《孫真人備急千金要方》Vol. 90

Essential Formulas Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces for Emergencies by the Perfected Sun, Scroll 90, Section Eight

(Edited by Lin Yi and others, including the Gentleman of the Court for Service, Acting Junior Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and Collator of the Secret Pavilion)

Formulas for Acupuncture Points

Points and Their Indications

Explanation: “Points and their corresponding indications” means that the names of the points are listed above, followed below by the conditions they treat. The same illness may correspond to dozens of points, and several illnesses may share a single point. In clinical practice, choose the points and treatment methods as appropriate. If a condition is suitable for acupuncture, needle the points and use tonifying or reducing techniques; if it is unsuitable for acupuncture, apply moxibustion directly. In general, a point may be needled as long as there is no contraindication. The results are even better when moxibustion follows warming the needle. Foot Qi is especially suitable for acupuncture. To needle without applying moxibustion, or apply moxibustion without needling, does not qualify one as a good physician. A good physician combines acupuncture and moxibustion with medicinal treatment rather than relying on acupuncture and moxibustion alone. Yet few people among the general populace understand needling, so students of medicine should make a particular effort to master it. One must be proficient in both fire needles and white needles; only someone skilled in acupuncture, moxibustion, and medicinal treatment can be called a good physician.

Part One: Head and Face

Disorders of the Head

• Shenting and Shuigou: Treat alternating chills and fever, headache, shortness of breath, thirst, and blurred vision. Another account says that Shenting also treats wind-induced dizziness, a tendency to vomit, irritability, and oppression in the chest.
• Touwei and Daling: Treat severe headache, as if the head were about to split, and eye pain, as if the eyes were about to protrude. According to the Jia Yi Jing, they also treat rebellious Qi, irritability, oppression in the chest, vomiting, profuse sweating, and difficulty speaking.
• Kunlun, Jiexi, Ququan, Feiyang, Qiangu, Shaoze, and Tongli: Treat dizziness and headache.
• Qiaoyin and Qiangjian: Treat stabbing headache accompanied by inability to move.
• Naohu, Tongtian, and Naokong: Treat heaviness and pain in the head.
• Xiaoluo: Treat alternating chills and fever, painful impediment, and headache.
• Cuanzhu, Chengguang, Shenshu, Sizhu Kong, Chimai, and Heliao: Treat wind-induced headache. Another account says that Chimai also treats wind-induced pain behind the ear.
• Shangxing: Treat wind-induced dizziness and a bluish complexion. Another account says that Shangxing also treats wind-induced headache extending to the jaw.
• Xinhui: Treat wind-induced dizziness, headache, and a bluish complexion.
• Tianyou, Fengmen, Kunlun, Guanyuan, and Guanchong: Treat wind-induced dizziness and headache.
• Hegu and Wuchu: Treat heat in the head caused by wind.
• Qianting, Houting, and Han’yan: Treat wind-induced dizziness and one-sided headache.

Yuzhen (an acupuncture point located at the back of the head) treats coldness and pain on one side of the head. The Jiayi Jing says it can also treat dizziness, eye pain, and coldness on one side of the head.

The points Tianzhu, Taodao, Dazhu (also called “Benshen”), Kongzui, and Houxi treat headache. The points Muchuang, Zhongzhu, Wangu, Mingmen, Fenglong, Taibai, Waiqiu, Tonggu, Jinggu, Linqi, Xiaohai, Chengjin, and Yanglingquan also treat headache.

The points Shaoze, Qiangu, Houxi, Yanggu, Wangu, Kunlun, Xiaohai, and Cuanzhu treat disorders of the nape of the neck, as well as headache, chills with fever, and sweating without aversion to cold.

The points Xiaoluo, Benshen, Tongtian, Qiangjian, Fengfu, Yimen, Tianzhu, Fengchi, Yinjiao, Tianchong, Taodao, Waiqiu, and Tonggu treat stiffness, tension, and pain in the neck and nape so severe that the head cannot be turned to look around.

The Yuzhen point treats pain in the neck and nape that feels as if they are being pulled upward, making it impossible to turn the head to either side.

