by Dr. Chen Decheng
I have written before about the power of a single point being able to resolve pain in the body, but here is a book from my library that documents 100 diseases that can be treated with a single point!
Many of the points that Dr. Decheng writes about are well known points either on the regular meridians or extra points that are commonly taught in acupuncture schools around the country. For example, a point on the leg on the stomach meridian (ST38) is commonly used to treat frozen shoulder. The master point of the Du meridian, which runs through the spine, (SI3) is commonly used to treat stiff neck. Moxa (an herb) is burned over the point BL67 (next to the nail on the little toe) to correct a transverse or breech fetal position. And the extra point Er Bai, on the palmer aspect of the forearm, is specifically used to treat hemorrhoids.
But here are a few of the points that I personally was not familiar with until I added this book to my collection.
Morning Sickness: Acupuncture is very effective at alleviating nausea. I would think that all acupuncturists would be familiar with a point on the inner wrist (PC6) that is very famous for treating nausea. (In fact there are now wristbands available in most any drugstore that use acupressure on this point for motion sickness.) But I did not know that a commonly used point on the ear would also alleviate morning sickness. Very small tack needles are placed on the point Shenmen in the triangular fossa of the ear. The patient is instructed to finger press the needles 50 times morning, noon and night. Because this point can stimulate the auricular branch of the vagus nerve, digestive muscles are controlled and regulated. Symptoms are often cured in three treatments.
Hiccup: A point located in the depression behind the earlobe, SJ17, can be pressed by the patient using the tip of the index fingers while breathing deeply. Acupressure alone can be effective for an acute or mild attack. For severe or chronic cases, acupuncture to this point will be necessary.
Diarrhea: There is a diarrhea experience point below the lateral malleolus, on the border of the red and white skin of the foot. For children, this point can be stimulated with a moxa stick for 15 minutes on each side, 1-2 times a day. For acute diarrhea in adults, acupuncture on this point can be very effective.
Ulcerative stomatitis (mouth ulcers): Using a moxa stick over the naval for about 10 minutes daily can be very effective to treat this condition usually within a day or two.
Urticaria: This is an allergic skin disease characterized by a sudden onset of severe burning and itching wheals. Urticaria is due to immune deficiency. Using a cupping technique on the umbilicus can increase the immunity function of the body. Dr. Decheng recommends doing the cupping technique, leaving the cup over the naval for 3 minutes, taking it off and repeating for another 3 minutes. Repeat 2-3 times a day.
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding: Duanhong (an experience point between the knuckles of the second and middle finger) is treated with both acupuncture and moxabustion. A two cun needle is inserted horizontally one to two cun deep and manipulated until the patient feels qi. Then the needle is left for 20 minutes while a moxa stick is used around the needle in a circular motion for 10-15 minutes. Treat daily until bleeding stops.
Retention of urine: Liniao is an experience point on the Ren meridian midway between Ren 2 and Ren 8. Acupressure is used on this point using the tip of the thumb. Press and roll for 15 minutes until the patient feels the desire to pass urine and continue until finishing urination. This is a good technique to teach your patient with urinary problems. I am using this currently with a gentleman who has been diagnosed with “lazy bladder”.
Insomnia: Zudigenbu (an experience point on the heel) is treated with acupuncture daily. One course of treatment is six times.
Weight loss: I ask my weight loss patients to add this simple acupressure routine to their day to help with weight loss. While lying in bed, press and rotate Ren 4 (a point 3 inches below the naval) in a circular motion for 30 minutes once a day for more than 25 days.
What I love about this book is the fact that these techniques can often be given to the patient for “homework” to strengthen the effect of regular acupuncture treatments.
About the Author:
Joyce Marley is a licensed acupuncturist that provides acupuncture therapy in New Hartford, NY. She writes alternative health articles about acupuncture and Oriental medicine.
