Headache

Headache occurs in various diseases in Western medicine, e.g. tension

body headache, angioneurotic headache, meningitis, headache due to hypertension,
cerebral ateriosclerosis, skull trauma and sequelae of cerebral concussion. Pain
model
usually occurs in the forehead, the vertex, the temporal region, or even the whole
head.
Treatment
(1) Acupuncture
Therapeutic principles: To dredge meridians and activate collaterals, and
promote circulation of qi and blood, for which acupuncture is often used with the
method of reinforcement and reduction for deficiency syndrome and the excess
syndrome respectively.
Prescription: Local points combined
with distal points:
Yangming headache, or pain in the
forehead: Shangxing (GV23),
Touwei (ST8), Hegu (LI4), Ashi
points
Shaoyang headache, or migraine:
Shuaigu (GB8), Taiyang (EX-HN5),
Xiaxi (GB43), Ashi points
Taiyang headache, or occipital
headache: Houding (GV19), Tianzhu (BL10), Kunlun (BL60), Ashi points
Jueyin headache, or pain in the vertex: Baihui (GV20), Tongtian (BL7), Xingjian
(LR2), Ashi points

Pain all over the head: Baihui (GV20),

Yintang (EX-HN3), Taiyang (EX-HN5), Touwei (ST8), Yangbai(GB14), Hegu (LI4),
Fengchi (GB20), Waiguan (TE5)

(2) Moxibustion with a Warm Needle

It is usually used to treat headache due to cold and wind.
(3) Dermal Needling
Itis usually used to treat headaches due to invasion of meridians by wind and
hyperactivity of liver yang.
(4) Ear Acupuncture
2~3 of occiput (AT3), forehead (AT1), brain (AT3,4i) and ear-Shenmen (TF4) are
selected each time with strong stimulation.
The duration of retention of needles depends on alleviation of headache.
Besides, the cowherb seed embedding method is employed. For obstinate
headache bloodletting is applied to the veins of the back of the ear.
Remarks
It is most effective for
headache with acupuncture. Some functional headache
can be cured and symptoms of organic headache can be relieved. However, the
primary disease should be dealt with, or deterioration occurs.
 Vertigo (Appendix: Hypertension)
It is mostly seen in auditory disease, vertebral-basilaris system disease, anemia, hypertension and
cerebrovascular disease in Western medicine, characterized by vertigo, blurred vision, frequent nausea or
even having a fall.
Treatment
(1) Acupuncture

Deficiency of qi and blood: Accompanied by symptoms of lassitude, pallor, palpitation, insomnia, pale tongue
and thready pulse

Treating principles: To invigorate qi and blood, with the reinforcement method, combined with moxibustion

Prescription: Pishu (BL20), Zusanli (ST36), Baihui (GV20), Guanyuan (CV4), Sanyinjiao (SP6)
Hyperactivity of liver yang: Accompanied by aching pain and weakness of the lower back and knees,
reddened tongue and wiry pulse

Treating principles: To replenish yin and suppress yang with the method of reinforcement and reduction.
Prescription: Fengchi (GB20), Ganshu (BL18), Shenshu (BL23), Xingjian (LR2), Taixi (KI3)
Interior retention of phlegm-dampness: Accompanied by symptoms of fullness in the chest, nausea and
vomiting, poor appetite, fidgets, thick and greasy tongue coating and slippery pulse

Treating principles: To remove danpness and eliminate phlegm with the uniform reinforcing-reducing method.
Prescription: Fenglong (ST40), Zhongwan (CV12), Neiguan (PC6), Pishu (BL20), Touwei (ST8)
(2) Ear Acupuncture: kidney (CO10), ear-shenmen (TF4), internal ear (LO6), occiput (AT3) and brain (AT3,4i)
(3) Scalp Acupuncture: Vertigo-auditory area on both sides
Remarks

Although acupuncture is most effective for vertigo, attention should be paid to the identification of the
incidental from the fundamental cause.

