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1. Zhàohǎi (Shining Sea) Point: Say Goodbye to Sore Throat and Insomnia
Zhàohǎi point is named as such because "zhào" means to shine, and "hǎi" means sea. This point not only treats sore throat and can be combined with Shènzhù (Kidney Shu), Guānyuán (Gate of Origin), and Sānyīnjiāo (Three Yin Intersection) to also address menstrual irregularities.
Zhàohǎi was first mentioned in the "Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion" and referred to as "Lòuyīn" in the "Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold". It belongs to the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian and is one of the Eight Extraordinary Points, connecting to the Yinqiao (Yin Heel) Meridian, with functions of nourishing the kidneys, clearing heat, and regulating the Sanjiao (Triple Burner).
Its main effects include alleviating chest tightness, dry throat, hoarseness, chronic pharyngitis, and it also has auxiliary effects on shoulder periarthritis and insomnia.
Sun Simiao in the "Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold" referred to this point as "Lòuyīn", indicating that if there is an issue with this point, it can lead to a decrease in kidney water, causing kidney yin deficiency and resulting in the rise of empty heat.
Therefore, whenever we feel discomfort in the chest, dry throat, hoarseness, or even suffer from chronic pharyngitis, we can press this point, which not only has the effect of nourishing the kidneys and clearing heat but also helps to smooth the functions of the Sanjiao, making it a twofold benefit with immediate results.
2. Shēnmài (Shen Pulse) Point: Specially Treats Cold in the Body
Shēnmài, also known as Yángqiāo (Yang Heel), belongs to the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian. It is one of the Eight Extraordinary Points, connecting to the Yángqiāo. Located on the outer side of the foot, just below the outer ankle, it is where the sural nerve and the external ankle artery network are found, with functions of tonifying yang, benefiting qi, and dispelling dampness.
Main effects include alleviating dizziness, red and swollen eyes, lower back pain, and ankle joint pain, with auxiliary effects on diarrhea and indigestion.
"Lower back stiffness and leg pain" is a clear sign of the bladder meridian being affected by cold evil. Since Yángqiāo connects to the bladder meridian, Shēnmài is an important point of the bladder meridian.
Thus, Shēnmài is the ultimate yang point, using this point can dispel internal cold evil and allow yang qi to reach the top, balancing the body and enabling agile movement.
Some may say, "I can't needle, even though I know the benefits of this point, it's just talk."
In fact, the Eight Extraordinary Points in Daoist medicine can be treated with both acupuncture and moxibustion. The method of locating this important point of the bladder meridian is simple: it is found in the depression just below the outer ankle. When the body is affected by cold evil, it tends to curl up and shiver, which in TCM is called "jūjǐ shōuyǐn". Shēnmài has the meaning of stretching the meridians, quickly mobilizing the body's yang qi, allowing the cold evil to disperse.
We can usually use moxa sticks to warm or stimulate the Shēnmài point with our fingers, pressing it will feel a slight soreness and swelling. When moxibustion is performed, it should feel slightly warm; sometimes, one can distinctly feel a warm current rising from the feet, instantly making one feel much more relaxed.
During the transitional seasons of autumn and winter, when temperature changes are significant, it is also a peak season for flu. It is recommended to buy some moxa sticks to warm the Shēnmài point, which can prevent flu and enhance immunity, especially for the elderly or those with a cold constitution who should frequently warm this point.
3. Nèiguān (Inner Pass) Point: Nourishing Beauty and Heart
Nèiguān was first mentioned in the "Huangdi Neijing: Ling Shu: Meridian Chapter" and is a connecting point of the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian. It benefits the heart, calms the spirit, harmonizes the stomach, descends counterflow, regulates qi, and alleviates pain.
Applicable population: women who wish to delay aging, middle-aged and elderly friends; those feeling depressed, irritable, or tense; patients with coronary heart disease and other acute heart conditions.
Main effects include alleviating hiccups, palm heat, elbow pain, and armpit swelling; it treats morning sickness, motion sickness, and diarrhea. It also has auxiliary effects on treating heart disease, lung diseases, and breast diseases.
Nèiguān is easy to find, located on the inner side of the arm, two inches above the wrist crease. To locate it, make a loose fist and place it palm up, then align the index, middle, and ring fingers with the wrist crease; the point where the index finger touches is the Nèiguān point. The benefit of this point in health maintenance is that it can be pressed and rubbed anytime and anywhere, with a slight feeling of soreness and swelling being ideal.
4. Wàiguān (Outer Pass) Point: The "Clever Ear Point"
Wàiguān was first mentioned in the "Huangdi Neijing: Ling Shu: Meridian Chapter" and is a connecting point of the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, one of the Eight Extraordinary Points. It connects to the Yangwei Meridian and has functions of clearing heat, detoxifying, relieving spasms, alleviating pain, and promoting circulation.
