Below is the pattern differentiation and acupuncture treatment prescription for the signs and symptoms we have learned in this video. There are still a few more things to learn before fully understanding this information. But I will leave these here for those who are interested in taking a peek of what’s coming later or for those who already have some knowledge about pattern differentiation and want to learn more. Until next time! :)

RED & PAINFUL EYES

Taiyang, BL-2, GB-20, LI-4, LV-3

Wind-Heat (+ SJ-5, LU-11)
LV-GB Fire (+ LV-2, GB-43)

STUFFY NOSE w/ LOSS OF SMELL

LI-20, Yintang, BL-7, LU-7, LI-4

Wind-Heat in LU channel (+ LU-5, LU-11)
GB Heat (+ GB-34, GB-43)
SP-ST Damp-Heat (+ LI-11, SP-9)

HEADACHE

Yangming: ST-8, Yintang, GB-14, LI-4, ST-44

Shaoyang: Taiyang, SJ-23, GB-8, GB-20, SJ-5, GB-41

Taiyang: BL-10, GV-19, GB-20, SI-3, BL-62

Jueyin: DU-20, Sishencong, LV-3, PC-9

Exterior invasion (+ GV-16, LU-7)
Live Yang (+ LV-2, KD-3)
Blood deficiency (+ SP-6, ST-36)
Phlegm (+ ST-40, CV-12)
Blood stasis (+ SP-10, BL-17)

SCIATICA

BL channel: Jiaji on lower back, BL-54, BL-40, BL-57, BL-60, BL-67

GB channel: Jiaji on lower back, GB-30, GB-34, GB-39, GB-40

Cold-Damp (+ GV-4, GV-3)
Blood stasis (+ SP-10, SP-6)
Qi-Blood deficiency (+ ST-36, SP-6)

The Gall Bladder Channel of Foot Shaoyang

The Gall Bladder channel is the Yin-Yang pair channel of the Liver channel. It’s also the Foot channel of Shaoyang.

The Gall Bladder Primary Channel

The Gall Bladder primary channel starts at GB-1, near the outer canthus of the eye. It goes to GB-2, in front of the ear, and goes GB-4, near the corner of the forehead. It comes down to GB-7, in the region above the ear, and curves around the ear to GB-12, at the mastoid process.

It traverses the temporal region, crossing ST-8, and goes down to GB-14, in the supraorbital region. It traverses the parietal region and descends to GB-20, below the occiput.

It goes to GB-21, at the top of the shoulder, and meets with GV-14, crossing SJ-15 on the shoulder. It goes laterally, crossing BL-11 and SI-12, and enters internally to ST-12.

There is a branch that emerges from the behind the ear. It enters the ear at SJ-17 and comes out in front of the ear, passing SI-19 and ST-7, to the outer canthus of the eye. It goes down to ST-5, anterior to the angle of the jaw, and comes back to the infraorbital region, meeting with BL-1. It goes down again, passing ST-6 and ST-9, to rejoin the primary channel at ST-12.

It goes down to PC-1, crosses the diaphragm, and connects with Liver and Gall Bladder. It comes out at the inguinal region and encircles the genitals. It goes internally to the sacrum, crossing Bladder points and GV-1, and then emerges at GB-30.

Another branch at the supraclavicular fossa goes down to GB-22 and continues along the side of the body to GB-30. It follows the lateral aspect of the leg, goes in front of the lateral malleolus, and ends at GB-44. The last branch comes out at GB-41 and goes to the medial tip of the big toe, linking with the Liver channel.

The Gall Bladder Luo-connecting Channel

The luo-connecting channel comes out at GB-37, connects with the Liver channel, and goes down to disperse in the foot.

The Gall Bladder Divergent Channel

The divergent channel comes out on the thigh and goes up to the pubic hairline, meeting with the Liver divergent channel. It enters the flank, connecting with the Gall Bladder and Liver. It crosses the Heart and esophagus, disperses in the face, and connects with the eye, rejoining the primary channel.

