Acupuncture therapy takes the theories of traditional Chinese medicine as guidance to treat patients with acupuncture and moxibustion based upon differentiation of syndromes. This chapter deals mainly with the general laws of acupuncture therapy. The descriptions for the principles of treatment, the methods, the basic guidelines for prescription and selection of points are as follows.

Section 1. What are the general principals of treatment?
The general principles of treatment are worked out under the guidance of the holistic concept and differentiation of syndromes. The general principles are of universal significance in decision of the treating methods and prescriptions.

1. Regulation of Yin and Yang
In TCM speaking, the occurrence of any diseases is due to the relative imbalance of yin and yang. Therefore, regulation of yin and yang is a fundamental principle in clinical treatment. In the Miraculous Pivot, it points out that "how to regulate yin and yang is most important in acupuncture treatment.''
Yang in excess makes yin suffer and yin in excess makes yang suffer. Excessive heat (yang) is likely to injure yin essence, while excessive cold (yin) is likely to damage yang qi. In treatment, reduce excessive heat or expel cold through the methods of "removing the excess'' and "reducing the preponderance.'' On regulating the preponderance of yin or yang, attention should be paid to the condition whether a corresponding yin or yang deficiency exists. If one is deficient, consideration should be given to yang reduction and yin reinforcement, dispelling cold and waning yang simultaneously. Yin in deficiency fails to control yang, manifested by deficiency heat syndrome and yang hyperactivity due to yin deficiency. Yang in deficiency fails to control yin, as shown in deficiency cold syndrome and excess of yin due to yang deficiency.

According to the theory of TCM, hyperactivity of yang due to yin deficiency should be treated by strengthening yin to control yang, while cold (yin) due to yang deficiency should be treated by reinforcing yang to control yin. If both of them are deficient, yin and yang should be reinforced. In treating diseases marked by yin or yang deficiency, try to achieve yang from yin and achieve yin from yang, because they are interdependent. For example, the Front- Mu Points and Back-Shu Points are used respectively to regulate and replenish yin qi and yang qi of the zang-fu organs. Yin and yang are considered the general principle for differentiation of syndromes. In a broad sense, "relieving deficiency by the tonifying method, reducing excess, dispelling cold by the warming method, nutrient and defensive qi regulation, and qi and blood promotion'' all fall into the aspect of regulation of yin and yang.
Acupuncture therapy is to apply different techniques of manipulations to points to treat diseases by means of regulating yin and yang.

2. Strengthening the body resistance and eliminating the pathogenic factors
The course of a disease is actually the process of struggle between the anti-pathogenic factors and pathogenic factors. Mobilizing the anti-pathogenic factors to defeat the pathogenic factors is the right way to cure the disease. Therefore, strengthening the body resistance and eliminating the pathogenic factors are also the important principles in clinical treatment. To strengthen the body resistance is to reinforce the anti-pathogenic qi and build up health. Once the body resistance against disease is strengthened, the pathogenic factors are eliminated.
Once the pathogenic factors are removed, the body resistance will be reinforced. Since they are closely related to each other, strengthening the body resistance is beneficial to dispelling the pathogenic factors and vice versa.

Clinically, the condition of the pathogenic factors and anti-pathogenic factors should be carefully observed, upon which, strengthening the body resistance first or dispelling the pathogenic factors first can be determined. For patients with weak body resistance but pathogenic factors not yet strong enough, the body resistance is strengthened first. For patients with excessive pathogenic factors but body resistance not yet damaged, the prime task is to eliminate the pathogenic factors. But for patients with weak body resistance and excessive pathogenic factors, as well, both methods should be employed simultaneously. Try to distinguish what is primary from what is secondary. For those with weak body resistance priority should be placed on building body resistance and do something to get rid of the pathogenic factors, and vice versa. When the patient is in a relatively critical condition attacked by excessive pathogenic factors, and the body resistance is too weak, for which the pathogenic factors are not eliminated, strengthen the body resistance first and then remove the pathogenic factors. If the patient is in a very poor condition with excessive pathogenic factors, but with weak body resistance, eliminate the pathogenic factors first, and then strengthen the body resistance.

