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Listen to our new episode, and we’ll discuss one of our favorite Master Tung’s acupuncture Dao Ma groups: 22.11 Tu Shui Earth Water.
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22.11 Tu Shui [土水穴]
Earth-Water
Location
Three points are located on the palmar aspect of the radial side of the first metacarpal bone. To find the points, divide the first metacarpal bone into 4 parts.
The middle point is located at the same location as Lu-10 Yi Ji.
Needling
Perpendicular, close to the bone 0.5–1 cun.
In acute asthma attacks, it is more effective to bleed the points.
When treating pain in the first metacarpal (thumb), needle on the opposite side of the pain.
In case of nasal sinusitis, bleed the points once a week.
Reaction area
Spleen and kidney branches.
Indications
Gastritis, chronic stomach diseases, pain in the fingers, pain in the palm, hand bone pain, sinusitis.
Pain and swelling in bones throughout the body, periostitis, arthritis.
Lower back pain, sciatica.
Tonsillitis.
Cough, asthma.
Stomach ulcer, abdominal pain.
Intestinal inflammation, diarrhea.
Cough, emphysema, pneumonia.
Loss of voice.
Leg muscle pain.
Pain in the adductor muscles of the thigh.
Knee Pain.
Ankle disorders
Additional Information
The points are located along the extension of the thumb, which represents the spleen. Their reaction area is associated with the spleen and kidneys, thus influencing the connection between these organs. The points strengthen the kidney yang, which supports the spleen.
These points can treat cold (kidneys) conditions and dampness (spleen) affecting the stomach, intestines, lungs, and skeletal system. They are important for treating stomach diseases, particularly gastritis and chronic stomach conditions.
The points can address lung disorders (asthma, cough, sore throat) due to spleen and kidney deficiency. Proper lung function depends on kidney yang and spleen qi. When weak, they fail to nourish the lungs, leading to lung deficiency.
Although Master Tung indicated that these points treat finger pain, they can also address pain and swelling in the bones throughout the body, mainly due to cold and dampness.
Palm Diagnosis
The area of these points reflects the intestines.
Lai Jing-Xiong:
Uses the points for weight loss.
Chuan Min Wang:
22.11 Tu Shui (choose one point) combined with 22.10 Shou Jie can treat numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.
Liao Li:
Needling close to the bone treats knee pain.
Point name
Tǔ [土] – earth.
Shuǐ [水] – water.
The characters “earth” (spleen-stomach) and “water” (kidneys) in the point name suggest their influence on the spleen, stomach, and kidneys. The names also hint at their ability to treat dampness (earth) and cold (water).
