APPENDIX 2

Locations for Acupuncture Points Commonly Used in Stone Medicine

The language used to describe point location in this text is intended for the layperson, avoiding the use of anatomical terms where possible. Although acupuncture point locations are specific, the stones used in treatment will usually be larger than the point. Depending on an individual’s anatomy and the size of the stone, more than one point might be touched (for example, CV-14 and CV-15). This is not a significant concern.

Points on the Back of the Body

Urinary Bladder Shu/Transporting Points

The Bladder Shu points are located bilaterally and adjacent to the spine, along the highest point of the paravertebral muscles. Locate the points on the upper back by first palpating the depression under the “big bone” at the base of the neck. The next depression down is at the lower border of the spinous process of the first thoracic vertebra (T1). Begin counting the depressions down the spine until the desired level is reached.

To locate the points in the lumbar region, press with the fingers into the tops of the hips, or iliac crest, and with your thumbs find the depression in the spine on the same line as the hips. This depression is the lower border of the spinous process of the third lumbar vertebra (L3). Count up or down to locate the nearby points.

Bladder Shu PointVertebraLocation
Lung Shu/Feishu/UB-13T3On the paravertebral muscles adjacent to the lower border of the T3 spinous process
Pericardium Shu/Jueyinshu/UB-14T4On the paravertebral muscles adjacent to the lower border of the T4 spinous process
Heart Shu/Xinshu/UB-15T5On the paravertebral muscles adjacent to the lower border of the T5 spinous process
Governor Shu/Dushu/UB-16T6On the paravertebral muscles adjacent to the lower border of the T6 spinous process
Diaphragm Shu/Geshu/UB-17 Influential Point for BloodT7On the paravertebral muscles adjacent to the lower border of the T7 spinous process
Liver Shu/Ganshu/UB-18T9On the paravertebral muscles adjacent to the lower border of the T9 spinous process
Gall Bladder Shu/Danshu/UB-19T10On the paravertebral muscles adjacent to the lower border of the T10 spinous process
Spleen Shu/Pishu/UB-20T11On the paravertebral muscles adjacent to the lower border of the T11 spinous process
Stomach Shu/Weishu/UB-21T12On the paravertebral muscles adjacent to the lower border of the T12 spinous process
Triple Heater Shu/Sanjiaoshu/UB-22L1On the paravertebral muscles adjacent to the lower border of the L1 spinous process
Kidney Shu/Shenshu/UB-23L2On the paravertebral muscles adjacent to the lower border of the L2 spinous process (this is the level on the spine for the location of the point Mingmen/GV-4)
Large Intestine Shu/Dachangshu/UB-25L4On the paravertebral muscles adjacent to the lower border of the L4 spinous process
Small Intestine Shu/Xiaochangshu/UB-27S1On the sacrum, in the depressions just lateral to the first posterior sacral foramen
Urinary Bladder Shu/Pangguangshu/UB-28S2On the sacrum, in the depressions just lateral to the second posterior sacral foramen

Governor Vessel Points

The Governor Vessel points are located in depressions between the vertebrae, directly on the spine.

Governor Vessel PointLocation
Long Strong/Changqiang/GV-1Directly below the base of the tailbone
Gate of Life, or Gate of Destiny/Mingmen/GV-4On the low back in the depression below the L2 spinous process
Reaching Yang/Zhiyang/GV-9On the middle back in the depression below the T7 spinous process
Great Vertebra/Dazhui/GV-14At the base of the neck, in the depression below the C7 spinous process (C7 is the “big bone” between the neck and upper back)
Palace of Wind/Fengfu/GV-16At the notch in the occiput where the skull meets the spine
Hundreds of Meetings/Baihui/GV-20At the top of the head (use caution, as this is an important point for meditation)

Other Points on the Back of the Body

The first three points in the following chart are among the outer Bladder Shu points, located a hand’s width from the centerline of the back and at the same level as their related inner Bladder Shu points. They have an emotional/spiritual connotation. The last two points are frequently used to release tension in the musculature.