3. Distinguishing the Primary from the Secondary
In TCM, the conception of the primary and the secondary are relative to each other involving different meanings. In terms of the anti-pathogenic factors and pathogenic factors, the former is the primary, and the latter is the secondary. Judged by the etiology and manifestation, the etiology is the primary, and the manifestation is the secondary. As to the localization of a lesion, the internal portion is the primary, and the external is the secondary. As for the clinical course of a disease the original is the primary, while the complication is the secondary. This concept represents the two opposite aspects of one entity during the course of a disease. The symptom is generally the phenomenon and the secondary aspect, the root cause is generally the nature and the primary aspect.
Clinically, a disease should be assessed according to such different situations of the primary, the secondary, the root cause, the symptoms, the acute, and the chronic so as to ascertain the main aspect of the contradictions, and thus treated accordingly. Under general circumstances, the primary or root cause should be found first, but if the symptoms are acute, they should be treated first. If the symptoms and root cause are both serious, they should be taken into account at the same time.
Trying to find out the primary or root cause is of importance. In clinic, the nature and the primary aspect of a disease should be well commanded so as to treat the root cause. Some diseases, although their symptoms are different, the etiology and pathogenesis are the same, so they can be treated by the same method. For example, in case of sore throat due to yin deficiency of the kidney and low back pain due to yin deficiency of the kidney, the treatment to nourish the kidney yin is adopted. This is called "treating different diseases with the same method.'' For some other diseases, although their symptoms are alike, the etiology and pathogenesis are different, different methods therefore should be used to treat the root cause. For instance,
headache due to liver yang hyperactivity should be treated by nourishing yin to reduce yang, but headache caused by both qi and blood deficiency should be treated by reinforcing qi and blood, while the headache caused by invasion of the meridians by wind cold must be treated by diminishing wind cold. This is called "treating the same disease with different methods.''

4. Treatment of diseases according to climatic and seasonal Conditions, Geographical Locations and the Individual Condition The climatic and seasonal conditions, geographical locations, patient's age, constitution and others must be taken into consideration to determine an appropriate method in acupuncture treatment.

4.l. Climatic and seasonal conditions
In accordance with the characteristics of climate and seasons, appropriate therapeutic methods are used. Generally, in spring and summer, shallow acupuncture is applied, and in autumn and winter, the deep acupuncture is preferred. In addition, the acupuncture time is also important. For instance, treatment of malaria is usually applied two to three hours before its attack, and dysmenorrhea is usually treated before the menstrual periods.

4.2. Geographical locations
The appropriate therapeutic methods should be determined according to different geographical locations. Climate and life style vary in different regions, so do the physiological activities and pathological changes, there- fore, the methods of treatment should be different. In Plain Questions it says, "In the north...people live in highlands and mountains, exposed to bitter wind and severe cold. People there prefer outdoor dwelling and milk, that's why they are susceptible to gastric distention due to accumulation of cold for which moxibustion is advisable.'' "In the south . . .it is damp, foggy and dewy, people there prefer to sour taste and preserved food, so they have tight muscles and red skin. People in this region are susceptible to cramps of tendons and rheumatism, for which acupuncture is advisable.'' The above shows that therapeutic methods are closely related to geographical locations, life style and nature of diseases.

4.3. Individual conditions
Treatment is also based on age, sex and constitution. For example, men and women are different in physiology, women have menstruation, pregnancy and puerperal problems, so the points should be carefully selected when treatment is given. People of different ages are different in physiology and pathology. As to constitution, there are strong, weak, more heat, more cold. Besides, the sensitivity to acupuncture varies individually.

Section 2 Therapeutic methods of acupuncture and moxibustion
The therapeutic methods are worked out under the guidance of the treating principles and differentiation of syndromes, including selection of points and application of acupuncture and moxibustion. Acupuncture therapy concerns the theory, method, prescription and point. Clinically, the four are closely related to one another. According to internal Classic and other medical literature as well as the clinical experiences, there are six kinds of therapeutic methods, namely, the reinforcing, reducing, warming, clearing, ascending and descending.

