Acupuncture Point Combinations

Acupuncture Point Prescriptions: A Guide for Students and Practitioners

Acupuncture, an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), employs a holistic approach to healing by manipulating the body’s qi through the insertion of needles at specific points. For students studying acupuncture and licensed practitioners alike, mastering the art of acupuncture point prescriptions is crucial for effective treatment. This guide aims to shed light on the foundations of crafting acupuncture point prescriptions and their significance in clinical practice.

Understanding the Basics

Before diving into point prescriptions, it’s essential to understand the underlying principles of TCM and acupuncture. The body is a network of meridians, each associated with specific organs and health functions. Acupuncture points along these meridians are activated to correct imbalances, facilitating the body's natural healing process.

Qi and Meridians

Qi, the vital life force, flows through the body’s meridians. Health issues arise when this flow is disrupted or unbalanced. Acupuncture points are selected based on their ability to influence the qi and blood flow within these meridians, addressing the root cause of symptoms.

Yin-Yang and Five Elements

The concepts of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements further guide point selection, providing a framework for understanding the interconnections between the body’s systems and the external environment. Balancing these elements is key to restoring health.

Crafting Effective Point Prescriptions

An effective acupuncture point prescription is more than just a set of points; it’s a customized strategy that considers the patient’s unique constitution, condition, and the principles of TCM.

Diagnosis and Assessment

A thorough diagnosis is the first step in formulating a point prescription. This involves a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s signs and symptoms, pulse, and tongue analysis. Understanding the nature of the patient’s condition—whether it is of excess or deficiency, heat or cold, internal or external, yin or yang—is vital.

Selecting Points

Once a diagnosis is established, points are selected based on their specific functions and indications. Points are chosen to:

• Harmonize yin and yang

• Regulate the flow of qi and blood

• Address the affected meridians and organs

• Consider the patient’s overall constitution and the nature of their condition

Combining Points

Point combinations are a powerful aspect of acupuncture treatment. Combining points can enhance therapeutic effects, target multiple symptoms, and address both the root cause and the manifestations of a condition.

• Root and Branch Treatment: This approach treats both the underlying cause (root) and the symptoms (branch). For example, for insomnia due to heart blood deficiency, Spleen 6 (SP6) might be combined with Heart 7 (HT7) to nourish heart blood and calm the mind.

• Local and Distal Points: Using points both near the problem area and along the associated meridian can amplify the treatment’s effectiveness.

• Crossing Meridians: Points on crossing meridians can be used to influence multiple systems. For example, Liver 3 (LV3) on the foot can affect the head, addressing headaches.

Acupuncture Point Combinations in Practice

Let’s look at a few common conditions and sample point prescriptions:

• Headaches: Depending on the type (tension, migraine, etc.), points like Large Intestine 4 (LI4) and Liver 3 (LV3) can be used for their pain-relieving properties.

• Digestive Issues: For conditions like IBS, points such as Stomach 36 (ST36) and Spleen 6 (SP6) can regulate the digestive system.

• Stress and Anxiety: Heart 7 (HT7) and Pericardium 6 (PC6) can be combined to calm the mind and relieve stress.

Adjusting Treatments

Acupuncture is dynamic. Practitioners should adjust point prescriptions based on the patient’s progress and any changes in their condition. Continuous learning and clinical experience will refine your ability to craft effective prescriptions.

Mastering Point Prescriptions for TCM Acupuncture Board Exams

As you prepare for your TCM acupuncture board exams, it's crucial to have a solid grasp of point prescriptions, a fundamental component that tests your understanding of TCM theories and their practical applications. The board exam encompasses a wide range of scenarios, from organ patterns to intricate theories such as Shan Han Lun (SHL), Wen Bing (WB), and San Jiao/Triple Burner (SJ) models. To excel, you must familiarize yourself with specific point prescriptions that address these patterns and theories.

While practical acupuncture often involves tailoring treatments to the individual needs of patients, board exams require a more standardized approach. Knowing the established point prescriptions for various organ patterns and theoretical frameworks is key. These prescriptions are derived from centuries of TCM practice and are backed by classical texts and modern research alike. They provide a blueprint for addressing common and complex conditions within the TCM paradigm.

The upcoming table presents an extensive list of point prescriptions you need to know for your board exams. It is organized into categories for organ patterns, SHL, WB, and SJ theories, offering a comprehensive overview that will be invaluable for your revision. While in clinical practice, you may adjust these prescriptions based on a patient's unique presentation, the board exams expect you to recall these standard patterns and their corresponding acupuncture points.

