Master Tung divided his points between anatomical zones, a tradition originating from Huang Fu Mi’s A-B Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (Zhenjiu jiayi jing) [針灸甲乙經]. This zonal point presentation has been passed down through dynasties. Master Tung’s acupuncture employs a twelve-zone division, numbered as follows:

• 11 – Fingers (bones of the hand)
• 22 – Hands (metacarpals and carpals)
• 33 – Forearms (ulna and radius)
• 44 – Arms (humerus)
• 55 – Toes (bones of the feet)
• 66 – Feet (metatarsals and tarsals)
• 77 – Calves (tibia and fibula)
• 88 – Thighs (femur)
• 99 – Ears
• 1010 – Face
• VT – Chest and stomach (ventral trunk)
• DT – Back and neck (dorsal trunk)

Each zone serves as a micro-system for treating the whole body while possessing unique characteristics. The differences between zones can be described using Yin-Yang theory (McCann and Ross, 2018). For example, the four limb zones can be categorized as Yin or Yang based on two variables:

• Upper limbs are Yang compared to Yin lower limbs.
• Extremities (hands and feet) are Yang compared to proximal zones, which are Yin.

Yang zones address acute conditions characterized by excess, while Yin zones treat chronic conditions marked by deficiency. We will categorize the limb zones using these variables to understand their nature (see Illustration 1).

Upper limbs (Yang)

Zones 11 and 22 of the hands, located on the upper body (Yang) and upper extremities (Yang), exhibit a Yang within Yang character. These zones treat acute conditions.

Zone 44, situated on the upper body (Yang) proximal to the trunk (Yin), takes on a Yin within Yang character. This zone addresses chronic excess conditions.

Zone 33, intermediate to Zones 11-22 and Zone 44, shares characteristics of both zones. Thus, it can treat both acute and chronic deficiency conditions.

Lower limbs (Yin)

Zones 55 and 66 of the feet, located on the lower body (Yin) and lower extremities (Yang), exhibit a Yang within Yin character. Their points treat rising Yang conditions or excess Yang conditions in the upper body. Zones 55 and 66 (Yin) ground the Yang.

Zone 88 of the thighs, located on the lower body (Yin) nearest the trunk (Yin), exhibits a Yin within Yin character. It addresses chronic deficiency conditions and is considered the most fortifying zone in Master Tung’s acupuncture.

As bone marrow, the adult blood cell producer, is primarily located in the thigh, calf, and arm bones, this further explains the fortifying properties of Zones 88 (thighs), 77 (calves), and 44 (arms).

Zone 77, intermediate to Zones 55-66 and Zone 88, shares characteristics of both zones. Therefore, it treats both chronic deficiency and chronic excess conditions.

Trunk

Zones VT and DT, situated on the trunk, address internal organ and limb disorders. These zones are bled, not needled, as Master Tung avoided needling the trunk to prevent harm to internal organs.