-IBIS-1.5.0-
rx
point sets
five Shu Transport points: overview
acupuncture
definition
» Five Shu Transport Points
the five 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 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 and feet)
Shu Stream points are Earth and Wood	 (wrist and ankle)
Jing River points are Metal and Fire	 (arm and leg)
He Sea points are Water and Earth	 (elbow and knee)
footnotes