Jake Paul Fratkin, OMD, L.Ac.
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Development of acupuncture in Japan happened apart from that of China, and many original uses of acupuncture points were observed that are not well known outside of Japan. Below is a list of some of the more interesting and unique applications of acupuncture points, according to several Japanese sources. These include Shudo Denmai, taken from his book Finding Effective Acupuncture Points (translated by Stephen Brown, Eastland Press, Seattle, 2003) and Sawada Ken (based on Shiroda’s Basic Study of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Therapy). I also include the point recommendations of Ishikawa Sotetsu who, as an influential practitioner of the Edo Shogunate period, recommended points for their local and symptomatic applications. I also rely on the information transmitted to me by my teacher, Dr. Ineon Moon. These point applications would be in addition to commonly known applications of the Chinese texts, which are not listed, and regular points that might be used for local pain or inflammation. In Part 2, to be published in the next issue, we will list the applications alphabetically (with point nomenclature), for easy reference.
• Sotetsu Ishikawa points (Edo Shogunate period)
(S) Shudo Denmai recommendations
* For location, refer to Shudo Denmai, Finding Effective Acupuncture Points, translated by Stephen Brown, Eastland Press, Seattle, 2003
unmarked Other Japanese acupuncture sources, including Dr. Ineon Moon; and Sawada Ken school, based on Shiroda’s Basic Study of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Therapy
DM Direct moxa
IDN Intradermal needle
(r) right side
(l) left side
1. POINTS ON THE HEAD
Bl 7 • depression, eye problems, hysteria, insomnia, nasal problems
BL 10 depression, eye problems, hysteria, insomnia, nasal problems
DU 15 • aphasia after stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, tongue problems
DU 16 • aphasia after stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, cold and flu, headache, sinus congestion (S), speech difficulty
DU 20 • hemorrhoids, hypertension
DU 20-22 dizziness, heavy head, headache, hypotension, insomnia, poor memory, nausea, sleepy after eating, smell, inability, vagus nerve, vomiting
DU 22 • dizziness (S), headache (S), excessive tearing
DU 23 • nasal congestion (DM) (S), mental disorder
GB 5 headache (temporal) (S), migraine (S), Tooth pain (S), Trigeminal neuralgia (S)
GB 6 headache (temporal) (S), migraine (S), tooth pain (S), trigeminal neuralgia (S)
GB 12 headache (S), insomnia (S), tinnitus
GB 19 • headache
GB 20 • eye problems (Yanagiya GB 20*) (S), eye problems, headache (S), sinusitis
SI 17 temporal headache, dizziness (S), hiccoughs, throat problems (S), tinnitus (S), toothache
SJ 20 eye problems, cataracts (DM) (S), tinnitus (S)
2. POINTS OF THE FACE
BL 7 headache, stiff neck
GB 2 jaw pain (S), TMJ, tinnitus (S)
GB 3 • tooth pain (S), eye problems, facial neuralgia (S), hypertension (bleed)
LI 20 nasal and sinus problems (S), upper toothache (bleed)
SI 18 nasal problems
SI 19 conjunctivitis, ear problems, TMJ
SJ 21 • TMJ, ear problems
ST 2 facial paralysis (S), sinus congestion
ST 6 • TMJ
ST 7 tinnitus, TMJ (S), toothache, trigeminal neuralgia
ST 8 headache, temporal, tearing, constant
3. POINTS ON THE NECK
BL 11 • influenza, asthma, cold and flu (DM), cough (DM), neck stiffness (DM), thyroid problems
GB 21 • labor induction (with SP 6) (IDN), neck-shoulder stiffness (S), headache (S), hypertension (S), toothache (DM) (S)
LI 15 • shoulder joint problems (S), skin problems (DM)
LI 17 • interscapular tension (S), neck-shoulder stiffness (S), shoulder-neck stiffness (S), thoracic outlet syndrome (S), throat obstruction (S)
REN 22 asthma, laryngitis, pharyngitis
SI 14 headache, trapezius pain
SI 15 • headache
SJ 15 • neck-shoulder stiffness (S), hypertension
ST 9 • sore throat (S), asthma (S), gallstone pain, hoarseness (S), hypertension, morning sickness, throat obstruction (S)
ST 12 neck-shoulder stiffness (S)
4. POINTS ON THE CHEST
