-IBIS-1.7.0-
rx
point sets
Shu Transporting point functions
Acupuncture

definition

Shu Transporting point functions

Shu Transporting point Governs

• Jing Well: fullness below the heart

• Ying Spring: body heat (fever)

• Shu Stream: bodily heaviness and joint pain

• Jing River: dyspnea, cough and alterations of cold and heat

• He Sea Uniting: Rebellious Qi and diarrhea

(Ellis, et al, p. 435)

The Shu Transporting points and Five Phases in Anatomy and Physiology

» each organ, with its corresponding channel and points, is associated with a particular phase

» each organ/channel "sphere" implicitly contains all five phase energies within it.

each channel possess a series of five points that represent each of the five phases

the points where the energy of a phase may be "contacted" coincide with the five Shu points

Five Shu Transporting Points

» the Five Shu Transporting points specify the characteristic quantity and quality of Qi present in that region of the channel

» the metaphor of a river from its origins to its confluence with the sea is used to illustrate the concept

» this flow, in every channel, is in a proximal direction (centripetal), from the extremities toward the torso

» specifically, the flow is from the terminal (nail) points on the fingers and toes, to the elbows and knees, where the river is said to merge with the sea of Qi belonging to the associated organ

• The names of the points and their relation to aspects of Qi and river are:

» Jing Well points = the nail points where the Qi emerges, i.e. wells up, the waters begin to trickle, the channel takes shape

» Ying Spring points = like a babbling brook, the Qi begins to gush or flow, but the channel is small

» Shu Stream points = the flow is large enough to carry things, e.g. transport; the Qi is streaming

» Jing River points = the Qi and river are wide, with power enough to traverse great distances, e.g. the forearm and leg

» He Sea points = where the Qi of the channel (river) combines, unites with the Qi of the organ (sea)

Correlating the five Shu Transporting points with the Five Phases

» the sequence of points always follows the generation/production (Sheng) cycle of the phases; however, the beginning point in the cycle varies according to the Yin or Yang nature of the channel

» Yin channels begin with Wood points

and follow the sequence Wood-Fire-Earth-Metal-Water

» Yang channels begin with Metal points

and follow the sequence Metal-Water-Wood-Fire-Earth

» Therefore:

Jing Well points are Wood or Metal (finger/toe tips)

Ying Spring points are Fire or Water (hands & feet)

Shu Stream points are Earth and Wood (wrist & ankle)

Jing River points are Metal and Fire (arm & leg)

He Sea points are Water and Earth (elbow & knee)

footnotes