Studying these point prescriptions not only prepares you for your exams but also deepens your understanding of how TCM theories translate into practical healing strategies. This knowledge is the cornerstone of effective acupuncture practice, enabling you to develop nuanced, holistic treatment plans that address the root causes of illness and promote overall wellness.

As you review the table, focus on the logic behind each prescription and how it relates to TCM diagnostic principles. Understanding the rationale for selecting specific points for different patterns will enhance your ability to think critically and apply TCM concepts flexibly and effectively in both exam settings and real-world clinical practice.

Org	Type	Pattern	Points
HT	Qi	Heart Qi Deficiency	HT5, PC6, UB15, CV17, CV6, DU14
LU	Qi	Lung Qi Deficiency	LU9, CV6, UB13, DU12 (chronic Qi   def), ST36, LU7, CV12
LU	Qi	Lung & Heart Qi Deficiency	LU9, CV6, UB13, DU12, ST36, LU7, CV12, HT5,   PC6, UB15, CV17
SP	Qi	Spleen Qi Deficiency	CV12, ST36, SP3, SP6, UB20, UB21   moxa
SP	Qi	Spleen Qi Sinking	SP Qi def + DU20,   CV6, ST21, DU1 moxa
SP	Qi	Spleen Not Controlling Blood	SP Qi def + SP10,   UB17, SP1, SP4 moxa
SP	Qi	Spleen & Lung Qi Deficiency	CV12, ST36, SP3, SP6, UB20, UB21, LU9,   UB13, DU12, LU7, CV6
ST	Qi	Stomach Qi Deficiency	ST36, CV12, UB21, CV6 moxa
SP	Qi	Spleen Qi & Stomach Deficiency	CV12, ST36, SP3, SP6, UB20, UB21, CV6
GB	Qi	Gall Bladder Deficiency	GB40, LR8, ST36, SP6, CV4, UB18,   UB47 moxa
KD	Qi	Kidney Qi Deficiency / KD Qi Not   Firm	UB23, DU4, KD3, UB52, CV4, CV6,   DU20, UB32, KD13, Jinggong moxa
KD	Qi	Kidneys Failing to Receive Qi	KD7,KD3,LU7,KD6,ST36,UB23,DU4,CV6,CV17,KD25,DU12(chronic   LU qi),UB13,CV4 + KD13(+KD &receive qi) moxa
KD	Qi	Kidney & Lung Qi Deficiency	No points - CAM only
KD	Qi	Kidney Essence Deficiency	KD3, KD6, CV4, UB23, DU4, GB39,   DU20, UB15, UB11, KD13, DU14, DU16, DU17 moxa
HT	Yang	Heart Yang Deficiency	HT5, PC6, UB15, CV17, CV6, DU14   moxa
HT	Yang	Heart Yang Collapse	CV6, CV4, CV8, DU4, ST36, PC6,   UB23, DU20, DU14, UB15 moxa
SP	Yang	Spleen Yang Deficiency	SP qi def + SP9, CV9, ST28, UB22   moxa
KD	Yang	Kidney Yang Deficiency	UB23, DU4, CV4, CV6, KD3, KD7,   UB52, Jinggong moxa
KD	Yang	Kidney & Spleen Yang Deficiency	KD3, KD7, UB23, DU4, UB20, UB21, ST36, CV6, ST37, ST25, UB25,   CV12, CV4, UB52, SP3, CV9, moxa must be used
KD	Yang	KD Yang Def - Water Overflowing	DU4,UB23,UB22,UB20,CV9,ST28,SP9,SP6,KD7   (HT:DU14,moxa UB15), (LU:LU7,UB13,DU12)
ST	Cold	Stomach Qi Deficiency & Cold	ST36, CV12, UB20, UB21, CV6 moxa   must be added
ST	Cold	Cold Invading the Stomach	ST21, SP4 (expels cold), CV13,   ST34 moxa with needles
LI	Cold	Colding Invading the Large   Intestine	ST37, ST25, ST36, ST27, SP6, LR3   moxa
LI	Cold	Large Intestine Cold	ST37, ST25, ST36, CV6 (stops   diarrhea), UB20, UB25 moxa
SI	Cold	Small Intestine Deficient &   Cold	CV6, ST25, ST39, ST36, UB20,   UB27 moxa
UB	Cold	Bladder Deficient & Cold	UB23, UB28, DU4, CV4, CV3, CV6,   DU20 moxa
LR	Cold	Stagnation of Cold in the Liver	CV3, LR5, LR1, LR3, moxa
HT	Blood	Heart Blood Deficiency	HT7, PC6, CV14, CV15, CV4, UB17,   UB20 moxa