KI 23 costal neuralgia (S), heart disease (l) (S)
KI 26 thoracic outlet syndrome (S), throat disorder (S), thyroid disorder (S)
KI 27 thoracic outlet syndrome (S), throat disorder (S), thyroid disorder (S)
LU 1 asthma (S), cough (S), thoracic outlet syndrome (S)
REN 17 anxiety, breast disease (S), breast pain, depression, heart disease (S), insufficient lactation (S), lactation problems, psychosomatic disorders (S), upper back pain
ST 13 neck-shoulder stiffness
ST 19 gallstone pain, nausea-vomiting, stomach pain
5. POINTS ON THE EPIGASTRIUM
GB 24 gallbladder disease (r) (S), stroke prediction (S)
KI 19 reinforce REN 12 and ST 21
LIV 13 • epigastric pain (S), ascites, pancreas-stomach disorders (l) (S), peritonitis
LIV 14 chest heaviness, gallstones, liver disease (r) (S)
REN 12 diabetes, fu organ problems (DM), gastrointestinal disorder (S), gastroptosis, hypoglycemia, insomnia (S), morning sickness (with SJ 4) (l), stomach pain
REN 14 asthma (S), asthma, cough (S), epigastric constriction (S), esophageal stenosis, gastrointestinal disorder (S), heart disease (S), heart problems, insomnia (S), lower back, inability to straighten, morning sickness (with REN 12), stomach problems (S)
ST 19 diaphragm spasm (S), epigastric pain (S), gallbladder stone or inflammation (r) (S), liver-gallbladder disease (r) (S), pancreas/stomach disorder (l) (S)
ST 20 diaphragm spasm (S), epigastric pain (S), liver-gallbladder disease (r) (S), pancreas/stomach disorder (l) (S)
ST 21 liver-gallbladder disease (r) (S), pancreas/stomach disorder (l) (S)
6. POINTS ON THE LOWER ABDOMEN
GB 25 • kidney deficiency (w/ BL 23) (S), fatigue, gastrospasm, intestinal disorder, stiff neck, kidney stone pain
GB 26 • lower back pain, leukorrhea
GB 27 • appendicitis (r) ileocecal valve (r)
KI 12 reinforce REN 3 (S), urethritis (S), urinary frequency (S), vaginal discharge (S)
KI 16 lower back pain, (S), diabetes, diarrhea (S), kidney deficiency (S)
REN 1 anal fissure, drowning, chronic hemorrhoid
REN 2 urethritis (S), urinary frequency (S), vaginal discharge (S)
REN 3 pain at BL 40 (S), pediatric enuresis (S), gynecological complaints, peritonitis, urethritis (S), urinary frequency (S), vaginal discharge (S)
REN 4 abdominal distension (S), gynecological complaints (S), postpartum depression (S), small intestine inflammation, urinary frequency, urinary problems (S), uterine fibroid
REN 6 abdominal pain (S), appendicitis (DM) (S), appendicitis (DM), food poisoning (DM), ileocecal pain (S)
REN 7 abdominal distension (S), abdominal pain, lower back pain, (S), diarrhea (S), kidney infection
REN 8 pediatric abdominal problems, gonorrhea, chronic miscarriage
REN 9 ascites, diarrhea, chronic (S), diarrhea (DM), edema (S), fluid stagnation (S), kidney infection, urinary dysfunction
REN 10 gastroptosis
SP 15 constipation (l), diarrhea, dysmenorrhea
ST 25 intestinal problems (S), kidney infection
ST 27 coccygeal pain, diarrhea, endometriosis (DM), hernia (DM) (S), male and female infertility, intestinal problems (S), kidney infection, urogenital problems (S)
ST 30 male and female infertility, kidney infection, uterine myoma
7. POINTS OF THE HAND
HT 9 chest pain or heart attack (DM or bleed) (S), needle shock (DM) (S)
LI 1 gout (bleed)
LI 2 stye (DM) (S), pediatric constipation
LI 4 • face flushing (S), headache, hypertension, neck-shoulder tension (S), sinus inflammation, stroke, toothache
LU 11 throat pain (bleed) (S)
PC 8 • palpitation (S), chest tightness (S)
SI 1 chest oppression (bleed) (S), chest pain (bleed), fainting, headache at BL 7 (DM), sore throat (bleed)
SI 3 arthritis, headache (S), headache, influenza (DM), intestinal bleeding, neck-shoulder pain (S), pneumonia
SJ 1 headache (bleed), tinnitus (bleed)
SJ 3 • dizziness (S), tinnitus (S)
SJ 4 blood disorders, gynecological disorders, heart irregular, morning sickness (IDN)
8. POINTS OF THE WRIST
HT 7 constipation (DM) (S), mental disorders (DM)
LU 9 cold and flu (S), cough (S), urinary problems (S)
SI 6 skin bumps: acne, boil (DM), wrist pain
SJ 5 • wrist pain (S)
SJ 8 headache, strong pain
9. POINTS OF THE LOWER ARM
