《孫真人備急千金要方》Vol. 87

The Perfected Sun believed that illness originates in the zang-fu organs. Their channels extend to the hands and feet and run through the abdomen and back, spreading across almost the entire body. They enter and leave, come and go, making their courses difficult to measure precisely. Without diagrams, it is hard to locate and use the acupuncture points; and acupuncture is also indispensable when preparing treatments in advance. Thus the medical classics say that decoctions treat illnesses within the body, while acupuncture treats illnesses at its surface, leaving disease nowhere to hide. This shows that acupuncture is no less effective than decoctions.

Yet many centuries have passed since the ancient sages, and those who study medicine often lack sufficient knowledge to understand the locations of the points or the origins and courses of the channels. When faced with an urgent illness, they are often at a loss. I lamented that this learning had not been clearly transmitted, so in my spare time I gathered material on the Mingtang—the diagrams and theories describing the body’s channels and acupuncture points—from renowned physicians past and present. I compiled it into this acupuncture classic to make up for what I myself lacked. I hope readers will be able to find the points by consulting the diagrams and identify the distribution of the channels by referring to the text, and so clearly distinguish the points’ locations and relative distances.

The old Mingtang diagrams are very ancient, and errors crept in as they were copied; they cannot serve as a reliable guide. I have therefore adopted the newly compiled material of Zhen Quan and others as the authoritative version. According to the Mingtang Zhengjing, the human body is measured as seven chi, six cun, and four fen tall. The diagrams depict the body at half its actual size, so its height in the diagrams is three chi, eight cun, and two fen, and the distances between points are likewise reduced by half. Here, five fen equal one cun, and the chi used is the ancient measure of the Xia dynasty. The six chi that Sima Qian calls one bu correspond to the smaller chi of eight cun used in the Jianghuai, Wu, and Yue regions.

Five colors mark the twelve channels in the diagrams, while green marks the Eight Extraordinary Vessels, the eight special channels beyond the twelve regular channels. The three diagrams of the human body mark a total of 650 points, which are illustrated individually in the following text for readers to identify at a glance. The supine figure has 282 points, the prone figure 194, and the side-facing figure 174. There are 349 point names in all: 48 single points and 301 paired points.

The Mingtang diagram of the supine body is divided into fourteen sections and contains 157 points, including 32 single points and 125 paired points.

Section One: The locations and relative distances of the points on the head and face of the supine body.

The midline of the head: Shangxing point (in the center of the head, directly above the middle of the bridge of the nose, in a depression one cun inside the hairline; the depression is about the size of a bean); Xinhui point (in a depression one cun behind Shangxing point); Qianding point (in the depression of a cranial suture, one and a half cun behind Xinhui point); Baihui point (at the very center of the crown, one and a half cun behind Qianding point).

The second line on the head: Wuchu point (on the head, one and a half cun to the side of Shangxing point); Chengguang point (one cun behind Wuchu point; moxibustion is prohibited here. Another text gives the distance as one and a half cun); Tongtian point (one and a half cun behind Chengguang point).

The third line on the head: Linqi point (in a depression directly above the pupil, five fen inside the hairline); Muchuang point (one cun behind Linqi point); Zhengying point (one cun behind Muchuang point).

The midline of the face: Shenting point (at the center of the hairline, directly above the bridge of the nose; acupuncture is prohibited here); Suliao point (at the tip of the nose); Shuigou point (in the philtrum, the groove between the base of the nose and the upper lip); Duanduan point (at the center of the edge of the upper lip); Yingjiao point (in the crease on the inner side of the upper lip, where the upper gum meets the lip); Chengjiang point (in the depression at the front of the chin, below the lower lip); Lianquan point (below the lower jaw and above the Adam’s apple, at the root of the tongue).

The second line on the face: Qucha point (at the hairline, one and a half cun to the side of Shenting point); Zanzhu point (in the depression at the inner end of the eyebrow); Jingming point (just outside the inner corner of the eye); Juliao point (eight fen beside the nose, directly in line with the pupil); Yingxiang point (beside the nostril, one cun above Heliao point); Heliao point (directly below the nostril, five fen to the side of Shuigou point).

The third line on the face: Yangbai point (one cun above the eyebrow, directly in line with the pupil); Chengqi point (seven fen below the eye, directly in line with the pupil; moxibustion is prohibited here); Sibai point (one cun below the eye); Dicang point (four fen to the side of the corner of the mouth); Daying point (in a depression one cun and two fen in front of the angle of the lower jaw, where the pulse can be felt).

The fourth line on the face: Benshen point (at the hairline, one and a half cun to the side of Qucha point; another account places it directly above the ear, four fen inside the hairline); Sizhukong point (in the depression at the outer end of the eyebrow; moxibustion is prohibited here); Zhongzilia o point (five fen beside the outer corner of the eye, also called Taiyang or Qian’guan).

The fifth line on the face: Touwei point (at the hairline at the temple, one and a half cun to the side of Benshen point; moxibustion is prohibited here); Quanliao point (in the depression along the lower edge of the cheekbone, near the hollow of the face).

This passage comes from Sun Simiao’s Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand in Gold for Emergencies. It describes how to locate acupuncture points on the head, face, and chest.

Two facial points

Shangguan (Upper Gate) is located at the upper edge in front of the ear, where a protruding bone can be felt. Open the mouth to locate the point. It is also called Kezhuren (Guest Host).

Xiaguan (Lower Gate) is below Kezhuren, beneath the artery in front of the ear. Locate it in a hollow, along the hollow’s lower edge, with the mouth closed. If there is a gap in the hollow, it closes when the mouth is opened, so the point must be located with the mouth closed.

Jiache (Jawbone) is below the ear, in the hollow at the end of the angle of the jaw, known as Qujia (Curved Jaw).

Seven points along the central line of the chest, from top to bottom (second row)

These seven points run down the midline of the sternum:

Tiantu (Heavenly Prominence) is five cun below the laryngeal prominence, in the hollow between the two clavicles.

