When selecting points for treatment in Master Tung’s acupuncture, it’s crucial to apply a key principle: treat the root first, then the tip. After diagnosing the patient, choose points that treat the mechanism of the disease (root) and symptoms (tip). The primary points should target the mechanism, while the secondary points should address the symptoms. Sometimes, points may overlap in treating both the root and the tip. In other cases, the mechanism of the disease is not directly related to the patient’s symptoms, requiring additional points to manage the symptoms. In acute and mild illnesses, treatment may focus solely on the symptoms.

In his book, Master Tung illustrates treatment Principles and Point Selection based on the mechanism of the disease. He describes two types of sciatica: sciatica due to weak Kidneys and sciatica due to weak Lungs. For example, 22.05 Ling Gu and 22.04 Da Bai treat sciatica associated with weak Lungs, while 22.06 Zhong Bai addresses sciatica based on weak Kidneys. If weak Lungs are diagnosed alongside sciatica, 22.04 Da Bai and 22.05 Ling Gu should be used; if weak Kidneys are diagnosed alongside sciatica, 22.06 Zhong Bai is indicated. Through these two examples, Master Tung emphasizes the importance of treating the mechanism, or root cause, of the disease. There are, in fact, five types of sciatica: Heart, Spleen, Lung, Kidney, and Liver sciatica, each associated with weakness in one of the Five Zang organs. To understand the mechanism of the disease, it is essential to determine which of the Five Zang organs is involved. This approach is particularly important in treating chronic and severe cases. Points addressing symptoms can be added, but treating the mechanism of the disease remains the priority, and addressing symptoms is not always necessary.

The following are three examples from Master Tung’s clinical cases that demonstrate these Treatment Principles:

The first case illustrates treating just the symptoms rather than addressing the root cause of the disease. Master Tung treated a patient with dry mouth, believing that this condition was related to issues with the secretory glands, which are associated with the Kidney channel. To address the dry mouth, he needled 88.09 Tong Shen, a primary point for treating the Kidneys, known for its indications for dry mouth. In this instance, Master Tung did not diagnose the root cause but directly treated the symptoms (Wang, 2013, p 154-155).

In the second case, Master Tung saw a patient with difficulty raising his arm. He identified the root cause as a cold Wind that had invaded the Lungs and needled 88.17-19 Sima, which are primary points for treating Lung diseases. He also added 88.09 Tong Shen, a primary point for treating the Kidneys (Wang, 2013, p. 160). Why did he use a Kidney point for a Lung condition? There are two explanations: Coldness is related to the Kidneys, and external Wind is related to the Lungs. Since the case reflects an external Cold-Wind condition, both the Kidneys and the Lungs needed treatment. Additionally, the Kidneys are the foundation of the body’s Yang, and to expel external Cold-Wind, it is necessary to strengthen Yang. This principle is also evident in the case of a soldier with a deviation at the corner of his mouth due to a Cold-Wind invasion in the face. Master Tung needled 88.17-19 Si Ma and stated: “When there is a disease in the lung system, needling 88.09 Tong Shen increases the efficacy of the treatment” (Wang, 2013, p. 160).

Another explanation for choosing 88.09 Tong Shen can be found in the Five Phase Theory. A Cold-Wind invasion of the Lungs is an excess condition rooted in deficiency. Since Water (Kidneys) is generated by Metal (Lungs), this relationship can disperse Lung energy; thus, 88.09 Tong Shen can treat excess in the Lungs.

Another case involved a gaunt patient who also had difficulty raising his arm. The patient had previously contracted tuberculosis and recovered after two months of treatment with Master Tung. However, he continued to struggle with raising his arm. Upon examining his palm, Master Tung observed a dark green stain along the Liver-Spleen channel. To relieve the pain, he needled 88.12-14 Shang San Huang, primary points for treating the Liver (Wang, 2013, p. 157). In this instance, Master Tung focused solely on treating the root cause (the Liver) without directly addressing the symptoms.