1. Reinforcing
The reinforcing method is used to strengthen the body resistance and the zang-fu organs and replenish yin, yang, qi, and blood with acupuncture and moxibustion. It is indicated to the deficiency-syndrome.
The commonly-used reinforcing methods are as follows:
For reinforcing kidney qi, Shenshu (BLU 23), Guanyuan (RN 4), Taixi (KI 3), etc. are used either with the reinforcing method or moxibustion.
For reinforcing qi of the spleen and stomach, Zhongwan (RN12), Qihai (RN 6), Zusanli (ST 36), etc. are used either with the reinforcing method or moxibustion.
For replenishing qi and blood, Pishu (BL 20), Geshu (BL 17), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (Sp 6), etc. are used either with the reinforeing method or moxibustion.
For nourishing kidney yin, Taixi (KI 3), Zhaohai (KI 6), Zhishi (BL 52), etc. are used with the reinforcing method.
But the reinforcing method shall in no case be used if the pathogenic factors are excessive and strong, or if the pathogenic factors are not yet completely eliminated, or if the deficiency syndrome is associated with excessive and strong pathogenic factors.

2. Reducing
The reducing method is to dispel the pathogenic factors and removes stagnation in order to help restore the body resistance, and is advisable to the excess syndrome.
The commonly used reducing methods are as follows:
For dispelling wind to relieve the exterior syndrome, Fengchi (GB 20), Hegu (LI 4), etc. are needled with the reducing method.
For promoting defecation and reducing heat, Quchi (LI 11), Tianshu (ST 25) and Fenlong (ST 40) are needled with the reducing method.
For invigorating blood circulation and removing blood stasis, the corresponding points are pricked to bleed to treat blood stagnation.
For removing indigestion, Jianli (RN l), Zusanli (ST 36) and Sifeng (Extra) are punctured with the reducing method.
But the reducing method shall not be applied to the deficiency syndrome or to cases of deficiency complicated with the excess syndrome.

3. Warming
The warming method is used to warm the meridians and remove obstructions from them, warm and nourish yang qi, warm the middlejiao to dispel cold and restore yang from collapse, etc. It is applied for cold syndromes.
The commonly used warming methods are as follows:
Remove cold from the meridians by warmth. Acupuncture with needle retaining or moxibustion is applied to the points along the meridian affected by the pathogenic cold. For warming the middle jiao to dispei cold, Zhongwan (RN l 2) and Zusanli (ST 36) are punctured with needle retaining or moxibustion.
For restoring yang from collapse, moxibustion is applied to Guanyuan (RN 4) and Shenque (RN 8) to treat cold extremities due to the decline of yang qi.
But the warming method cannot be used for heat syndromes, and moxibustion should be carefully used for syndrome of yin deficiency.

4. Clearing
The clearing method, known as a febrifugal approach, is used to clear off the pathogenic heat for resuscitation, or for heat syndromes.
The commonly used clearing methods are as follows:
For dispelling the pathogenic heat, Dazhui (Du 1 4), Quchi (LI 11) and Hegu (LI 4) are often needled with the reducing method. For heat syndromes in the zang-fu organs, the Jing-well Point and Ying-ppring Point of the affected meridians are often needled with the reducing method or blood-letting.
For clearing off heat and resuscitation, Renzhong (Du 26) and the twelve Jing-well Points (LU 11, HT 9, PC 9, LI 1 , SJ 1, and ST 11on both sides) are needled with the reducing method or bloodletting.

5. Ascending
The ascending method is used to raise yang qi and lift the zang-fu organs from sinking. It is for failure of ascending pure yang and sinking of the qi in the middle energizer.
Clinically, acupuncture with the reinforcing method and moxibustion are applied to the local points in combination with Baihui (Du 20), Qihai (RN 6) Guanyuan (RN 6), and Zusanli (ST 36) for the treatment of dizziness and vertigo due to failure of pure yang in ascending and sinking of qi from the middle jiao, visceroptosis, prolapse of rectum and prolonged dysentery.
But the ascending method shall not be used for patients with yin deficiency and yang hyperactivity.

