Traditional Chinese Medicine perspectives on points used in EFT

April 6, 2015 Articles

Acupuncture points are typically along lines of energy called meridians, (AKA channels). Qi energy and blood flow along the meridians. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the meridians are called JING-LOU meaning that the main meridians (JING) are like major highways and LUO are the arterial routes. When you look at an acupuncture point chart only the main meridians are shown but there are many other branches not shown. Imagine the JING-LUO covering the body like a net reaching each area. Gary Craig and others brilliantly came up with an elegant way to use points that have powerful effects not just because of the point used but also because of all the interconnections. For example, “Hou Xi” SI 3 SOH point. According to TCM)the the Small Intestine meridian is paired with the Heart meridian which are both in the element of FIRE. This is why you see indications for treating the SHEN (spirit) which resides in the heart because of the paired relationship.

Side Of Hand Point – Small Intestine 3 Houxi : xi Back Stream. The name refers to the intense and vital nature of the channel Qi flow at this point. BACK refers to the point’s influence on on Governing Vessel (GV, A.K.A.DU) that travels along the back. : Benefits the neck and back, activates the meridian, expels exterior Wind and heat, regulates the GV meridian, calms the Shen; treats hysteria and mania.

Top Of Head Point – Du 20 BaiHui 百会 Hundred Meetings: The name refers to the point’s location on the top of the head, the Yang pole of the body, and it’s influence on the various channels which meet here. In Indian philosophy this point is known as the the ”Thousand Petal Lotus” (sasharsrara-chakra), the 7th or crown chakra (wheel or circle of energy)Du 20 has direct effect on the cells of the brain and nervous system (Nourishes the Sea of Marrow) e.g., stimulating their growth, or healthy growth, or the development of more branching and connections of the axons—wiring the brain to think/do/know more. Du 20 has effects on the activity of the brain/nervous system; these effects may be either stimulating/increasing activity (Raising the yang, benefit the brain/the head/the sense organs) e.g., increasing awareness or alertness, or reviving after fainting/dizziness, or treating fatigue, raising acuity of hearing, vision, etc. Another aspect f this point’s raising function—it my be used to treat prolapse of organs, sinking symptoms. This point may be used to sedate or calm the nervous system (Pacify wind, subdue Yang, calm the Spirit) e.g., treat stroke, epilepsy, lockjaw, manic episodes, hypertension, etc.

3rd Eye Point –  Yin Tang (extra point) 印堂 Hall of Impressions: Seal Hall: “Hall” refers to this point’s area of influence, the inner cranium which stores the mind: “Seal “refers to the location, named after an ancient tradition of placing a red mark between the eyebrows (as seen on temple deities) to represent wisdom and enlightenment. This practice which originated in India, was transmitted to China with Buddhism. Yin Tang is a powerful sedating point and can be used to treat insomnia, anxiety (Calm the Spirit/Shen 神) Yin Tang works along local channels—i.e., the Du Meridian (even though Yin Tang is considered and extra point and not a point of the Du Meridian, although this point lies on that meridian); consequently this point may be used for frontal/forehead headaches Following the channel still farther, Yin Tang can also be used to treat issues of the nose, including stuffy/runny nose, allergies, sinus infection, etc.This point also Pacifies Fright Wind and can treat infantile convulsions

Eyebrow Point –  UB 2 ZanZhu 攒竹 Gathered Bamboo: Collection of Bamboo: The name refers to the location near the eyebrows, which resembles a collection of bamboo leaves. UB 2 works locally on the eye and sinuses (Clears heat, eliminates wind, benefits the Eye, Clears the Head, alleviates pain) and so may be used for red eyes, sinus infection, nasal congestion, frontal headache, dizziness, epilepsy, infantile convulsion, manic behavior, hysteria with vision loss,loss of consciousness. As the Urinary Bladder meridian traverses over the head and down the posterior side of the body, UB 2 may also treat conditions farther down the meridian, e.g., hemorrhoids.

