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Secrets of Acupoints, Volume I

Reprinted from Folk TCM Network

Secrets of Acupoints, Volume I

Secrets of Acupoints, Volume II

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I. Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian: Scant Qi and Abundant Blood

I. Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian: Scant Qi and Abundant Blood

The Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian (Shǒu Tài Yīn Fèi Jīng) is characterized by scant Qi and abundant blood, with the primary transformation of meridian Qi and blood being the conversion of Qi into fluid.

1. Zhongfu (LU-1): Meeting point of the Hand-Taiyin and Foot-Taiyin meridians; Front-Mu point of the Lung.

Aliases: Yingzhongfu, Ying Shu, Fuzhong Shu.

(Note: All acupoint names in this book, including aliases, are directly quoted from "Acupoint Clinical Guidelines" published by China Standard Press, July 1994, First Edition.)

Acupoint Meaning: Receives and transports gaseous substances from the Sanjiao Fu organ to supply the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian.

Name Explanation: 1) Zhongfu. "Zhong" refers to the interior, opposite to the exterior; "Fu" refers to Zang-Fu organs. The name Zhongfu indicates that the Qi and blood substance of this acupoint originates from the Zang-Fu organs. As the first acupoint of the Lung Meridian, its Qi and blood substance comes from various organs wrapped by the thoracic and abdominal membranes, hence named Zhongfu.

2) Yingzhongfu, Ying Shu, Fuzhong Shu. "Ying" refers to the chest; "Shu" means transport; "Fu" refers to Zang-Fu organs. These names all indicate that the Qi and blood substance of this acupoint originates from the interior of the chest and abdomen.

3) Lung Front-Mu Point. This indicates that the Qi and blood substance of the Lung Meridian is gathered at this acupoint and transmitted to the Lung Meridian.

(Why is Zhongfu the Front-Mu point of the Lung? Why does the starting point of the Lung Meridian lie on the upper anterior chest rather than elsewhere? This is because: First, the substance governed by the Lung is the gaseous substance with the smallest specific gravity in the human body. After movement within the human system, gaseous substances always gather at the highest position in the gravitational field of the human system. Second, examining from different system perspectives, there are multiple gravitational fields of different hierarchical levels in the human body that constrain gaseous substances, including the local Sanjiao Fu gravitational field and the overall spinal gravitational field. Besides the gravitational field of the human system itself, there is also the Earth's gravitational field. In the Sanjiao Fu gravitational field centered on the two kidneys as coordinates, the upper external chest is the highest point furthest from the kidneys. In the spinal gravitational field centered on the spine as the coordinate for the whole-body gravitational field, the upper external chest furthest from the spine is also the highest. From the perspective of Earth's gravitational field, whether the human body is lying flat or standing upright, the upper external chest remains in a high position within the Sanjiao Fu system. Due to these reasons, Zhongfu on the upper external chest becomes the highest position under the combined action of the human system and Earth system gravitational fields. Therefore, gaseous substances from the Sanjiao Fu gather at Zhongfu and transmit to the Lung Meridian, making it the Front-Mu point of the Lung Meridian.)

4) Meeting point of Hand-Taiyin and Foot-Taiyin. Zhongfu is the meeting point of the Hand-Taiyin and Foot-Taiyin meridians. This does not mean that the Qi and blood substance of this acupoint is formed by the intersection of substances from the Hand-Taiyin and Foot-Taiyin meridians, but rather that the Qi and blood substance of this acupoint simultaneously possesses the characteristics of the Qi and blood substances of these two meridians. It is named "Hand-Taiyin and Foot-Taiyin" to unify the terminology with other meeting points.

(The Qi and blood substance of Zhongfu originates from the Qi transformed from various Zang-Fu organs in the Sanjiao Fu. It includes not only the Qi transformed by the Lung, but also the Qi transformed by the Heart, Spleen, and Kidney. Since the Qi transformed by the Lung has the smallest specific gravity, the most Lung Qi gathers at the highest position of the Sanjiao Fu membrane. Due to the dryness and heat of the Spleen, the portion of gaseous substances transformed by the Spleen with smaller specific gravity also gathers at the highest position of the Sanjiao Fu membrane and accounts for a certain proportion. Therefore, the distribution of Qi and blood substance in Zhongfu is: Lung Qi is the most, followed by Spleen Qi, with very little Qi transformed from other organs, and the least Kidney Qi. It mainly reflects the Qi and blood characteristics of the Lung and Spleen, hence called the meeting point of Hand-Taiyin and Foot-Taiyin.)

