1 Shou Zu Shi Er Zhen (Twelve Needles for Hands and Feet)
Formula: He Gu (LI4), Nei Guan (PC6), Qu Chi (LI11), San Yin Jiao (SP6), Zu San Li (ST36), Yang Ling Quan (GB34).
Among these, He Gu and Qu Chi belong to the same named acupuncture points of the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian; San Yin Jiao and Zu San Li belong to the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian and Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian respectively. The combination of these points can strengthen the spleen and stomach, regulate qi and blood.
Clinical Applications: Stroke, hypertension, hemiplegia, bi syndrome, etc.
2Shi Quan Da Bu Fang (Ten Complete Great Tonifying Formula)
Wang Leting modeled the Shi Quan Da Bu Tang to create the acupuncture “Shi Quan Da Bu Fang”.
Formula: He Gu (LI4), Qu Chi (LI11), Nei Guan (PC6), Zu San Li (ST36), Yang Ling Quan (GB34), Zhong Wan (RN12), Tai Chong (LR3), San Yin Jiao (SP6), Zhang Men (LR13), Guan Yuan (RN4).
This formula adds Zhong Wan, Tai Chong, Zhang Men, and Guan Yuan to the Twelve Needles for Hands and Feet.
Zhang Men is the mu point of the spleen, Zhong Wan is the mu point of the stomach, Guan Yuan belongs to the Ren Meridian, and is the mu point of the small intestine. The combination of these points tonifies qi and blood, strengthens the spleen and stomach, nourishes heart qi, nourishes liver and kidney, and unblocks the meridians, especially focusing on nourishing the spleen and stomach.
Clinical Applications: The Shi Quan Da Bu Fang is primarily used for tonifying and is mainly applied to various deficiency syndromes, including neurasthenia, chronic wasting diseases in later stages, etc.
3Lao Shi Zhen (Old Ten Needles)
Wang Lao modeled Li Dongyuan’s “Lun of Spleen and Stomach” to create the acupuncture prescription of Lao Shi Zhen.
Formula: Zhong Wan (RN12), Zu San Li (ST36), Shang Wan (RN10), Xia Wan (RN11), Qi Hai (RN6), Tian Shu (ST25), Nei Guan (PC6). Among these, Zhong Wan and Zu San Li are the main points, while the others are auxiliary points.
Zhong Wan is the meeting point of the six fu organs and the mu point of the stomach, which can assist in digesting food, warming and unblocking the qi of the fu organs, lifting the clear and descending the turbid, and regulating the middle jiao; Zu San Li is the lower he-sea point of the stomach, which has the function of tonifying the spleen and stomach, benefiting qi and lifting the clear, and when using the reducing method, it can descend the rebellious qi and unblock the intestines; Shang Wan, Zhong Wan, and Xia Wan are collectively known as the three wans, and their combination has the function of regulating the stomach’s reception, ripening, and absorption of food; Qi Hai (Dan Tian) is where the source qi is generated, and needling it can warm and stabilize the lower source and regulate the qi mechanism of the lower jiao; Tian Shu is the mu point of the large intestine, which can regulate the intestines and stomach, promote the qi mechanism, distribute food and eliminate stagnation; Nei Guan is the luo point of the Hand Jueyin Meridian, which can open the chest, regulate qi, calm the spirit, regulate the qi mechanism of the three jiao, and assist in lifting the clear and descending the turbid.
The combination of these points works together to regulate the middle, strengthen the spleen, lift the clear, descend the turbid, regulate the gastrointestinal tract, and harmonize qi and blood.
Clinical Applications: The “Lao Shi Zhen” is used in the recovery phase of neurasthenia and chronic diseases, can improve constitution, and synergistically exert a calming and tranquilizing effect. For gynecological disorders caused by qi and blood deficiency, such as menopausal syndrome and dysmenorrhea, Professor Wang often uses this formula, adjusting the Yangming to regulate the Chong and Ren. For conditions like hair loss, headaches, facial paralysis, and cervical vertigo, especially in cases of constitutional weakness and insufficient spleen and stomach, treatment with “Lao Shi Zhen” can achieve good results.
4Shi Er Tou Xue (Twelve Penetrating Points)
Formula: Jian Yu (LI15) to Tou Ji (GB21),Ye Feng (GB22) to Jia Ji (BL10),Qu Chi (LI11) to Shao Hai (HT3),Wai Guan (SJ5) to Nei Guan (PC6),Yang Chi (SJ4) to Da Ling (PC7),He Gu (LI4) to Lao Gong (PC8),Huan Tiao (GB30) to Feng Shi (GB31),Yang Guan (GB34) to Qu Quan (LR8),Yang Ling Quan (GB34) to Yin Ling Quan (SP9),Jue Gu (BL7) to San Yin Jiao (SP6),Kun Lun (BL60) to Tai Xi (KD3),Tai Chong (LR3) to Yong Quan (KD1).