The points Tianrong, Qiangu, Jiaosun, Wangu, and Zhizheng treat swelling of the neck and pain in the neck and nape that prevents the head from turning. Another account says that Tianrong treats sores and swelling in the neck and nape so severe that speaking becomes impossible, while Jiaosun treats a feeling of fullness and discomfort in the neck and jaw.

The points Feiyang, Yongquan, Han’yan, and Houding treat pain in the neck and nape that may extend to the joints and be accompanied by sweating.

Facial disorders

The points Cuanzhu, Yinjiao, and Yuzhen treat facial redness and pain in the cheeks.

The points Shangxing, Xinhui, Qianding, Naohu, and Fengchi treat redness and swelling of the face.

The Jüliao point treats sensitivity of the face to wind and cold, as well as swelling and pain in the cheeks. The points Tiantu and Tianchuang treat heat in the facial skin. Another account says that Tianchuang treats swelling and pain in the cheeks. The points Shenshu and Neiguan treat facial redness and heat.

The Xingjian point treats a bluish-black complexion; the Taichong point treats a dark complexion, as if covered by a layer of dust. The Zhongzhu point treats pain at the temples, heat and pain in the jaw and forehead, and facial redness. The Xuanli point treats redness and pain of the facial skin.

Eye disorders

The Dadun point treats reluctance to look at things accompanied by sighing. The Dadu point treats dizziness and vertigo. The points Chengqi, Qianding, Tianzhu, Naokong, and Muchuang treat dizziness and blurred vision.

The points Tianzhu, Taodao, and Kunlun treat dizziness, as well as unclear vision and the sensation that the eyes are about to protrude. The points Shenshu, Neiguan, Xinshu, Fuliu, Daquan, Wangu, Zhongzhu, Cuanzhu, Jingming, Baihui, Weizhong, Kunlun, and Tianzhu are also listed among the points used to treat eye disorders.

The points and indications listed here are recorded in classical texts on acupuncture and moxibustion. “Treats” means “is indicated for,” and “point” refers to a location selected for acupuncture or moxibustion.

The points Benshen, Dazhu, Hanyan, Tonggu, and Ququan, among others, can be used to treat eye discomfort.

The points Houding, Weishu, and Sizhukong primarily treat blurred vision, difficulty seeing clearly, and symptoms such as sensitivity to wind and cold. Yangbai can be used for pain and itching in the eyeball, difficulty seeing distant objects, dim vision, and trouble seeing at night.

The points Yemen, Qiangu, Houxi, Wangu, Shenting, Baihui, Tianzhu, Fengchi, Tianyou, and Xinshu, among others, can be used to treat involuntary tearing. Another record says that Tianyou treats unclear vision and difficulty hearing.

Zhiyin treats a cloudy film over the eye that obstructs vision. Houxi treats ulceration at the corner of the eye and clouding there. Qiuxu treats unclear vision, a cloudy film over the eye, and an invisible pupil. The points Qiangu and Jinggu, among others, treat a white film appearing in the eye. Another record says that Jinggu treats abnormal whitening of the white of the eye, with a white film beginning at the inner corner.

The points Jingming, Yinjiao, Chengqi, Sibai, Fengchi, Juliao, Tongziliao, Shangxing, and Ganshu, among others, primarily treat excessive tearing and eye discharge, redness, swelling, pain, and itching at the inner corner of the eye, as well as the formation of a white film. Zhaohai treats eye pain and seeing what seem to be points of light when looking at things.

Ganshu also treats dim vision after recovering from a febrile illness, when it is brought on by eating a large amount of spicy food. The vision is described as blurred, like a bird’s.

The points Yangbai, Shangxing, Benshen, Dadu, Ququan, Xiaxi, Sanjian, Qiangu, Cuanzhu, and Yuzhen, among others, treat symptoms such as tightness or pulling in the eyes and the eyes rolling upward. Sizhukong and Qianding treat the eyes rolling upward along with sensitivity to wind and cold.