PointVertebraLocation
Hall of the Spirit/Shentang/UB-44T5A hand’s width from the center line of the back, at the lower border of the T5 spinous process (at the same level as UB-15)
Gate to the Hun/Hunmen/UB-47T9A hand’s width from the center line of the back, at the lower border of the T9 spinous process (at the same level as UB-18)
Residence of the Will/Zhishi/UB-52L2A hand’s width from the center line of the back, at the lower border of the L2 spinous process (at the same level as UB-23 and GV-4)
Grasping the Wind/Bingfeng/SI-12N/AApproximately in the middle of the top border of the shoulder blade
Shoulder Well/Jianjing/GB-21N/AAt the crest of the trapezius muscle, midway between the “big bone” of the spine (C7 spinous process/GV-14) and the tip of the acromion (the shoulder bone)

Points on the Front of the Body

Conception Vessel Points

The Conception Vessel points are all located on the midline of the front of the body. Several points are found using the landmark of the “V” where the rib cage meets the base of the sternum and where the bony sternum meets with the cartilage of the xiphoid process. To locate this area, run the fingers up the inner border of the rib cage into the depression just below the bony sternum. This is where the cartilage of the xiphoid process is located. The size and shape of the xiphoid process vary considerably from person to person.

Note that a number of these Conception Vessel points are among the Mu points that address long-term accumulations affecting the associated Internal Organ.

Conception Vessel PointLocation
Meeting of Yin/Huiyin/CV-1At the perineum
Curved Bone/Qugu/CV-2On the midline of the lower abdomen at the upper border of the pubic bone
Middle Pole/Zhongji/CV-3On the midline of the lower abdomen, a thumb’s width above the upper border of the pubic bone (CV-3 is the Bladder Mu point)
Gate of Origin/Guanyuan/CV-4On the midline of the lower abdomen, approximately midway between the upper border of the pubic bone and the navel (CV-4 is the Small Intestine Mu point)
Stone Gate/Shimen/CV-5On the midline of the lower abdomen, about three fingers’ width below the navel (CV-5 is the Triple Heater Mu point)
Sea of Qi/Qihai/CV-6On the midline of the lower abdomen about two fingers’ width below the navel
Spirit Gateway/Shenque/CV-8On the navel
Central Receptacle/Zhongwan/CV-12On the midline of the abdomen, midway between the navel and the “V” where the ribs meet the base of the sternum (CV-12 is the Stomach Mu point)
Great Gateway/Juque/CV-14On the midline of the abdomen, slightly below the “V” where the ribs meet the base of the sternum (CV-14 is the Heart Mu point)
Turtle Dove Tail/Jiuwei/CV-15On the midline of the abdomen, at the “V” where the ribs meet the base of the sternum (CV-15 is the upper point of the Bao Mai)
Central Altar/Shanzhong/CV-17On the center of the sternum, in line with the nipples (CV-17 is the Pericardium Mu point)
Celestial Chimney/Tiantu/CV-22In the central notch at the base of the throat

Mu Points

The Mu points are areas of accumulation located on the front of the body. The points are located near specific organs and are used to treat chronic conditions that affect their respective Internal Organs. (The conditions listed in the chart are only common examples.)

Internal Organ/Mu PointSample ConditionLocation
Lungs—LU-1/Middle Palace/ZhongfuBronchitisOn the lateral aspect of the upper chest, in the hollow under the clavicle
Large Intestine—ST-25/Celestial Pivot/TianshuConstipationTwo thumbs’ width lateral to the navel
Stomach—CV-12/Central Receptacle/ZhongwanGastritisOn the midline of the abdomen, midway between the navel and the “V” where the ribs meet the base of the sternum
Spleen—LR-13/Camphor Wood Gate/ZhangmenDiabetesOn the lateral torso, just below and in front of the tip of the eleventh rib, usually on a level slightly higher than the navel
Heart—CV-14/Great Gateway/JuqueHeart diseaseOn the midline of the abdomen, slightly below the “V” where the ribs meet the base of the sternum
Small Intestine—CV-4/Gate of Origin/GuanyuanUlcerative colitis/irritable bowel syndromeOn the midline of the lower abdomen, approximately midway between the upper border of the pubic bone and the navel
Kidney—GB-25/Capital Gate/JingmenProstatitis; kidney stonesOn the lateral torso just under and in front of the twelfth rib, usually slightly higher than the navel
Urinary Bladder—CV-3/Middle Pole/ZhongjiDifficult or painful urinationOn the midline of the lower abdomen, a thumb’s width above the upper border of the pubic bone
Pericardium—CV-17/Central Altar/ShanzhongAnxietyOn the center of the sternum, in line with the nipples
Triple Heater—CV-5/Stone Gate/ShimenConditions of drynessOn the midline of the lower abdomen, about three fingers’ width below the navel
Gall Bladder—GB-24/Sun and Moon/RiyueGallstonesOn the chest, one intercostal space below LR-14 (located in the intercostal space beneath the breast tissue), in line with and below the nipple
Liver—LR-14/Cyclic Gate/QimenHepatitisOn the chest, in the intercostal space below the breast tissue, in line with and below the nipple