HT 3 • tinnitus (DM) (S), elbow problems (S), redeye, stiff neck
HT 6 chest pain (S), palpitations (S)
LI 6 abdominal pain (S), thumb numbness, toothache, wrist tendonitis (S)
LU 5 • edema (S), brain feels heavy, throat pain (S), urinary problems (S)
LU 6 hemorrhoid (S)
LU 7 swollen cheek, gum infection, interscapular pain (S), throat sore (S), toothache
LU 8 cough (S), fever (S), tonsillitis
LI 10 • face flushing (S), abdomen cold, head hot, boils, carbuncles (DM), lymph adenitis, shoulder tension (S), skin problems (DM), stroke (DM)
LI 11 • eye problems, face flushing (S), headache, head fullness (S), hypertension (DM) (S), infections (DM), skin problems (DM), upper limb regulation (S)
PC 3 stubborn cough
PC 4 stubborn cough, palpitations (S)
PC 6 • palpitations (S), dizziness, epigastric disorder (S), headache
10. POINTS ON THE UPPER ARM
LI 14 • inability to raise arm
SI 10 shoulder pain
SJ 12 •
SJ 13 •
11. POINTS ON THE UPPER BACK
BL 12 cold and flu (S), hives, neck stiffness, throat problems, tonsillitis
BL 13 cough, health maintenance (DM), neck stiffness (S), respiratory problems, shoulder stiffness (S)
BL 14 neck stiffness (S), shoulder stiffness (S),
BL 15 esophageal constriction, heart disorders (S), mental disturbance, neck stiffness (S), red eye, rheumatoid arthritis, shoulder stiffness (S)
BL 17 diaphragm problems (S), dysmenorrhea (S), esophageal constriction (S), liver or GB problems, mental disturbance, perimenopause (S), vomiting (S)
BL 42 arm numbness (S), cervical lymphadenitis, respiratory problems, shoulder pain, neck stiffness (S)
BL 43 fatigue (DM) (S), lowered immunity (DM), heart fatigue, upper back stiffness (S)
BL 46 esophageal constriction, intrascapular pain
DU 10 cough (S), nervous disorders (DM) (S)
DU 11 chest pain, heart problems, insomnia, nervous disorders (DM) (S)
DU 12 cough (S), fatigue (DM), laryngitis, lung disorders, nervous disorders, pediatric disorders
DU 14 cold and flu (DM) (S), cough (DM) (S), laryngitis, meningitis, mental disorders, throat problems
SI 9 shoulder joint problems (S)
SI 11 • arm pain or numbness (S), chest pain, lactation low (DM), shoulder tension
12. POINTS ON THE MID BACK
BL 18 depression (S), gallbladder problems, insomnia (liver), jaundice, liver problems (r) (S), stroke sequelae
BL 19 gallstones
BL 20 amnesia, duodenal ulcer, spleen imbalance (S), stomach disorders
BL 48 gallstones
BL 49 gallstones, gastrospasm
BL 52 abdomen cold, gynecological problems, kidney deficiency, penis/testicle/scrotum, urethritis
BL 53 hip problems
DU 6 diabetes (DM) (S), gum disease, spleen-pancreas weakness
DU 8 anxiety, facial paralysis, fatigue due to nervousness, insomnia
DU 9 poor concentration, digestive disorders (S), esophageal constriction, esophageal obstruction (S), headache, kidney fire, sluggish liver, lung infection, nervous disorders (DM) (S)
DU 10 asthma, spleen-pancreas weakness
13. POINTS ON THE LOWER BACK
BL 22 adrenal fatigue, spontaneous back pain (S), blood circulation problems, diabetes, kidney inflammation (S)
BL 23 adrenal fatigue, asthma, diabetes, eye bleeding, kidney imbalance (S), sexual organ dysfunction, vision weak
BL 52 lower back pain, (S), kidney weakness, fatigue (S), kidney stones (S)
DU 4 adrenal weakness (DM), lower back pain, enuresis, gum disease, intestinal bleeding, kidney disorder, nausea, acute, vaginal discharge
14. POINTS ON THE HIP AND SACRUM
BL 25 lower back pain, (S), leg pain (S),
BL 27 bladder problems (S), gynecological disorders (S), hemorrhoids (S), intestinal inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis (DM)
BL 28 bladder infection
BL 30-34 bladder infection, breech presentation, endometriosis, hemorrhoids, menstrual cramps, uterus and ovary disorders
BL 53 libido low (S), prostate problems (S), urination frequent (S)
BL 54 hemorrhoid (S), urination frequent (S)
DU 1 epilepsy, hemorrhoids, manic disorder, anal fissure
DU 2 coccyx pain (S), constipation (DM) (S), enuresis, hemorrhoid (S)
DU 3 adrenal weakness (DM), enuresis, lower back pain, (S), prostate problems, sciatica (S)
GB 30 hip pain (S), sciatic pain (S)