PC	Blood	Pericardium Blood Deficiency	HT7, PC6, CV14, CV15, CV4, UB17   w/moxa, UB20, UB14, CV17, SP4
LR	Blood	Liver Blood Deficiency	UB18, UB20, UB23, UB17, LR8,   SP6, ST36, CV4, Yuyao
SP	Blood	Spleen Blood Deficiency	CV12, ST36, SP3, SP6, UB20,   UB21, CV4, UB17 moxa
SP	Blood	Spleen & Liver Blood Deficiency	CV12, ST36, SP3, SP6, UB20, UB21, CV4, UB17 moxa, LR8, UB18, UB23
SP	Blood	Spleen & Heart Blood Deficiency	CV12, ST36, SP6 moxa, UB20, CV4, UB17 moxa, HT7,   PC6, CV14, CV15
LR	Blood	Heart & Liver Blood Deficiency	ST36, SP6, UB20, CV4, UB17, HT7, PC6,   CV14, CV15, LR8, UB18, UB23
HT	Yin	Heart Yin Deficiency	HT7, PC6, CV14, CV15, CV4   (grounds mind), HT6, SP6, KD7
LU	Yin	Lung Yin Deficiency	LU9, CV17, UB43, UB13, DU12,   CV4, KD6, CV12, LU10, SP6, LU11
KD	Yin	Kidney Yin Deficiency	KD3, KD6, KD10,   KD9, CV4, LU7, SP6, CV7 (nourishes yin)
KD	Yin	Kidney & Lung Yin Deficiency	KD3, KD6, CV4, LU7, SP6, UB43, LU9, LU1,   KD13
KD	Yin	KD Yin Def - Fire Blazing	KD3, KD6, KD10, KD9, CV4, LU7,   SP6, KD2, HT5, LU10, HT6, DU25, LU11
ST	Yin	Stomach Yin Deficiency	CV12, ST36, SP6, SP3
LR	Yin	Liver Yin Deficiency	LR8, SP6, ST36, CV4, KD3, KD6,   LR2
KD	Yin	Kidney & Liver Yin Deficiency	KD3, KD6, LR8, CV4, UB23, UB10, KD13, SP6
KD	Yin	Kidney & Heart Not Harmonized	HT7, HT6, HT5, UB15, CV15, DU24, KD3, KD10, KD9, KD6, CV4, SP6
HT	Fire	Heart Fire Blazing	HT9, HT8, HT7, CV15, SP6, KD6,   LI11, DU24, DU19
PC	Fire	Pericardium Fire	PC8, HT8, UB14, CV15, CV14,   CV17, LI11, DU24, DU19, SP6, LR2
PC	Fire	Heat in the Pericardium	PC9, PC8, HT9, KD6
SI	Fire	Full Heat in the Small Intestine	SI2, SI5, HT5, HT8, ST39
LR	Fire	Liver Fire Blazing Upwards	LR2, LR3, GB20, GB13, LI11, GB1,   GB9, GB8, GB6, SP6, LR1
LR	Fire	Liver Fire Generates Wind	LR2, LR3, GB20, LI11, GB1, SP6,   LR1, DU8
LR	Fire	Liver Fire Insulting the Lungs	LR2, LR14, CV17, CV22, PC6, LU7, LI11, LR3
ST	Fire	Stomach Fire Phlegm Fire	ST21, CV13, ST44, CV12, ST34,   LI4, LI11, CV11, SP15
LI	Fire	Heat in the Large Intestine	ST25, UB25, LI11, ST37, ST44,   LI2, SP6, KD6, CV12
LI	Fire	Heat Obstructs Large Intestine	LI11, LI4, SP15, SJ6, SP6, LI2,   ST44, ST25, UB25
HT	Phlegm	Phlegm Misting the Heart (Mind)	HT9, PC5, UB15, ST40, DU26,   CV12, UB20, DU14
HT	Phlegm	Phlegm Fire Harassing the Heart	PC5, HT7, HT8, HT9, PC7, CV15,   UB15, CV12, ST40, SP6, LR2, UB20, DU20, GB13, GB17, DU24
PC	Phlegm	Phlegm Fire Harassing the PC	PC5, HT7, HT8, HT9, PC7, CV15,   UB15, UB14, CV17, CV12, ST40,   SP6, UB20, LR2, DU20, GB13, DU24, GB17
HT	Blood	Heart Blood Stasis	PC6, PC4, HT7, CV17, UB14, UB17, SP10, KD25   moxa if HT yang def
PC	Blood	Pericardium Blood Stasis	PC6, PC4, HT7, CV14, CV17, UB14, UB17, SP10
LR	Blood	Liver Blood Stasis	GB34, LR3, UB18, UB17, SP10, CV6 (reg qi + move blood in   abdomen), SP4, PC6, ST29, KD14, LR5, LR6
ST	Blood	Blood Stasis in the Stomach	ST34, ST21, ST19, KD21, SJ6, PC6, SP4, PC6, GB34, CV12, ST40, UB17, SP10, LI4, CV11
HT	Qi	Heart Qi Stagnation	PC6, HT5, HT7, CV15, CV17, LU7, ST40, LI4
HT	Qi	Heart Vessel Obstructed	PC6, HT5, HT7, CV15, CV17, LU7, ST40, LI4, UB15,   UB17, CV12
PC	Qi	Qi Stagnation in the Pericardium	PC6, HT5, HT7, CV15, CV17, LU7, ST40, LI4, UB14,   CV14