Chengqi treats eyelid twitching that extends to the neck and mouth. Another medical text, the Jia Yi Jing, records that Chengqi also treats unclear vision, tearing, dizziness and blurred vision, dimness before the eyes, itching in the pupil, difficulty seeing distant objects, night blindness, and eyelid twitching that extends to the neck and mouth, as well as facial distortion around the mouth and eyes and inability to speak.

Sanjian and Qiangu treat tightness and pain in the eyes. Shenmai treats the eyes rolling upward, redness, and pain that begins at the inner corner. Yangxi and Yanggu treat eye pain and redness; Ququan treats redness, swelling, and pain. Yanggu, Taichong, and Kunlun treat tightness, pain, redness, and swelling of the eyes. Another record says that Taichong treats pain at the lower corner of the eye. Shugu treats ulceration and redness at the corner of the eye. Yemen treats eye dryness and sudden changes in the eyes. Quanliao and Neiguan treat redness and yellowing of the eyes. Erjian treats injuries at the corner of the eye; Shangyang, Juliao, and Shangguan are also listed here.

Eye Disorders

Chengguang, Tongziliao (a point at the outer corner of the eye), and Luoque are indicated for blindness with bluish vision and inability to see.

Qimen is indicated for bluish discoloration of the white of the eye accompanied by vomiting.

Fengchi, Naohu, Yuzhen, Fengfu, and Shangxing are indicated for eye pain and inability to see. First needle Yixi, then Tianyou and Fengchi; this is used for eye pain that makes it difficult to see clearly.

Taiquan is indicated for bluish discoloration of the white of the eye.

Xiaxi is indicated for redness and pain at the outer corner of the eye, chills, tearing, and itchy eyes.

Nose Disorders

Shenting, Cuanzhu, Yingxiang, Fengmen, Hegu, Zhiyin, and Tonggu are indicated for nasal congestion with clear nasal discharge.

Qucha, Shangxing, Yingxiang, Suliao, Shuigou, Yinjiao, Tongtian, Heliao, and Fengfu are indicated for nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, a deviated nose, excessive nasal discharge, clear nasal discharge, nosebleeds, and sores inside the nose.

Shuigou and Tianyou are indicated for uncontrollable nasal discharge and inability to smell. The text also cites the Jia Yi Jing, which says these points can be used for difficulty breathing due to nasal congestion with clear discharge, as well as persistent nosebleeds.

Yinjiao is indicated for blocked nasal passages caused by nasal polyps, pain at the tip of the nose and the center of the forehead, and erosive sores inside the nose.

Chengling, Fengchi, Fengmen, Yixi, and Houxi are indicated for nosebleeds, nasal congestion, and difficulty breathing.

Naokong and Qiaoyin are indicated for sores and swelling in the nasal passages that develop into “li nose,” a severe nasal disorder.

Fengmen and Wuchu are indicated for frequent bouts of sneezing.

Ganshu is indicated for soreness inside the nose. Zhongwan, Sanjian, Pianli, Lidui, Chengjin, Jinggu, Kunlun, Chengshan, Feiyang, and Yinbai are indicated for heat in the head, nasal congestion with clear discharge, and nosebleeds. Another account says Zhongwan can treat a burnt smell in the nose.

Tianzhu is indicated for inability to distinguish pleasant from foul smells.

Fuliu is indicated for watery discharge from the nostrils and pain inside the nostrils.

Jinggu and Shenmai are indicated for persistent nosebleeds that continue to drip.

Lidui, Jinggu, and Qiangu are indicated for blocked nasal passages and yellow nasal discharge.

Ear Disorders

Shangguan, Xiaguan, Sibai, Baihui, Luxi, Yifeng, Ermen, Xianyan, Tianchuang, Yangxi, Guanchong, Yemeng, and Zhongzhu are indicated for ear pain, tinnitus, and deafness.

Tianrong, Tinghui, Tinggong, and Zhongzhu are indicated for deafness accompanied by persistent buzzing in the ears, like the sound of cicadas.

Tianyou and Sidu are indicated for sudden deafness.

Shaoshang is indicated for pain in front of the ear; Quchi is indicated for ear pain.