Applicable population: those who frequently travel by plane or train; patients with acute lumbar sprains, arthritis, and shoulder periarthritis.
Main effects include preventing hearing loss, tinnitus, deafness, and alleviating lumbar and back pain. Clinically, Wàiguān also has another wonderful use, which is treating acute lumbar sprains.
Traditional Daoist medicine believes that temporary hearing problems are manifestations of insufficient yang qi in the body. So what role does Wàiguān play at this moment?
As the name suggests, "Wài" refers to the external; "guān" refers to a checkpoint. Wàiguān connects to the Yangwei, and it is a connecting point of the Hand Shaoyang and Hand Jueyin meridians, where the qi of the Hand Shaoyang and Hand Jueyin meet.
Massaging the Wàiguān point can enrich the original yang qi of the Sanjiao and guide the original qi to circulate throughout the body.
5. Lièxuè (Broken Sequence) Point: Specially Treats Stiff Neck and Migraine
Lièxuè was first mentioned in the "Huangdi Neijing: Ling Shu: Meridian Chapter" and is a connecting point of the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, one of the Eight Extraordinary Points, connecting to the Ren Meridian. It has functions of dispersing lung pathogens and regulating the meridians.
Applicable population: those who frequently experience pain in the head and neck.
Main effects include rapidly alleviating sudden neck pain; it treats stiff neck, migraine, facial paralysis, and has auxiliary effects on cold, asthma, cough, and toothache.
On the human body, Lièxuè is a tool for repairing head diseases. The "Huangdi Neijing" records that Lièxuè mainly treats migraines, headaches, and stiff necks.
In the "Great Compendium of Acupuncture", there is a well-known verse about the four major points: "For neck and above ailments, seek Lièxuè." This means that ailments above the neck can be treated and adjusted using this point.
"Liè" refers to display or crack; "xuè" refers to gap or void. It is one of the Eight Extraordinary Points, connecting to the Ren Meridian, with functions of dispersing lung pathogens and regulating the meridians, and it is a connecting point of the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian.
Lièxuè is easy to find, located 1.5 inches above the wrist crease on the radial bone. To locate it, make a tiger claw with both hands, and the depression where the index finger touches is the point.
The technique for using Lièxuè is mainly flicking. The flicking technique involves lateral rubbing or kneading at the point or area, allowing the muscles and tendons to move back and forth, with a feeling of soreness and swelling being ideal. If you feel discomfort in the neck, and find it stiff and painful, you can flick the Lièxuè point, and the discomfort will quickly lessen.
When massaging Lièxuè, both hands should be lightly clenched into fists, palms facing up, and gently placed on a table, then press, pinch, or knead as needed. During the massage, this point will feel sore or painful, with soreness being preferable.
6. Hòuxī (Back Stream) Point: Governs Neck, Shoulder, and Lumbar Diseases
Hòuxī was first mentioned in the "Huangdi Neijing: Ling Shu: Ben Shu Chapter" and is a point of the Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian, also one of the Eight Extraordinary Points, connecting to the Du Meridian and Small Intestine Meridian. It has functions of relaxing the meridians, benefiting the orifices, and calming the spirit.
Applicable population: those who frequently face computers; children; office workers; housewives.
Main effects include preventing hunchback, neck, lumbar, and leg pain, and it also protects vision, alleviates fatigue, and replenishes essence and qi.
Daoist medicine places great emphasis on the Hòuxī point. It can directly connect to the Du Meridian, being one of the important points among the Eight Extraordinary Points. The Du Meridian governs the yang qi of the entire body; when the yang qi is abundant, the whole body is vigorous.
Acupuncture is a more specialized treatment method; if you are only doing health maintenance, you can simply use the pressing and rubbing method on the Hòuxī point. Generally, after a few minutes of pressing and rubbing, the yang qi of the whole body can be invigorated, making the body feel like a roaring furnace, warm to the core. Pressing this point is very effective for heat in the small intestine meridian and leg pain.
How to find the Hòuxī point? Make a fist, and the point is located at the distal end of the transverse crease behind the fifth finger joint (i.e., the end of the transverse crease behind the fist).
If you are sitting in front of a computer, you can place the Hòuxī point on the edge of the table, using the wrist joint to roll your hands back and forth, achieving a stimulating effect.
During the rolling, there will be a slight soreness. This action does not require conscious effort; just take three to five minutes each day to move it casually. This simple method for treating neck, shoulder, and lumbar diseases, I call rolling and rubbing the Hòuxī point. Persisting with this will indeed have very good effects on the cervical and lumbar vertebrae and is also great for protecting vision.
7. Gōngsūn (Grandfather Sun) Point: The First Yang-Warming Point for Regulating Dysmenorrhea and Spleen-Stomach Disorders
Gōngsūn was first mentioned in the "Huangdi Neijing: Ling Shu" Meridian Chapter, as a connecting point of the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian, also connecting to the Yangming. It is one of the Eight Extraordinary Points, connecting to the Chong Meridian. It has functions of strengthening the spleen, benefiting the stomach, regulating the Chong Meridian, and eliminating distension.