Hypertension
In a resting state, when an adults systolic pressure is 140mmHg andor diastolic pressure90mmHg, it can
be diagnosed as hypertension. Clinically, hypertension is classified into the primary and the secondary.
Treatment

Prescription: Quchi (LI11), Zusanli (ST36), Fengchi (GB20), Taichong (LR3)

Subsidiary points: Accompanied by headache: Yintang (EX-HN3), Taiyang (EX-HN5)
Accompanied by insomnia: Anmian(EX) , Shenmen (HT7)
Accompanied by palpitation: Ximen (PC4), Neiguan (PC6)
Remarks

Acupuncture is effective for the 1st and 2nd stage of hypertension. However, in hypertensive crisis be cautious
with acupuncture.

Insomnia
It is mainly seen in neurosis in Western medicine, characterized by difficulty to fall asleep.
Treatment
(1) Acupuncture:
Treating principles: To nourish the heart and calm the mind, with the reinforcing method or reducing method or
the method of reinforcement and reduction.

Prescription: Shenmen (HT7), Sanyinjiao (SP6)

Subsidiary points:
Deficiency in the heart and spleen: Xinshu (BL15), Jueyinshu (BL14), Pishu (BL20)
Heart-kidney disharmony: Xinshu (BL15), Shenshu (BL23), Taixi (KI3)
Deficiency of heart qi and gallbladder qi: xinshu (BL15), danshu (BL19), daling (PC7), qiuxu (GB40)
Hyperactivity of liver yang: Ganshu (BL18), Jianshi (PC5), Taichong (LR3)

Disharmony between the spleen and stomach:Weishu (BL21), Zusanli (ST36)

(2) Dermal Needling: Tap both sides of the spinal column, sacral region and temporal region gently with a
dermal needle until the skin becomes slightly red. Treatment is given once a day.
(3) Ear Acupuncture: heart (CO15), spleen (CO13), kidney (CO10), brain (AT3,4i), ear-shenmen (TF4)
Remarks

Acupuncture is most effective for insomnia. It is better to give treatment in the afternoon.

Common Cold
It is marked by nasal obstruction, runny nose, cough, headache, aversion to cold, fever, aching pain and
heavy sensation of the body.
Treatment
(1) Acupunctur

Common cold due to wind-cold

Treating principles: To disperse wind and cold, and release the exterior

Prescription: Fengchi (GB20), Lieque (LU7), Fengmen (BL12), Hegu (LI4)

Common cold due to wind-heat:
Treating principles: To disperse wind and heat, and send lung-qi downward
Prescription: Dazhui (GV14), Quchi (LI11), Hegu (LI4), Yuji (LU10), Waiguan (TE5)
(2) Cupping: It is especially effective for common cold due to wind-cold.
(3) Ear acupuncture: Give medium or strong stimulation.
Remarks

(1) Distinguish common cold from epidemic meningitis, Japanese B encephalitis and mumps.
(2) Acupuncture is most effective for it. Complex treatment should be given as soon as possible if fever lasts
for a long time with severe cough, or bloody sputum.

Facial Paralysis
Facial paralysis, known as peripheral facial paralysis in Western medicine, is characterized by deviation of the
mouth and eye.
Treatment
(1) Acupuncture

Treating principles: To promote blood circulation to dredge meridians, and regulate muscles, for which
acupuncture and moxibustion are used together with the uniform reinforcing-reducing method
 Prescription: Points on the face and along the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming:
Fengchi (GB20), Yifeng (TE17), Jiache (ST6), Dicang (ST4), Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3)
(2) Electro-acupuncture

An electric stimulator is used. The sparse or dense waves are adopted for 10~15 minutes.
(3) Dermal Needling

It is used for cases at the early stage or cases with stiffness of the face, sequelae of facial paralysis.
Remarks
(1) Acupuncture is most effective for facial paralysis. At present, because of its safety and favorable, it is the
first choice in the treatment of facial paralysis.
(2) Mild stimulation is given to cases at the initial stage.