Xuanji (Rotating Pivot; also written Xuanji) is one cun below Tiantu, in a hollow. Tilt the head back to locate it.

Huagai (Flowery Canopy) is one cun below Xuanji, in a hollow. Lie on the back to locate it.

Zigong (Purple Palace) is one cun and six fen below Huagai, in a hollow. Lie on the back to locate it.

Yutang (Jade Hall) is one cun and six fen below Zigong, in a hollow.

Danzhong (Altar Center; also written Shanzhong) is one cun and six fen below Yutang, directly on the horizontal line between the nipples.

Zhongting (Central Courtyard) is one cun and six fen below Danzhong, in a hollow.

Six points in the second chest row (third row)

This row lies two cun to either side of the midline:

Shufu (Shu Residence) is below Jugu (Great Bone, the acromial end of the clavicle), two cun to the side of Xuanji, in a hollow. Lie on the back to locate it.

Yuzhong (Jade Center; the original text reads “Huozhong”) is one cun and six fen below Shufu, in a hollow. Lie on the back to locate it.

Shencang (Spirit Storehouse) is one cun and six fen below Yuzhong. Lie on the back to locate it.

Lingxu (Numinous Ruins) is one cun and six fen below Shencang. Lie on the back to locate it. Some editions write “wall” instead of “ruins.”

Shenfeng (Spirit Seal) is one cun and six fen below Lingxu.

Bulang (Walking Corridor) is one cun and six fen below Shenfeng, in a hollow. Lie on the back to locate it.

Six points in the third chest row (fourth row)

This row is immediately outside the second row, another two cun farther to the side:

Qihu (Qi’s Gateway) is below Jugu, two cun to either side of Shufu, in a hollow. Lie on the back to locate it.

Kufang (Storehouse) is one cun and six fen below Qihu. Lie on the back to locate it.

Wuyi (Roof Canopy) is one cun and six fen below Kufang. Lie on the back to locate it.

Yingchuang (Chest Window) is one cun and six fen below Wuyi. The nipple lies directly below it; the point at the center of the nipple must not be treated with moxibustion or acupuncture.

Rugen (Breast Root) is one cun and six fen below the nipple, in a hollow. Lie on the back to locate it.

Six points in the fourth chest row (fifth row)

This is the outermost row on the chest:

Yunmen (Cloud Gate) is below Jugu, two cun to either side of Qihu, in a hollow. An arterial pulse can be felt under the hand. Raise the arm to locate the point.

Zhongfu (Central Residence) is one cun below Yunmen (some texts say one cun and six fen), in the third intercostal space above the nipple. An arterial pulse can likewise be felt under the hand; the point is in a hollow.

This passage describes the locations of acupoints along several channels in the chest and abdomen, locating each point by how many cun below another point it lies.

Four chest points (continued from the previous section): Zhou Rong lies in a hollow 1.6 cun below Zhongfu, an acupoint on the Lung channel. To locate it, lie on your back. Xiong Xiang lies in a hollow 1.6 cun below Zhou Rong, and is located in the same position. Tian Xi lies in a hollow 1.6 cun below Xiong Xiang, also with the person lying on their back. Shi Dou lies 1.6 cun below Tian Xi; raise the arm to locate it.

Method for measuring the distances of the fourteen points in the first abdominal row (Section Six): These are points on the Conception Vessel, the channel that runs along the midline of the abdomen.

Jiuwei lies five fen below the xiphoid process, the lower end of the sternum. This point should not be treated with moxibustion or acupuncture. Juque lies one cun below Jiuwei. Shangguan, also called Shangwan, lies one cun below Juque and three cun from the xiphoid process. Zhongguan, also called Zhongwan, lies one cun below Shangguan. Jianli lies one cun below Zhongguan. Xiaguan, also called Xiawan, lies one cun below Jianli. Shuifen lies one cun below Xiaguan, which is one cun above the navel. Needling the center of the navel, Shenque, is forbidden.

Yinjiao lies one cun below the navel; Qihai lies 1.5 cun below it. Shimen lies two cun below the navel and should not be treated with moxibustion in women. Guanyuan lies three cun below the navel, and Zhongji lies four cun below it. Qugu lies above the pubic bone, one cun below Zhongji, in the hollow at the edge of the pubic hair.

Method for measuring the distances of the eleven points in the second abdominal row (Section Seven): These points lie close to either side of the midline and belong to the Kidney channel.

Youmen lies in a hollow half a cun to the side of Juque. A small-print note in the original text says that the Heart Organ Volume places it on both sides of Juque, one cun from the midline on each side. Tonggu lies one cun below Youmen, and Yindu lies one cun below Tonggu. Shiguan lies one cun below Yindu and is also called Youguan. Shangqu lies one cun below Shiguan and is also called Gaoqu.

Huangshu lies one cun below Shangqu, directly opposite the navel, half a cun to either side of the midline. Zhongzhu lies five fen below Huangshu. Siman lies one cun below Zhongzhu. A note says that the Lung Organ Volume places it on both sides of the Dantian, the area around Guanyuan below the navel. Qixue lies one cun below Siman. A note in the first volume of Formulas for Women places it two cun to either side of Guanyuan and says that the point on the right is also called Zihu. Dahe lies one cun below Qixue. A note in the Kidney Organ Volume places it three cun above the end of Qugu. Henggu lies one cun below Dahe. The Kidney Organ Volume calls it Qugu and describes it as lying at the center of the transverse pubic bone above the genital area, which curves like a crescent; the point is at its center.

The next section is Method for measuring the distances of the twelve points in the third abdominal row (Section Eight). It describes how to locate points in the next row farther from the midline and will list their positions in sequence.

Locations of the Third Row of Abdominal Acupoints and the Seven Acupoints of the Fourth Row

Burong is beside Youmen, one cun and five fen to either side, two cun from the Conception Vessel, directly opposite the end of the fourth rib. The two points are four cun apart.

