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Introduction: In this article, the author introduces five acupoints: Ear Apex (Erjian, 耳尖), Zhiyang (至阳), Yinjiao (阴交), Zhongchong (中冲), and Middle Toe Apex (中趾尖). We believe that learning from this article will greatly benefit your clinical practice with the experience of treating diseases using these single acupoints.

Insights on Treating Diseases with Single Acupoints

Author/Wei Congjian Supervisor/Zhou Meisheng

In acupuncture classics, it is common for a single acupoint to treat multiple conditions or for one acupoint to be applied to a series of disorders arising from a particular organ. The "Lingguang Fu" (Numinous Light Ode) long ago pointed out: "A single acupuncture point can cure numerous diseases; scholars should pay careful attention." Therefore, many renowned acupuncture works hold that "if one needle is effective, a second is unnecessary; if two needles are effective, a third is unnecessary; if three needles are ineffective, other methods should be considered."

Currently, some practitioners use as few as ten needles, while others may employ dozens or even hundreds of needles. When summarizing experiences, such an approach inevitably leads to confusion and uncertainty. Master Zhou Meisheng, renowned for his precise acupoint selection and remarkable clinical efficacy, is highly favored by patients. A selection of single acupoints is briefly introduced below.

1 Introduction to Single Acupoints

1.1 Ear Apex

Indications:

Traditionally, its application scope was limited to various disorders of the head and face. These include headaches, nosebleeds, acute conjunctivitis (red eye disease), mumps, and acute tonsillitis. However, clinical experience has shown that it can be considered effective for practically all diseases throughout the body.

For instance, for respiratory system diseases: upper respiratory tract infections, cough and asthma; circulatory system diseases: angina pectoris, palpitations (arrhythmias); digestive system diseases: abdominal pain, diarrhea; urogenital system diseases: renal colic, dysmenorrhea, urethritis, etc., all have been found effective. Particularly noteworthy is its efficacy for soft tissue injuries in various parts of the body, especially lower limb soft tissue injuries. When combined with local and distal point selection, its effect is exceptionally outstanding, being able to immediately control pain and promote hematoma absorption. Ancient scholars believed that the points Baihui (DU20), Gaohuang (BL43), and Yongquan (KI1) symbolize the three celestial, earthly, and human forces, respectively, and are indicated for all diseases. If Ear Apex were added, it should not merely be ranked as the fourth; rather, it should be elevated to the top position.

Acupuncture Methods:

Apply bilaterally, with the right side as mandatory. Bloodletting using a three-edged needle, filiform needle pricking, moxibustion with moxa cones, or pressure therapy can be freely chosen. Alternatively, the rapid point stimulation method with the Wan Ying point moxa pen can effectively replace all the above methods, being more convenient and efficient.

1.2 Zhiyang

This acupoint and its surrounding area can be considered the central and highly sensitive region for pathological responses of various diseases throughout the body. In other words, many conditions and types of illnesses from all over the body can manifest positive pathological reactions at Zhiyang (GV 9) and its surrounding area. By specifically selecting Zhiyang or the reactive points (acupoints) around it based on tenderness, significant therapeutic effects, linking the acupoint and the disease, can often be achieved.

Ancient methods such as Sihua (Four Floral), Bahua (Eight Floral), and Qizhumai (Riding Bamboo Horse) moxibustion for treating asthma and nausea are all based on flexible applications of the Zhiyang area, particularly in the treatment of suppurative surgical conditions. In fact, its applications extend far beyond this. For example, respiratory conditions like cough and asthma; circulatory issues such as cardiac insufficiency; various acute and chronic gastrointestinal diseases in the digestive system; urinary and lower abdominal disorders in the urogenital system; and joint and lower back and leg problems in the musculoskeletal system—all of these diseases affecting different organs and parts of the body can benefit from stimulating this area.

Acupuncture and Moxibustion Methods:

Moxibustion is the primary approach. For chronic conditions, direct suppurative moxibustion or embedding therapy is recommended. For new or acute conditions, milder methods such as gentle moxibustion, indirect moxibustion, fire needle as a substitute for moxibustion, rapid tapping with the Wan Ying point-scorching pen, medicinal qi heat flow moxibustion, and pricking to release blood can be selected as appropriate.