Side of Eye Point –  Tai Yang (extra point) 太阳 Supreme Yang (Sun): ): The name refers to this point’s location in an area on the face which was thought to reveal one’s vitality. Traditional diagnosis involved observation of the colour of the skin around this point. Also located on the head, this point has effect on the brain/Central Nervous System, consciousness (Eliminates Wind, reduces swelling, stops pain) e.g., one-sided headache, dizziness, tooth ache, trigeminal neuralgia

Under Eye Point-  St 2 SiBai 四白 Four Whites: Four Brightness:  The name refers to the function of brightening the eyes, enabling one to see into the “4 directions” with renewed clarity.  Stomach 2 also Clears Heat, eliminates Wind, & Benefits the Eyes, and so treats local issues like redness, soreness of the eye, blurry vision, eyelid twitch, toothache. Stomach 2 has a distal effect (acting farther down the channel)—treating roundworms in the bile duct

Under Nose Point – Du 26 RenZhong 人中 Man’s Middle: Middle of Man: The name refers to the area were the Yin and Yang on the body’s midline (Conception and Governing vessels) meet, and to the point from which they can be regulated. Du 26 works along the channel locally—on the nose/face, treating nosebleed, sinus congestion, loss of sense of smell—and distally on the low back for acute lumbar sprain/pain.Du 26 has a powerful effect on the consciousness/spirit, used as a main point for reviving from unconsciousness, as well as bi-polar disorder, inappropriate laughter or crying, strokes, lockjaw, childhood fright wind (night terrors)

Chin Point- Ren 24 ChengQiang Container of Fluids: Receiving Liquid:  The name refers to the location on the chin in the depression below the middle of the lower lip where saliva and thick liquids accumulate. Located along the midline, Ren 24 also has effects on the CNS and is used to treat strokes, Bell’s Palsy, epilepsy, etc., and also treats local disorders, face pain, gum or tooth pain… now, however the point lies below the mouth and is on the Ren/Fertility channel, a major Yin conduit, and rather than Du channel/Yang/functional effects, Ren 24 begins to address the Yin/fluids/physical matter/substance, and is used to help treat excessive or ceaseless salivation, or lack of salivation, excessive thirst/Wasting and Thirsting Disorder e.g., Type I diabetes

Collar Bone Point-  Ki 27 ShuFu Shu [point]/Control Point Mansion: Conveying Palace: The name indicates the important role the point has in gathering, governing and distributing Qi. “Palace” indicates a place of residence or gathering together, where one commands or rules; “conveying” suggests distribution or transportation, “fu” with the (flesh radical) refers to the Yang organs, suggesting a conveyance of Qi from this point to the Yang organs.Kidney 27 transforms Phlegm, unbinds the chest, alleviates cough and wheezing. It treats local conditions including oppression in the chest, cough, chronic cough bringing phlegm, as well as nausea, vomiting, inability to eat or drink.

Chest Point (rarely used in EFT today) St 18 RuGen 乳根 Root of Milk: Stomach 18 lies on the chest, below the breast, and acts locally to benefit the breast, reducing swelling, promoting milk, reducing abscesses, etc. It also treats cough, and difficult ingestion.

Under Arm Point – Sp 21 DaBao 大包 Great Envelope: From this point Blood and nutritive Qi are distributed and regulated.   These substances envelope the body.   The original character for Bao meant a fetus in the womb, which supports of image of nurturing and enveloping. The last point on the spleen channel, Sp 21 circulates the spleen energy throughout the chest, spreading nourishment and strengthening sinews and joints, and treats weariness of the four limbs, pain of the whole body.As Spleen is related to the emotion of worry, and SP 21 unbinds the chest, spreading Qi and relieves emotional constraint in the chest, this point can help relieve some emotional suffering as well.

Wrist Point – P 6 NeiGuan 内 Inner Border Gate: The pericardium is the wrapping of the Heart which stores the Shen (spirit).  Pericardium 6 influences the chest, regulates Qi and unbinds the chest, and is useful for treating chest pain, clearing the brain, angina, anxiety, palpitations, etc.

P6 harmonizes the stomach, alleviating nausea Finally, P6 addresses the heart and spirit, helping calm the spirit, helping to treat anxiety, insomnia, mania, apprehension.

Thank you to Louise Demorest, Doctor of Traditional Oriental Medicine, who consulted with us on this material www.drdemorest.com