Chengman is one cun below Burong. Liangmen is one cun below Chengman. Guanmen is one cun below Liangmen, above Taiyi. Taiyi is one cun below Guanmen. Huaroumen is one cun below Taiyi.

Tianshu is also called Changxi. It lies one cun and five fen beside Huangshu, two cun to either side of the navel. The chapter “The Spleen Storehouse” calls it “Changgu,” saying that the points lie on either side of the navel. The two points are one cun apart; another name for them is “Xunji.”

Wailling is half a cun below Tianshu and above Daju. Daju is one cun below the navel, two cun to either side of the midline; it lies two cun below Changxi. Shuidao is three cun below Daju. Guilai is two cun below Shuidao; the Wa Tai Mi Yao records the distance as three cun. Qichong is one cun below Guilai and one cun above Shuxi. The commentary on the “Discourse on Needling for Heat” in the Suwen says that it lies on the abdomen, below the navel, at the two ends of the transverse pubic bone, one cun above Shuxi. When pressed, a pulse can be felt beneath the hand.

Locations of the Seven Acupoints of the Fourth Abdominal Row

Qimen lies at the end of the second rib, one cun and five fen beside Burong, directly in line with the line between the two nipples. Riyue is five fen below Qimen. Fuhai is one cun and five fen below Riyue. Daheng is two cun below Fuhai, directly opposite the navel on either side; the Jia Yi Jing records the distance as three cun. Fu Jie is one cun and three fen below Daheng. Fushe is three cun below Fu Jie. Chongmen lies below Fushe, midway along the line connecting the two ends of the transverse pubic bone; it is five cun above Daheng.

Locations of the Ten Acupoints of the Hand Taiyin Lung Channel

Shaoshang lies on the inner side of the tip of the thumb, about the width of a leek leaf from the corner of the nail. Yuji lies on the inner side, behind the joint at the base of the thumb, where the vessels spread out.

Dàquán lies in the hollow behind the wrist; it is also called Taiyuan. To avoid the tabooed name of a Tang emperor, it was renamed “Dàquán” at the time. The older name is retained here to prevent later readers from mistaking it for a different acupoint.

Jingqu lies in the hollow at the cun-mouth pulse and must not be treated with moxibustion. Lieque lies one cun and five fen above the wrist. It is the Luo point of the Hand Taiyin Lung Channel, from which a branch connects to the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Channel. Kongzui lies seven cun above the wrist and is the Xi point of the Hand Taiyin Lung Channel. Chize lies in the elbow crease, where a pulse can be felt above the transverse crease of the elbow.

Xiabai (an arm point) lies below Tianfu, at the site of the arterial pulse, five cun from the elbow.

Tianfu lies three cun below the armpit. Moxibustion should not be applied there.

Naohui lies on the front of the upper arm, three cun from the shoulder tip. The Jia Yi Jing records this point as being on the shoulder; the Wai Tai Mi Yao assigns it to the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Channel, while the Tongren Shuxue Zhenjiu Tujing assigns it to the Hand Shaoyang Triple Burner Channel.

Eight Points of the Hand Jueyin Heart-Master Channel, Section Eleven

Zhongchong lies at the tip of the middle finger, about the width of a leek leaf from the nail, in the depression at the fingertip.

Laogong lies in the center of the palm, where the arterial pulse can be felt.

Daling lies between the two bones on the back of the wrist.

Neiguan lies two cun above the back of the wrist. The Wai Tai Mi Yao gives the distance as five cun.

The collateral channel of the Hand Jueyin Heart-Master Channel branches from this point and connects with the Hand Taiyang Channel.

Jianshi lies three cun above the back of the wrist, between two tendons.

Ximen lies five cun above the back of the wrist. The Wai Tai Mi Yao says it is five cun from Neiguan. It is the xi point of the Hand Jueyin Channel, where the channel’s Qi gathers deeply.

Quze lies in the depression at the inner elbow crease and can be located when the elbow is bent.

Tianquan lies two cun below the armpit. Raise the arm to locate it.

Eight Points of the Hand Shaoyin Heart Channel, Section Twelve

Shaochong lies on the inner side of the tip of the little finger, about the width of a leek leaf from the nail.

Shaofu lies in the depression behind the knuckle of the little finger, roughly opposite Laogong. A note in the original text records that some versions read “base joint” instead of “large joint.”

Shenmen lies on the back of the wrist, in the depression at the end of the ulnar styloid process.

Yinxi lies over the artery on the back of the wrist, half a cun from the wrist crease. It is the xi point of the Hand Shaoyin Heart Channel.

Tongli lies one cun above the back of the wrist. The collateral channel of the Hand Shaoyin Heart Channel branches from this point and connects with the Hand Taiyang Channel.

Lingdao lies one and a half cun above the back of the wrist.

Shaohai lies in the depression at the inner elbow, behind the elbow joint.

Jiquan lies over the artery between the two tendons beneath the armpit, close to the bone.

Eleven Points of the Foot Taiyin Spleen Channel, Section Thirteen

Yinbai lies on the inner side of the tip of the big toe, about the width of a leek leaf from the nail.

Dadu lies in the depression behind the joint at the base of the big toe. The Juan of the Liver Store records it as being “on the inner side of the base of the big toe on the right foot, at the boundary between red and white flesh.”

Taibai lies on the inner side of the big toe, in the depression below the head of the first metatarsal bone.

Gongsun lies one cun behind the joint at the base of the big toe. The collateral channel of the Foot Taiyin Spleen Channel branches from this point and connects with the Foot Yangming Stomach Channel.

Shangqiu lies in the depression slightly forward and below the inner ankle.

Sanyinjiao lies eight cun above the inner ankle, in the depression along the back edge of the tibia.

Lougu lies in the hollow six cun above the inner ankle, below the bone, and belongs to the Foot Taiyin channel. A note in the original says that the Tongren Jing calls it “Taiyin Luo”; it is also known by the alternate name “Taiyin Ge.”

