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Wind – as in the external world – it is is seen/felt by its effects. Drives all other conditions deeper. Nature abhors a vacuum – when sudden change occurs –  there will be wind. With all events – wind is obvious. Tremors/shaking/deviated and /or stiff tongue.   Use wind points – and/after uncovering WHAT is happening (why the wind).

‘Wind points’ are found at the nape of the neck.

Some  are specific – Colon 4, Colon 11, GB 31  – spring instantly to mind

The others are likely clear Liv STUCK

Or on the nape of neck. They have ‘wind’ (feng) in their name.

GV 16 (CLICK) Strong, gusty winds are a hallmark of spring in many places.  Wind can have a detrimental effect on humans as well as vegetation. In Chinese medicine there are conditions known as wind invasion and wind stroke where wind penetrates the body. All of us are familiar with heat and cold invading the body, producing heatstroke and chills, but it is less well known that wind, the climate of the Wood Element, can also enter the body and produce symptoms of imbalance.

Some people love the wind and are impervious to its influence while others are sensitive and dislike going out in windy weather. Some are so sensitive that even looking out of the window at the wild, windy weather can bring up feelings of unease. One of the classic places for wind to invade the body is through the neck, particularly in the upper part where the skull joins the cervical spine. There is an acupoint at the base of the skull in the large depression known as the occipital hollow. Fengfu or Wind Palace, is a point on the Governing Vessel (Du Mai) and is particularly susceptible to wind invasion.

Symptoms of pathogenic wind invasion include pain and stiffness in the neck, headaches, mental disturbance or fogginess, dizziness, blurred vision, shivering, sweating, aversion to cold and a general feeling of heaviness in the body. This condition can arise from prolonged exposure to blustery winds. It can also be caused by sitting or lying in a draft or in air conditioning. Fortunately, the wind can be encouraged to exit at the same place it entered. Or can be gone using Gua Sha (CLICK) and cupping on back (CLICK) . .

Wearing a scarf/having a stray jumper to drape over the back of neck – will fill the bill well.  Make sure it covers the very top of your neck where the wind likes to sneak in. If you have a very strong dislike of the wind, it may be that there is some internal wind that needs to be cleared as well.

GV 16

• English Name: Wind Mansion
• Pinyin Name: Feng Fu

The point is located on the midline at the nape of the neck in the large hollow immediately below the external occipital protuberance. Use your middle finger to trace up the middle of the back of your neck until you encounter the large bump at the back of the head. The point is in the depression immediately below.

NON TCM – Also known as ‘Ghost Pillow’. Crosses Yang Linking vessel. Can treat psycho-emotional or developmental issues from childhood, however caution usinge when patient is just starting to release.

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Urinary Bladder 10

Chinese Name: Tianzhu (English translation: Celestial Pillar)Location:  On the nape, in the depression on the lateral border of m. trapezius, within the posterior hairline, 1.3 cun lateral to the midline. Classification: Sea of Qi point Window of the Sky point Indications: Dizziness Headache, neck stiffness, pain in the shoulder and back Nasal congestion, sore throat Functions: Expels Wind, activates the meridian, soothes the sinews, benefits the head, alleviates pain, opens the sense orifices. Needling: Perpendicular or oblique insertion .5 – .8 cun. Do not insert the needle deeply medially upwards to avoid injuring the medulla oblongata.

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Gall Bladder 12

Chinese Name: Wangu (English translation: Mastoid Bone) Location: On the head, posterior to the auricle, in the depression posterior and inferior to the mastoid process. Classification: Crossing point of the Gall Bladder and Urinary Bladder Meridians Indications: Headache, stiffness and pain of the neck Toothache, swelling of the cheek Functions: Dispels Wind, benefits the head, calms the Shen, activates the meridian, relieves pain. Needling: Oblique insertion .5 – .8 cun.

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Gall Bladder 20 – an important point to treat any Wind-Cold or Wind Heat pattern

Chinese Name: Fengchi  (English translation: Wind Pool) Location: On the nape, below the occiput, at the level of DU 16, in the depression between the upper portion of m. sternocleidomastoideus and m. trapezius. Classification: Crossing point of the Gall Bladder Meridian and the Yang Wei Vessel Indications: Common cold, nasal congestion, headache, redness, swelling and pain of the eye, rhinorrhea, epistaxis Rigidity and pain of the neck, limitation of the shoulder Dizziness, vertigo, hemiplegia, epilepsy Functions: Dispels exterior and interior Wind, clears the head, benefits the eyes, nose and ears, subdues Liver Yang, activates the meridian, relieves pain. Needling: Oblique insertion .8 – 1.2 cun towards the tip of the nose with the tip of the needle slightly downwards, or subcutaneous insertion through DU 16.  Towards the middle in the deeper layer is the medulla oblongata – the angle and depth of the needle must be strictly controlled.