1.3 Yinjiao

The back is considered yang, and if Zhiyang (GV 9) is the pivotal point among the yang points on the back, its indications primarily focus on diseases of the thoracic cavity. The abdomen is considered yin, and Yinjiao (CV 7) is the guiding point among the yin points on the abdomen, with its indications emphasizing disorders of the lower abdomen and the perineal region. While Zhiyang can influence the head, face, chest, abdomen, back, waist, and limbs, Yinjiao can affect the head, face, chest, abdomen, and lower limbs.

For conditions such as dizziness and insomnia, the principle of treating the upper by addressing the lower can be applied to guide yang into yin; for lower back pain, treating the back by addressing the front can be used to guide yin to yang; for chronic cough and asthmatic breathing, it can tonify qi and cultivate the primordial qi, functioning similarly to Qihai (CV 6); for weakness and numbness of the feet and knees, it can promote walking and relax tendons, with effects surpassing those of ginseng and astragalus; for sore throat and swelling, it can guide fire downward; for decline of the fire of the gate of life (mingmen), it can strengthen yang and tonify the kidneys. All these applications are supported by actual cases and are not merely theoretical speculation.

Acupuncture methods:

Primarily use gentle moxibustion; moxibustion with insulating material, spot moxibustion, medicinal heat flow moxibustion, and fire needle in place of moxibustion are also acceptable. Acupuncture with needles is less commonly applied.

1.4 Zhongchong (PC 9)

Scope of application:

The functions of the ten fingertips and the twelve Jing-well points are consistent. In addition to their effects on diseases of their respective meridians and organs, the ten fingertips and twelve Jing-well points should not be overlooked for their efficacy in treating conditions of the lower abdomen and perineum, with the middle fingertip being particularly useful.

In addition to being commonly selected for conditions such as major episodes of mania, high fever and agitation, insomnia, infantile night crying, bitter taste in the mouth, and hiccups, its effects are particularly remarkable for lower abdominal cold pain, orchitis, urinary retention, dysmenorrhea, and menorrhagia. Simultaneously needling the middle fingertips of both hands and feet yields even greater effectiveness.

For major episodes of mania and stubborn hiccups, three-edged needles may be used to perform bloodletting by pricking. For all other new or mild conditions, rapid moxibustion with the all-purpose moxibustion pen can achieve results.

1.5 Middle Toe Tip

Scope of Application:

According to the correspondence relationship between the hand and foot yin-yang meridians, the middle fingertip is the Jing-well point of the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, thus the middle toe should correspond to the Jing-well point of the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian. The critical area of the middle toe tip should not remain unassigned; therefore, the middle toe tip should be considered as the location of the Liver Meridian's Jing-well point, Dadun, and can be referred to as the "new Dadun." Any conditions applicable to Dadun can be treated using the middle toe tip as an alternative.

For conditions such as dizziness, mania, high fever, hypertension, headache, bitter taste in the mouth, throat and tongue discomfort, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, and orchitis, remarkable effects can often be achieved. If using the tip of the middle toe alone yields insufficient results, combining it with the tip of the middle finger often proves highly effective, with very few cases showing no improvement.

For shallow insertion with filiform needles, the needles may be retained for a few minutes. For three-edged needle pricking to cause bleeding, needles are not retained. For moxibustion with moxa cones, apply 2–3 cones, or use a Wan Ying Spot Moxibustion Pen for rapid spot moxibustion 5–7 times.

2 Cautions

2.1 Although the same acupuncture point may be effective for many diseases and conditions in many locations, it is not the case that the same acupuncture point and the same acupuncture method can be effective for diseases in many locations. Different acupuncture methods must be adopted based on the specific disease to fully maximize the effects.

For example, in cases of high fever with convulsions, it is appropriate to use a three-edged needle to prick and bleed the fingertips or toes of the middle finger or toe, while in cases of dysmenorrhea, insomnia, or infantile night crying, point moxibustion can be used. Another example is the Yinjiao (CV 7) point: for conditions such as low back pain and various lower abdominal disorders, conventional filiform needle acupuncture or three-edged needle pricking and bleeding may occasionally be effective, but the effect can be significantly enhanced when gentle moxibustion is applied. Similarly, for the Zhiyang (GV 9) point, using moxibustion or three-edged needle pricking and bleeding can yield much better results than filiform needle acupuncture.

2.2 Attention should be paid to the relationship between single points and matching points. In clinical practice, single points should be used as main points, while matching points serve as auxiliary points. When the effect of the main points is not evident, auxiliary points may be added promptly.

As exemplified by selecting both upper and lower points simultaneously at the fingertips of the hands and feet, there should be a distinction between primary and secondary points rather than rigid adherence to fixed rules.