Diji, also called Pishe, lies five cun below the knee. It is the xi-cleft point of the Foot Taiyin channel, where channel Qi gathers deeply.

Yinlingquan lies on the inner side below the knee, in the hollow beneath the medial condyle of the tibia. It can be located with the leg straight.

Xuehai lies above the knee, at the edge of the muscle on the inner side, about two and a half cun above the kneecap. Another version gives the distance as three cun.

Jimén lies high on the inner thigh, between the tendons, where the pulse can be felt. It is medial to Yinshi.

Fourteenth Group of Points on the Foot Yangming Stomach Channel

Lidui lies at the tip of the second toe, near the outer corner of the toenail, about the width of a leek leaf from the nail corner.

Neiting lies on the outer side between the big toe and the second toe.

Xiangu lies between the big toe and the second toe, behind the metatarsophalangeal joints, two cun from Neiting.

Chongyang lies on the top of the foot, five cun up, between the bones and three cun from Xiangu. Another account gives the distance as two cun.

Jiexi lies one and a half cun behind Chongyang.

Fenglong lies eight cun above the outer ankle. It is the luo-connecting point of the Foot Yangming channel, linking it with the Foot Taiyin channel.

Xialian, also called Xiajuxu, lies three cun below Shanglian.

Tiaokou lies one cun above Xialian.

Juxu Shanglian lies three cun below Zusanli.

Zusanli lies three cun below the knee, on the outer side of the tibia.

Dubi lies below the kneecap and above the tibia, between two large tendons.

Yinshi, also called Yinding, lies three cun above the knee and below Futu. Volume 20 places it above the knee, two cun below Futu, close to the knee.

Futu lies six cun above the knee. The original notes that this point must not be treated with moxibustion.

Biguan lies above the knee, at the point where the lines divide behind Futu.

Liangqiu lies two cun above the knee, between two tendons; another account gives the distance as three cun. It is the xi-cleft point of the Foot Yangming channel.

Diagram of the Prone Body: Mingtang Points

The “Diagram of the Prone Body: Mingtang Points” shows the points when the body is lying face down. It is divided into ten sections and lists 105 points: 16 unilateral points and 89 bilateral points.

First Row of Points on the Head in the Prone-Body Diagram, and the Distances Between Them

Houding lies one and a half cun behind Baihui.

Qiangjian lies one and a half cun behind Houding.

Naohu lies above the occipital bone, one and a half cun behind Qiangjian. The original notes that this point must not be treated with moxibustion.

Fengfu lies at the back of the neck, in the hollow between two large tendons, one cun inside the hairline. The original notes that this point must not be treated with moxibustion.

Yinmen lies in the hollow at the hairline on the back of the neck. The original notes that this point must not be treated with moxibustion.

The three points in the second row of the head, with their locations described in the second method:

Yuzhen (Jade Pillow) lies seven and a half fen behind Geque, flanking Naohu, and one cun and three fen away from it.

It is three cun above the raised bone at the back of the head (the occipital bone), measured from the hairline.

Geque lies one and a half cun behind Tongtian.

Tianzhu lies at the back of the neck, at the hairline. It flanks the large tendons on either side of the nape and is in the hollows outside the tendons.

The three points in the third row of the head, with their locations described in the third method:

Fengchi lies in the hollow at the hairline on the temporal region behind the ear.

Chengling lies one and a half cun behind Zhengying.

Naokong lies one and a half cun behind Chengling, flanking Yuzhen, in the hollow below the occipital bone. Naokong is also called Tairu.

The six points behind the ears in adults, with their locations described in the fourth method:

Luxi lies between the bluish vessels behind the ear.

Chimai lies among the bluish vessels at the root of the ear, which resemble a chicken’s claw. This point must not be cauterized.

Wangu lies four fen into the hairline behind the ear.

Qiaoyin lies above Wangu and below the occipital bone.

Fubai lies one cun into the hairline behind the ear.

Yifeng lies in the hollow behind the ear; pressure on it causes a pulling sensation inside the ear.

The eleven points in the first row along the center of the spine, with their locations described in the fifth method:

Dazhui lies in the hollow above the first vertebra.

Taodao lies in the space between the vertebrae below Dazhui.

Shenzhu lies in the space between the vertebrae below the third vertebra.

Shendao lies in the space between the vertebrae below the fifth vertebra.

Zhiyang lies in the space between the vertebrae below the seventh vertebra.

Jinsuo lies in the space between the vertebrae below the ninth vertebra.

Jizhong lies in the space between the vertebrae below the eleventh vertebra. This point must not be cauterized.

Xuanshu lies in the space between the vertebrae below the thirteenth vertebra.

Mingmen lies in the space between the vertebrae below the fourteenth vertebra.

Yaoshu lies in the space between the vertebrae below the twenty-first vertebra.

Changqiang lies at the end of the spine and sacrum.

The twenty-one points in the second row on either side of the spine, with their locations described in the sixth method:

Dazhu lies below the first vertebra at the back of the neck, in hollows one and a half cun from the midline on either side.

Fengmen, also called Refu, lies below the second vertebra, one and a half cun from the midline on either side.

Feishu lies below the third vertebra, one and a half cun from the midline on either side. (According to the Dizang Juan, its position can be measured by drawing a line from the nipple.)

Xinshu lies below the fifth vertebra, one and a half cun from the midline on either side.

Geshu lies below the seventh vertebra, one and a half cun from the midline on either side.

Ganshu lies below the ninth vertebra, one and a half cun from the midline on either side. (Juan Eight places it below the vertebral joint of the ninth vertebra.)

The Gallbladder Shu point, the back-shu point corresponding to the gallbladder, is below the tenth vertebra, one and a half cun to either side.

The Spleen Shu point is below the eleventh vertebra, one and a half cun to either side. Volume Eight records it as “Spleen Shu.” Another account says that the Spleen Shu point has no fixed location and changes with the months of the four seasons. When the spleen is diseased, moxibustion should be applied at the back-shu point corresponding to the spleen.