The Gall Bladder Sinew Channel

The sinew channel starts at the 4th toe and binds at the lateral malleolus. It goes up and binds at the lateral side of the knee. A branch at the fibula goes up the thigh. A sub-branch binds in the region above ST-32. Another sub-branch binds at the sacrum. The sinew channel continues up along the flank to link with the breasts and bind at ST-12. It traverses behind the ear and goes to the vertex, meeting with the sinew channel of the opposite side. Another branch from the temple region traverses the cheek and binds at the side of the nose and the outer canthus of the eye.

Key points

Primary, divergent, and sinew channels are all related with the eye.
Primary channel encircles the genitals and divergent channel enters the pubic hairline.
Primary channel goes to the chest and sinew channel links with the breast.
Primary and sinew channels go to the sacrum.
Sinew channel goes to the vertex.
Primary channel connects with Liver and Gall Bladder.
Divergent channel connects with Liver, Gall Bladder, and Heart.

Signs and Symptoms of the Primary Channel

Alternating chills and fever
Headache
Deafness
Pain and distention of the breasts
Pain in the hip
Pain and weakness in the leg

Signs and Symptoms of the Luo-connecting Channel

Fainting, hypochondrial pain (excess)
Weakness and flaccidity of the leg, cold feet, paralysis of the leg (deficiency)

Signs and Symptoms of the Sinew Channel

Pain and stiffness and the 4th toe, lateral aspect of ankle, knee, and leg, difficulty bending knees, paralysis of the leg, chest and hypochondrial pain, inability to open the eyes

Major Acupuncture Points of the Gall Bladder Channel

GB-8 is the major point for treating parietal and temporal headaches. This point is useful, whether it is due to exterior Wind or internal problems, such as LV Yang rising, LV Wind, or LV Fire.

This point is also indicated for Phlegm in the diaphragm and Stomach, causing incessant vomiting or fullness on eating or drinking.

GB-20 is one of the major points that activates the channel and alleviates pain. It treats any types of headaches and it also treats disorders of the neck, shoulder, and upper back.

Another action of this point is to eliminate Wind from the head and clear the sense organs. Whether it is exterior Wind or interior disharmony, disorders of the eyes and nose can be treated with this point. GB-37 can be added for treating the disorders of the eyes.

GB-21 activates the channel and alleviates pain, like GB-20, treating disorders of the neck, shoulder, and upper back. This point has a strong action of regulating Qi and descending Qi. So this point is used a lot for disorders of the rebellious Qi, such as cough or shortness of breath. Due to its descending action, it is used in difficult labor as well. So this point is contraindicated for a pregnant woman. But, in other cases, this point is indicated for disorders of the breast, such as pain, abscess, or breast milk not flowing.

Most of the points on the leg dispel Wind-Damp, treating painful obstruction of the leg. Especially GB-30, 31, 34, 38, and 39. GB-31 has a special action of clearing Wind from the whole body, treating itching skin. GB-34 is the Hui-meeting point of sinews, treating any cramping, stiffness, and pain of the sinews and muscles of the whole body. GB-38 can clear Heat in the Gall Bladder channel. And GB-39 is the Hui-meeting point of marrow, treating sinew painful obstruction characterized by weakness, flaccidity, and chronic nature.

GB-41 is good at spreading the Liver Qi. This point can be used in any disorders of Qi or phlegm stagnation. It can treat many signs and symptoms, especially distending pain of the breast or menstrual pain, and swelling or nodules in the neck, breast, and axilla.

So, that was the Gall Bladder Channel. Next, we will learn about the Liver Channel of Foot Jueyin. If you have any feedback or questions about the material covered, please don’t hesitate to contact at junhwa@tcmexplained.com.

* The content is provided only for education purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

References

1. Cheng, Xinnong, ed. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion. 3rd ed. Fifteenth Printing 2014. Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 2012.

2. Deadman, Peter, Mazin Al-Khafaji, Keven Baker. A Manual of Acupuncture. 2nd ed. East Sussex, England:Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications, 2007.

3. Kaptchuk, Ted J. The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2000.

4. Maciocia, Giovanni. The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Text for Acupuncturists and Herbalists. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone, 2015.