Winds-stroke (apoplexy)
Winds-stroke is characterized by sudden collapse, coma, deviation of the mouth, dysphasia and
hemiplegia, or only by deviation of the mouth and hemiplegia as the chief symptoms. It is an acute
cerebrovascular disease in Western medicine, including cerebral infarction, intracerebral hemorrhage,
cerebral embolism, subarachnoid hemorrhage, etc
Treatment
(1) Acupuncture
Paralysis of extremities

Treating principles: To regulate qi and blood, extinguish wind and dredge meridians with the uniform
reinforcing-reducing method

escription: Upper limbs: Jianyu (LI15), Quchi (LI11), Shousanli (LI10), Waiguan (TE5), Hegu (LI4)

ower extremities: Huantiao (GB30), Yanglingquan (GB34), Zusanli (ST36), Jiexi (ST41), Kunlun (BL60)
Facial Paralysis
Treating principles: To regulate qi and blood, extinguish wind and dredge meridians with the evem
reinforcing-reducing method

Prescription: Dicang (ST4), Jiache (ST6), Hegu (LI4), Neiting (ST44), Taichong (LR3)
For patients with symptoms of coma, clenched jaws and fists, reddened complexion and harsh breathing,
gurgling with sputum, difficulty in urination and constipation, wiry, slippery and rapid pulse:

Treating principles: To extinguish wind for resuscitation, clear fire and eliminate sputum, with the reducing
method or bloodletting

Prescription: Shuigou (GV26), Jing-well points, Taichong (LR3), Fenglong (ST40), Laogong (PC8)
For patients with closed eyes and open mouth, incontinence of urine, cold limbs and thready and weak
pulse

Therapeutic principles: Moxibustion with multiple moxa cones applied to restore yang from collapse
Prescription: Guanyuan (CV4), Qihai (CV6), Shenque (CV8) (salt-partition moxibustion)
(2) Scalp Acupuncture: Motor zone, accompanied by the opposite motor area and foot motor sensory area;
speech area added for aphasia
(3) Electro-Acupuncture: Choose 2~3 pairs of points on the extremities mentioned above, after insertion and
manipulation of the needles, the electric stimulator is connected. The intermittent or sparse waves are
adopted for 20 minutes.
(4) Cupping: For hemiplegia
Remarks
Comprehensive emergency treatment must be applied to wind-stroke at the acute stage.
Appendix

Wind-stroke treated by the Resuscitation-Inducing Method

The resuscitation-inducing method is employed in the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases.
Treatment:
Prescription:
Main points: Neiguan (PC6), Renzhong (GV26), Sanyinjiao (SP6)
Auxiliary points: Jiquan (HT1), Weizhong (BL40), Chize (LU5)
Subsidiary points: For difficulty in swallowing add Fengchi (GB20), Yifen (TE17), Wangu (GB12).
For clenched fists add Hegu (LI4).
For aphasia and stiffness of the tongue add Lianquan (CV23), Jinjin (EX-HN12) (bloodletting) and Yuyie
(EX-HN13) (bloodletting).

For strephenopodia, joint puncture is applied to Qiuxu(GB40) and Zhaohai (KI6).

Manipulation:
Neiguan (PC6): The needle is perpendicularly inserted for 0.5~1 cun. Twirling and lifting-thrusting
technique is applied, combined with the reducing method for 1 minute.

Renzhong (GV26): The needle is obliquely punctured toward the bony nasal partition for 0.3~0.5 cun. The
forceful sparrow-pecking method is applied, until there are tears in the eyes or tears running.

Sanyinjiao (SP6): The needle is inserted obliquely to form an angle of approximately 45o between the body
surface and the inner border of the tibia at a depth of 1~1.5 cun. The lifting-thrusting reinforcing method is
employed till there are three times of tics in the diseased lower limb.