Qi and Blood Characteristics: The Qi and blood substance is water-dampness gaseous matter in the Heaven Level, primarily composed of Lung Qi and Spleen Qi. The distribution is scant Qi and abundant blood, meaning low air pressure and high temperature.

Movement Pattern: Warm and moist water-dampness gaseous matter leaps from the Sanjiao Fu system to the skin layer level of the body surface system.

Functional Role: Transports high-temperature energy, body fluids, and various nutrients from the Sanjiao Fu system to the body surface system in the form of water-dampness gaseous matter; regulates and changes the temperature and pressure conditions of the Sanjiao Fu system and the body surface system by transporting material energy outward.

Treatment Method: For Lung deficiency, Lung cold, and Lung dampness, apply moxibustion frequently or retain needles for a long time to tonify. For Lung excess, Lung heat, and Lung dryness, drain urgently or use water injection; avoid moxibustion.

2. Yunmen (LU-2)

Acupoint Meaning: Lung Meridian Qi and blood are transported here to the four extremities.

Name Explanation: "Yun" (Cloud) indicates that the Qi and blood substance of this acupoint exists in the form of clouds. It magnifies the microscopic substances in the acupoint to a macroscopic state and uses analogical imagery to describe the characteristics of the Qi and blood at this acupoint. "Men" (Gate) refers to a portal of entry and exit, indicating that this acupoint is an important gateway for material exchange between the Lung and its meridian and the external environment. The name Yunmen implies that Lung Meridian Qi and blood are transmitted outside the acupoint in the form of cloud-like gaseous matter. The substance of this acupoint is the water-dampness gaseous matter transmitted from Zhongfu. Because it moves from the high-temperature zone inside the body to the low-temperature zone on the body surface, and after emerging to the body surface, it is still higher than the ambient temperature, it continues to ascend to Yunmen. Upon reaching Yunmen, this water-dampness gaseous matter condenses and transforms into cloud-like gaseous matter, which is then transmitted outside the meridian in the form of clouds, hence named Yunmen.

Qi and Blood Characteristics: The Qi and blood substance is cloud-like gaseous matter in the Heaven Level. Its temperature and pressure are lower than those at Zhongfu. It is located at the highest point of the Lung Meridian's Qi and blood, where the absorption and diffusion of thermal energy are in a dynamic equilibrium state.

Movement Pattern: The movement of Qi and blood substance is divided into two parts. One part spreads to the skin layers outside the Lung Meridian in the form of cloud-like gaseous matter. The other part, after cooling and shrinking into rain-cloud systems, travels along the Lung Meridian route toward Tianfu.

Functional Role: Transports Qi and blood substance of the Lung Meridian; regulates the ratio of substances input into the Lung Meridian versus those input outside the Lung Meridian. Explanation: When the Qi and blood substance transmitted from Zhongfu has a lower temperature and higher humidity (this is the state of Qi deficiency), since the Qi and blood substance inside the meridian is also not full, the cloud-like gaseous matter transmitted by Yunmen outside the Lung Meridian is insufficient, and the rain-cloud gaseous matter returning to the Lung Meridian is relatively abundant. Conversely, when the Qi and blood substance transmitted from Zhongfu has a higher temperature and lower humidity (this is the state of Qi excess), since the Qi and blood substance inside the meridian is abundant and overflowing, the cloud-like gaseous matter transmitted by Yunmen outside the Lung Meridian is relatively abundant, and the rain-cloud gaseous matter returning to the Lung Meridian is insufficient.

Treatment Method: For cold, tonify and apply moxibustion or prick to bleed. For heat, insert needle to release Qi.

3. Tianfu (LU-3)

Acupoint Meaning: Supplies the Yang-heat Qi of the Lung Meridian to ascend to the Heaven Level.

Name Explanation: "Tian" refers to the Heaven Level. "Fu" refers to residence or gate. The name Tianfu indicates that this acupoint is the gate through which Lung Meridian Yang Qi ascends to the Heaven Level. The substance of this acupoint is transmitted from Yunmen. Compared to the temperature field at Tianfu, the Qi and blood substance transmitted from Yunmen is still at a high temperature. At Tianfu, the changes in Qi and blood substance continue to involve heat dissipation, condensation, and cold descent. The dissipated heat ascends to the Heaven in the form of Yang-heat Qi. The meaning of the acupoint name emphasizes this change in the Qi and blood substance within the acupoint, hence named Tianfu.