The Stomach Shu point is below the twelfth vertebra, one and a half cun to either side. The Triple Burner Shu point, the back-shu point corresponding to the Triple Burner, is below the thirteenth vertebra, one and a half cun to either side. The Kidney Shu point is below the fourteenth vertebra, one and a half cun to either side. The Large Intestine Shu point is below the sixteenth vertebra, one and a half cun to either side. The Small Intestine Shu point is below the eighteenth vertebra, one and a half cun to either side. The Bladder Shu point is below the nineteenth vertebra, one and a half cun to either side. The Middle Spinal Shu point is below the twentieth vertebra, one and a half cun to either side. The White Ring Shu point is below the twenty-first vertebra, one and a half cun to either side.

The Upper Liao point is at the first sacral foramen, one cun below the lumbar-hip bone, on either side of the spine. The Second Liao point is at the second sacral foramen, in the hollows on either side of the spine; the Middle Liao point is at the third sacral foramen, in the hollows on either side of the spine; the Lower Liao point is at the fourth sacral foramen, in the hollows on either side of the spine. The Meeting of Yang point is on either side of the tip of the coccyx.

How to locate the thirteen points in the third row alongside the spine (section seven)

The Attached Branch point is below the second vertebra, beside the inner edge of the nape, three cun to either side. The Soul Residence point is below the third vertebra, three cun to either side. The Spirit Hall point is below the fifth vertebra, three cun to either side. The Sighing Point is beside the inner edge of the shoulder blade, near a position below the sixth vertebra, three cun to either side. The Diaphragm Barrier point is below the seventh vertebra, three cun to either side.

The Soul Gate point is below the ninth vertebra, three cun to either side. The Outer Terrace records it as below the tenth vertebra. The Yang Link point is below the tenth vertebra, three cun to either side. The Outer Terrace records it as below the eleventh vertebra. The Intention Residence point is below the eleventh vertebra, three cun to either side. The Outer Terrace records it as below the ninth vertebra.

The Stomach Storehouse point is below the twelfth vertebra, three cun to either side. The Vitals Gate point is below the thirteenth vertebra, three cun to either side. The Will Chamber point is below the fourteenth vertebra, three cun to either side. The Womb Vitals point is below the nineteenth vertebra, three cun to either side.

Here, “Shu” is the name for a back-shu point corresponding to an internal organ. “Below the vertebra” and “one and a half or three cun to either side” describe the point’s position relative to the spine. “Sacral foramen” refers to an opening in the sacrum. The Outer Terrace is another medical text; the passage lists the different vertebral positions given in that work.

Zhìbiān, a point on the back, lies below the twenty-first vertebra, three cun to either side of the spine.

Seventeen Points of the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Channel

Guānchōng lies at the tip of the ring finger—the finger beside the little finger—about one chive leaf’s width from the corner of the nail.

Yèmén lies in the hollow between the ring and little fingers.

Zhōngzhǔ lies in the hollow just behind the base joint of the ring finger.

Yángchí lies in the hollow on the back of the wrist.

Wàiguān lies in a hollow two cun behind the wrist. It is the Luo point of the Hand Shaoyang Channel, where a branch diverges and connects with the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Channel.

Zhīgōu lies three cun behind the wrist, in the hollow between the two bones.

Huìzōng lies in a gap three cun behind the wrist. It is the Xi point of the Hand Shaoyang Channel, where channel Qi gathers and which is used for acute conditions.

Sānyángluò lies on the arm, one cun above Zhīgōu, where a large tendon meets the network of vessels. This point should not be needled.

Sìdú lies on the outer side of the arm, in a hollow five cun in front of the elbow.

Tiānjǐng lies in a hollow between two tendons, one cun behind the large bone on the outer side of the elbow. Bend the elbow to locate it.

Qīnglíngquán lies three cun above the elbow. Locate it with the elbow straight and the arm raised. “Quán” is also written “yuān.”

Xiāoluò lies below the shoulder on the outer side of the arm, along the boundary line running diagonally from the armpit toward the elbow.

Tiānzōng lies behind Bǐngfēng, in the hollow below the large bone. The Waitai Miyao assigns this point to the Small Intestine Channel.

Nàoshū lies behind Jiāoliáo, below the large bone, in the hollow along the upper edge of the shoulder blade.

Jiānwàishū lies in a hollow along the upper edge of the shoulder blade, three cun from the spine.

Jiānzhōngshū lies in a hollow along the inner edge of the shoulder blade, two cun from the spine.

Qūyuán lies in a hollow at the center of the shoulder, where the shoulder blade curves. Pressing it produces distinct tenderness.

Nine Points of the Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Channel

Shàozé lies in a hollow on the outer side of the tip of the little finger, about one fen from the nail.

Qiángǔ lies on the outer side of the little finger, in the hollow in front of its base joint.

Hòuxī lies on the outer side of the little finger, in the hollow behind its base joint.

Wàngǔ lies on the outer side of the hand, in the hollow below the prominent wrist bone at the front of the wrist.

Yánggǔ lies in the center of the outer wrist, in a hollow below the styloid process of the ulna.

Yǎnglǎo lies in a gap above the prominent wrist bone, in a hollow about one cun farther back. It is the Xi point of the Hand Taiyang Channel.

Zhīzhèng lies five cun behind the wrist. It is the Luo point of the Hand Taiyang Channel, where a branch diverges and connects with the Hand Shaoyin Heart Channel.

Xiǎohǎi lies along the outer edge of the large bone on the inner side of the elbow, five fen from the tip of the elbow.

Jiānzhēn lies below the curve of the shoulder blade, in the gap between two bones, in a hollow behind Jiānyú. The Waitai Miyao assigns this point to the Sanjiao Channel.

The Foot Taiyang Bladder Channel has seventeen acupoints.

Zhiyin lies on the outer side of the little toe, about the width of a chive leaf from the corner of the toenail.