Time for treatment:

Acupuncture treatment is given twice a day, and 10 days make a course for 3~5 successively courses

Lower Back Pain

It is commonly seen in injury to the soft tissues of the lower back, rheumatism, lumbar spondylosis,
intervertebral disc disorders, and some problems of the internal organs, characterized by lower back pain.
Treatment
(1) Acupuncture

Treating principles: To warm meridians to disperse cold for lower back pain caused by cold and dampness,
or activate blood circulation and resolve stasis for lower back pain caused by stagnation of blood, or
reinforce the kidney and lower back for lower back pain caused by deficiency in the kidney. Acupuncture
and moxibustion are used together.
Prescription: Shenshu (BL23), Weizhong (BL40), Jiaji (EX-B2), and Ashi points
Subsidiary points:
Cold and dampnessFengfu (GV16), Yaoyangguan (GV3)
Chronic lumbar sprainGeshu (BL17), Ciliao (BL32)
Deficiency in the kidneyMingmen (GV4), Zhishi (BL52), Taixi (KI3)
(2) Pricking-Cupping Bloodletting

It is especially effective for lower back pain caused by cold and dampness, and chronic sprain.
Remarks

The therapeutic effect of acupuncture is different in cases of different causes. It is most effective for
rheumatic lower back pain and chronic sprain. Lower back pain due to lumbar spondylosis and protrusion
of intervertebral disc is remarkably relieved by acupuncture. For laceration of ligaments around the small
joints of the lower back, the therapeutic effect is not satisfactory. The primary disease is treated when lower
back pain is caused by diseases of the internal organs. Lower back pain caused by spinal tuberculosis or
tumors is not the indication of acupuncture.

Sciatica
Sciatica is a syndrome characterized by pain radiating from the back into the buttocks and into the lower
extremities along its posterior or lateral aspect. The straight-leg-raising test is positive, and the Achilles
reflex is weakened.
Treatment
(1) Acupuncture
Prescription: Shenshu (BL23), Qihaishu (BL24), Jiaji (EX-B2)L3-L5, Ciliao (BL32), Zhibian (BL54),
Huantiao (GB30), and Ashi points

Subsidiary points:
Taiyang meridians: Yinmen (BL37), Weizhong (BL40)
Shaoyang meridians: Yanglingquan (GB34), Yangjiao (GB35), Juegu (GB39)
(2) Electro-Acupuncture
Dense waves or sparse and dense waves are adopted with medium to strong stimulations.
Remarks

It is most effective for sciatica. Treat the primary disease if sciatica is caused by tumors or tuberculosis.
Traction or massage is combined when it is caused by protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc.

Stomachache
Stomachache is usually seen in acute and chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric neurosis in Western
medicine, characterized by epigastralgia.
Treatment
(1) Acupuncture

Invasion of the stomach by liver qi:

Treating principles: To soothe the liver and harmonize the stomach to relieve pain
Prescription: Zhongwan (CV12), Qimen (LR14), Neiguan (PC6), Zusanli (ST36), Yanglingquan (GB34)
Deficiency and cold in the spleen and stomach:
Treating principles: To warm meridians and disperse cold to relieve pain
Prescription: Pishu (BL20), Weishu (BL21), Zhongwan (CV12), Zhangmen (LR13), Neiguan (PC6), Zusanli
(ST36)
(2) Cupping: It is effective for stomachache caused by deficiency and cold in the spleen and stomach.
(3) Ear Acupuncture: stomach (CO4), liver (CO12), ear-shenmen (TF4), brain (AT3,4i), and sympathetic (AH6a)
Remarks

It is most effective for stomachache. Usually pain is killed after 1 or 2 sessions of treatment. For chronic
stomachache, long term treatment should be given.

