Static treatments limit dynamic results. For many acupuncturists, the standard acupuncture session involves a patient lying still for 30 minutes. While this passive approach excels at calming the nervous system, it often falls short when treating acute or chronic musculoskeletal pain. By keeping patients motionless, we miss a profound therapeutic window. Combining distal acupuncture with immediate movement of the affected area unlocks faster, more dramatic outcomes. It is

In the modern medical landscape, a quiet sterile distance has formed between practitioner and patient. Standard medical visits are dominated by electronic health records, diagnostic imaging, and pharmaceutical scripts. Somewhere in this rush for efficiency, the profound therapeutic power of physical touch has been lost. As acupuncturists, we hold the keys to preserving this ancient art. While our needles are powerful tools for moving Qi, relying on them exclusively limits the

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) relies on the four primary diagnostic methods: inspection, listening/smelling, inquiry, and palpation. While pulse diagnosis often dominates classical training, focusing solely on the radial artery overlooks a vast landscape of clinical information. To achieve optimal patient outcomes, modern acupuncturists must expand their tactile assessment to include meridians, myofascial lines, and trigger points. Here is why comprehensive palpation is

In this video I describe various points on the SFL that function much like ST 38 for shoulder pain. When doing distal needling for musculoskeletal conditions, it is best to combine acupuncture with movements in the affected area. This helps to reduce adhesions in the myofascial lines and produces a series of positive structural, neurological, and cellular changes. When prescribing movements with acupuncture, consider the natural movements of the joints such as flexion, extens

Body awareness plays a crucial role in healing and overall well-being. When we tune into our bodies, we can better understand physical sensations, energy flow, and emotions, which support recovery from various conditions. Traditional practices like acupuncture, tai chi, qi gong, yoga, and meditation, enhance this awareness by connecting the mind and body in gentle, focused ways. Similarly, somatic practices and trauma-informed care, utilize body awareness practices for healin

There are many advantages to knowing how meridians correspond to myofascial lines. In this post, I will discuss how we can integrate TCM points with the wisdom of Master Tung’s points. This is useful for refining our point prescriptions by making subtle adjustments in what points we choose to needle. Author: OpenStax College One common thing I hear from many people is that they don’t grasp Master Tung’s points. This usually relates to both the location and function of the poi

The acupuncture points Luo Zhen and SJ 3 are a powerful combination for many patterns of neck pain. These two points alone often produce superior results, but I do like to combine them with SJ 5 for added benefits. The points should be needled on the opposite side from the pain. Once the needles are in, use the movements in the video below. Using movement with distal needling is an effective technique for painful conditions. Neck Movements to Use with Distal Needling of Tripl

In TCM, the Hun, liver, and wood element are related to the qualities of vision, growth, planning, judgment, and decision-making. Additionally, the liver is said to be the general in charge of maintaining the smooth flow of qi and regulating the emotions. These attributes of the liver also relate to modern ideas about the executive functions of the brain that include organization, planning, and accomplishing our goals. Additionally, self-awareness, impulse control, and emotio

The combination of LI 11 and Ling Gu (22.05) is an effective prescription for many kinds of knee pain. The points should be needled...

A myofascial approach to acupuncture and meridian therapies allows for an embodied perspective and a better understanding of point...

Master Tung's points and protocols are highly effective for many conditions including various patterns of knee pain. In this post and the...

There is a palpation technique involving ST 41 and the metatarsal lines that can be used as both a diagnostic tool and a treatment...

Note that these points are the same as SP 3, SP 4, and KI 2 but are needled together as a set. These points are indicated for frontal...

In this post, I will discuss various acupuncture points for anxiety and compare TCM protocols to Master Tung's methods. Also included in...

In this post, I will discuss Master Tung’s points known as the Four Horses, and in particular, I want to examine some of the lesser-known...

To answer this question it is necessary to consider the yin-yang nature of the meridians and their point functions. The meridians have...

These points are located in the Achilles tendon and are well-known for treating spinal pain, occipital headaches, and neck pain. As these...

In this post, I will explore the role of tension in the myofascial system and how this relates to qi stagnation, meridians, and acupuncture. Tension is a common word used in clinics to describe headaches, stress, bottled-up emotions, hypertension, pain, qi stagnation, liver yang patterns, and more. In the dictionary, tension is defined as 1) a pulling force or stretch and 2) mental or emotional pain. Like the meridians, the myofascial lines connect the entire body. Tensegrity

In Chinese medicine, we speak of liver qi stagnation, which is a common pattern associated with many conditions including musculoskeletal pain, digestive problems, menstrual disorders, headaches, and more. In this blog post, I will discuss how qi stagnation relates to pain in the myofascial system, as well as how fasciae surrounding the organs correlate with meridian connections such as internal-external relationships. Pain in the musculoskeletal system may result from prob

Shen disturbance is a common condition that many of us encounter daily in the clinic. In addition to anxiety and depression, shen...