Chinese Hand Acupuncture


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10 Chinese Hand Acupunctur


    (H.-U. Hecker, A. Steveling, E.T. Peuker)


Introduction


Chinese hand acupuncture is a rarely used form of acupuncture that is often employed in combination with other acupuncture methods, for example, body and auricular acupuncture.


For the sake of completeness, it should be pointed out that a special school of hand acupuncture has developed in Korea which is increasingly being employed here in Europe as well.


In Western countries several hand acupuncture points have proved very effective and are also often used, for example, Point 1 (really two points) for the treatment of lumbago and ischialgia, or Point 14 for the treatment of throat–neck complaints.


Similar to the ear, scalp, and mouth, there is also a somatopic arrangement of various regions of the body in the area of the ventral and dorsal sides of the hand. By needling the corresponding acupuncture points, a regulatory effect can be exerted on these.


The disadvantage of hand acupuncture is the relatively painful nature of the treatment.


Technique


In hand acupuncture, acupuncture with lasers is more patient-friendly than the needle technique.


Treatment with the needle technique usually lasts 10–20 minutes and is therefore somewhat shorter than body acupuncture (approx. 30 minutes). Depending on the localization of the points, the needling depth may vary between 0.2 and 1 cm.


Good results are attributed to the use of electroacupuncture. Electrostimulation mainly uses frequencies of 3–10 Hz.


Needling of the palm of the hand can prove very difficult on account of the level of pain involved. Hardened skin in the palm area of the hand is also a problem.


When giving treatment via the points of the palm of the hand, laser acupuncture is the best option for patients who are very sensitive to pain.


Indications and Contraindications


The main indication is pain therapy.


There are no absolute contraindications. If individual points are extremely painful, they should be avoided.


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Hand acupuncture points on the dorsal surface of the hand


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Hand acupuncture points on the palm of the hand


Hand Acupuncture Points on the Dorsal Surface of the Hand


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Hand Point 1   Lumbar Point, Leg Point


Location: There are two points in this connection which are each located at the proximal end of the metacarpal bone between fourth and fifth finger and second and third finger.


Indication: Lumboischialgia, Lumbar Vertebrae Zone (LVZ) syndrome.


As a rule, the points are needled jointly and firmly manipulated.


This is the most important point in Chinese hand acupuncture and is frequently used for acute LVZ syndrome or for lumboischialgia.


Both these points (there are two points) are needled using a sedative needle technique for acute complaints.


Hand Point 4   EyePoint


Location: On the ulnar side of the interphalangeal joint of the thumb, at the end of the flexion crease.


Indication: Complaints in the eye region.


Hand Point 5   ShoulderPoint


Location: On the radial side of the metacarpopha langeal joint of the index finger, at the end of the flexion crease.


Indication: Shoulder–arm syndrome.


Hand Point 6   ForeheadPoint


Location: On the radial side of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the index finger, at the end of the flexion crease.


Indication: Cephalgia, sinusitis, and afflictions in the forehead–head region.


Hand Point 7   PartingPoint


Location: On the radial side of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the index finger, at the end of the flexion crease.


Indication: Cephalgia, migraine.


Hand Point 8   Migraine Point, Half of the Head (on the right orleft)


Location: On the ulnar side of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the fourth finger, at the end of the flexion crease.


Indication: Migraine, cephalgia, one-sided headache, and afflictions of the bile ducts and gallbladder.


Hand Point 9   Genital Point, PerineumPoint


Location: On the radial side of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the little finger joint, at the end of the flexion crease.


Indication: Hemorrhoids, pain in the perineal region.


Hand Point 10   Back of the HeadPoint


Location: On the ulnar side of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the little finger joint, at the end of the flexion crease.


Indication: Occipital headache.


Hand Point 11   Spinal ColumnPoint


Location: On the ulnar side of the base joint of the little finger, at the end of the flexion crease.


Indication: Spinal column syndrome, tinnitus, thoracodynia.


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Hand Point 12   Sciatic NervePoint


Location: On the ulnar side of the base joint of the ring finger.


Indication: Ischialgia, coxalgia, lumboischialgia.