6. Descending
The descending method is used to make the upward perverted qi go down and to subdue yang.
In clinics, the commonly used descending methods are as follows:
For regulation of the stomach by keeping its perverted qi to descend, Tanzhong (Ren l 7), Zhongwan (Ren 12), Neiguan (PC 6) and Zusanli (ST 36) are needled with the even movement.
For soothing the liver and subduing liver yang. Fengchi (GB 20), Taichong (LR 3) and Yongquan (KI l) are needled with the reducing method.
But the descending method cannot be used for deficiency syndromes or deficiency syndrome in the upper part and excess in the lower part of the body. In addition, the descending method can be subdivided into many approaches, but they are not discussed in this section.

Section 3 Basic principles for prescription and selection of points
Acupuncture and moxibustion is a therapy by needling or moxibustion to certain points of the human body. Therefore proper prescription including selection and combination of points and the method of treatment employed are significant to the curative effects.
In prescription, points should be selected according to their functions and the planned method should be decided on basis of differentiation of syndromes. The following is an brief introduction to the basic principles for prescription and selection of points.

l. Acupuncture prescription
l.1. What is an acupuncture prescription?
Acupuncture prescription refers to the desired plan to be conducted in treating certain diseases. The selection of points and methods used are included. The prescription should list the combination of points, methods of manipulation reinforcing or reducing, duration and frequency of treatment, etc. Generally, a list of points in the order from upper to lower portion of the body, from the back to the abdominal region, or from the most important ones to the secondary ones should be made. Then put down a particular point on one side or bilateral sides, methods of manipulation, duration of needle retaining and course of treatment, etc.

1.2. Number of points in a prescription
Diseases vary in their occurrence and development. Different prescriptions are used according to the different individuals and diseases.
Generally, there are five acupuncture prescriptions according to the number of points selected. They are "big prescription,'' "small prescription," "odd prescription,'' "even prescription,'' and "compound prescription.
The big prescription refers to the selection of a great number of points, and is applied to a wide range of disorders in the zang-fu organs, meridians and collaterals. For instance, a prescription for hemiplegia caused by wind-stroke and epilepsy are often treated by selection of a large number of points.
A small prescription refers to the selection of less points and is widely used in common ailments, such as malaria and epigastric pain.
A compound prescription refers to the application of two or more than two groups of points with different functions for complicated cases that have two or over two symptoms simultaneously. For instance, when headache appears at the same time with diarrhea, the prescriptions for both should be used.
In addition, an "odd prescription'' indicates only one point is used. For instance, Ximen (PC 4) is prescribed to treat cardiac pain. Shuigou (Du 26) is for pain in the back and lumbar region. Moreover, an even prescription means a pair of points selected, e.g. the combination of Back-Shu Point with Front-Mu Point, Yuan-Primary Point with Luo(Connecting) Point, and points in the upper part with the Eight Confluent Points in the lower part of the body.

2. Principles for Point Selection
Selection of points along the course of meridians is the basic principle in acupuncture treatment, which is performed according to the theory of that diseases are related to meridians. In application there are three methods of point selection, namely, selecting points from the affected meridian, selecting points from the related meridian, and selecting points from several meridians. The first refers to a selection of points on the diseased meridian to which one of the organs is related. The second refers to a selection of points not only from the affected meridian, but also from the meridian related to the affected meridian according to the relations between the zang-fu organs and meridians.
Generally, points of the exterior-interior related meridians or points of the "mother-son'' related meridians are selected according to the theory of Five Elements. The third is used for symptoms caused by several diseased meridians, i.e. when a patient does not respond to the selected points of one or two meridians, points of other meridians should be used too. Since point selection along the meridians is guided by the theory of the zang-fu organs and meridians it is essential to have a full understanding of physiology and pathology, the running course of the meridians, the exterior and interior relationship of yin and yang and the function of points. There are three categories of point selection:

