‘An acupuncture point is located where it is located’ – like veins, arteries or nerves, the location of acupuncture points may vary. Consequently, locating and stimulating acupuncture points is an individual process in each patient, similar to locating veins or arteries for puncture. The goal of this atlas is therefore to help acupuncture students and therapists find the correct location of acupuncture points. Ultimately, the exact location of an ‘acupuncture hole’ will be where it can be palpated, addressed energetically in a safe way, and – most importantly – where it will be therapeutically effective.
Acupuncture therapy requires not only the knowledge to locate individual points but also an understanding of the context of these points. This atlas therefore includes both a description of the individual points as well as the central idea – the channel system.
The core chapters 4, 5 and 6 contain single page portraits of all the channel points as well as extra points used in body acupuncture. The clearly structured page layout, complemented by pictograms, allows for quick access to the clinically relevant information for the location and indication of individual points. Clear step-by-step instructions guide the reader through the surrounding surface anatomy to the correct location of the point. Figures with the relevant anatomical structures, as well as drawings showing channel pathways pertaining to the relevant region of the body, provide a further practical aid for correct point location. The text and the photo details also contain information regarding other points located in the vicinity or points in comparable locations in other parts of the body. This not only draws attention away from the individual points to the larger anatomical orientation, but also fosters an understanding of the context between the location and the action of a given point.
Chapter 7 presents the channel points according to the anatomical region – including illustrations of anatomical overview as well as text/picture details. This format will deepen the understanding of the anatomical relationship between the channel points and complete this academic concept. Chapter 2 ‘Location Methods and Cun Measurements’ and Chapter 3 ‘Anatomical Orientation’ provide further support in locating the individual points. The modified illustrations in these chapters are based on the well-known Sobotta Atlas.
Chinese medicine practitioners work with the Qi and its flow. In this context the individual ‘acupuncture hole’ has both an anatomical and an energetic component and is an intrinsic part of the channel and vessel network, which provides an exchange between the body’s Exterior and Interior. In this way Chapter 1 describes the network of channels and vessels, and Chapter 8 the point categories and point combinations, explaining them in terms of their effects with relation to channel energetics, and presenting them in a clearly defined and visually organised manner. Chapter 9 contains up-to-date information and data about the scientifically proven effects or otherwise of individual points.
I hope the new edition of this atlas will provide a valuable help to students and therapists alike in studying acupuncture and applying the information in clinical practice. I look forward to hearing your constructive criticism and ideas.
-- Claudia Focks
Contents
Chapter 1 Jing luo (Channel and Network Vessel System)
- 1.1 Introduction
- 1.2 The 12 Primary Channels (jing zheng)
- 1.3 Divergent Channels (jing bie)
- 1.4 The 12 Sinew Channels (jing jin)
- 1.5 Luo-Connecting Vessels
- 1.6 Cutaneous Regions (pi bu)
- 1.7 The Eight Extraordinary Vessels (qi jing ba mai)
Chapter 2 Location Methods and Cun Measurements
- 2.1 Location Methods for Body Acupuncture
- 2.2 Cun Measurements of the Body
- 2.3 Tips for Point Location
Chapter 3 Anatomical Orientation
- 3.1 Head
- 3.2 Neck
- 3.3 Shoulder and Arm
- 3.4 Spine and Sacroiliac Region
- 3.5 Anterior and Lateral Aspect of the Thorax and Abdomen