The Meeting (or Confluent) Points of the Sinew Channels

These points affect all of their associated channels.

Meeting PointLocation
For the Yang Leg Channels (Bladder, Stomach, Gall Bladder): Cheekbone Crevice/Quanliao/SI-18In the depression under the cheekbone, below the outer corner of the eye (this is a Liao point, a bony hole where latency gathers in the face)
For the Yang Arm Channels (Small Intestine, Large Intestine, Triple Heater): Root of Spirit/Benshen/GB-13On the sides of the forehead slightly above the hairline, in line with the outer corner of the eye
For the Yin Leg Channels (Spleen, Kidney, Liver): Middle Pole/Zhongji/CV-3On the midline of the lower abdomen, a thumb’s width above the upper border of the pubic bone
For the Yin Arm Channels (Lung, Heart, Pericardium): Armpit Abyss/Yuanye/GB-22On the lateral aspect of the torso, about a hand’s width below the armpit, in line with the nipples

Other Points on the Front of the Body

These are points on various channels that are mentioned in the materia medica but do not belong to the point groups included in this appendix.

PointLocation
Welcoming Humanity/Renying/ST-9On the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid, lateral to the Adam’s apple, where the carotid artery pulses
Empty Basin/Quipen/ST-12On the upper border of the collarbone, about one hand’s width from the central notch
Cloud Gate/Yunmen/LU-2On the lateral aspect of the upper chest, in the hollow under the lateral end of the collarbone
Belt Channel/Daimai/GB-26On a line from the navel toward the sides of the torso, at the tip of the eleventh rib
Where the Qi Enters the Sea of Blood/Qichong/ST-30On the upper border of the pubic bone, about two fingers’ width lateral to the center line

Points on the Extremities, Including the Head

Points on the Face, Head, Throat, and Neck

Points on the head and neck are often associated with opening the senses. Additionally, there are several Liao points listed below; these are bony holes that accumulate and hold pathology latent.

Points on the Face and ThroatLocation
Esoteric Hall/Yintang (extra point; not associated with a channel)Third eye
Bright Eyes/Jingming/UB-1On the inner corner of the eye
Gathering of Bamboo/Zanzhu/UB-2In the depression at the inner corner of the eyebrow
Pupil Bone-Hole (Liao)/Tongziliao/GB-1On the temple, in the depression lateral to the outer corner of the eye
Gigantic Bone-Hole (Liao)/Juliao/ST-3In the depression under the cheekbone, in line with the center of the pupil of the eye, at the same level as the base of the nostrils
Welcoming Fragrance/Yingxiang/LI-20In the depression on either side of the nostrils
Cheekbone Crevice (Liao)/Quanliao/SI-18In the depression under the cheekbone, below the outer corner of the eye
Great Welcome/Daying/ST-5In the depression on the lower jaw, anterior to the muscle bulge (run your finger from the angle of the jaw toward the chin, and find the first depression)
Humanity’s Center/Renzhong/GV-26On the central area between the nose and upper lip, on the philtrum
  
Points on the Neck and Back of the SkullLocation
Celestial Pillar/Tianzhu/UB-10Below the occiput, in the indentations lateral to the center line
Wind Screen/Yifeng/TH-17In the depression behind the earlobe
Wind Pool/Fengchi/GB-20Just below the occiput in the depression approximately one hand’s width from the cervical spine (slightly higher and more lateral than UB-10 described above)
Completion Bone/Wangu/GB-12On the mastoid process, at the base of the skull behind the ear

The Jing-Well Points

The Jing-Well points are located on the digits, around the cuticles of the fingers and toes (except for KI-1, a Jing-Well point located on the bottom of the feet). The Sinew Channels all begin at the Jing-Well points and are noted to be effective in releasing Wind and Heat (excessive Wei Qi). They are best stimulated by massaging the cuticle with a smooth stone.