2.l. Selection of nearby points
Nearby refers to the local area of the disease or the adjacent area of the disease.
a) Selection of local points
Local refers to the vicinity of the disease. For example, Jingming (BL l) and Zanzhu (BL 2) are selected for eye disease, Juliao (ST 3) and Yingxiang (LI 20) for nose disease, Tinggong (SI 19) and Tinghui (GB 2) for ear disease; Zhongwan (RN12) for epigastric disease and Taiyang (Extra) for headache.
When there is an ulcer, wound or scar in the local area, select adjacent points instead of the local.
b) Selection of adjacent points
Adjacent refers to the location close to the diseased area. For instance, Shaflgxing (Du 23) and Tongtian (BL 7) are selected for nose disease; Fengchi (GB 20) and Fengfu (Du 16) for headache; and Zhangmen (LR 13) and Tianshu (ST 25) for gastric pain.
The adjacent points may be used independently or in combination with the local points. Points from the head and trunk selected for problems of the five sense organs and zang-fu organs are within this category.

2.2. Selection of distant points
Distant refers to a location far from the diseased area. Generally, these points are located below the elbows and knees.
For example, Zusanli (ST 36) is selected to treat epigastric and abdominal disorders, Hegu (LI 4) is selected to treat facial disorders, Xingjian (LR 2) is selected to treat swelling and red eyes, and Baihui (Du 20) is selected to treat chronic dysentery.
Selection of the distant points forms an important part in the point selection. For example, points on the four extremities are selected for disorders of the head, trunk and zang-fu organs. The system of meridians is a crisscross network running longitudinally and transversely, superficially and deeply.
In combination of points, different approaches are conducted, such as combining the above with the below, combining the left with the right (or crossing combination), combining the exterior with the interior, and combining the local with the distant. Selecting points on the left side to treat disorders on the right side and vice versa is known as the crossing combination of points.

2.3. Selection of symptomatic points:
This refers to the selection of the corresponding points according to some prominent symptoms. For example, Dazhui (Du 14) and Quchi (LI 1 l) are selected to treat fever, and Shuigou (Du 26) and Yongquan (KI l) are selected to treat loss of consciousness in emergent cases. Selection of the empirical points falls into this category. For example, Sifeng (Extra) is selected to treat infantile indigestion.
Moxibustion applied to Erbai (Extra) is for hemorrhage of hemorrhoids

Section 4 Application of selection points
Specific points are those on the fourteen meridians with specific treating significance. They are indicated in various diseases. Clinically, they can be used flexibly according to the above-mentioned principles in point selection. Specific points bear different names as mentioned in the chapter "General introduction to Points.'' Here is a further exploration into their characteristics in the clinical application.

l. Specific points on the four extremities
1.1. The Five-shu Points
These are five points of the twelve regular meridians located below the elbow and knee, namely, Jing-well, Ying-spring, Shu-stream, Jing-river and He-sea, they are imaged by the ancients as the flowing water, representing the volume of qi in the meridians. They are located in an order from below to above and the qi in them increases one by one.
Generally speaking, Jing-well Points are indicated in mental illness related to the zang organs; Ying-spring; Shu-stream and Jing-river Points are indicated in disorders along the outer course of the affected meridians. Points on the yin meridians are indicated in the disorders of the internal organs. The He-Sea Points are indicated in problems related to the fu organs, the Lower He-sea Points are taken as the main points.

1.2. The Lower He-sea Points of the Six Fu Organs
The Lower He-sea Points refer to the six He-sea Points pertaining to the six fu organs along the three yang meridians of foot. It is said in TCM that the six fu organs, i.e. stomach, large intestine, small intestine, gallbladder, bladder and Sanjiao are closely related to the three yang meridians of foot on each of which there is a Lower He-sea point.
At the same time, the three yang meridians of foot communicate with the three yang meridians of hand. The stomach bladder and gallbladder pertain to the three yang meridians of foot while the large intestine, small intestine and tripe energizer not only communicate with the three yang meridians of hand, but also closely connect with the three yang meridians of foot.
The stomach communicates with Zusanli (ST 36), the large intestine with Shangiuxu (ST 37); the small intestine with Xiajuxu (ST 39), all pertaining to the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming. The large intestine and the small intestine pertain to the stomach. It means that their physiological activities work upward and downward. The bladder and Tripe energizer communicating with Weizhong (BL 40) and Weiyang (BL 31) respectively pertain to the Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang, owing to the water passage of Tripe energizer connected with the bladder. The gallbladder communicates with Yanglingquan (GB 34), a point of the Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang. As it is mentioned in the Miraculous Pivot, "The disorders of the six fu organs can be treated by the He-sea points.
For example, gastric pain and sour regurgitation are treated by Zusanli (ST 36), dysentery or appendicitis is treated by Shangjuxu (ST 37); biliary pain and vomiting are treated by Yanglingquan (GB 34).