Jian Yu to Tou Ji: The former is the meeting point of the large intestine, small intestine, and Yang Qiao meridians, while Tou Ji is a point of the heart meridian. Needling this combination can connect the three Yang meridians with the heart meridian, invigorating the heart Yang to promote qi and blood circulation, and Jian Yu can also regulate qi and resolve phlegm, effectively treating stroke with phlegm obstructing the clear or invading the meridians.
Ye Feng to Jia Ji: Both are extraordinary points outside the meridians, and needling them can relax the muscles and joints, invigorate blood circulation, and promote the recovery of upper limb function.
Qu Chi to Shao Hai: The meridians of these two points belong to the same channels as Jian Yu and Tou Ji, but Qu Chi is the he-sea point of the large intestine, while Shao Hai is the he-sea point of the heart. The combination of these two points allows the qi of the Yin and Yang meridians to connect, promoting smooth blood flow, nourishing the skin, muscles, and meridians, and facilitating the recovery of limb function.
Wai Guan to Nei Guan: The San Jiao meridian point Wai Guan connects to the Hand Jueyin Pericardium; the Pericardium meridian point Nei Guan also connects to the San Jiao meridian. These two points are the connecting points of the exterior and interior meridians, and both are also meeting points of the eight extraordinary vessels. Wai Guan connects to the Yang Wei vessel, while Nei Guan connects to the Yin Wei vessel. After needling, it can strengthen the connection between the interior and exterior meridians and also unblock the qi of the Yin and Yang Wei vessels. Hemiplegia is often caused by internal wind of the liver, and Wai Guan can calm the wind; Nei Guan can calm the heart and spirit, soothe the liver, and descend the rebellious qi, thus quelling the liver wind and extinguishing the internal wind.
Yang Chi to Da Ling: The former is the source point of the San Jiao meridian, which is an important point for regulating the qi mechanism of the San Jiao. It has the functions of dispersing lung and relieving exterior, nourishing Yin and eliminating irritability, and clearing heat and promoting dampness; Da Ling is the source point of the Hand Jueyin, with similar functions to Nei Guan, but is more focused on calming the spirit and unblocking the heart meridian. Both points are essential in treating many chronic diseases.
He Gu to Lao Gong: He Gu has a wide range of therapeutic applications, and when paired with Tai Chong, it is called the Four Gates. As stated in the “Xi Hong Fu”: “When the shoulder and spine pain is unbearable, needling He Gu and Tai Chong is essential.” It has the function of opening the orifices and awakening the spirit, while Lao Gong is effective in clearing heat and dispersing evil. The combination of these two points can expel evil qi.
Huan Tiao to Feng Shi: Huan Tiao is the meeting point of the gallbladder and bladder meridians, commonly used for treating lower limb and lumbar back disorders. The “Yang’s Medical Cases” records: “In the summer of the Xin You year, a noble patient suffered from paralysis and could not walk. After long treatment without improvement, I examined and said: This disease can be cured with one needle. I then needled Huan Tiao, and he was able to walk immediately.” This demonstrates the efficacy of this point in treating hemiplegia.
Yang Guan to Qu Quan: Sun Simiao’s “Qian Jin Fang” states: “Both points are for muscle spasms, preventing the knee from bending or extending, and making it impossible to walk.”
Yang Ling Quan to Yin Ling Quan: Yang Ling Quan is the he-sea point of the gallbladder and is also the meeting point of the tendons, which can soothe the liver and gallbladder, clear damp-heat, and unblock the tendons; Yin Ling Quan is the he-sea point of the spleen, treating symptoms of the spleen and kidney. Needling these two points can strengthen the tendons, warm the Yang, strengthen the spleen, and regulate the liver and kidney.
Jue Gu to San Yin Jiao: Jue Gu is the major luo point of the three Yang meridians, and is also the meeting point of the marrow. Needling it can tonify the brain and marrow, strengthen the tendons and bones; San Yin Jiao is the meeting point of the three Yin meridians, and the meridians passing through it can treat various conditions. The combination of these two points can harmonize the Ying and Wei, nourishing Yin and tonifying Yang.
Kun Lun to Tai Xi: The former can unblock the meridians, while the latter can regulate the San Jiao and nourish Yin and tonify the kidney.
Tai Chong to Yong Quan: The source point of the liver meridian Tai Chong penetrates the well point of the kidney meridian Yong Quan, reflecting the idea of the liver and kidney sharing the same source. Liver fire is a cause of stroke, while kidney deficiency is the root of stroke. By draining liver fire and tonifying kidney source, both the symptoms and root causes are treated.
Note: The various prescriptions and formulas mentioned in this article are for reference and study by professional TCM practitioners only and should not be used as prescriptions. Please do not use them blindly!