-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
immune system
food sensitivities
acupuncture

patterns and combinations

after assessing the person and palpating, consider these patterns:
Spleen Qi Xu (Deficiency); Liver Xue (Blood) and/or Yin Xu (Deficiency); Liver Invading Spleen and/or Stomach; Small Intestine not separating the Clear (Pure) from the Turbid (Impure); dysfunction of the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and/or Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel)

» therapeutic note:
• Food sensitivities may be a part of a general pattern of glandular/lymphatic exhaustion that is often rooted in or at least exacerbated by a chronic, often subclinical, infection in the sinuses and irritation in the oropharyngeal mucous membranes. This area is a common site of primary focal infection from which secondary infections derive. Palpation at reflex sites in proximity of TW-16 ("East Wind") and LI-10.5 and above and below the eyes will confirm this hypothesis. If tender and/or painful points are found, consider needling Lu-7 and the reactive points in the areas of "LI-10.5", "St-2.5", yu yao, east wind/TW-16, and "St-43". Sinus irrigation with saline solution is usually also helpful - see "patient handout: sinus wash". (Matsumoto) See also "sinusitis".

» illustrative combinations:
• "yu yao", "St-2.5", "east wind", "LI-10.5", Lu-7, and "St-43", with other points sensitive to palpation, for sinusitis and glandular/lymphatic exhaustion, esp. with a primary focal infection in the sinuses and oropharyngeal mucous membranes (Matsumoto)