Tonggu lies on the outer side of the little toe, in the hollow in front of the joint at its base.

Shugu lies on the outer side of the little toe, in the hollow behind the joint at its base.

Jinggu lies in the hollow below the prominent bone on the outer side of the foot, where the red and pale skin meet.

Shenmai, the starting point of the Yang Heel Vessel, lies in the hollow below the outer ankle. The hollow is about the size of a fingernail.

Jinmen, also called Guanliang, is the Xi-cleft point of the Foot Taiyang Channel, where the channel’s Qi gathers deeply. It lies in the hollow below the outer ankle.

Pucan, also called Anxie, lies in the hollow below the heel bone.

Kunlun lies in the hollow between the outer ankle and the heel bone.

Chengshan, also called Yufu, Shangshan, and Rouzhu, lies in the hollow below the calf, where the gastrocnemius muscle divides.

Feiyang, also called Jueyang, lies seven cun above the outer ankle. It is the Luo-connecting point of the Foot Taiyang Channel, linking it to other channels. From here, a branch of the channel connects with the Foot Shaoyang Channel.

Chengjin, also called Chuanchang and Zhichang, lies on the back of the lower leg, seven cun above the heel, in the hollow at the center of the calf. This point should not be needled.

Heyang lies three cun below the middle of the transverse crease behind the knee.

Weizhong lies in the transverse crease at the center of the knee bend, where the arterial pulse can be felt.

Weiyang lies on the outer side of the knee bend, between two tendons. It is in front of the Foot Taiyang Channel and behind the Foot Shaoyang Channel, six cun below Chengfu.

Fuxi lies one cun above Weiyang. It can be located when the foot is extended.

Yinmen lies six cun below Chengfu, also called Rouxi.

Chengfu, also called Rouxi, Yinguan, and Pibu, lies below the buttock, at the center of the transverse crease on the back of the thigh. Another account places it in the hollow crease below the buttock.

Side-view body diagram: Six sections with a total of eighty-seven points, with points on both the left and right sides.

How to locate the twenty points on the side of the head and neck

Hanyan lies at the upper edge of the temple area, where the side of the head curves.

Xuanlu lies at the center of the temple area, where the side of the head curves.

Xuanli lies at the lower edge of the temple area, where the side of the head curves.

Tianqu lies above the ear, three cun higher than the points described above.

Shuai Gu lies above the ear, one and a half cun into the hairline.

Qubin lies in the hollow at the bend of the hairline above the ear.

Jiaosun lies at the middle of the auricle; a gap can be seen there when the mouth is opened.

Heliao lies where an artery pulses beneath the hair at the temple, in front of the ear.

Ermen lies at the raised cartilage in front of the ear, directly opposite the notch at the ear opening.

Tinghui lies in the hollow in front of the ear. Locate it with the mouth open.

Tinggong is inside the ear, at a bead-shaped spot about the size of a red bean.

Tianrong is below the ear, behind the angle of the jaw.

Tianyou lies in the hollow between the tendons on the side of the neck, behind Tianrong, in front of Tianzhu, and below Wangu.

One inch above the hairline.

Quepen lies in the hollow of the collarbone above the shoulder.

Futu is one and a half inches behind Qishe.

Tianchuang lies in the hollow below the angle of the jaw and behind Futu. Pressing it reveals a pulse.

Tianding is in the neck, above Quepen and below the angle of the jaw, about one inch down from Futu and behind Renying.

Renying is at the pulse of the great artery in the neck, on either side of the Adam’s apple. It is used to observe the Qi of the Five Viscera. Acupuncture and moxibustion should not be applied here.

Shuitu lies in front of the large tendon of the neck, directly below Renying and above Qishe. Another account places Shuitu one inch below the angle of the jaw, slightly toward the back.

Qishe is in the neck, in the hollow directly opposite Renying and near Tiantu.

Method for Locating the Ten Points of the Side and Flank, Part Two

Zhangmen, also called Changping, is on the side of the transverse abdominal crease, opposite the navel, at the end of the floating rib (the lowest rib).

Jingmen lies at the crest of the hip bone, at the waist and the base of the floating rib, close to either side of the spine.

Daimai is one inch and eight fen below the floating rib.

Wushu is three inches below Daimai. Another account places it one and a half inches below Shuidào.

Weidao is five inches and three fen below Zhangmen.

Juliao is eight inches and three fen below Changping, above the crest of the hip bone.

Quanye is in the hollow three inches below the armpit and can be found by raising the arm. Another volume, Wind Stroke, records that Yamen is among the hair in the armpit; Quanye is also called Yuanye.

Dabao is three inches below Quanye.

Zhejin is three inches below the armpit, then one inch forward, close to the ribs.

Tianchi is one inch behind the breast, beneath the armpit and against the ribs, directly opposite the spaces between the ribs below the armpit.

Method for Locating the Twenty Points of the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Channel, Part Three

Shangyang is on the inner side of the index finger, about one leek-leaf’s width from the corner of the nail.

Erjian is in the hollow on the inner side, just in front of the second joint of the index finger.

Sanjian is in the hollow on the inner side, just behind the second joint of the index finger.

Hegu is in the space between the bones of the thumb and index finger.

Yangxi is in the hollow between the two tendons on the outer side of the wrist.

Pianli lies three inches behind the wrist. It is where the collateral vessel branches from the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Channel and connects to the Hand Taiyin Lung Channel.

Wenliu is an acupoint on the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Channel, located five cun above the wrist according to the ancient method of measuring acupoints. For a shorter person, take five cun; for a taller person, take six cun. (Another text reads “short/above” and “tall/above”; the original wording varies.) It is the xi-cleft point of the Hand Yangming Channel, a point where the channel’s Qi and blood gather and which is commonly selected for acupuncture.

Xialian lies below the auxiliary bone, one cun from Shanglian.

Shanglian lies one cun below Sanli.

Sanli lies two cun below Quchi. When pressed, a muscle rises; locate the end of the raised muscle.