Hand Point 13   Throat, Pharynx, and LarynxPoint


Location: On the ulnar side of the base joint of the middle finger.


Indication: Laryngitis, pharyngitis, globus sensation, toothache.


Hand Point 14   NeckPoint


Location: On the ulnar side of the base joint of the index finger.


Indication: Cervical vertebrae syndrome.


Besides Hand Point 1, Hand Point 14 is one of the most important points in hand acupuncture. Neck and back complaints can frequently be alleviated using a sedative needle technique.


Hand Point 15 Nosebleeds


Location: On the ulnar side of the edge of the web between thumb and index finger.


Indication: Nosebleeds.


Hand Point 16   Head


Location: On the ulnar side of the base joint of the thumb, at the end of the flexion crease.


Indication: Headaches.


Hand Point 17   Nose


Location: Dorsal side of hand in the angle formed by metacarpal bones 1 and 2.


Indication: Rhinitis, sinusitis.


Hand Point 18   WristPoint


Location: In the flexion crease of the wrist approx. 1/2cun ulnar of the anatomical snuffbox.


Indication: Afflictions of the wrist. Hand acupuncture points on the dorsal surface of the hand.


For comparison: The hand acupuncture points on the dorsal surface of the hand


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Hand Acupuncture Points on the Palm of the Hand


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Hand Point 2   Ankle Point, FootPoint


Location: On the radial side of the base joint of the thumb, at the end of the flexion crease.


Indication: Joint pain in the region of the foot.


Hand Point 3   Chest Point, ThoraxPoint


Location: On the radial side of the interphalangeal joint of the thumb, at the end of the flexion crease.


Indication: Thoracodynia, intercostal neuralgia.


Hand Point 19   UpperAbdomen


Location: Somewhat ulnar of the PC-7 on the lower edge of the palm of the hand.


Indication: Upper abdominal pain.


Hand Point 20   FootJoint


Location: Approx. 1cun proximal to PC-8 in the palm of the hand.


Indication: Pain in the foot joint.


Hand Point 21   Colds


Location: Somewhat below and ulnar to LU-10 on the ball of the thumb.


Indication: Colds.


Hand Point 22   Hysteria


Location: With the thumb abducted in the center of the web of the thumb and index finger in the palm of the hand.


Indication: Hysteria.


Hand Point 23   Bronchitis


Location: Approx. 1cun proximal to the web of the second and third finger in the palm of the hand.


Indication: Bronchitis.


Hand Point 24   Mouth


Location: In the middle of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the third finger in the palm of the hand.


Indication: Stomatitis.


Hand Point 25   Heart


Location: Approx. 1/2cun proximal to the web between fourth and fifth finger in the palm of the hand.


Indication: Functional heart complaints.


Hand Point 26   Kidney


Location: In the middle of the distal interphalangeal joint of the fifth finger in the palm of the hand.


Indication: Kidney diseases (pain).


Hand Point 27   Enuresis


Location: In the middle of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the fifth finger in the palm of the hand.


Indication: Enuresis.


Hand Point 28   Sweating


Location: 1cun above Point 19 in the palm of the hand.


Indication: Hyperhidrosis.


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Hand Point 29   LargeIntestine


Location: In the center of the distal interphalangeal joint of the index finger in the palm of the hand.


Indication: Functional gastrointestinal complaints.


Hand Point 30   SmallIntestine


Location: In the center of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the index finger in the palm of the hand.


Indication: Functional gastrointestinal complaints.


Hand Point 31 Heart


Location: In the center of the distal interphalangeal joint of the middle finger.


Indication: Functional heart complaints.


Hand Point 32   TripleBurner


Location: In the center of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the middle finger.


Indication: Indigestion, lymphatic disorders.


Hand Point 33   Spleen


Location: In the center of the distal interphalangeal joint of the ring finger.


Indication: Indigestion.


Hand Point 34   Liver


Location: In the center of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the ring finger.


Indication: Indigestion.


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For comparison: The hand acupuncture points on the dorsal surface of the hand


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Nov 5, 2016 | Posted by in MANUAL THERAPIST | Comments Off on Chinese Hand Acupuncture

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