Appendix

Acupoint Name Reference Guide

Following are English translations of the names of all the acupoints on the twelve regular channels as used in the HeartMind Shiatsu school of Asian Bodywork Therapy. Correlate these names with the images presented in Chapters 2 through Chapter 7 in order to develop a more clear picture of the meridian line functions and specific point qualities.

The nomenclature of acupuncture has been developed over thousands of years. I include here a list of translations from the Chinese drawn from a variety of trusted sources and my own clinical applications. The names are true to the original Chinese characters but as with all such translations are subject to great interpretation. In the bibliography, I have listed various sources both on- and offline where you can take your study of point nomenclature deeper if that is your interest. To me, the names are windows into a deep awareness and appreciation for the body’s rich, complex, and beautiful functionality.

The names often evoke and describe the point’s clinical usage. There are many sources and various translations of the points’ names that have appeared in various schools over many years. In addition, many of the points are known to have multiple names. There is an art to the science of the point names, and just reading through the lists can give you a sense for the range and depth of meaning of this powerful system.

By calling to mind the point names as you practice qigong, meditation, or touch therapy you can activate the energy of the point for greater effectiveness. An acupuncturist may use needles, an acupressurist their fingers and thumbs, a shiatsu therapist palms and elbows, knees and feet, as well as thumbs. In all cases, as is true of qigong, we need to use our mind to guide the qi to and through the points and ultimately our spirit to guide the mind. Deep in the work is the understanding that where the mind goes, qi flows.

As you study these point names and correlate them to the place on the body where they are found, bring your mind and imagination to bear upon the discovery of the usefulness of the point. In this way, you exponentially enhance the effectiveness and scope of your self-discovery and healing practice.

Lung—Hand Tai Yin

  1. 1. Central Treasury
  2. 2. Cloud Gate
  3. 3. Palace of Heaven
  4. 4. Reaching White
  5. 5. Cubit Marsh (In the Groove)
  6. 6. Maximum Opening
  7. 7. Broken Sequence
  8. 8. Channel Gutter
  9. 9. Great Abyss
  10. 10. Fish Belly
  11. 11. Little Merchant

Large Intestine—Hand Yang Ming

  1. 1. Yang Merchant
  2. 2. Second Space
  3. 3. Third Space
  4. 4. Meeting Valley
  5. 5. Yang Stream (Snuffbox)
  6. 6. Veering Passage
  7. 7. Warm Flow
  8. 8. Lower Angle
  9. 9. Upper Angle
  10. 10. Arm Three Miles
  11. 11. Pool at the Bend
  12. 12. Elbow Crevice
  13. 13. Arm Five Miles
  14. 14. Upper Arm
  15. 15. Shoulder Bone
  16. 16. Great Bone
  17. 17. Heaven’s Tripod
  18. 18. Support Prominence
  19. 19. Mouth Crevice
  20. 20. Welcome Fragrance

Stomach—Foot Yang Ming

  1. 1. Tear Receptacle
  2. 2. Four Whites
  3. 3. Great Crevice
  4. 4. Earth Granary
  5. 5. Great Welcome
  6. 6. Jaw Bone
  7. 7. Below the Joint
  8. 8. Head Bound
  9. 9. Welcome Human
  10. 10. Water Prominence
  11. 11. Abode of Qi
  12. 12. Empty Basin
  13. 13. Qi Door
  14. 14. Storehouse
  15. 15. Room Divider
  16. 16. Breast Window
  17. 17. Breast Center
  18. 18. Breast Root
  19. 19. Not Contained
  20. 20. Supporting Fitness
  21. 21. Beam Gate
  22. 22. Pass Gate
  23. 23. Supreme Unity
  24. 24. Slippery Flesh Gate
  25. 25. Celestial Pivot
  26. 26. Outer Mound
  27. 27. The Great
  28. 28. Water Passage
  29. 29. Return
  30. 30. Qi Thoroughfare
  31. 31. Thigh Gate
  32. 32. Crouching Rabbit
  33. 33. Yin Market
  34. 34. Ridge Mound
  35. 35. Calf’s Nose
  36. 36. Leg Three Miles
  37. 37. Upper Great Hall
  38. 38. Ribbon Passage Way
  39. 39. Lower Great Hall
  40. 40. Bountiful Bulge
  41. 41. Stream Divide
  42. 42. Rushing Yang
  43. 43. Sunken Valley
  44. 44. Inner Courtyard
  45. 45. Severe Mouth