1.3. The Yuan-primary Points
The Yuan-primary Points are located in the vicinity of the wrist and ankle. The twelve Yuan-primary Points are closely related to the five zang and the six fu organs, and they are the points where the primary qi of the zang-fu organs is retained.
Disorders of the zang-fu organs are usually relieved by needling the twelve Yuan-primary points.
When the five zang organs are diseased, the symptoms will manifest themselves in the conditions of the twelve Yuan-Primary Points with which they are connected. Each of five zang organs is connected with its own Yuan-primary Point. For this reason, if we fully grasp the connections between zang organs and their corresponding Yuan-primary Points as well as the latter's external manifestations, there will be no difficulty for us to understand the nature of the diseases of the five zang organs. The twelve Yuan-primary points are effective for treating the diseases of the five zang and six fu organs.
Similar to the Shu-stream points there is a Yuan-primary point on the yang meridians. The Yuan-primary points are closely related to Sanjiao and primary qi. The primary qi originates from the kidneys, distributing over the whole body and concerning the qi activities. It travels over each yang meridian through Tripe energizer. The place where the primary qi is centred is the location of the Yuan-Primary Point. Therefore, they are indicated in deficiency and excess syndromes of their respective related organs.

1.4. The Luo(Connecting) points
The Luo-(Connecting) Points are situated at the places where the meridians are distributed and the cross of the two exterior-interior related meridians.
On the limbs, each of the twelve regular meridians has a Luo- (Connecting) Point, which connects with its respective externally-internally related meridians. That's why the Luo- (Connecting) Points are indicated in the syndromes of their respective exterior-interior related meridians. The Luo- (Connecting) Points may be used to treat the symptoms of the externally-internally related meridians. For example, the spleen and stomach are exterior-interior related, Gongsun (SP 4), the Luo- (Connecting) Point of the Spleen Meridian can treat not only the diseases of the Spleen Meridian, but also those of the Stomach Meridian.
In addition, there are Luo-(Connecting) Points of the Ren and Du Meridians and a major Luo-(Connecting) Point of the Spleen on the trunk, Jiuwei (RN l 5) is the Luo-(Connecting) Point ofthe Ren Meridian, the collateral of which is distributed on the abdomen to connect the qi of the abdomen. Changqiang (Du l) is the Luo-(Connecting) Point of the Du Meridian with its collaterals ascending bilaterally along the spine, and is distributed on the head, joining the Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang in the vicinity of scapula to connect the qi of the back. Dabao (SP 21) is the Luo- (Connecting) Point of the Spleen Meridian, the collateral of which is distributed on the hypochondrium to connect the qi and blood of the body. Therefore, Jiuwei (RN 1 5) can be used for abdominal disease, Changqiang (Du l) for back disorders, and Dabao (SP 21) for all the joint problems.

1.5. The Xi-(Cleft) Points
The Xi-(Cleft) Points are those located at the sites where qi and blood in the meridians is converged and accumulated. There are sixteen Xi-(Cleft) Points in all of the twelve regular meridians. In addition, they can be found on each Yangqiao, Yinqiao, Yangwei and Yinwei Meridians. The Xi-(Cleft) Points are used primarily in treatment of the acute diseases appearing in their corresponding organs. For example, Kongzui (LU 6), the Xi-(Cleft) Point of the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin is effective to hemoptysis; Wenliu (Ll 7) of the Large intestine Meridian of Hand- Yangming is helpful to borborygnius and abdominal pain; Liangqiu (ST 34) of the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming works for epigastric pain, Ximen (PC 4) of the Pericardium Meridian of Hand-Jueyin is effective to cardiac pain and fullness of the chest.