LR	Qi	Liver Qi Stagnation	GB34, LR3, LR13, LR14, SJ6, PC6
LR	Qi	LR Qi Stagnation Turning Into Heat	GB34, LR3, LR13, LR14, SJ6, PC6, LR2
SP	Qi	Obstruction of SP, Damp w/LR Qi Stag	CV12, SP6, SP3, UB20, LR13, LR14, GB24, GB34, SP9, LR3, ST19
ST	Qi	Stomach Qi Stagnation	ST34, ST21, ST19, KD21, SJ6, PC6, SP4, PC6, GB34, CV12, ST40
LI	Qi	Qi Stagnation in the Large Intestine	CV6, GB34, ST25, SP15, ST37, SP6, UB25
ST	Qi	Stomach Qi Rebelling Upwards	CV13, CV10, PC6, SP4, ST21, ST19
ST	Qi	Retention of Food in the Stomach	CV13, CV10, ST21, ST44, ST45, SP4, PC6, ST40, ST19, KD21, CV12
LR	Qi	Rebellious Liver Qi	LR14, PC6, GB34, LR3, SJ6, LI4, ST21, ST19
LR	Qi	Rebellious Liver Qi Invading Spleen	LR14, LR13, GB34, LR3, CV6, CV12, ST36, SP6, SJ6, PC6, ST25,   SP15, SP4
LR	Qi	Rebellious Liver Qi Invading Stomach	LR14, GB34, CV13, CV10, ST36, UB21, ST21, ST19, ST34
SP	Damp	Cold Damp Invading the Spleen	SP9, SP6, CV12, ST8, SP3, UB20, UB22, CV9, CV11, ST22, ST28
LU	Damp	Damp Phlegm in the Lungs	LU5, LU1, CV17, LU7, ST40, PC6, CV22, CV12, CV9, UB20, UB13
LU	Damp	Phlegm Fluids Obstructing Lungs	LU5, LU9, CV17, UB13, ST40, UB43, CV12, ST36, CV9, SP9, UB20,   UB23 moxa
LU	Damp	Cold Phlegm in the Lung	LU5, LU7, LU1, CV17, ST40, PC6, CV22, CV12, UB20, CV9, UB13,   UB23 moxa
LU	Damp	Dry Phlegm in the Lung	LU9, LU7, KD6, CV12, ST36, SP6, ST40, UB13, CV17
UB	Damp	Damp Cold in the UB	SP9, SP6, UB22, CV3, UB28, ST28, CV9 moxa
GB	Damp	Dampness in the Gall Bladder	GB24, LR14, CV12, GB34, Danangxue, DU9, UB19, UB20, SJ6, ST19   moxa w/cold
BL	Damp	Damp Heat in the Bladder	SP9, SP6, UB22, UB28, CV3, UB63, UB66, ST28
GB	Damp	Damp Heat in the Gall Bladder	GB24, UB19, LR14, DU9, CV12, GB34, LI11, SJ6, UB20,   Dannangxue, ST19
LR	Damp	Damp Heat in the Liver	LR14, GB34, UB18, CV12, SP9, SP6, LI11, LR2
LR	Damp	Damp-Heat in Gall Bladder & Liver	GB24, GB34, DU9, UB19, LR14, UB18, CV12, UB20, LI11, SJ6,   ST19, LR3, LR5
LU	Damp	Phlegm Heat in the Lungs	LU5, LU7, LU10, LU11, LU1 (restores LU/clear heat), UB13,   ST40, CV12
SP	Damp	Damp Heat Invading the Spleen	SP9, SP6, DU9, LI11, UB20, GB34, CV9, CV11, ST22, ST28, UB22
LI	Damp	Damp Heat in the LI	SP9, SP6, CV3, UB22, ST25, ST27, CV6, SP10, CV12, LI11, ST37,   UB20, UB25
ST	Damp	Damp Heat in the Stomach	ST44, ST34, ST21, CV12, CV13, LI11, LI4, CV11, ST25, ST40,   SP9, CV9
LR	Wind	Liver Yang Rising	LR3,SJ5,PC6,LI4,GB43(distal HA),GB38(chronic   HA),GB20,GB9,GB8,GB6,Taiyang,UB2, LR Yin:SP6,LR8,KD6,KD3,ST36
LR	Wind	Extreme Heat Generates Wind	LR3, DU20, DU16, GB20, Shixuan (bleed), DU8, DU14
LR	Wind	LR Yang Rising from Liver Blood Def	LR3, GB20, LI4, SJ5, DU19, SP6 LR8, KD3, UB17,   CV4
LR	Wind	LR Yang Rising from Liver Yin Def	LR3, GB20, LI4, SJ5, DU19, SP6 LR8, KD3
LR	Wind	LR Yang Risnig from LR/KD Yin Def	LR3, GB20, LI4, SJ5, DU19, SP6 LR8, KD3, KD6,   CV4
LR	Wind	Liver Blood Deficiency Causing Wind	LR3, GB20, LI4, SJ5, DU19, SP6 LR8, KD3,   UB17, CV4
LU	Misc	Lung Dryness	LU9 (moistens), CV4, KD6, SP6, CV12 (tonify ST nourishes   fluids), ST36
LU	Misc	Invasion of Lungs by Wind-Cold	LU7, UB12, DU16
LU	Misc	Invasion of Lungs by Wind-Heat	LI4, LI11, LU11, DU14, UB12 (cupping), DU16, GB20, LU7, SJ5