Applicable population: women with dysmenorrhea, those frequently experiencing unexplained abdominal pain, heart pain, stomach pain, and chest pain.
Main effects include alleviating dysmenorrhea, with auxiliary effects on stomach pain, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and dysentery.
We are all descendants of the Yan and Huang Emperors, but few know what the Yellow Emperor's name was. The "Records of the Grand Historian" states that the Yellow Emperor's surname was Gōngsūn, and his name was Xuanyuan. This point is named after the emperor, symbolizing the ruler residing in the center and governing the four directions.
Gōngsūn is a connecting point of the spleen meridian, communicating with the Chong Meridian. The spleen governs the earth, located in the center of the body, responsible for the transformation and transportation of food essence, distributing it throughout the body, and is the foundation of postnatal life, aligning with the principle of governance.
Gōngsūn is a connecting point of the spleen meridian, associated with the spleen, linking to the stomach, and directly communicating with the Chong Meridian located in the chest and abdomen, thus it has the effect of treating various disorders of the spleen, stomach, and abdominal area. The Chong Meridian is known as the "sea of the five organs and six bowels"; the "Ling Shu" states that the Chong Meridian is the "sea of the twelve meridians", the "blood sea" of the human body.
In my past health lectures, I have often discussed the wonderful uses of the Gōngsūn point, focusing on treating many diseases of the chest and abdomen. Revisiting this knowledge, I gradually discovered that this point has other important functions yet to be explored, such as treating dysmenorrhea.
We often describe beautiful girls as "charming and attractive", but in recent years, based on my clinical experience, I have found that fashionable girls often suffer from dysmenorrhea, mainly due to cold exposure. While beautiful girls are indeed beautiful, this beauty may not be "charming" but rather "frozen".
Dysmenorrhea is a highly prevalent gynecological condition, often caused by poor dietary and dressing habits. Nowadays, many fashionable girls prioritize appearance, wearing tight and short clothing, and neglecting warmth.
Many girls who experience dysmenorrhea know that there are currently no good treatments, and they can only rely on painkillers for relief, which not only fails to cure the pain but can also harm the reproductive system. If good care is not taken during youth, it may pose significant risks for future pregnancies.
Daoist medicine believes that treating all gynecological diseases should start with the spleen and stomach, especially for menstrual irregularities, the stomach should be adjusted first.
The spleen governs blood and is responsible for transformation. During dysmenorrhea, the blood is dark and may contain clots; after two to three days of clot expulsion, the pain symptoms will ease, but it recurs every month. Cold exposure to the lower abdomen or excessive consumption of cold drinks leads to spleen and stomach deficiency and cold, resulting in dysmenorrhea, which may also be accompanied by vomiting, nausea, and headaches.
Why does the Gōngsūn point have such miraculous effects? In TCM, the Gōngsūn point connects to the Chong Meridian, with the Du, Ren, and Chong meridians all originating from the uterus, among which the Chong and Ren meridians are crucially linked to women's menstruation and reproduction, as the Chong Meridian has the function of containing the qi and blood of the twelve meridians.
Regulating the Gōngsūn point is equivalent to conducting a comprehensive dredging of the qi and blood of the twelve meridians, having the effect of promoting circulation and alleviating pain. I suggest that women with dysmenorrhea can frequently press the Gōngsūn point and drink some "Daughter's Red" (not wine, as introduced in "Using It Wisely") for better treatment of dysmenorrhea.
Location: The Gōngsūn point is located on the inner edge of the foot, just below the base of the first metatarsal bone. Alternatively, it can be found at the front lower edge of the first metatarsal bone, at the red-white flesh junction, one inch behind the Tàibái (Supreme White) point. Or it can be located in the depression at the inner lower edge of the first metatarsal bone, at the red-white flesh junction.
When adjusting the body using the Gōngsūn point, there is no need to find the exact treatment location; use your own tenderness as a guide.
I generally consider the Gōngsūn point as a region, located behind the big toe, where there is a large metatarsal bone. Press along the inner side of this bone, and the point where you feel the most soreness or pain is your own Gōngsūn point.
When using the Gōngsūn point, moxibustion can be applied, using moxa sticks to warm this point for about 15 minutes, which can also warm and tonify the spleen yang. There is a trick during moxibustion called "sparrow pecking moxibustion". When the skin feels slightly hot, remove it immediately, then continue moxibustion. Repeating this, like a bird pecking, can protect the skin well.
The Gōngsūn point is known as the first yang-warming point beneath our feet, and with this small point, we can avoid the need for medication and injections at the hospital. As long as we pay attention to the Gōngsūn point, we can surely nourish our postnatal foundation.
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