Quchi lies behind the elbow, in the middle of the cleft between the bones at the bend of the elbow when it is flexed.

Zhouyao lies in the hollow at the outer edge of the large bone of the elbow.

Wuli lies above the elbow. Following the arm toward its inner side, locate the point where a large pulse beats. This point must not be needled.

Binao lies seven cun above the elbow, at the end of the raised muscle of the upper arm.

Jianyao lies at the tip of the shoulder, above the upper arm. Locate it with the arm raised diagonally.

Bingfeng lies on the shoulder, between Tianyao on its inner side and Jianyu behind it. When the arm is raised, a hollow appears there.

Jianjing lies in a hollow on the shoulder, above Quepen and in front of the large bone.

Tianyao lies in the shoulder’s Quepen hollow, in the hollow above where the clavicles meet.

Jianyu lies between the two bones at the tip of the shoulder. The Maiji Pian says the point is near the back of the shoulder’s outer tip; pressing it with the hand reveals a hollow. The Waitai calls it “flat bone.”

Jugu lies above the tip of the shoulder, in the hollow between two bones.

The Method for Determining the Relative Locations of the Fifteen Points of the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Channel, Part Four (describing the locations and relative distances of fifteen points on the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Channel)

Qiaoyin lies at the tip of the toe next to the little toe, about the width of a leek leaf from the edge of the nail.

Xiaxi lies at the fork between the little toe and the next toe, in front of the joint.

Diwuhui lies behind the joint at the base of the little toe and the next toe. It should not be treated with moxibustion, a method that warms an acupoint with burning mugwort.

Linqi lies in the hollow behind the joint at the base of the little toe and the next toe, one and a half cun from Xiaxi.

Qiuxu lies in the hollow in front of the outer ankle, three cun from Linqi.

Fuyang lies three cun above the outer ankle, between the sinews and bones, in front of the Taiyang Channel and behind the Shaoyang Channel.

Xuanzhong, also called Juegu, lies three cun above the outer ankle where a pulse can be felt. It is a point on the collateral channels of the three Foot Yang Channels, the branches that extend from the main channels.

Yangfu lies above the outer ankle, in front of the auxiliary bone, about three fen forward from the tip of Juegu, and seven cun from Qiuxu.

Guangming lies five cun above the outer ankle. It is the connecting point of the Foot Shaoyang Channel, a point where a branch links one channel to another, and its branch leads to the Jueyin Channel.

Waiqiu lies seven cun above the outer ankle. It is the xi-cleft point of the Foot Shaoyang Channel and also a place where the Qi of the Shaoyang Channel arises.

Yangjiao, also called Bieyang or Zuyao, is the xi-cleft point of the Yangwei Vessel, one of the extraordinary vessels that link the Yang Channels. It lies seven cun above the outer ankle, obliquely among the muscles distributed along the three Yang Channels. (Another text gives “three cun above the ankle.”)

The “cun” used here is an ancient relative measure for locating acupoints; it does not necessarily correspond to a fixed modern length.

Yanglingquan: One inch below the knee, in the hollow on the outer side of the leg.

Guanyang: Three inches above Yanglingquan, on the outer side of Dubi (the hollow on the outer side of the knee). Another text gives the name “Guanling.”

Zhongdu: At the boundary between the muscles on the outer side of the thighbone, five inches above the knee.

Huanxian: At the center of the hip pivot (the hip joint).

The Eleventh Point of the Foot Jueyin Liver Channel (the Fifth)

Dadun: At the tip of the big toe, about the width of a chive leaf from the edge of the toenail; it is also where three hairs grow at the end of the toe.

Xingjian: Between the big toe and second toe, in the hollow where a pulse can be felt when pressed.

Dachong: In the hollow two inches—or one and a half inches—behind the joint at the base of the big toe.

Zhongfeng: One inch in front of the inner ankle. To locate it, lift the top of the foot; the point can be found only when the foot is straight.

Ligou: Five inches above the inner ankle. It is the Luo point of the Foot Jueyin Liver Channel—a point where a collateral branches from the channel and connects with another channel. A branch from here connects to the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Channel.

Zhongxi: Seven inches above the inner ankle, between the bones of the shin and opposite the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Channel. It is also called “Zhongdu.”

Xiguan: In the hollow three inches below Dubi. It is the Xi point of the Foot Jueyin Liver Channel, where channel Qi gathers deeply. The Jia Yi Jing records this point. The Tongren Jing says it is two inches below Dubi; the Jia Yi Jing also identifies Zhongxi as the Xi point of the Foot Jueyin Liver Channel.

Ququan: In the hollow below the supporting bone of the knee, above the large tendon and below the small tendon. Locate it with the knee bent.

Yinbao: Four inches above the knee, between two tendons on the inner thigh.

Wuli: Two inches below Yinlian.

Yinlian: Below Yangshi, two inches from Qichong, where a pulse can be felt.

The Eleventh Point of the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Channel (the Sixth)

Yongquan: Also called Dichong, in the hollow in the sole of the foot. When the foot is bent and the toes curled, the hollow that appears in the sole is the point. One account in the Ganzang Juan says it lies in the large tendon in the sole, below the big toe.

Rangu: Also called Longquan, in the hollow below the prominent bone in front of the inner ankle. The first volume of the Furen Fang says it is one inch directly below the inner ankle.

Taixi: In the hollow behind the inner ankle, over the heel bone, where a pulse can be felt.

Dazhong: In the hollow depression behind the heel. It is the Luo point of the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Channel; a branch from here connects to the Foot Taiyang Channel.

Shuiquan: One inch below Taixi, beneath the inner ankle. It is the Xi point of the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Channel.

Zhaohai: Beneath the inner ankle; this is where the Yin Qiao vessel (a channel associated with the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Channel) emerges.

Fuliu: Also called Changyang and Fubai, in the hollow two inches above the inner ankle.

Jiaoxin: Two inches above the inner ankle, between the tendons and bones, in front of the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Channel and behind the Foot Taiyin Spleen Channel.