In acute cases, it is not always necessary to treat the mechanism of the disease. For example, Master Tung treated a man who had suffered for two days from a fish bone stuck in his throat. Master Tung chose to needle 77.05-07 San Zhong, which are key points influencing the throat. Immediately after the acupuncture, the patient was able to swallow the bone (Wang, 2013, p. 126). In this case, Master Tung treated the throat directly rather than the mechanism of the disease.

In severe, chronic diseases, it is important to needle the primary points for treating the mechanism of the disease according to the Five Zang organs. In Master Tung’s acupuncture, Zones 77 and 88 are two primary zones for treating chronic disorders of the Five Zang organs.

88.01-03 Zu San Tong.

• 77.08, 09, 11 Si Hua
• Tu Chang (88)
• 77.05-07 San Zhong

88.17-19 Sima

• 77.17, 19, 21 Xia San Huang
• 88.09-11 Tong Shen San Zhen
• 77.18 Shen Guan

88.12-14 Shang San Huang

The supporting sequence is used for both tonification and dispersion. When tonification is needed, the mother point is needled: the mother of Metal is Earth, the mother of Water is Metal, the mother of Wood is Water, the mother of Fire is Wood, and the mother of Earth is Fire. Examples include:

Liver (Wood): In cases of deficient Yin and Blood in the Liver, needle the “Lower Three Emperors” (77.17, 19, 21 Xia San Huang) representing Water-Kidneys (the parent) along with the “Upper Three Emperors” (88.12-14 Shang San Huang) representing Wood-Liver (the child).

Heart (Fire): The Blood of the Liver generates the Qi of the Heart. Wood-Liver (parent) can thus nourish Fire-Heart (child). Accordingly, needle the “Upper Three Emperors” (88.12-14 Shang San Huang) representing Wood-Liver (the parent) along with 88.01-03 Tong Guan/Shan/Tian, representing Fire-Heart (the child).

Spleen (Earth): Fire-Heart (parent) nourishes Earth-Spleen (child). 88.01-03 Tong Guan/Shan/Tian representing Fire-Heart (the parent) can be used to tonify Earth-Spleen (child). The Spleen governs the four limbs, and under the indications for 88.01-02 Tong Guan/Shan/Tian, Master Tung alludes to the principle of using the parent to tonify the child, noting that these points can treat weakness in the four limbs. These points are also often used to treat Stomach (Earth) diseases.

Lungs (Metal): Earth-Spleen (parent) tonifies Metal-Lungs (child) using 77.08, 09, 11 Si Hua Earth-Spleen (parent). These points treat Lung weakness, Lung diseases, asthma, and pneumonia.

Kidneys (Water): Metal-Lungs (parent) can be used to tonify Water-Kidneys (child). The Qi of the Lungs descends to support the Kidneys. For this, needle 88.17-19 Sima together with 77.17, 19, 21 Xia San Huang.

In certain cases of excess conditions, the child can disperse the parent. For example:

• In cases of Blood stagnation, Spleen-Earth, the child of Fire-Heart, can be used by seeking a blood vessel in the region of 77.08, 09, 11 Si Hua – an important bloodletting region in Master Tung’s acupuncture for treating Blood stagnation.
• For excess Wood-Liver, the child (Heart-Fire) can be used through 88.01-03 Tong Guan/Shan/Tian, the three leg points, which treat dizziness and blurred vision.

In certain cases, the restraining sequence can be used to control one of the Five Zang organs. For example:

11.17 Mu can treat hyperactive Liver Fire. The mechanism at play is Metal restraining Wood. This point is located on the second finger, which corresponds to the Lungs-Metal, and the name of the point, Mu, represents Wood.

Water can restrain Fire. Point 22.10 Shou Jie treats pain and itching, which are connected to the Heart. This point is located on the hand in the Kidney-Water area, applying the mechanism of Water restraining Fire.

In Master Tung’s acupuncture, the primary points of the Zang organs based on the type of pathogen are used as follows: for external Wind, use the Lungs; for Dampness, use the Spleen; for Coldness, use the Kidneys; for internal Wind, use the Liver; for Heat and Fire, use the Heart.