Spleen—Foot Tai Yin

  1. 1. Hidden White
  2. 2. Great Metropolis
  3. 3. Supreme White
  4. 4. Grandfather Grandson (Yellow Emperor)
  5. 5. Trade Winds Mound
  6. 6. Three Yin Meeting
  7. 7. Granary Hole
  8. 8. Earth’s Crux
  9. 9. Yin Mound Spring
  10. 10. Sea of Blood
  11. 11. Winnower’s Gate
  12. 12. Rushing Gate
  13. 13. Abode of the Yin Organs
  14. 14. Abdomen Knot
  15. 15. Great Horizontal
  16. 16. Abdomen Sorrow
  17. 17. Food Cavity
  18. 18. Heavenly Stream
  19. 19. Chest Village
  20. 20. Encircling Glory
  21. 21. Great Embracement

Heart—Hand Shao Yin

  1. 1. Highest Spring
  2. 2. Cyan Spirit
  3. 3. Lesser Sea
  4. 4. Spirit Path
  5. 5. Penetrating the Interior
  6. 6. Yin Cleft
  7. 7. Spirit Gate
  8. 8. Lesser Palace
  9. 9. Lesser Rushing

Small Intestine—Hand Tai Yang

  1. 1. Lesser Marsh
  2. 2. Front Valley
  3. 3. Back Stream
  4. 4. Wrist Bone
  5. 5. Yang Valley
  6. 6. Support the Aged
  7. 7. Upright Branch
  8. 8. Small Sea
  9. 9. Correct Shoulder
  10. 10. Upper Arm Transport
  11. 11. Heavenly Gathering
  12. 12. Grasping the Wind
  13. 13. Crooked Wall
  14. 14. Outer Shoulder Transport
  15. 15. Middle Shoulder Transport
  16. 16. Heavenly Window
  17. 17. Divine Appearance
  18. 18. Cheek Bone Hole
  19. 19. Palace of Hearing

Bladder—Foot Tai Yang

  1. 1. Bright Eyes
  2. 2. Silk Bamboo Bone
  3. 3. Eyebrows’ Pouring
  4. 4. Crooked Curve
  5. 5. Fifth Palace
  6. 6. Receiving Light
  7. 7. Heavenly Connection
  8. 8. Declining Connection
  9. 9. Jade Pillow
  10. 10. Celestial Pillar
  11. 11. Great Shuttle
  12. 12. Wind Gate
  13. 13. Lung Transporter
  14. 14. Pericardium Transporter
  15. 15. Heart Transporter
  16. 16. Governor Transporter
  17. 17. Diaphragm Transporter
  18. 18. Liver Transporter
  19. 19. Gall Bladder Transporter
  20. 20. Spleen Transporter
  21. 21. Stomach Transporter
  22. 22. Triple Warmer Transporter
  23. 23. Kidney Transporter (Vitality Gate)
  24. 24. Sea of Qi Transporter
  25. 25. Large Intestine Transporter
  26. 26. Origin Gate Transporter
  27. 27. Small Intestine Transporter
  28. 28. Bladder Transporter
  29. 29. Mid Spine Transporter
  30. 30. White Ring Transporter
  31. 31. Upper Crevice
  32. 32. Second Crevice
  33. 33. Middle Crevice
  34. 34. Lower Crevice
  35. 35. Meeting of Yang
  36. 36. Brings Relief
  37. 37. Gate of Abundance
  38. 38. Floating Cleft
  39. 39. Outside the Crook
  40. 40. Middle of the Crook
  41. 41. Attached Branch
  42. 42. Door of the Corporeal Soul
  43. 43. Vital Region Transporter
  44. 44. Hall of the Spirit
  45. 45. Yi Xi
  46. 46. Diaphragm Gate
  47. 47. Gate of the Ethereal Soul
  48. 48. Yang’s Key Link
  49. 49. Abode of Consciousness
  50. 50. Stomach Granary
  51. 51. Vitals Gate
  52. 52. Residence of the Will
  53. 53. Bladder’s Vitals
  54. 54. Order’s Limit
  55. 55. Confluence of Yang
  56. 56. Support the Sinews
  57. 57. In the Mountains
  58. 58. Flying Yang
  59. 59. Instep Yang
  60. 60. Kunlun Mountains
  61. 61. Servant’s Respect
  62. 62. Extending Vessel
  63. 63. Golden Gate
  64. 64. Capital Bone
  65. 65. Restraining Bone
  66. 66. Foot Connecting Valley
  67. 67. Extreme Yin