Qi and Blood Characteristics: The Qi and blood substance is gaseous matter in the Heaven Level, existing in the form of rain-cloud systems. Its temperature and pressure are lower than those at Yunmen, and the spatial level of the Heaven Level it occupies is lower than that of Yunmen.

Movement Pattern: Qi and blood movement is divided into two aspects. First, the rain-cloud gaseous matter transmitted from Yunmen further dissipates heat, condenses, and descends coldly, transforming into rain-cloud systems with greater density and specific gravity, transmitting to Xiabai. Second, as heat dissipates from the substance within the acupoint, a portion of vaporized Yang-heat Qi rises to the Heaven Level of the head and face.

Functional Role: Inherits the Qi and blood substance of the Lung Meridian and transmits the Yang-heat Qi of the Lung Meridian to the Heaven Level through heat dissipation.

Treatment Method: For cold, tonify and apply frequent moxibustion. For heat, insert needle to release Qi or use water injection.

4. Xiabai (LU-4)

Acupoint Meaning: Lung Meridian Qi and blood separate the clear from the turbid here.

Name Explanation: "Xia" (Clasp/Support) refers to the functional role of the acupoint. "Bai" (White) is the color of the Lung, referring to the characteristics manifested by the Qi and blood substance after undergoing changes at this acupoint. The name Xiabai implies that Lung Meridian Qi and blood separate the clear from the turbid here. The Qi and blood substance of this acupoint is the rain-cloud system transmitted from Tianfu. Since the Qi and blood substance continuously moves away from the high-temperature zone of the human chest and abdomen, the change of water-dampness cloud qi at this acupoint is a process of heat dissipation, cold descent, and condensation. Due to continuous heat dissipation, cold descent, and condensation, the Qi and blood substance at this acupoint position descends from the Heaven Level to the Earth Level in the form of rain, that is, from the skin layer to the muscle layer. The meaning of the acupoint name is derived from the idea that when water is squeezed, it flows downward, and dark clouds in the Heaven Level turn into rain and fall, becoming clear and white.

Qi and Blood Characteristics: The Qi and blood substance consists of rain-cloud systems in the lower Heaven Level and cold-descended meridian water in the upper Earth Level.

Movement Pattern: Rain-cloud systems in the Heaven Level dissipate heat and condense, descending to the Earth Level in the form of rain and circulating along the Lung Meridian.

Functional Role: Clears and descends Lung turbidity, moistens the Spleen and removes dryness.

Treatment Method: For cold, prick to bleed first, then tonify and apply moxibustion. For heat, insert needle to release Qi or use water injection.

Zang-Fiang Correlation: The operation of Qi and blood substances in the human Lung Meridian runs from Zhongfu along the arm to the hand. It is like the cold and moist airflow moving from west to east in nature. When the water-dampness concentration of the cold moist airflow exceeds its critical saturation value, cloud clusters transform into rain falling from the sky. After the rain falls, the sky becomes clear and bright, and the rain completes its positional transition from the sky to the Earth Level. Xiabai is the rainfall point in the human body. Under normal circumstances, the cold moist cloud qi in the Heaven Level of the Lung Meridian descends from the Heaven Level (skin layer) to the Earth Level (Spleen layer) via Xiabai, ensuring the clarity of Lung Qi and the moisture of the Spleen layer, reflecting the dispersing and descending characteristics of Lung Qi. However, whether the rain qi at Xiabai descends to the Earth is affected by multiple factors. First, the height of the temperature and pressure fields at Xiabai; if the local temperature and pressure fields are too high, vaporization becomes the dominant movement of the acupoint, and rain qi does not descend. Second, the Qi and blood substance transmitted from Tianfu itself has low water-dampness concentration and is dry; upon reaching Tianfu, it fails to reach the critical water-dampness concentration value for rain descent and does not descend, causing uneven distribution of Yin-type water-dampness between the Heaven Level and the Earth Level.

5. Chize (LU-5): He-Sea point of the Lung Meridian, belongs to Water.

Aliases: Guishou, Guitang.