- 3.6 Lower Extremity
Chapter 4 Acupuncture Points of the Twelve Primary Channels
- 4.1 The Lung Channel System – Hand-taiyin (shou tai yin jing luo)
- 4.2 The Large Intestine Channel System – Hand yangming (shou yang ming jing luo)
- 4.3 The Stomach Channel System – Foot yangming (zu yang ming jing luo)
- 4.4 The Spleen Channel System – Foot taiyin (zu tai yin jing luo)
- 4.5 The Heart Channel System – Hand shaoyin (shou shao yin jing luo)
- 4.6 The Small Intestine Channel System – Hand taiyang (shou tai yang jing luo)
- 4.7 The Bladder Channel System – Foot taiyang (zu tai yang jing luo)
- 4.8 The Kidney Channel System – Foot shaoyin (zu shao yin jing luo)
- 4.9 The Pericardium Channel System – Hand jueyin (shou jue yin jing luo)
- 4.10 The Triple Burner Channel System – Hand shaoyang (shou shao yang jing luo)
- 4.11 Gall Bladder Channel System – Foot shaoyang (zu shao yang jing luo)
- 4.12 The Liver Channel System – Foot jueyin (zu jue yin jing luo)
Chapter 5 The Eight Extraordinary Vessels (qi jing ba mai) with Points
- 5.1 Chong mai
- 5.2 Ren mai
- 5.3 Du mai
- 5.4 Dai mai
- 5.5 Yin wei mai
- 5.6 Yang wei mai
- 5.7 Yin qiao mai
- 5.8 Yang qiao mai
Chapter 6 Extra Points
- 6.1 Extra Points: Head and Neck (EX-HN)
- 6.2 Extra Points: Chest and Abdomen (EX-CA)
- 6.3 Extra Points: Back (EX-B)
- 6.4 Extra Points: Upper Extremities (EX-UE)
- 6.5 Extra Points: Lower Extremities (EX-LE)
Chapter 7 Important Points According to Region
- 7.1 Anterior Aspect of the Head
- 7.2 Head and Lateral Aspect of the Neck
- 7.3 Occipital Region
- 7.4 Vertex
- 7.5 Back
- 7.6 Frontal and Lateral Thorax and Abdomen
- 7.7 Posterior Shoulder and Arm
- 7.8 Anterior Shoulder and Arm
- 7.9 Dorsum of the Hand
- 7.10 Anterior Leg
- 7.11 Medial Leg
- 7.12 Lateral Leg
- 7.13 Dorsum of the Foot
- 7.14 Medial Foot
- 7.15 Lateral Foot
Chapter 8 Point Categories and Point Selection
- 8.1 Point Categories
- 8.2 Strategies for Point Selection
- 8.3 Point Combinations
Chapter 9 Scientific Research
- 9.1 Introduction
- 9.2 Scientific Research According to Channels
- 9.3 Summary
Appendix
Bibliography
Index
About the editor and contributors
- Dr med. Claudia Focks, Rottweil: anaesthesiologist, additional qualification in naturopathy and homeopathy; training in Chinese Medicine in China, Austria, and Germany, postgraduate training at the ETHNOMED Institut für Ethnomedizin e.V. (Institute for Ethnomedicine, registered charity) in Munich. Clinical focus on Chinese Medicine and energy therapies. Co-editor and co-author of Leitfaden Chinesische Medizin (Chinese Medicine: An Introduction), co-author of Leitfaden Akupunktur (Acupuncture: An Introduction), both published by Elsevier Munich. Lectures on Chinese Medicine, both in Germany and abroad.
- Dr med. Ulrich März, Ulm: General practitioner with his own practice, focus on acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Adjunct lecturer at the University of Ulm for acupuncture and TCM. Project manager for the postgraduate programme for acupuncture and TCM at the Akademie für Wissenschaft, Wirtschaft und Technik (Academy for Science, Economy and Technology) at the University of Ulm. Co-author of Leitfaden Akupunktur (Acupuncture: An Introduction), published by Elsevier Munich.
- Dr med. Ingolf Hosbach, Bochum: Anaesthesiologist, additional qualification in palliative therapy. Employed at the University Clinic Bergmannsheil Bochum. Adjunct lecturer at the Universities of Witten/Herdecke and Bochum. Scientific publications and lectures on palliative therapy, acupuncture and TCM research. Webmaster of the homepage of the Department for Chinese Medicine at the University Witten/Herdecke and of the DWGTCM e.V. (www.dwgtcm.com).
Product Details
- Hardcover: 732 pages
- Publisher: Churchill Livingstone; 1 edition (May 7, 2008)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0443100284
- ISBN-13: 978-0443100284
- Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.6 x 1.5 inches
List Price: $102.00
