Meridians and Acupoints

An in-depth understanding of the meridians and acupoints lies at the heart of effective practice in traditional Chinese medicine. This book outlines everything that practitioners and students need to know.

The book explains how meridians relate to the major organs, where they are located in the body, and how they are linked to the healthy flow of Qi and blood. A large section of the book is devoted to descriptions of specific acupoints - their names, how to locate them, an introduction to the symptoms they can be used to treat, and how. Also included is a thorough introduction to the basics of acupuncture practice, including how to prepare a patient prior to treatment, how to insert and manipulate acupuncture needles, how and when to use moxibustion and cupping techniques, and what to do if treatment goes wrong.

This useful and authoritative textbook, compiled by the China Beijing International Acupuncture Training Centre (CBIATC), under the editorial direction of leading Chinese clinicians Zhu Bing and Wang Hongcai, is essential reading for students of traditional Chinese medicine, and an excellent reference for acupuncture practitioners at all levels.

1. The Meridians and Collaterals. The Composition of the System of the Meridians and Collaterals. The Nomenclature of the Meridians and Collaterals. Distribution of the Fourteen Meridians. Circulation Direction and Linking Law of the Twelve Main Meridians. The Cyclical Flow of Qi and Blood in the Twelve Main Meridians. The Twelve Main Meridians. The Eight Extra Meridians. The Twelve Divergent Meridians and Fifteen Collaterals. The Twelve Muscle Regions and Twelve Cutaneous Regions. Functions of the Meridians and Collaterals. Transporting Qi and Blood and Regulating Yin and Yang. Resisting Pathogens and Reflecting Symptoms and Signs. Transmitting Needling Sensation and Regulating Deficiency and Excess Conditions. 2. General Introduction to Acupoints. Classification and Nomenclature of Acupuncture Points. Classification of Acupuncture Points. Nomenclature of Acupuncture Points. An Outline of the Therapeutic Properties of the Points of the Fourteen Meridians. The Remote Therapeutic Properties of the Point. The Local and Adjacent Therapeutic Properties of the Points. Specific Points. Specific Points in the Limbs. Specific Points on the Heel and Trunk. Methods of Locating Acupoints. Proportional Measurements. Anatomical Landmarks. Finger Measurement. 3. Specific Discussions of Acupoints. Acupoints of the Twelve Main Meridians. Lung Meridian of Hand - Tayin. Large Intestine Meridian of Hand - Yangming. Stomach Meridian of Foot - Yangming. Spleen Meridian of Foot - Yangming. Heart Meridian of Hand - Shaoyin. Small Intestine Meridian of Hand - Taiyang. Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang. Kidney Meridian of Foot - Shaoyin. Pericardium Meridian of Hand - Jueyin. Triple Energizer Meridian of Hand - Shaoyang. Gallbladder Meridian of Foot - Shaoyang. Liver Meridian of Foot Jueyin. Acupoints of the Governor and the Conception Vessels. Governor Vessel. Conception Vessel. Extra Points. 4. Acupuncture and Moxibustion Techniques. Filiform Needle Therapy. Structure, Specification and Storage of Filiform Needles. Needling Practice. Preparations Prior to Treatment. Acupuncture Techniques. Manipulations and Arrival of Qi (Needling Sensation). Reinforcing and Reducing Methods of Acupuncture. Retaining and Withdrawing the Needles. Management and Prevention of Accidents. Acupuncture Treatment Precautions and Contraindications. Moxibustion. Functions of Moxibustion. Materials of Moxibustion. Classification of Moxibustion. Application of Moxibustion. Cupping Therapy. Types of Jars. Indications. Manipulations. Precautions. Therapies for Three-Edged, Dermal and Intradermal Needles. Three-Edged Needling Therapy. Dermal Needling Therapy. Intradermal Needling Therapy.