point analysis

»
palpate and consider:
• GV-14 (d. D): three cones of direct moxa daily resolves hyperreactivity of allergic constitution (Serizawa, p. 207)
UB-18 (+): benefits the Liver and Gall Bladder; moves Stagnant Qi; nourishes Liver Xue (Blood) and Yin; Liver Shu Associated point
UB-20 (+): regulates Spleen Qi; tonifies Spleen and Stomach; facilitates digestive transportation and transformation; benefits the Ying (Constructive) Qi; raises Middle Qi; Spleen Shu Associated point
UB-27 (+): opens and regulates the Small Intestine; transforms Stagnation and Accumulation; promotes separation of the Clear and the Turbid; Small Intestine Shu Associated point
ca. yu yao (=): clears Heat; dispels focal infection in the sinus cavities; removes Obstructions from the channel; treats glandular/lymphatic exhaustion (Matsumoto); locate tender abdominal point (s), palpate most tender or painful point over each eye and needle, usually superiorly, so that tenderness at abdominal reflex point decreases upon palpation (Matsumoto)
ca. St-2 (=): dissipates Heat and expels Wind; resolves focal infection in the sinus cavities; treats glandular/lymphatic exhaustion (Matsumoto); frees the channels and invigorates the collateral vessels; locate tender abdominal point (s), palpate most tender or painful point over each eye and needle, usually inferiorly, so that tenderness at abdominal reflex point decreases upon palpation (Matsumoto)
• LI-20 (-): benefits the nose; opens nasal passages; regulates Large Intestine and promotes bowel movement; invigorates Xue (Blood) circulation; Large Intestine Exit point
TW-16 and/or "east wind" (=): treats glandular/lymphatic exhaustion, esp. with focus in the sinuses and oropharyngeal mucous membranes (Matsumoto); palpate lateral aspects of neck for ashi (tender) points (Matsumoto)
LI-11 (=): regulates and harmonizes Qi and Ying; harmonizes Xue (Blood); harmonizes the Stomach and regulates the Intestines; tonifies Metal to cool inflammation and restrain Wood, esp. the Liver; eliminates Dampness through the Intestines; Large Intestine Upper He Sea Uniting, Earth and Tonification point
"LI-10.5" (=): treats glandular/lymphatic exhaustion (Matsumoto); resolves focal infection in the sinus cavities; frees the channels and invigorates the collateral vessels; locate tender most tender point on each side of the neck, usually "east wind", posterior to LI-18, then palpate for the most tender or painful point, distal to the elbow crease, between the Large Intestine and Triple Warmer channels; needle each arm; verify location and angle of needle by diminishing of cervical tenderness (Matsumoto)
• LI-4 (=): regulates Qi and Xue (Blood); brightens the eyes and clears the nose; activates Wei (Protective) Qi and stimulates the immune system; tonifies Metal to cool inflammatory processes and restrain Wood, esp. the Liver; relaxes Stomach spasms; relaxes pylorus and inhibits peristalsis; regulates Qi and disperses Heat of the Intestines; moves the bowels; elevates Clear Qi and descends Turbid Qi; clears Toxins; eliminates Damp-Heat and stops itching; Large Intestine Yuan Source and Entry point
Lu-7 (=): opens the nose; benefits the throat and ears; calms wheezing; resolves Phlegm and clarifies Mucus; opens and regulates the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); communicates with the Large Intestine; tonifies Yang Ming (Stomach and Large Intestine); promotes diuresis by descending the Turbid; Lung Luo Connecting and Exit point; Master point of the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); Couple point of the Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Motility Vessel); takes Yuan (Original) Qi back to the Lung that has not been absorbed by the Yang Ming and therefore ensures the Qi feedback into the Kidney (Metal to Water) (Finkelstein, p. 3);
• SI-3 (+): dispels Dampness and Internal Heat; tonifies the Small Intestine to enhance separation of the Clear and Turbid; Small Intestine Wood and Tonification point; Master point of the Du Mai (Governing Vessel); Couple point of the Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Motility Vessel)
PC-6 (+): pacifies the Shen; tranquilizes the Heart; regulates the Qi; builds Zhong (Ancestral) Qi in the chest; harmonizes and spreads the Qi in the Upper and Middle Warmers; opens the chest and expands the diaphragm; regulates Liver Qi and relieves Liver Qi Stagnation; harmonizes the Stomach; descends Rebellious Qi to resolve nausea, reduce eructations, and stop vomiting; opens the Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel) to distribute Qi to the Stomach, chest and Heart; regulates the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel); Pericardium Luo Connecting point; Master point of the Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel); Couple point of the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel); major Spleen reflex point (Matsumoto)
Lv-14 (=): spreads and moves Liver Qi to regulate circulation of Qi; soothes and promotes function of the Liver; stops sneezing; strengthens Spleen and Stomach, esp. transformation and transportation function; relieves Food Stagnation; Liver Mu Alarm point