These points open the sensory portals of the head, especially the eyes and ears. They address acute conditions of the nose, mouth, and gums.

Jing-Well Points on the Toes and Associated Sinew ChannelsJing-Well Points on the Fingers and Associated Sinew Channels
Little toe/UB-67/Leg TaiyangLittle finger (lateral aspect)/SI-1/Arm Taiyang
Fourth toe/GB-44/Leg ShaoyangFourth finger/TH-1/Arm Shaoyang
Second toe/ST-45/Leg YangmingIndex finger/LI-1/Arm Yangming
In the hollow behind the ball of the foot/KI-1/Leg ShaoyinLittle finger (on the side next to the fourth finger)/HT-9/Arm Shaoyin
Big toe (medial aspect)/SP-1/Leg TaiyinThumb/LU-11/Arm Taiyin
Big toe (next to the second toe)/LR-1/Leg JueyinMiddle finger/PC-9/Arm Jueyin

The Luo Points

The Luo points are located on the arms and legs, on the trajectories of the Primary Channels. They are associated with the Blood, and hence the emotions. Traditionally their treatment is through bleeding. In stone medicine, massaging the points with stones that have iron or copper content is an appropriate treatment to help release unresolved emotional issues.

EmotionLuo PointLocation
GriefBroken Sequence/Lieque/LU-7On the inner edge of the wrist/forearm in line with the thumb, in the depression proximal to the bony landmark of the radial styloid process
Veering Passage/Pianli/LI-6On the wrist/forearm in line with the index finger, four fingers’ width proximal to the bony landmark at the end of the radial styloid process
Worry/ObsessionAbundant Bulge/Fenglong/ST-40On the lateral aspect of the lower leg, midway between the high point of the anklebone and the crease at the back of the knee, two thumbs’ width lateral to the tibia (shinbone)
Grandfather Grandson/Gongsun/SP-4On the medial aspect of the foot—touch the hollow proximal to the “bunion” bone, and then slide your finger toward the arch until it hits the first metatarsal bone
AnxietyPenetrating the Interior/Tongli/ HT-5On the little-finger side of the inner wrist/forearm (on the palm side of the hand)—touch the hollow in the wrist crease in line with the little finger and slide your finger proximally over the bump to find the next hollow area one thumb’s width medial to the tendon
Branch of the Upright/Zhizheng/SI-7On the little-finger side of the forearm, midway between the wrist and elbow (looking at the back of the hand) in the hollow beneath the bone
FearSoaring Upward/Feiyang/UB-58On the lower leg, midway between the ankle and the crease behind the knee, one thumb’s width lateral and down from the depression at the center of the calf muscle
Great Bell/Dazhong/KI-4On the medial aspect of the ankle, in the hollow where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel bone
AnxietyInner Pass/Neiguan PC-6On the inner forearm, in line with the middle finger, three fingers’ width above the wrist crease (looking at the palm side of the hand), between the tendons
Outer Pass/Waiguan/TH-5On the midline of the top of the forearm (looking at the back of the hand), in the depression about two thumbs’ width above the wrist joint
AngerBright Light/Guangming/GB-37On the lateral aspect of the lower leg, in a depression a little more than a hand’s width above the high point of the outer anklebone
 Woodworm Canal/Ligou/LR-5On the medial aspect of the lower leg, a little more than a hand’s width up from the high point of the inner anklebone on the border of the tibia
Deeply held emotional conditionsTurtle Dove Tail/Jiuwei/CV-15On the midline of the abdomen, at the “V” where the ribs meet the base of the sternum
Long Strong/Changqiang/GV-1Directly below the base of the tailbone
Pain all over the bodyGreat Wrap/Da Bao/SP-21 (Great Luo of the Spleen)On the lateral torso, about a hand’s width below the fold of the armpit

Xi-Cleft Points

The Xi-Cleft (pronounced “she cleft”) points are used for any type of acute disruption of Qi flow within the trajectory of the external branch of a meridian (for example, acute pain that radiates from the scapula down the arm along the Small Intestine meridian is a condition for which you can use SI-6, the Xi-Cleft point of the Small Intestine).