Kidney—Foot Shao Yin

  1. 1. Bubbling Spring
  2. 2. Blazing Valley
  3. 3. Supreme Stream
  4. 4. Great Bell
  5. 5. Water Spring
  6. 6. Shining Sea
  7. 7. Returning Current
  8. 8. Exchange Belief
  9. 9. Guest House
  10. 10. Yin Valley
  11. 11. Pubic Bone
  12. 12. Great Luminance
  13. 13. Qi Cave
  14. 14. Fourfold Fullness
  15. 15. Middle Flow
  16. 16. Vitals Transporter
  17. 17. Trade Winds Bend
  18. 18. Stone Pass
  19. 19. Yin Metropolis
  20. 20. Abdomen Connecting Valley
  21. 21. Mysterious Gate
  22. 22. Walking Corridor
  23. 23. Spirit Seal
  24. 24. Spirit Ruin
  25. 25. Spirit Storehouse
  26. 26. Comfortable Chest
  27. 27. Transporter (Elegant) Mansion

Pericardium—Hand Jue Yin

  1. 1. Heaven’s Pond
  2. 2. Heavenly Spring
  3. 3. Marsh at the Crook
  4. 4. Xi-Cleft Gate
  5. 5. Intermediate Messenger
  6. 6. Inner Frontier Gate
  7. 7. Great Mound
  8. 8. Palace of Toil
  9. 9. Central Rushing

Triple Warmer—Hand Shao Yang

  1. 1. Rushing Pass
  2. 2. Fluid Gate
  3. 3. Central Islet
  4. 4. Yang Pool
  5. 5. Outer Frontier Gate
  6. 6. Branch Ditch
  7. 7. Ancestral Meeting
  8. 8. Three Yang Meeting
  9. 9. Four Rivers
  10. 10. Heavenly Will
  11. 11. Clear Cold Abyss
  12. 12. Dispersing River
  13. 13. Upper Arm Meeting
  14. 14. Shoulder Crevice
  15. 15. Heavenly Crevice
  16. 16. Window of Heaven
  17. 17. Wind Screen
  18. 18. Spasm Vessel
  19. 19. Skull’s Rest
  20. 20. Minute Angle
  21. 21. Ear Gate
  22. 22. Ear Harmony Crevice
  23. 23. Silk Bamboo Hollow

Gall Bladder—Foot Shao Yang

  1. 1. Seeing the World
  2. 2. Meeting of Hearing
  3. 3. Above the Joint
  4. 4. Jaw Serenity
  5. 5. Wild Skull
  6. 6. Wild Tuft
  7. 7. Crook of the Temple
  8. 8. Leading Valley
  9. 9. Heavenly Rushing
  10. 10. Many Voices
  11. 11. Inner Listening
  12. 12. Getting into Action
  13. 13. Root of the Spirit
  14. 14. Yang White (Third Eye Opening)
  15. 15. Head Overlooking Tears
  16. 16. Window of the Eyes (See the Face of God)
  17. 17. Upright Nourishment (God Sees You)
  18. 18. Supporting Spirit
  19. 19. Brain Hollow
  20. 20. Pond of Wind
  21. 21. Well in the Shoulder
  22. 22. Armpit Abyss
  23. 23. Flank Sinews
  24. 24. Sun and Moon
  25. 25. Capital Gate
  26. 26. Girdling Vessel
  27. 27. Five Pivots
  28. 28. Linking Path
  29. 29. Stationary Crevice
  30. 30. Jumping Pivot
  31. 31. Market of Wind
  32. 32. Middle Ditch
  33. 33. Knee Yang Gate
  34. 34. Yang Mound Spring
  35. 35. Yang Intersection
  36. 36. Outer Hill
  37. 37. Bright Light
  38. 38. Yang Assistance
  39. 39. Suspended Bell
  40. 40. Mound of Ruins
  41. 41. Foot Overlooking Tears
  42. 42. Earth Five Meetings
  43. 43. Clamped Stream
  44. 44. Foot Yin Portal