Gastrospasm
Gastrospasm is usually seen in acute gastritis, gastric ulcer, gastric carcinoma and gastric neurosis in
Western medicine. Enterospasm, which attacks repeatedly, often occurs in children, characterized by
sudden onset of paroxymal gastric and abdominal pain.
Treatment
(1) Acupuncture

Internal retention of cold:

Treating principles: To warm the stornach and dispel cold
Prescription: Zhongwan (CV12), Shenque (CV8), Guanyuan (CV4), Zusanli (ST36), Gongsun (SP4)
Insufficient spleen yang:
Treating principles: To reinforce spleen yang and remove indigestion
Prescription: Pishu (BL20), Weishu (BL21), Zhongwan (CV12), Qihai (CV6), Zhangmen (LR13), Zusanli
(ST36)

Retention of undigested food:

Treating principles: To regulate the gastrointestinal tract
Prescription: Zhongwan (CV12), Tianshu (ST25), Qihai (CV6), Zusanli (ST36), Neiting (ST44)
(2) Cupping: It is effective for pain caused by internal retention of cold and undigested food.
(3) Ear Acupuncture: large intestine (CO7), sympathetic (AH6a), small intestine (CO6), liver (CO12), brain
(AT3,4i), spleen (CO13);

It is effective for acute and chronic enteritis.

Remarks
(1) It is most effective for abdominal pain. For acute abdomen, it is necessary to give keen observation
besides acupuncture therapy.
(2) Acupuncture has a satisfactory analgesic effect.

Diarrhea
Diarrhea is usually seen in acute and chronic enteritis, indigestion, intestinal tuberculosis, irritable bowel
syndrome, and chronic nonspecific ulcerative colitis in Western medicine, characterized by increased
frequency of bowels movement, passing watery stools, or with undigested food. It is classified into acute
and chronic diarrhea.
Treatment
(1) Acupuncture

Acute diarrhea:
Treating principles: To regulate qi movement of the gastrointestinal tract
Prescription: Zhongwan (CV12), Tianshu (ST25), Shangjuxu (ST37), Yinlingquan (SP9)
Chronic diarrhea:
Treating principles: To invigorate the spleen and stomach, and warm kidney yang
Prescription: Pishu (BL20), Zhangmen (LR13), Zhongwan (CV12), Tianshu (ST25), zusanli (ST36)
(2) Cupping: It is effective for chronic diarrhea due to deficiency and cold in the spleen and stomach.
(3) Ear Acupuncture: large intestine (CO7), small intestine (CO6), lung (CO14), spleen (CO13)
Remarks
(1) Control diet during the course of the treatment of acute diarrhea .
(2) Give the patient fluid transfusion if he becomes dehydrated clue of severe dirrhea.

Constipation
Constipation is marked by difficult bowel movement or no bowel movement over two days. It can be
classified into constipation of the excess type and deficiency type.
Treatment
(1) Acupuncture

Treating principles: To regulate qi of the fu-organs

Prescription: Dachangshu (BL25), Tianshu (ST25), Zhigou (TE6), Shangjuxu (ST37)

Subsidiary points:
Accumulation of heatHegu (LI4), Quchi (LI11)
Stagnation of qizhongwan (CV12), xingjian (LR2)
Deficiency of qi and bloodPishu (BL20), Weishu (BL21)
Constipation due to coldShenque (CV8) and Qihai (CV6) (moxibustion)
(2) Electro-Acupuncture: Sparse and dense waves are adopted.
(3) Ear Acupuncture: rectum (HX2), large intestine (CO7), brain (AT3,4i).
Remarks

It is most effective for constipation. If a patient does not respond to acupuncture therapy, the underlying
cause should be explored.