LU	Misc	Invasion of Lungs by Wind-Water	LU7, LI6, LI7, LI4, UB12, CV9, UB13, DU26
LU	Misc	Lung Heat	LU5, LU10, LU7, LI11, LU1, UB13
LI	Misc	Large Intestine Dry	ST36, SP6, KD6, CV4, ST25, SP15
LI	Misc	Collapse of Large Intestine	CV6, ST25, ST36, SP3, UB20, DU20, UB21 moxa
SI	Misc	Small Intestine Qi Pain	CV6, GB34, LR13, ST27, ST29, SP6, LR3, ST39 moxa if cold signs
SI	Misc	Small Intestine Qi Tied	ST39, Lanweixue, CV6, GB34, ST25, SP6, LR3
SI	Misc	Infestation of Worms in the SI	No points - use herbs
SHL	TaiYang	Tai Yang Channel Wind Cold - Wind	UB12 (cup), LU7, LI4, GB20, SJ5, ST36, DU16
SHL	TaiYang	Tai Yang Channel Wind Cold - Cold	BL12, LU7, LI4, SJ5, GB20, DU16, moxa
SHL	TaiYang	Tai Yang Organ - Accum of Water	CV9, CV3, ST28, LU7, UB22, UB39, UB64
SHL	TaiYang	Tai Yang Organ - Accum of Blood	CV3, ST28, KD14, UB39, UB22, SP10, LR3, SP6
SHL	YangMing	Yang Ming Channel - Stomach Heat	LI11, DU14, PC3, ST44, ST43
SHL	YangMing	Yang Ming Organ - LI Dryness	LI11, DU14, PC3, ST44, ST43, ST25, SP15, ST37, SP6
SHL	ShaoYang	Shao Yang - Gall Bladder Heat	SJ5, SJ6, GB41, DU13
SHL	TaiYin	Tai Yin - Spleen Yang Deficiency	CV12, UB20, ST36, ST25, SP6 moxa
SHL	ShaoYin	Shao Yin - Cold HT/KD Yang Defic	CV4, CV6, CV8,   KD3, KD7, BL23 moxa
SHL	ShaoYin	Shao Yin - Heat HT/KD Yin Defic	CV4, CV6, KD3, KD6, SP6
SHL	JueYin	Jue Yin - Heat Above Cold Below	LR3, LI4, SP4, PC6
WB	Wei	Wind Heat	LI4, LI11, SJ5, DU14, UB12 (cup), LU11
WB	Wei	Summer Heat	LI4, LI11, SJ5, DU14, DU26, UB40, PC9
WB	Wei	Damp Heat	LI4, LI11, SP9, SP6, CV12, CV9
WB	Wei	Dry Heat	LI4, LI11, SJ5, SP6, LU9, CV12, ST36
WB	Qi	Lung Heat	LU5, LU10, DU14, LI11, LU1, UB13
WB	Qi	Stomach Heat	ST44, ST43, ST34, ST21, LI11, ST25
WB	Qi	Intestines Heat	LI11, ST25, SP15, ST37, ST39
WB	Qi	Gall Bladder Heat	GB34, GB43,   SJ5, SJ6
WB	Qi	Damp Heat in Spleen/Stomach	CV12, SP9, SP6, CV9, ST36, LI11, CV12, UB20, UB22
WB	Ying	Heat in Nutritive Qi Layer	PC9, PC8, HT9, KD6, Shixuan
WB	Ying	Heat in Pericardium	PC9, PC8, HT9, KD6, PC3, LI11, Shixuan
WB	Xue	Excess Heat Stirring Blood (Victorious)	UB17, SP10, LR5, SP4, LI11, LR2, KD6, HT9, Shaochong, Shixuan
WB	Xue	Heat Victorious Stirring Wind	SP10, LI11, LR2, KD6, HT9, LR3, DU16, GB20, SI3, UB62, Shixuan
WB	Xue	Empty Heat Agitating the Interior	LR3, DU16, GB20, SI3, UB62, LR8, KD6, KD3, SP6
WB	Xue	Collapse of Yin	ST36, KD3, SP6, KD6, CV4
WB	Xue	Collapse of Yang	ST36, CV6, CV4, CV8, moxa
SJ	Upper	Wind-Heat in the Lungs	LI4, LI11, SJ5, DU14, UB12 (cup), LU11 (same as WB Wei Level   Wind Heat)
SJ	Upper	Heat in the Lungs	LU5, LI11, LU10, LU1, UB13 (almost same as WB Qi Level Lung   Heat)
SJ	Upper	Heat in the Pericardium	PC9, PC3, LI11, PC8, HT9, KD6, Shixuan (same as WB Ying Heat   in PC)
SJ	Middle	Heat in the Yang Ming	ST44, ST43, ST34, ST21, LI11, ST25 (same as WB Qi Stomach   Heat)
SJ	Middle	Damp-Heat Invading the Spleen	CV12, SP9, SP6, CV9, ST36, LI11, CV12, UB20, UB22 (same as WB   Qi Damp Heat in SP/ST)
SJ	Lower	Lower Burner Heat in the Kidneys	KD3, KD6, SP6, KD2, LI11
SJ	Lower	Liver Heat Stirs Wind	LR3, LR2, GB20, DU16, SI3, UB62, SP10, LI11, KD6, HT9, Shixuan   (Same as WB Xue Heat Stirring Wind)
SJ	Lower	Liver Empty Wind	LR3, LR2, GB20, DU16, SI3, UB62, KD3, KD6, SP6, LR8