All Xi-Cleft points are governed by the Pericardium. As the Heart Protector, the Pericardium comes to the rescue when emergencies “rattle the empire.”

FunctionXi-Cleft PointLocation
Emergencies affecting the Lungs, such as exterior pathogenic Wind-Heat causing cough or wheezing, swelling and pain of the throat, and loss of voiceCollection Hole/Zongzui/LU-6About two hands’ width up from the inner wrist crease on the palm side of the forearm, in line with the thumb
Emergencies of Counterflow Qi, such as vomiting of foam or watery saliva, or heat and painful swelling in the faceWarming the Flow/Wenliu/LI-7About a hand’s width up from the wrist crease on the forearm, in line with the thumb
Acute swelling and pain in the knee causing difficulty walking—by virtue of the trajectory of the Stomach channel, this point also addresses acute swelling, pain, and abscess of the breastBeam Mound/Liangqiu/ST-34On the anterior lateral aspect of the thigh (when the knee is flexed), in a depression about two thumbs’ width above the kneecap
Acute gynecological conditions due to Blood stasis or Qi stagnation, such as menstrual pain or dysmenorrheaBringing into Flight/Diji/SP-8On the medial aspect of the lower leg, in a depression about a hand’s width below the depression at the base of the inner knee, in line with the high point of the medial anklebone
Acute palpitations, chest pain, vomiting blood, or a broken heartYin Cleft/Yinxi/HT-6On the palm side of the forearm in line with the little finger, in a depression a couple of fingers’ width up from the wrist crease.
Conditions that come on during the aging process, especially related to deteriorating sensory organs; it also addresses acute, severe pain in the shoulder, shoulder blade, and armNourishing the Aged/Yanglao/SI-6On the back of the wrist, in the depression just medial to the tip of the ulnar styloid process (on the little-finger side)
Sudden, painful onset of hernia; simultaneous vomiting and diarrhea with cramping; and acute, severe joint painMetal Gate/Jinmen/UB-63On the lateral edge of the foot, in a depression in front of the heel
Acute pain, and menstrual disorders such as amenorrhea or irregular mensesWater Spring/Shuiquan/KI-5In a depression below and behind the anklebone on the inner aspect of the heel
This point controls all the Xi-Cleft pointsCleft Gate/Ximen/PC-4A little more than a hand’s width above the wrist crease (looking at the palm side of the forearm), in line with the middle finger
Hearing loss and tinnitusConvergence and Gathering/Huizong/TH-7On the forearm (looking at the back of the hand), a hand’s width up from the wrist crease in line with the fourth finger
Painful skinOuter Hill/Waiqiu/GB-36In the groove between the fibula and tibia (shinbone), on the lateral aspect of the lower leg, almost midway up from the high point of the lateral anklebone to the crease behind the knee
Excessive uterine bleedingCentral Metropolis/Zhongdu/LR-6Behind the tibia (shinbone) on the medial aspect of the lower leg, almost midway between the high point of the medial malleolus and the crease at the back of the knee

The Lower He-Sea Points of the Yang Leg Channels

The Lower He-Sea points are indicated for any symptom of Rebellious Qi. The Lower He-Sea points of the Leg Yang Channels are located on or below the knees. They are appropriate to treat conditions affecting the Yang zones of Taiyang, Shaoyang, and Yangming, such as allergies or conditions affecting the bowels.