Abstinence Syndrome
Abstinence syndrome refers to a constellation of physiologic changes undergone by people who have
become physically dependent on cigarette, alcohol, sedative-hypnotic drugs, or a drug, when they are
abruptly deprived of that substance. The syndrome consists of restlessness, tears running and drooling,
general weakness, sleepiness, and bradyesthesia.
Cigarette Withdrawal Syndrome

Cigarette withdrawal syndrome refers to a series of changes happening to smokers who have been
smoking tobacco which contains of nicotine for a long time after they abandon it suddenly. It may consist of
general weakness, restlessness, constant yawning, hypogeusia, or even unhappiness, oppressed feeling in
the chest, anxiety, and bradyesthesia. Smoking harms ones respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous
systems. It is one of the most important causes of increasing incidence and death rate of cancer, chronic
bronchitis, pulmonary heart disease, gastric and duodenal ulcer and cirrhosis.
Treatment
(1) Acupuncture

Treating principles: To calm the mind, relieve restlessness, and regulate yin and yang

Prescription: baihui (GV20), shenmen (HT7), stop smoking point (between lieque (LU7) and yangxi (LI5))
Subsidiary points:
For discomfort in the throat: Add jiache (ST6) and sanyinjiao (SP6) .
For restlessness: Add tongli (HT5) and neiguan (PC6).
For damage of lung qi: Add feishu (BL13).
(2) Ear Acupuncture:

Prescription: lung (CO14), mouth (CO1), sympathesis (AH6a), ear shenmen (TF4)
Performance: Puncture with the filiform needle, or employ the cowherb seed embedding method.
Remarks

It (especially ear acupuncture) is most effective for cigarette withdrawal syndrome. For those who receive
the treatment voluntarily, acupuncture can help them to achieve their goal.
Drug Withdrawal Syndrome

Drug withdrawal syndrome refers to a series of symptoms seen in drugsters with addiction after they
abandon it suddenly. It consists of a desire for opium, nausea or vomiting, aching pain of muscles, tears
running and runny nose, mydriasis, standing up of hairs, sweating, diarrhea, yawning, fever, insomnia, etc.
Treatment
(1) Acupuncture

Treating principles: To calm the mind and regulate qi and blood

Prescription: shuigou (GV26), daling (PC7), shenmen (HT7), hegu (LI4)
Subsidiary points:
For diarrhea: Add zusanli (ST36)

For insomnia: Add zhaohai (KI6) and shenmai (BL62).

For nausea and vomiting: Add neiguan (PC6).
(2) Ear Acupuncture:

Prescription: lung (CO14), ear shenmen (TF4), subcortex (AT4) and endocrine (CO18); coordinated with heart
(CO15), kidney (CO10), liver (CO12) and sympathesis (AH6a)

Performance: Low frequency current is used to stimulate the ear points. Treatment is given once a day for
30 minutes, after that cowherb seeds are embedded.
(3) Electro-Acupuncture: neiguan (PC6), waiguan (TE5), laogong (PC8), hegu (LI4)
Remarks

It is most effective for drug withdrawal syndrome. Nearly all the drugsters can get rid of it as long as they
determine to do so.
Appendix

Since acupuncture for drug withdrawal was adopted in 1970s, it has been understood and accepted by
drugsters. Clinically, body acupuncture and ear acupuncture can either be used separately or together to
remove or relieve the withdrawal syndrome. And at the same time, it can also remove or relieve the
drugsters spiritual dependence on drugs, so the goal of withdrawing drug can be achieved.
Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome refers to a series of symptoms seen in alcoholics who have been drinking too
much for a long time after they abandon it suddenly. It consists of general weakness, nausea and vomiting,
restlessness, and depression.
Treatment
(1) Acupuncture

Treating principles: To regulate qi and blood, and calm the mind

Prescription: baihui (GV20), shenmen (HT7), pishu (BL20), weishu (BL21), zusanli (ST36), sanyinjiao (SP6)
(2) Ear Acupuncture: stomach (CO4), mouth (CO1), endocrine (CO18), subcortex (AT4), ear shenmen (TF4),
pharynx and larynx (TG3), liver (CO12)
(3) Electro-Acupuncture: Puncture the points listed in the prescription of the body acupuncture and stimulate
them with electric pulse current.
Remarks