Conclusion

Acupuncture point prescriptions are the heart of acupuncture treatment. For students and practitioners, developing a deep understanding of TCM principles, diagnostic skills, and point functions is essential. Through careful assessment and thoughtful point selection, acupuncture can provide profound healing, addressing both physical symptoms and the deeper imbalances within the body.

Remember, every patient is unique, and so too should be their acupuncture point prescription. This guide is just the beginning—continue to study, practice, and learn from each treatment to hone your skills and improve your patients’ well-being.

Learn About More Styles of Acupuncture

To discover more about the diverse world of acupuncture and its various methodologies, visit our comprehensive guide on different acupuncture styles: The Ultimate List of Acupuncture Styles. This resource offers a broader understanding of the range and depth of acupuncture practices available, placing Five Element Acupuncture within the context of a rich and varied healing tradition.

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Over to you

If you liked this article, please share with friends and family who may be curious about acupuncture points and their applications.

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Sources:

• Xinnong, C., Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion. (2010). Foreign Language Press.

• Deadman, P., A Manual of Acupuncture. (2007). Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications.

• Kim, H.B., Handbook of Oriental Medicine. (2015 - 5th edition). HB Kim.

• Hseuh, C., Acupuncture: A Comprehensive Text. (1981). Eastland Press.

• Maciocia, G., The Foundations of Chinese Medicine. (2015). Churchill Livingstone.

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