Acupuncture Theory

Treatment based on 8 principle syndrome differentiation

8 Principles – Yin, Yang, Hot, Cold, Interior, Exterior, Excess, Deficiency.

Interior / Exterior

Exterior– superficial 6 pathogenic factors invade and impairs Lung/Wei Qi functions Acupuncture (heat or cold) – use Du, hand Taiyin, hand Yangming, foot Tai Yang - needle shallow, Du 14, Large Intestine 4, 11, SJ 5, Lung 7, Bladder 12, 13, Gall bladder 20

Internal – Zang Fu disorders, 1) external factor pass into the interior, 2) pathogen passes directly into the interior, 3) internal injuries (seven emotions, diet, overwork, etc.) Acupuncture (heat and cold) – choose points from relevant Meridian through proper pattern differentiation. - needle deeper, leave longer, use moxa, influential , back shu, front mu, Yuan, mother-son, lower he-sea, etc.

Heat/Cold

Main points to look for: thirst, complexion, extremities temperature, urine, bowel movements, tongue, pulse.

Cold – Ren, Yin meridians – tonify, moxa, set mountain on fire, deep insertion, longer duration.  

Heat – Du, Yang meridians – sedate, bleed, cool heaven – Ying-spring, Jing-well, Shi xuan, Du 26, 14, Large Intestine 4, 11. Yangming heat – lower he-sea (ST 36, 37, 39) deficiency heat – neutral stimulation

Excess/Deficiency

Excess – usually acute, external pathogen invasion, or internal Zang Fu dysfunction. Acupuncture – sedate Du and Yang meridians, front mu, Xi cleft, lower he-sea, Jing-well

Deficiency – usually pre or post heaven root deficiency. Acupuncture – tonify Ren and Yin meridians, Yuan source, back shu - Stomach 36, Spleen 6, Ren 4, 6, 8, Du 20, Bladder 43, Spleen 10

Yin/Yang

Yin – deficiencies and cold Acupuncture – tonify

Yang – excesses and heat Acupuncture – sedate

Complicated Syndromes Usually in clinic these above patterns are all mixed and constantly changing. Once faced with problems, the Doctor should work at preventing further progression of disease.