Spirit Quartet (四神聪 sì shén cōng)

    Four acupoints located 1 cùn anterior, posterior and lateral to GV-20 (Hundred Convergences, 百会 bǎi huì). They treat headache, dizziness, insomnia, forgetfulness, and epilepsy. Needle transversely, 0.5–0.8 cùn.

    ā-shì Points (阿是穴 ā shì xué)

    The āshì points or ouch points are points particularly sensitive to palpation. The Chinese term means That’s it! or Oh, yes! points. These acupoints are most often used to treat disorders in their immediate vicinity but can also treat problems distant from the point. āshì are points not necessarily located on channels. Because their locations vary and reflect the illness and its relationship to the patient, these points are inherently unchartable.

    NonChannel Points (经外奇穴 jīng wài qí xué)

    nonchannel points are points not located on channels that have been empirically found to have therapeutic effects. Examples:

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