Zhubin: In the hollow above the inner ankle, at the boundary of the calf muscle.

Yingu point is located on the inner side of the knee, beneath the large tendon behind the inner knee bone and above the small tendon. Bend the knee and press; you can feel the point beneath your fingers.

The Huiyin point, also known as Pingyi, is located between the front and rear genital openings—that is, between the urethral opening and the anus.

The three illustrations above mark a total of 349 acupuncture points.

Sequence of Qi and Blood Flow Through the Points of the Three Yin and Three Yang Channels of the Hand (Part One)

As Qi and Blood flow through the points along a channel, they pass through them in sequence. The place where Qi and Blood emerge is called a “Jing” (Well); where they flow is called a “Ying” (Spring); where they pour in is called a “Shu” (Stream); where they pass through and pause is called a “Yuan” (Source); where they travel is called a “Jing” (River); and where they finally converge is called a “He” (Sea). “Jing, Ying, Shu, Yuan, Jing, and He” are categories of acupuncture points.

The general rule for selecting acupuncture points is to use Ying points in spring, Shu points in summer, Jing points in late summer (the final month of summer), He points in autumn, and Jing points in winter.

On the Lung channel, Qi and Blood emerge from Shaoshang, the Jing (Well) point of the Hand Taiyin Lung channel; flow to Yuji, the Ying (Spring) point; pour into Taiyuan, the Shu (Stream) point; pass through Lieque, the Yuan (Source) point; travel to Jingqu, the Jing (River) point; and enter Chize, the He (Sea) point.

On the Pericardium channel, Qi and Blood emerge from Zhongchong, the Jing (Well) point of the Hand Jueyin Pericardium channel; flow to Laogong, the Ying (Spring) point; pour into Daling, the Shu (Stream) point; pass through Neiguan, the Yuan (Source) point; travel to Jianshi, the Jing (River) point; and enter Quze, the He (Sea) point.

On the Heart channel, Qi and Blood emerge from Shaochong, the Jing (Well) point of the Hand Shaoyin Heart channel; flow to Shaofu, the Ying (Spring) point; pour into Shenmen, the Shu (Stream) point; pass through Tongli, the Yuan (Source) point; travel to Lingdao, the Jing (River) point; and enter Shaohai, the He (Sea) point.

On the Large Intestine channel, Qi and Blood emerge from Shangyang, the Jing (Well) point of the Hand Yangming Large Intestine channel; flow to Erjian, the Ying (Spring) point; pour into Sanjian, the Shu (Stream) point; pass through Hegu, the Yuan (Source) point; travel to Yangxi, the Jing (River) point; and enter Quchi, the He (Sea) point.

On the Triple Burner channel, Qi and Blood emerge from Guanchong, the Jing (Well) point of the Hand Shaoyang Triple Burner channel; flow to Yemen, the Ying (Spring) point; pour into Zhongzhu, the Shu (Stream) point; pass through Yangchi, the Yuan (Source) point; travel to Zhigou, the Jing (River) point; and enter Tianjing, the He (Sea) point.

On the Small Intestine channel, Qi and Blood emerge from Shaoze, the Jing (Well) point of the Hand Taiyang Small Intestine channel; flow to Qiangu, the Ying (Spring) point; pour into Houxi, the Shu (Stream) point; pass through Wangu, the Yuan (Source) point; travel to Yanggu, the Jing (River) point; and enter Xiaohai, the He (Sea) point.

Sequence of Qi and Blood Flow Through the Points of the Three Yin and Three Yang Channels of the Foot (Part Two)

On the Stomach channel, Qi and Blood emerge from Lidui, the Jing (Well) point of the Foot Yangming Stomach channel; flow to Neiting, the Ying (Spring) point; pour into Xiangu, the Shu (Stream) point; pass through Chongyang, the Yuan (Source) point; travel to Jiexi, the Jing (River) point; and enter Zusanli, the He (Sea) point.

The Well point of the Gallbladder Channel is Zu Shaoyang Gallbladder Channel’s Qiaoyin point. Qi flows from there to the Xiaxi point, called the Spring point; then it enters the Linqi point, called the Stream point; passes through the Qiuxu point, called the Source point; moves to the Yangfu point, called the River point; and finally enters the Yanglingquan point, called the Sea point.

The Well point of the Bladder Channel is Zu Taiyang Bladder Channel’s Zhiyin point. Qi flows from there to the Tonggu point, called the Spring point; then it enters the Shugu point, called the Stream point; passes through the Jinggu point, called the Source point; moves to the Kunlun point, called the River point; and finally enters the Weizhong point, called the Sea point.

The Well point of the Spleen Channel is Zu Taiyin Spleen Channel’s Yinbai point. Qi flows from there to the Dadu point, called the Spring point; then it enters the Taibai point, called the Stream point; passes through the Gongsun point, called the Source point; moves to the Shangqiu point, called the River point; and finally enters the Yinlingquan point, called the Sea point.

The Well point of the Liver Channel is Zu Jueyin Liver Channel’s Dadun point. Qi flows from there to the Xingjian point, called the Spring point; then it enters the Taichong point, called the Stream point; passes through the Zhongfeng point, called the Source point; moves to the Zhongxi point, called the River point; and finally enters the Ququan point, called the Sea point.

The Well point of the Kidney Channel is Zu Shaoyin Kidney Channel’s Yongquan point. Qi flows from there to the Rangu point, called the Spring point; then it enters the Taixi point, called the Stream point; passes through the Shuiquan point, called the Source point; moves to the Fuliu point, called the River point; and finally enters the Yingu point, called the Sea point.

“Well, Spring, Stream, Source, River, and Sea” are names for a set of categories of channel points, used to describe the sequence in which channel Qi flows along the channels. The words “emerges, flows, pours, passes through, moves, and enters” in the text describe this process of flow. The passage above comes from scroll 87 of Sun Simiao’s Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand in Emergencies.