Waiguan and Huizong are indicated for a turbid, rumbling sound inside the ear and inability to hear.

The point names and indications listed here are treatments recorded in ancient acupuncture texts; “indicated for” means that a point was considered suitable for the corresponding symptoms.

Ear disorders

Qiangu and Houxi treat tinnitus; Pianli and Daling may also be needled.

Wangu, Yanggu, Jianzhen, Qiaoyin, and Xiaxi treat pain in the jaw that extends to the ear, a buzzing sound in the ear, and deafness.

Shangyang treats a sound like wind in the ear, deafness, and tinnitus. Insert the needle one fen and retain it for the time it takes to breathe out once; apply three moxa cones. For an ailment on the left, treat the right side; for an ailment on the right, treat the left side. Retain the needle for about the time it takes to eat a meal.

Mouth disorders

Chengqi, Sibai, Juliao, Heliao, Shangguan, Daying, Quanliao, Qiangjian, Fengchi, Yingxiang, and Shuigou treat a crooked mouth and inability to speak.

Jiache and Quanliao treat a crooked mouth, pain, and sensitivity to wind and cold, to the point of being unable to chew.

Waiguan, Neiting, Zusanli, and Taiquan treat a crooked mouth. The Jia Yi Jing says that a crooked mouth may be treated by needling Taiyuan and directing the needle downward.

Shangqiu treats a crooked mouth and locked jaw; Shuigou and Yinjiao treat an inability to control the movements of the mouth. For a crooked mouth and inability to drink water or other liquids, Yinjiao, Shangguan, and Daying may be selected.

Yifeng treats locked jaw and inability to open the mouth, along with discomfort extending into the nose.

Hegu and Shuigou treat an inability to purse the lips, loss of voice and inability to speak, and locked jaw.

Shangqiu and Qubin treat locked jaw and inability to open the mouth.

Dicang and Daying treat slack lips that cannot be pursed, resulting in an inability to speak.

Xiaguan, Daying, and Yifeng treat difficulty opening and closing the mouth and pain in the lower teeth.

Danshu, Shangyang, and Xiaochangshu treat dryness of the mouth and tongue and difficulty swallowing food. Laogong, Shaoze, and Sanjian may also be selected.

Taichong treats heat in the mouth, dry mouth, and sores in the mouth. The Jia Yi Jing also says that Laogong treats swelling in the mouth in adults and children.

Quze and Zhangmen treat dry mouth.

Taixi and Shaoze treat dryness in the throat, heat in the mouth, and thick saliva with a glue-like consistency.

Duiduan, Muchuang, Zhengying, and Ermen treat stiff lips and pain in the upper teeth.

Yanglingquan treats a bitter taste in the mouth and a sensation of something obstructing the throat.

Guangming and Linqi treat habitual cheek biting.

Jinggu and Yanggu treat involuntary biting of the lips (some say this refers to cheek biting).

Jiexi treats pain in the mouth and biting the tongue.

Tongue disorders

Lianquan, Rangu (called “Tonggu” in the Jia Yi Jing), and Yinggu treat swelling beneath the tongue, difficulty speaking, spasms of the tongue, and drooling.

Fengfu treats a slack tongue and loss of voice with inability to speak. When the tongue is stiff and contracted, speaking may also be difficult.

(The original contains missing-character symbols such as “⬤”; where possible, the affected terms have been translated from context as “crooked mouth.” Acupoint names are retained in the original. “Three cones” means applying moxa in three separate portions, with one moxa cone per portion.)

Futu, Dazhong, and Qiaoyin treat bleeding at the base of the tongue.

Yuji treats yellowing of the tongue’s surface and fever.

Chize treats a dry tongue and pain in the ribs.

Guanchong treats a curled tongue, dry mouth, and distress in the heart.

Zhongchong treats pain at the base of the tongue. Zhigou, Tianchuang, and Futu are also used for this condition.

Qubin and Lingdao treat sudden loss of voice and inability to speak.

Tiantu treats blue-colored veins beside the tongue.

Fuliu treats a curled tongue and inability to speak.