Acupoint Meaning: The Yin fluid of the Lung Meridian, descending turbidly, gathers here to form a small marsh.

Name Explanation: 1) Chize. "Chi" means small. "Ze" means pool. The name Chize implies that the rain descending turbidly from Xiabai forms a small marsh at the Earth Level. Why does the rain descending from Xiabai to the Earth Level form only a small marsh rather than a large one? This is because different meridians of the human body belong to different directions and regions. The Lung corresponds to Autumn, belongs to the West, and is the time sequence after Late Summer. The land is dry (the muscle layer of the Spleen is drier than regions belonging to other meridians). Most of the rain descending from the Heaven Level at Xiabai is absorbed by Spleen Earth, so only a small marsh can form at the Earth Level.

2) Guishou, Guitang. "Gui" (Ghost) is relative to "Shen" (Spirit); Shen is Heaven, Gui is Earth. This refers to the Qi and blood substance within the acupoint being the meridian water governed by the muscle layer (Earth Level). "Shou" means receiving or accepting, indicating that this acupoint is the place where Qi and blood substances are received. "Tang" means hall, indicating that this acupoint is the place where Qi and blood substances gather and disperse. The names Guitang and Guishou both refer to the Qi and blood substance within the acupoint being the meridian water of the Earth Level.

3) He-Sea point of the Lung Meridian. This indicates that the meridian water circulating in the Lung Meridian converges here. The substance of this acupoint is the meridian water at the Earth Level after rain descent from Xiabai. Xiabai is located at a high position, while Chize is at a low position, in a depression of flesh. Meridian water flowing down from above all converges at this acupoint, thus making it the He-Sea point of the Lung Meridian.

4) This acupoint belongs to Water. Belonging to Water refers to the Five Elements attribute manifested by the Qi and blood substance of this acupoint. Its meaning has two aspects: first, the Qi and blood substance of this acupoint is inherently the meridian water of the Earth Level; second, the Qi and blood of this acupoint is the source of meridian water for the Lung Meridian, playing a moistening and descending role for the entire Lung Meridian, hence this acupoint belongs to Water.

Qi and Blood Characteristics: The Qi and blood substance is meridian water at the Earth Level, in small quantity, with a warm-hot nature (which is blood).

Movement Pattern: The movement of Qi and blood substance is divided into two aspects. First, the meridian water converging at this acupoint flows down the Lung Meridian to Kongzui. Second, the meridian water within the acupoint continuously vaporizes and ascends to the Heaven Level.

Functional Role: Gathers the Yin fluid of the Lung Meridian and circulates along the Earth Level channels of the Lung Meridian.

Treatment Method: For cold, prick to bleed or apply moxibustion to tonify (moxibustion is superior to tonification). For heat, use cool water injection or insert needle to release Qi.

Zang-Fang Correlation: The position of Qi and blood at Chize is the Earth Level of the muscle layer. The accepted Qi and blood substance is the meridian water circulating at the Earth Level after rain descent from Xiabai. It corresponds to the season of Autumn, whose characteristic is dryness. The rain it receives is less compared to Spring. Therefore, the rain descending from Xiabai gathering at Chize can only form a small marsh. The water in this small marsh at Chize plays a very important regulatory role in the dryness and cold of Spleen Earth and Lung Qi in Autumn. If rain descent is excessive, Spleen Earth receives it; burdened by water, Spleen Earth becomes cold. Mud and sand flowing down with the water cause intestinal colic pain; mud and sand rushing into rivers and channels make Kidney water unclear, and Kidney water is harmed by Spleen Earth, leading to waist and abdominal pain. If rain descent is insufficient, it affects Spleen Yin deficiency. The Yang Qi of Spleen Earth governs vaporization; the dryness of Spleen transforms into the dryness of the Lung, resulting in floating, fine, and rapid pulse, fever, aversion to cold, dry stool, and scant urine, etc.

6. Kongzui (LU-6): Xi-Cleft point.

Acupoint Meaning: Meridian water at the Earth Level of the Lung Meridian seeps into Spleen Earth from here.

Name Explanation: 1) Kongzui. "Kong" means pore. "Zui" means many. This acupoint belongs to the Lung Meridian. The Lung corresponds to Autumn in time sequence, and its nature is dry. The earth (muscle) along the path of the Lung Meridian is also dry (the region of the Lung Meridian is the Western region). Most of the meridian water at the Earth Level flowing from Chize permeates and leaks into Spleen Earth. When Spleen Earth undertakes the meridian water at the Earth Level, it acts like a sieve, hence named Kongzui.