Liver—Foot Jue Yin

  1. 1. Great Pile
  2. 2. Between Columns
  3. 3. Great Rushing
  4. 4. Middle Seal
  5. 5. Shell Groove
  6. 6. Middle Capital
  7. 7. Knee Pass
  8. 8. Spring at the Bend
  9. 9. Yin Envelope
  10. 10. Leg Five Miles
  11. 11. Yin Screen
  12. 12. Rapid Pulse
  13. 13. Camphorwood Gate
  14. 14. Gate of the Cycle

Major Acupoint Quick
Reference Names and Applications

Here is a compendium of the major points and a shorthand reference to how they might be used in treatment. There are some alternate names in this list. Do not be thrown by that. There are many traditions and lineages that have worked with these points, and different names can give you additional information on how they might be used.

Lung

1 Center of Gathering

Respiratory Health

2 Cloud Gate

Moistening

5 In the Groove

Holding on Too Tightly

9 Great Abyss

Letting Go

11 Little Merchant

Energy Exchange

Large Intestine

1 Yang Merchant

Material Exchange

4 Joining Valleys

Elimination, Well-Being

10 Arm Three Miles

Keeping your Grip

15 Corner of the Shoulder

Shoulder Pain

20 Welcome Fragrance

Sinus Congestion

Stomach

8 Head Band

Mental Faculties

9 Man’s Prognosis

General Health

25 Celestial Pivot

Intestinal Health

30 Qi Thoroughfare

Energy to Lower Extremities

36 Leg Three Miles

Endurance, Well-Being

40 Bountiful Bulge

Clearing Excesses

41 Shoelace

Ankle Strength

Spleen

4 Yellow Emperor

Digestive Health

6 Three Yin Meeting

Menstrual Cycle

9 Yin Mound Spring

Bodily Dampness

10 Sea of Blood

Vital Energy

11 Winnower’s Gate

Separating Pure from Impure

20 Great Embracement

Harmonizing Energy

Heart

1 Highest Spring

Relieving Heart Congestion

2 Cyan Spirit

Opening Circulation

3 Lesser Sea

Calming Nerves

7 Gate of God

Soothing Spirit

9 Lesser Surge

Steady the Heart

Small Intestine

4 Wrist Bone

Balance the Opposites

6 Curing the Aged

Steady the Hand

11 Center of Heaven

Clear the Mind

12 Grasping the Wind

Common Cold

19 Palace of Hearing

Opening the Ears

Bladder

1 Bright Eyes

Open and Close the Eyes

10 Pillar of Heaven

Occipital Headache

13 Lung associated

Breathing

14 Pericardium associated

Circulation

15 Heart associated

Communication

18 Liver associated

Addictions

19 Gall Bladder associated

Responsibility

20 Spleen associated

Digestion

21 Stomach associated

Appetite

22 Triple Warmer associated

Immune System

23 Kidney associated

Vitality

25 Large Intestine associated

Elimination

27 Small Intestine associated

Assimilation

28 Bladder associated

Drive

57 In the Mountains

Frustration, Fatigue

67 Extreme Yin

Labor Pains

Kidney

1 Gushing Spring

Revitalize

3 Great Ravine

Trauma

10 Yin Valley

Constitutional Issues

13 Infant’s Door

Fertility

21 Dark Gate

Inner Resources

27 Elegant Mansion

Vital Reserves

Pericardium

1 Heaven’s Pond

Lactation

3 Marsh at the Bend

“Tennis” Elbow

6 Inner Gate

Self-Love

8 Palace of Anxiety

Easing Nerves

9 Central Nexus

Developing Strategy

Triple Warmer

5 Outer Gate

Love of Others

10 Heaven’s Well

Cooling Tempers

15 Heaven’s Bone

Burdens

23 Silk Bamboo Hollow

Heat Strain Headache

Gall Bladder

20 Pond of Wind

Whirlwind Headache

21 Well in the Shoulder

Responsibility

24 Sun and Moon

Gall Bladder Illness

25 Capital Gate

Kidney Illness

30 Jumping Pivot

Hip Challenges, Sciatica

31 Market of Wind

Over-Responsibility

34 Yang Mound Spring

Sinews, Muscles

41 Foot Overlooking Tears

Releasing Excess Holding

Liver

3 Excessive Rush

Slowing Down

4 Middle Seal

Muscle Relaxer

10 Leg Five Miles

Stamina

13 Camphorwood Gate

Digestive Issues

14 Gate of the Cycle

Completion

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