Dental Disorders

Lidui, Sanjian, Chongyang, Pianli, Xiaohai, Hegu, Neiting, and Fuliu treat tooth decay.

Fubai treats toothache so severe that the person cannot speak.

Daying, Quanliao, Tinghui, and Quchi treat toothache accompanied by aversion to cold.

Yanggu and Zhengying treat pain in the upper teeth.

Yanggu, Yemen, Shangyang, Erjian, and Sidu treat pain in the lower teeth.

Jiaosun, Jiache, and Biaozhun treat toothache and inability to chew. (The source text is missing characters here, so some point names cannot be identified with certainty.)

Xiaguan, Daying, Yifeng, and Wangu treat pain from tooth decay.

Qubin and Chongyang treat tooth decay.

Throat and Pharyngeal Disorders

Fengfu, Tianchuang, and Laogong treat sore throat.

Futu, Tiantu, and Tianxi treat rattling in the throat, sudden obstruction of the breath, and a sensation of Qi blocking the throat.

Shaoshang, Taichong, and Jingqu treat rattling in the throat.

Yuji treats dryness and burning in the throat.

Shuitu treats swelling of the throat. Yemen and Sidu treat shortness of breath and a blockage in the throat that feels like a polyp.

Jianshi treats a sensation in the throat as if it were being squeezed. (The Jia Yi Jing gives “Xingjian” instead.)

Shaochong treats a sour sensation in the throat. Shaofu and Ligou treat Qi blocking the throat, with a sensation like a polyp growing there.

Zhongzhu, Zhigou, and Neiting treat sore throat.

Fuliu, Zhaohai, Taichong, and Zhongfeng treat dryness of the throat.

Qiangu, Zhaohai, and Zhongfeng treat swelling on one side of the throat and difficulty swallowing.

Yongquan and Dazhong treat throat pain that prevents eating.

Rangu and Taixi treat swelling of the throat and Qi rising into it, to the point of preventing speech.

Fengchi treats discomfort in the throat and pharynx that pulls on the neck, causing stiffness and difficulty moving the head and neck freely.

Throat Obstruction

Wangu, Tianyou, and Qiangu treat throat obstruction, a category of illness involving swelling and blockage of the throat, as well as swelling of the neck, difficulty bending or raising the head, and swelling of the cheeks that extends behind the ears.

The acupoints Zhongfu and Yangjiao are used to treat throat obstruction, including swelling and pain or a blocked sensation in the throat, as well as fullness in the chest, labored breathing, and alternating chills and fever.

The acupoints Tianrong, Quepen, Dazhu, Geshu, Yunmen, Chize, Erjian, Lidui, Yongquan, and Rangu are used to treat throat obstruction, a blocked or choked sensation in the throat, difficulty swallowing, and chills and fever.

Tianding, Qishe, and Geshu are used to treat throat obstruction, a blocked or choked sensation in the throat, and swelling in the throat that makes food difficult to digest and hard to swallow.

Tiantu is used to treat throat obstruction, dryness in the throat, and uncomfortable tightness.

Daling and Pianli are used to treat throat obstruction and dryness in the throat.

Xuanji and Jiuwei are used to treat throat obstruction and swelling in the throat so severe that water and other liquids cannot be swallowed.

Sanjian and Yangxi are used to treat throat obstruction and the sensation that something is stuck in the throat.

Shenmen, Hegu, and Fengchi are used to treat throat obstruction.

Sanli, Wenliu, Quchi, Zhongzhu, and Fenglong are used to treat throat obstruction so severe that speech is impossible.

Guanchong, Qiaoyin, and Shaoze are used to treat throat obstruction, a curled tongue, and dry mouth.

For throat obstruction accompanied by a sudden reversal of Qi in the chest and flanks, first select acupoints on the Chong Vessel, then Sanli and Yunmen, applying reducing needling techniques to each point to draw out pathogenic influences. Also prick the tip of the little finger on the hand to release blood; the symptoms should soon ease.

Zhongfu, Tiantu, and the other names listed here are names of acupoints. “Used to treat” means that a point is considered applicable to the corresponding condition.