ZoneOrganHe-Sea PointOrganHe-Sea Point
YangmingLarge IntestineUpper Gigantic Empty/Shangjuxu/ST37: midway between the ankle and knee, in the groove one finger’s width lateral to the tibia (shinbone)StomachLeg Three Miles/Zusanli/ST-36: in a depression just below the lateral aspect of the kneecap
ShaoyangTriple HeaterOutside the Crook/Weiyang/UB-39: in the crease behind the knee, lateral to the center lineGall BladderYang Mound Spring/Yanglingquan/GB-34: in a depression just below the knee joint on the lateral aspect of the lower leg
TaiyangSmall IntestineLower Gigantic Empty/Xiajuxu/ST-39: more than halfway from the knee toward the ankle (slightly below ST-37), in the groove one finger’s width lateral to the tibia (shinbone)Urinary BladderMiddle of the Crook/Weizhong/UB-40: in the center of the crease behind the knee

The Source Points

The Source points are located on the Primary Channels on or near the hands and feet. They are points where Source/Yuan Qi pools, and they give direct access to the associated Internal Organ. They are used either to strengthen the Organ or to release excess energy.

Source PointLocation
Great Abyss/Taiyuan/LU-9On the inner wrist crease, in the depression under the thenar eminence
Unifying Valley (Tiger’s Mouth)/Hegu/LI-4In the web between the thumb and index finger on the back side of the hand
Surging Yang/Chongyang/ST-42At the high point of the dorsum of the foot where there is a pulse (run your finger up a line from between the second and third toes to find the pulse)
Great White/Taibai/SP-3On the medial aspect of the foot, in the depression just proximal to the “bunion” bone
Spirit Gate/Shenmen/HT-7On the wrist crease on the palm side of the hand, in the depression in line with the little finger
Wrist Bone/Wangu/SI-4On the lateral edge of the hand/wrist, in the depression between the base of the hand and the wrist in line with the little finger
Capital Bone/Jinggu/UB-64In the depression approximately midway between the little toe and the heel on the lateral aspect of the foot (run your finger on the lateral edge of the foot from the little toe toward the heel—it is the most noticeable depression along the way)
Grand Ravine/Taixi/KI-3Between the Achilles tendon and the high point of the anklebone on the medial aspect of the ankle
Great Mound/Daling/PC-7On the wrist crease in line with the middle finger (looking at the palm side of the wrist)
Yang Pool/Yangchi/TH-4In a depression in the wrist joint, in line with the fourth finger (looking at the back of the hand)
Mound of Ruins/Qiuxu/GB-40In the depression just in front of and just below the lateral malleolus, on the lateral aspect of the ankle joint
Great Surging/Taichong/LR-3In the “V” on the top of the foot where the metatarsal bones of the first and second toes meet

Other Points on the Extremities

These are points on various channels that are mentioned in the materia medica but do not belong to the point groups included in this appendix.

PointLocation
Kunlun Mountains/Kunlun/UB-60On the lateral aspect of the ankle, in the depression between the high point of the anklebone and the Achilles tendon
Blazing Valley/Rangu/KI-2On the medial aspect of the foot, touch the inner heel under the inner anklebone and run your thumb toward the arch of the foot—the point is in the depression just before you hit the first bump
Shining Sea/Zhaohai/KI-6On the inner ankle, in a depression below the anklebone
Exchanging Trust/Jiaoxin/KI-8On the medial aspect of the lower leg, about three fingers’ width up from the depression behind the high point of the anklebone
Guest House/Zhubin/KI-9On the medial aspect of the lower leg at the base of the calf muscle
Meeting of Three Yin/Sanyinjiao/SP-6On the medial ankle, a hand’s width up from the high point of the anklebone
Suspended Bell/Xuanzhong/GB-39 (Meeting Point for the Marrow)On the lateral aspect of the lower leg, a hand’s width up from the high point of the anklebone
Yin Mound Spring/Yinlingquan/SP-9On the inner corner of the knee crease
Sea of Blood/Xuehai/SP-10A little above the inner corner of the kneecap in a depression on the bulge of the medial portion of the quadriceps
The Bending Spring/Ququan/LR-8On the medial end of the crease behind the knee
Middle of the Crook/Weizhong/UB-40In the center of the crease behind the knee
Palace of Effort/Laogong/PC-8In the center of the palm
Back of the Ravine/Houxi/SI-3On the little-finger edge of the hand, in the large depression just in from the metacarpal joint
Pool at the Crook/Quchi/LI-11At the crease where the elbow bends, in line with the index finger
Ultimate Spring/Jiquan/HT-1In the center of the armpit