2) Xi-Cleft point of the Lung Meridian. "Xi" means cleft or gap. The substance of this acupoint is meridian water at the Earth Level. The Spleen Earth at the Earth Level that undertakes the meridian water of this acupoint is dry. When meridian water flows through this acupoint, most of it leaks into Spleen Earth. Spleen Earth is like having numerous gaps, thus making it the Xi-Cleft point of the Lung Meridian.

Qi and Blood Characteristics: The Qi and blood substance is meridian water at the Earth Level, with a warm-hot nature.

Movement Pattern: Part of the meridian water circulates toward Lieque along the Lung Meridian while continuously seeping into Spleen Earth. Another part absorbs heat from Spleen Earth, vaporizes, and ascends to the Heaven Level.

Functional Role: Distributes the cold-descended liquid of the Lung Meridian to moisten Spleen Earth.

Treatment Method: For cold, apply moxibustion or deep insertion to tonify, or prick to bleed. For heat, insert needle to release Qi or use cool water injection.

7. Lieque (LU-7): Luo-Connecting point, meeting point of Hand-Taiyin, Hand-Yangming, and Ren Mai.

Aliases: Tongxuan, Wanlao.

Acupoint Meaning: Meridian water of the Lung Meridian breaks apart and scatters here, overflowing in all directions.

Name Explanation: 1) Lieque. "Lie" means split or break. "Que" means lack or缺口. The name Lieque implies that meridian water of the Lung Meridian breaks apart, scatters, and overflows in all directions here. The substance of this acupoint is the meridian water at the Earth Level flowing down from Kongzui. Because it is located above the radial styloid process, the descending meridian water is blocked by the protruding radius (like a huge rock). The meridian water overflows and scatters outward here, hence named Lieque.

2) Tongxuan. "Tong" means child, relative to old man. Youth is Yin, old age is Yang. Here, it represents the Qi and blood substance of this acupoint as liquid. "Xuan" means black with a reddish tint, i.e., dark red. Red is the color of Fire, representing heat, implying that the Qi and blood characteristics within the acupoint have a warm-hot nature. Black is the color of the Kidney, indicating that the Qi and blood within the acupoint is water. The name Tongxuan refers to the Qi and blood within the acupoint being warm-natured water, which is the red liquid—blood—formed after heating.

3) Wanlao. "Wan" means wrist. "Lao" means labor or work. The name Wanlao implies that this acupoint distributes blood to the hand; the hand receives blood and can grasp and labor, hence named Wanlao.

4) Meeting point of Hand-Taiyin, Hand-Yangming, and Ren Mai. The meridian water at the Earth Level of this acupoint, due to its breaking apart and scattering, flows outward to the Yangming Meridian, inward (deep) to the Ren Mai, and downward to this meridian. Thus, it is the meeting point of Hand-Taiyin, Hand-Yangming, and Ren Mai.

5) Luo-Connecting point of the Lung. The meridian water at the Earth Level of this acupoint, due to its breaking apart and scattering and diverting to the Hand-Yangming and Ren Mai, has the function of connecting the Qi and blood substances of other meridians, thus making it the Luo-Connecting point of the Lung.

Qi and Blood Characteristics: The Qi and blood substance is meridian water at the Earth Level (i.e., blood), with a warm-hot nature.

Movement Pattern: There are three branches of Qi and blood flow from this acupoint. The first branch of meridian water flows to the Ren Mai. The second branch flows to the Large Intestine Meridian. The third branch follows the main trunk of the Lung Meridian downward to Jingqu. (When the volume of Lung Meridian water is large and exceeds the diversion effect of the above channels, Lung Meridian water overflows along the Spleen layer.)

Functional Role: Diverts the meridian water of the Lung Meridian to the Ren Mai and Large Intestine Meridian.

Treatment Method: If Ren Mai is blocked, insert straight inward with frequent lifting, thrusting, and twisting. If exterior-interior connection is blocked, insert horizontally outward. If this meridian is obstructed, unblock it along the meridian. For cold, tonify. For heat, drain. Do not use moxibustion; moxibustion is ineffective.