Lv-13 (=): spreads and promotes smooth flow of Liver Qi; invigorates the Stomach and Spleen; relieves Food Stagnation; benefits Qi; harmonizes Liver and Spleen; moves Fluids and relieves distension; transforms Damp-Heat; regulates circulation of Qi and Xue (Blood); Spleen Mu Alarm point; Hui Reunion point of the five Zang (Yin viscera)
CV-12 (+): strengthens Spleen and Middle Warmer; eliminates Food Stagnation; raises Middle Qi; warms the Stomach and Intestines; facilitates ascension of the Clear and descension of the Turbid; Stomach Mu Alarm point; Hui Reunion point of the Fu (Yang organs)
CV-6 (+ and/or D): strengthens and regulates the Qi, esp. in the Lower Warmer; influences the pituitary, thyroid and adrenals (Worsley, 1975, p. B-20); reduces Fire of Liver and Gall Bladder; cools Heat in the Xue (Blood); regulates Qi of Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); raises Middle Qi; warms and strengthens the Lower and Middle Warmers (D); tonifies the Kidney; regulates and tonifies Yuan (Original) Qi; nourishes and invigorates Kidney Yang; warms Ming Men (Life Gate Fire) (esp. with D); regulates Water Pathways and dispels Dampness; Dan Tien (Elixir of Long Life), with CV-5: important point for concentration of Qi in the body; "Sea of Qi"
CV-4 (+): pacifies the Shen; grounds the Shen when there is Empty-Heat (Maciocia, p. 207); regulates the Qi and benefits Yuan (Original) Qi; nourishes Xue (Blood) and Yin; tonifies the Middle Warmer and strengthens the Spleen; regulates and reinforces the Qi of the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); separates the Clear and the Turbid; nourishes and stabilizes the Kidney; resolves Damp-Heat; regulates the Bladder; Small Intestine Mu Alarm point
• Sp-15 (=): promotes the flow of Qi; regulates the Spleen (especially Qi); removes Dampness from Spleen; ventilates and clears Stagnant Qi of the organs; regulates and moistens the Intestines; reduces Food Stagnation and transforms Damp-Heat (especially intestinal); relieves abdominal distension
knotty and/or tender abdominal points and areas (=): palpate to locate and needle to release Stagnation and facilitate flow of Qi and Xue (Blood) (Matsumoto and Birch; Seem; et al.)
St-36 (+): regulates the Stomach and strengthens the Spleen; tonifies Qi and Xue (Blood); supports Lung Qi and transforms Phlegm; dispels and eliminates Dampness; descends Rebellious Qi; removes Food Stagnation; regulates and replenishes the Middle Warmer; regulates Ying (Constructive) Qi; spreads Liver Qi; nourishes Kidney, Liver and Spleen; clears Heat from the Yang organs and drains Shi (Excess) from the Yang channels; regulates ascension of the Clear and descension of the Turbid (-), esp. by the Intestines; Stomach He Sea Lower Uniting, Earth and Horary point; Sea of Nourishment point
ca. St-43 (=): palpate for tender or painful point, on the Stomach channel or between the third and fourth metatarsals; needle to resolve focal infection in the sinuses and oropharyngeal mucous membranes and relieve glandular/lymphatic exhaustion (Matsumoto)
• Sp-6 (+): strengthens the Spleen; aids transportation and transformation to improve digestion and nourishment; nourishes Yin; tonifies Qi and builds the Xue (Blood); frees Qi Stagnation; benefits the Kidney; Jiao Hui Intersecting point of the three Foot Yin channels
Sp-4 (+): adjusts and strengthens the Spleen and Middle Warmer; harmonizes the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and circulation of Qi in the Middle Warmer; descends Rebellious Qi; regulates and stabilizes the Stomach; regulates the appetite; reduces Food Stagnation and harmonizes the Intestines; benefits Gall Bladder Xu (Deficiency); transforms Dampness and Damp-Heat; tonifies Yuan (Original) Qi; descends the Turbid; Spleen Luo Connecting point; Master point of Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel); Couple point of the Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel)
Sp-3 (+): regulates the Qi dynamic, esp. Spleen Qi; strengthens the Spleen (especially Qi and Yang); regulates the Stomach (especially Yin and Qi); harmonizes the Middle Warmer; promotes transporting function; transforms and expels Dampness and Damp-Heat; stimulates pancreas; reduces Food Stagnation; regulates Large Intestine, Middle and Lower Warmers; Spleen Yuan Source, Earth and Horary point
• Lv-8 (+): tonifies the Liver and nourishes Liver Xue (Blood); drains Liver Fire; clears and cools Damp-Heat; soothes the sinews and tendons; frees and facilitates the Lower Warmer; invigorates the collateral vessels; Liver He Sea Uniting, Water and Tonification point
Lv-3 (=): soothes the Liver; regulates the Xue (Blood); clears head and thinking; relieves headache; suppresses dizziness; pacifies and harmonizes the Liver and Gall Bladder; promotes smooth flow of Qi and Xue (Blood); eliminates Liver Qi Stagnation; cools and drains Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gall Bladder; calms Stomach and suppresses Rebellious Qi; tonifies Liver Xue (Blood); discharges Damp-Heat in the Lower Warmer; stops pain; Liver Yuan Source and Earth point

ear: spleen; lung; liver


footnotes

Reprinted from The Foundations of Chinese Medicine, Maciocia, Giovanni, 1989, by permission of the publisher Churchill Livingstone, a division of Elsevier Limited.