33. Entry–Exit blocks
Chapter contents
Introduction258
What are Entry and Exit points?258
Diagnosis of an Entry–Exit block259
Treatment of an Entry–Exit block261
Ren and Du channel blocks261
Introduction
Aggressive Energy, Possession and Husband–Wife imbalances are major blocks to treatment because they can cause extensive deterioration to a patient’s health. An Entry–Exit block will not be as damaging, although if untreated it can still reduce or even stop the patient’s normal progress towards health. 1
1It is not clear from where this treatment originated, although Eckman states that it was taught in a Shanghai TCM College in the 1960s (see Eckman, 1996, p. 204). It is mentioned by Felix Mann in his book Acupuncture: the Ancient Chinese Art of Healing (Mann, 1971). In his article ‘Four LA blocks to treatment’ (Flaws, 1989), Bob Flaws stated that Entry and Exit points were taught to him by his teacher, Dr Tao Xi-Yu. Dr Tao learned it from his uncle in Beijing. Interestingly, Dr Tao was an associate of Wu Wei-Ping and translated for J. R. Worsley when he learnt from Wu Wei-Ping in Taiwan.
What are Entry and Exit points? (Table 33.1)
The Entry and Exit points are specific points close to the beginning and end of each channel. The 12 main channels are connected to each other and form a complete circuit. This circuit is outlined in the Ling ShuChapter 16. It is the same as the qi flow between the Organs described in the 24-hour clock which is discussed in the Law of Midday–Midnight in Chapter 2. The points where the channels connect are called the Exit and Entry points.
| Entry | Exit |
|---|---|
| Lu 1 | Lu 7 |
| LI 4 | LI 20 |
| St 1 | St 42 |
| Sp 1 | Sp 21 |
| Ht 1 | Ht 9 |
| SI 1 | SI 19 |
| Bl 1 | Bl 67 |
| Kid 1 | Kid 22 |
| PC 1 (PC 2 on a woman) | PC 8 |
| TB 1 | TB 22 |
| GB 1 | GB 41 |
| Liv 1 | Liv 14 |
What is an Entry–Exit block?
Sometimes the connection between the Entry and Exit point becomes blocked. This may be at the Exit point of one channel, which can no longer connect with the Entry point of the following channel. There may be either a complete or a partial blockage of the qi flow between the channels. Alternatively, the whole channel can be blocked. In this case the Entry point and Exit point of the same channel may be treated.
An Entry–Exit block may be treated by the practitioner at the initial diagnosis. More commonly it becomes evident during the course of treatment.
The Entry–Exit points
The circuit of Entry–Exit points takes qi through the channels in the following order:
Lung – Large Intestine – Stomach – Spleen – Heart – Small Intestine – Bladder – Kidneys – Pericardium – Triple Burner – Gall Bladder – Liver and back to the Lung.
The Entry points are
Lu 1LI 4St 1Sp 1Ht 1SI 1Bl 1Kid 1PC 1TB 1GB 1Liv 1
All Entry points except for one (LI 4) are the same as the first point on the channel. In women PC 2 is used in place of PC 1 due to its location on the breast.
The Exit points are
Lu 7LI 20St 42Sp 21Ht 9SI 19Bl 67Kid 22PC 8TB 22GB 41Liv 14
Some of the Exit points are also the last points on the channel. The others (Lu 7, St 42, Kid 22, PC 8, TB 22 and GB 41) are not the last point, although they are close to the end of the channels.
Diagnosis of an Entry–Exit block
Pulse diagnosis to detect an Entry–Exit block
An Entry–Exit block is usually detected by pulse diagnosis. A blockage is usually indicated in one of these three ways:
• a relatively full pulse is followed by a deficient pulse
• pulses on consecutive Organs/channels don’t change during treatment
• a similar quality pulse appears on the pulses of consecutive channels
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