Gluteal pt* hemorrhoid (S), sciatica (S)
Iliac pt* back pain (S), sacroiliac pain (S)
Ischial pt* sciatic pain (S)
Onodera pt* epigastric pain (S), hip pain (S)
15. POINTS OF THE THIGH AND KNEE
GB 31 • abdomen cold (DM), cold feet (DM)
LIV 8 bladder disorders, dizziness (S), endometriosis, headache (S), knee pain (S), nausea (S)
LIV 11 endometriosis, prostate disorder, testicle-scrotum disorders
SP 10 • menstrual irregularity (S), blood poisoning, endometriosis
SP 12 ascites (DM), inguinal hernia
ST 34 • knee pain (S), abdominal pain, acute, appendicitis, R (DM), diarrhea (DM), gastrointestinal spasm
16. POINTS OF THE LOWER LEG
BL 57 • hemorrhoids, knee problems
BL 58 bladder infection (S), headache, occiput (S), knee problems, sciatica
BL 59 acute lower back pain (S), acute sciatica (S)
GB 34 • gallbladder channel excess (S), lower back pain, bell’s palsy, GI bleeding, menstrual problems due to excess
GB 38 gallbladder channel excess (S), poison/drug detox
KI 7 abdominal distension (S), fatigue (S), heel bone pain, low libido (S), tinnitus (S)
KI 9 anal prolapse, chest pain (S), hemorrhoids, medication poison, motion sickness (IDN) (S), palpitations (S)
KI 10 fluid imbalance (S), weak kidney
LIV 5 gynecological disorders, inguinal hernia, leukorrhea, prostate problems, testicle-scrotum problems
SP 6 • menstrual problems (S), bladder infection, fetal malpresentation (DM) (S), kidney infection, male infertility, venereal disease
SP 8 diarrhea, acute (S), acute gastrointestinal pain (S), knee joint infection
SP 9 • gastrointestinal disorder (S), abdominal pain, diarrhea (S), hot flashes (S), knee joint pain (S), menstrual disorders
ST 36 • digestive problems (S), chronic illness (DM), depression (S), insomnia (S), knee edema (DM) (S), longevity (DM)
ST 37 intestinal disorders, sinus congestion, knee edema (DM) (S)
ST 40 stomach channel excess (S)
17. POINTS OF THE ANKLE
GB 40 gallbladder channel excess (S), stiff neck
LIV 4 asthma (S), cough (S), fever (S), gallstone, herpes simplex, hyperacidity
SP 5 anal prolapse (DM) (S), asthma (S), cough (S), hernia, inguinal, herpes outbreak (DM)
ST 41 • SCM tenderness (S), eyelid disorders, stye (DM)
18. POINTS OF THE FOOT
BL 60 • back pain (S), bladder channel excess (S), diarrhea (DM), headache, occiput (S), pain at REN 3 (S)
BL 64 mania
BL 67 difficult delivery (DM), difficult labor (DM) (S), malpresentation of fetus (DM) (S)
GB 41 gallbladder stones or inflammation (r) (S)
GB 43 edema, sciatica
KI 1 hypertension (DM) (S) (S), revive consciousness (DM) with DU 20, whole body edema (DM)
KI 2 ear suppuration (DM) (S), hot feet (S), hypertension, throat pain, tinnitus (S)
KI 3 poor body circulation, chronic cough, ear disorders, throat problems
KI 5 Achilles tendon pain, heel bone pain
KI 7 kidney deficiency (S)
LIV 1 chest pain with anxiety, dizziness (S), epigastric pain (S), headache (DM) (S), nausea (S), eye stye (DM)
LIV 2 gout, headache (S), nausea (S)
LIV 3 • loss of appetite
SP 1 geriatric insomnia (S), acute anxiety, acute gastrointestinal pain (S), mental disorder (S), pediatric night terror
SP 3 abdominal pain (S), gastrointestinal pain (S), kidney stone attack (S), menstrual problems (S)
SP 4 constipation (l) (S)
JAKE PAUL FRATKIN, OMD is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine in practice since 1978. After seven years basic training in Japanese acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in this country, he went to Beijing for one year to do advanced hospital training in herbal internal medicine, pediatrics and medical qi gong. He is the author of CHINESE HERBAL PATENT MEDICINES, (2001), a respected reference work of 1200 Chinese herbal products available in this country. In 1999 he received the national award, Acupuncturist of the Year, from the American Association of Oriental Medicine, and 2006 he received the award as Acupuncture Teacher of the Year. He is a recognized expert in the treatment of leaky gut syndrome, chronic respiratory and digestive disorders. Jake lives and practices in Boulder, Colorado
© Copyright 2010 Jake Paul Fratkin. All Rights Reserved.