It is most effective for alcohol withdrawal syndrome. For alcoholics who receive the treatment voluntarily,
acupuncture can help them to achieve their goal.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome refers to repeated prolonged fatigue (more than half a year) for which no
identifiable cause and organic lesion can be found. Other symptoms frequently present include low-
grade fever, dizziness, generalized muscle weakness and pain, sore throat, painful lymph nodes in the
neck and isthmus of fauces, insomnia, amnesia, depression, anxiety, unstable emotion and poor
concentration. These symptoms cannot be relieved by rest in bed resting, and they interrupt the normal
life and work.
Treatment
(1) Acupuncture

Treating principles: To soothe the liver and regulate the spleen, tonify the heart and kidney, invigorate the
brain and recuperate the mind to eliminate fatigue

Prescription: Baihui (GV20), Yintang (EX-HN3), Shenmen (HT7), Taixi (KI3), Taichong (LR3), Sanyinjiao
(SP6), Zusanli (ST36)

Subsidary points:
For insomnia and dream-disturbed sleep: Add Anmian (EX) and Neiguan (PC6).
For palpitation and anxiety: Add Neiguan (PC6) and Xinshu (BL15).
For dizziness and distraction: Add sishencong (EX-HN1) and back-Shu points.
(2) Dermal Needling: Tap along the Governor Vessel, Jiaji (EX-B2) points and back-Shu points.
(3) Ear Acupuncture: heart (CO15), kidney (CO10), liver (CO12), spleen (CO13), brain (AT3,4i), subcortex
(AT4), ear-shenmen (TF4), sympathesis (AH6a)
(4) Electro-Acupuncture: Stimulate the points with electric pulse current after inserting the needles.
Remarks

Acupuncture does fairly well in relief of fatigue, regulating the patients emotion and sleep, and improve
his health.

Sprains
Sprains refer to the lesion of the joints of the limbs or soft tissues of the body, such as sprains of
muscles, tendons, ligaments and vessels. It is usually caused by violent movement or excessive exertion
and twisting falling, pulling which force the joints to move beyond capacitfy. The clinical manifestations
are swelling and pain of the sprained region, and red, blue, or purple spots on the skin. For a fresh
sprain, the swelling and tenderness of the sprained region can often be seen. The condition is
comparatively serious if the swelling and tenderness are severe with motor impairment. And for an old
sprain, usually the swelling is not very obvious. Sprains are often found in the neck, shoulders, elbows,
wrists, waist, thigh, knees and ankles.
Treatment
(1) Acupuncture

Treating principles: To unblock meridians and collateral, alleviate swelling and relieve pain, for an old
sprain, moxibustion is added

Prescription:
Neck: Dazhui (GV14), Tianzhu (BL10), Fengchi (GB20), Houxi (SI3)
Shoulder: Jianyu (LI15), Jianliao (TE14), Jianzhen (SI9)
Elbow: Quchi (LI11), Xiaohai (SI8), Tianjing (TE10)
Wrist: Yangchi(TE4), Yangxi (LI5), Yanggu (SI5)
Waist: Shenshu (BL23), Yaoyangguan (GV3), Weizhong (BL40)
Thigh: Huantiao (GB30), Zhibian (BL54), Chengfu (BL36)
Knee: Xiyan (ST35), Liangqiu (ST34), Yangguan (GB33)

Ankle: Jiexi (ST41), Kunlun (BL60), Qiuxu (GB40)

(2) Pricking-cupping Bloodletting: It is effective for fresh sprains with marked swellings, and old sprains
with blood stasis, and for invasion of the collaterals by cold.
(3) Ear Acupuncture: It is effective for all types of acute sprain with significant analgesic effect.
Remarks

Acupuncture can relieve symptoms. Cold compress should be used for sprain at the early stage to stop
bleeding. And then hot compress is applied to help alleviate swellings.

