"The stomach is the sea of Qi and Blood coming from the liquids and grains. The clouds and Qi which come from this sea circulate everywhere under heaven. Qi and Blood that come from the stomach form the trenches of the meridians." — Ling Shu
This month, let's discuss an acupuncture point combination I use extensively in the clinic for patients suffering from gastrointestinal challenges. Often referred to as the "digestive diamond," this effective combination consists of the following: ST 25 (bilaterally) + Ren 9 + Ren 6.
This combination of acupuncture points can direct address the function and efficiency of the spleen and stomach, as well as promote the smooth circulation of water, qi and food. Overall, these actions reveal why this point combination can address a wide array of gastrointestinal disturbances.
A key idea to keep in mind is that this point combination can be used as a foundation of your acupuncture point protocol, and other points can be added to address the unique patterns of disharmony of the respective patient.
Point Combination #1: ST 25 + Ren 9 + Ren 6 + LI 11 + St 44
One of the most common patterns we see in patients suffering from chronic digestive complaints is damp heat in the lower jiao. This particular pattern rarely exists in isolation and almost always indicates concomitant liver / spleen disharmony, indicating liver depression qi stagnation with spleen qi deficiency. The following point prescriptions can be formulated using the "digestive diamond" as a foundation: ST 25 + Ren 9 + Ren 6 + LI 11 + St 44.
Within this point combination, the digestive diamond circulates the qi, and tonifies the spleen and stomach. LI 11 is one of the most powerful points on the Yangming to target gastrointestinal issues, as it functions to clear heat, cool the blood, drain damp, regulate qi and blood, activate the LI channel, and eliminate pain.
ST 44 is also an extremely powerful point on the Yangming channel; it clears heat from the stomach channel, harmonizes the intestines, clears damp heat, alleviates pain, and calms the spirit.
Adding LI 11 and ST 44 to the recipe of the digestive diamond allows for extremely large scope of treatment for many patterns that manifest in digestive complaints, while also calming the mind, which can play a large part in treating chronic digestive issues.
Point Combination #2: ST 25 + Ren 9 + Ren 6 + Liv 2 + Liv 3
Another option for treating damp heat in the lower jiao with liver / spleen disharmony in digestive challenges is: ST 25 + Ren 9 + Ren 6 + Liv 2 + Liv 3. This point combination also uses the digestive diamond as the foundation while adding two important points from the liver meridian.
Liv 2 clears liver fire, courses liver qi, pacifies liver wind, clears heat, stops bleeding, and overall benefits the lower jiao. As the ying-spring point of the liver channel, Liv 2 has three key spheres of influence: the head, the emotions and the lower jiao.
Liv 3 is the shu-stream / yuan source point of the liver channel and its actions include coursing the qi, nourishing liver blood / liver yin, clearing the head, regulating menstruation, extinguishing wind, and overall regulating the lower jiao.
When we consider the actions of the digestive diamond points used along with Liv-2 + Liv 3, the applicability for gastrointestinal challenges is extensive. I find this particular point prescription extremely effective in digestive complaints that are significantly exacerbated by emotional / psychological stress.
Point Combination #3: ST 25 + Ren 9 + Ren 6 + Ren 12
A final point combination targeting gastrointestinal challenges consists of using the digestive diamond formula with the addition of one extra point: ST 25 + Ren 9 + Ren 6 + Ren 12.
Ren 12 is the front mu point of the stomach, as well as the meeting point of the ren channel with the small intestine, san jiao, and stomach channels. The actions of Ren 12 include harmonizing the middle jiao, tonifying the spleen / stomach, descending rebellious qi, regulating qi, and alleviating pain. This is an extremely simple and elegant point prescription that is also extremely useful for patients sensitive to points on the hands and feet.
When using the digestive diamond, I almost always include Ren 12. If heat signs are a significant issue, add LI 11, St 44 or Liv 2 as needed, depending upon the unique pattern presentation of the patient.
Build a Strong FoundationI hope you are inspired to experiment with simple point modifications to treat the unique patients who walk into your clinic. Foundational point formulas such as the digestive diamond can be highly effective, but it is critical that you keep in mind the importance of modifying and customizing formulas as needed based on the unique patterns the patient expresses. Build a strong foundation and then create a blueprint that mirrors the unique geography of the patient's complaints to expand the therapeutic horizons.
As modern medical standardization continues, the field of traditional Chinese medicine has the advantage of comprehensive personalization. For rare or complex cases, deeper consideration of constitution is invaluable. Proper constitutional assessment, especially with first-time clients, can guide desirable and predictable outcomes. This leads to a higher rate of return, and greater trust between you and your patient.
Though the creation of a financially sustainable, health-promoting model feels far away today, we are casting a vision for a full return on health, believing that this compels us to keep one foot firmly rooted in caring for the sick and the other foot firmly founded in maintaining health. Shifting from a fee-for-service model to value-based care using a phased approach is paramount.
Laser therapy has emerged as a powerful tool in the realm of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This new modality fits beautifully into the toolbox of the modern acupuncturist, as it can be used as a hybrid form of stimulation to acupuncture points, meridians, organs, nerves, and symptomatic areas in a new way that blends both moxa and energetic needle-like responses.