1.6. The eight confluent Points of the eight extra meridians
The eight confluent points are those in the extremities connecting the eight extra meridians. Gongsun (SP 4) of the Spleen Meridian connects with the Chong Meridian, and Neiguan (PC 6) of the Pericardium Meridian links with the Yinwei Meridian. These two meridians are confluent in the chest, heart and stomach. Zulinqi (GB 41) of the Gallbladder Meridian connects with the Dai Meridian, and Waiguan (ST 15) of the Tripe energizer Meridian connects with the Yangqiao Meridian. These two meridians are confluent at the outer canthus, retroauricle, cheek, shoulder and diaphragni. Houxi (ST 13) of the Small Intestine Meridian leads to the Du (Governor Vessel) Meridian, and Shenmai (BL 62) of the Bladder Meridian connects with the Yangqiao Meridian. The two meridians are confluent at the inner canthus nape, ear, shoulder and back. Lieque (LU 7) of the Lung Meridian leads to the Ren (Conception Vessel) Meridian, and Zhaohai (KI 6) of the Kidney Meridian connects with the Yinqiao Meridian. The two meridians are confluent in the lung system, throat and diaphragm.
In practice, the eight confluent points may be used independently. For instance, problems of the Du Meridian are treated by Houxi (SI 3), disorders of the Chong Meridian are treated by Gongsun (Sp 4) or the Confluent Point on the upper limb can be combined with the Confluent Point on the lower limb. For example, Neiguan (PC 6) is combined with Gongsun (SP 4) to treat diseases of the heart, chest and stomach. Houxi (ST 13) is combined with Shenmai (BL 62) for diseases of the neck, shoulder, back and inner canthus.

2. Specific points on the head and trunk
2.l. Back-Shu Points
The specific points on the back are called the Back-Shu Points where the qi of the zang-fu organs is infused. They are named in accordance with their corresponding zang-fu organs, such as the Back-Shu Point of the heart is called Xinshu (BL 15); the Back-Shu Point of the lung is called Feishu (BL 13); the Back-Shu Point of the liver is called Ganshu (BL 18) and so on. When the zang-fu organs are diseased, the tenderness appears in the corresponding Back-Shu Point.
The Back-Shu Points are indicated in diseases of the corresponding zang-fu organs. For instance, Feishu (BL 13) may be used for the problems of the lung, Ganshu (BL 18) is used for the problems of the liver, etc. In addition, the Back-Shu Points can be used for the illness of the sense organs. For instance, Ganshu (BL 18), the Back-Shu Point of the liver, may be chosen to treat eye troubles, as eye is the opening of the liver. Shenshu (BL 23), the Back-Shu Point of the kidney, can be prescribed to treat ear disorders, as ear is the opening of the kidney.

2.2. The Front-Mu Points
The Front-Mu Points are those located at the chest and abdomen, where the qi of the zang-fu organs is infused. Since they are situated closely to their respective related zang-fu organs, any problems of the zang-fu organs can be seen in the corresponding Front-MuPoints.
For instance, a tenderness may appear in Xiyue (GB 24) or Qimen (LR 14) if the gallbladder is affected, and if the stomach is diseased, there is a tenderness in Zhongwan (RN 12). Therefore, the Front-Mu Points are mainly applied to treat disorders of the zang-fu organs and in the local areas. For example, liver disorders associated with hypochondriac pain may be treated by needling Qimen (LR 14), and abdominal pain due to large intestine disorders may be relieved by needling Tianshu (ST 25). The Back-Shu Points and the Front-Mu Points work for diseases of the zang-fu organs. In addition, they are of different nature of yin and yang.
The Back-Shu Points located on the back pertain to yang, while the Front-Mu Points located on the chest and abdomen pertain to yin. Therefore, the Back-Shu Points are mainly used to treat the problems of five zang organs, and the Front-Mu Points are mainly effective to the problems of six fu organs. For example, Xinshu (BL 15) is helpful to the heart diseases; Ganshu (BL 18) works for the liver diseases, Zhongwan (RN 12) is effective to the stomach diseases and Tianshu (ST 25) is good for the large intestine diseases. This is one of the methods to treat yang disease from yin and vice versa.

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