Tennis Elbow
It is characterized by pain in the elbow with motor impairment. It is often seen in people like tennis
players, typists, carpenters, fitters and miners, who keep twirling their forearms, flexing and extending
their elbows,
Treatment
(1) Acupuncture

Treating principles: To relax muscles and promote blood circulation, dredge collaterals to relieve pain
Prescription: Quchi (LI11), Zhouliao (LI12), Shousanli (LI10), and Ashi points
(2) Pricking-Cupping Bloodletting: It is effective for local swelling.
Remarks

It is most effective for tennis elbow. Usually 2 or 3 sessions of treatment are enough.

Arthralgia
Arthralgia refers to a group of symptoms which include aching pain, numbness, and heaviness of
muscles, or difficulty in flexion and extension , burning sensation of the swollen joints, usually seen in
rheumatic arthritis, rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis in Western medicine.
Clinically, it can be classified into four types: migratory arthralgia, arthralgia aggravated by cold, arthralgia
due to dampness, and arthralgia due to heat.
Treatment
(1) Acupuncture

Treating principles: To dredge meridians and promote circulation of qi and blood

Prescription:
Migratory arthralgia: Geshu (BL17), Xuehai (SP10)
Arthralgia aggravated by cold: Shenshu (BL23), Guanyuan (CV4)
Arthralgia due to dampness: Shangqiu (SP5), Zusanli (ST36)
Arthralgia due to heat: Dazhui (GV14), Quchi (LI11)
Choose the points according to the affected area:
Shoulder: Jianyu (LI15), Jianliao (TE14), Naoshu (SI10)
Elbow: Quchi (LI11), Hegu (LI4), Tianjing (TE10), Waiguan (TE5), Chize (LU5)
Wrist: Yangchi (TE4), Waiguan (TE5), Yangxi (LI5), Wangu (SI4)
 Back: Shuigou (GV26), Shenzhu (GV12), Yaoyangguan (GV3), Jiaji (EX-B2)
Hip: Huantiao (GB30), Juliao (GB29), Xuanzhong (GB39)
Thigh: Zhibian (BL54), Chengfu (BL36), Fengshi (GB31), Yanglingquan (GB34)
Knee: Dubi (ST35), Liangqiu (ST34), Yanglingquan (GB34), Xiyangguan
(GB33)
Ankle: Shenmai (BL62), Zhaohai (KI6), Kunlun (BL60), Qiuxu (GB40)
(2) Pricking-cupping Bloodletting: This method is suitable for heat arthralgia
with swelling and pain.
(3) Electro-acupuncture: Stimulate the points with the sparse and dense
waves.
Remarks

It is most effective for athralgia, especially for rheumatic arthritis. For chronic
rheumatoid which is difficult to shake off, acupuncture cannot give immediate
effect.

Toothache
Toothache is usually seen in dental caries, pulpitis, periodontitis, pericoronitis and dentin
hypersensitiveness in Western medicine. Its attack is triggered by cold, heat, sour, or sweet irritations. It is
classified into three types: toothache due to heat in the Stomach Meridian, wind- heat, and yin deficiency.
Treatment
(1) Acupuncture
Treating principles: To clear heat and fire for toothache due to wind-heat and intense stomach heat; To
replenish kidney yin and purge liver heat for yin deficiency cases

Prescription: Hegu (LI4), Jiache (ST6), Neiting (ST44), Xiaguan (ST7)

Subsidiary points:
Wind-heat: Waiguan (TE5), Fengchi (GB20)
Yin deficiency: Taixi (KI3), Xingjian (LR2)
(2) Ear Acupuncture: Upper and lower jaw (LO3), ear-shenmen (TF4), apex of tragus (TG1p), specific point for
toothache
(3) Electro-Acupuncture: Jiache (ST6), Xiaguan (ST7), Hegu (LI4) or Erjian (LI2)

Connect the electro-acupuncture stimulator after getting the needling sensation for 20~30 minutes with
dense waves.
Remarks

For dental caries, acupuncture can only relieve pain temporarily. But for most toothache, its therapeutic
effect is satisfactory.