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An ‘also ran’ – nearly as important – GV 15 Location

• .5 cun above the midpoint of the spinal area in a depression below the spinous process of C1.

• GV 15 – Clinical Usages

  • Opens the orifices refers to the mouth, throat and tongue, for throat swelling, hoarseness, post-stroke speech disorders, important point for muteness due to tongue stiffness or vocal cord disorders.
  • Epilepsy, stroke, manic depression, loss of consciousness.
  • Occipital headaches, especially with neck stiffness, upper cervical pain and restricted neck rotation, heaviness of head – GV 15 lies over the space between C1 and C2, and can help release the suboccipital musculature which compresses the atlanto-occipital joint.
  •  Used to stimulate the medulla and limbic system, useful for emotional issues.

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Large Intestine (Colon) LI 11

The major easy wind point – so simple to use. Easy to find – does not hurt, and by itself I have found is magic.

• • Reduction of high fevers
  • Damp Heat skin diseases, red, itchy, oozing & inflamed (hives, herpes zoster, acne), may be used with UB 40 for any skin disease.
  • ST Excess Issues, burning diarrhea.
  • Elbow and upper limb disorders, pain and inflammation, atrophy, tremors – expels wind dampness from the channel.
  • Hot flashes a/or menstrual issues with heat in the Blood.
  • Expels summer heat with UB 40 & SP 10, for heat stroke add SI 3.
  • Useful for any blood circulation issue (Raynaud’s, anemia, etc.), skin problems (hives, itchiness), tennis elbow.

Location of Large Intestine 11

Place your left forearm so that it makes a right angle with your upper arm. This reveals a crease at the outer edge of the elbow. Even if a condition is only on one side of the body, it is good to treat the points on  both sides.

HB – I use for almost anything – as most come in with heat and so often wind – Heat leaves the body via the bladder – and shows itself as with Blood depletion – with wind – as in itching. Need to also sort out the gut as the skin is the gut’s lining also. .

Chinese Name: Quchi (English translation: Pool at the Crook) Location:  With the elbow flexed, the point is on the lateral end of the transverse cubital crease, at midpoint between LU 5 and the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. Classification: He-Sea Point of the Large Intestine Meridian Indications: WIND/HEAT All febrile diseases, fever, sore throat, malaria Hemiplegia, pain and motor impairment of the shoulder, swelling and pain of the knee Headache, dizziness, redness, swelling and pain of the eye, blurring vision, toothache Irregular menstruation, rubella, eczema, urticaria, erysipelas Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea Depressive psychosis and madness Scrofula Functions: Clears Heat, cools Blood, resolves dampness, expels, exterior Wind, regulates Qi and Blood, activates meridian, relieves itching.  Notes: He-Sea points are where the Qi of the meridian collects and goes deep into the body. He-sea points are known to indicated treat rebellious Qi and diarrhea. Needling: Perpendicular insertion 1.0 – 1.5 cun. * When treating for scrofula, insert the needle tip subcutaneously up to LI 14.

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Colon 4 (Large Intestine)

Large Intestine LI 4

Chinese Name: Hegu (English translation: Joining Valley)Location:  On the dorsum of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones, in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side. Classification: Yuan-Source point of the Large Intestine Meridian Command Point of the head and face Indications: Diseases of the head and face: i.e. external pathogenic headache and bodyache, dizziness, congestion, swelling and pain of the eye, nasosinusitis, epistaxis (nosebleed), toothache in the lower jaw, trismus (lockjaw), deafness, mumps, swelling of the face, facial paralysis, facial tic, swelling of the pharnyx and aphonia (inability to speak). Aversion to cold, fever, febrile disease, anhidrosis (no sweating), hidrosis. Dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, dystocia (difficult or abnormal labor/childbirth). Gastric pain, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dysentery. Hemiplegia, finger spasm, pain in the arm, infantile convulsion, manic psychosis and irritability. Malignant sore, urticaria, scabies. Every type pf pain and psychogenic tense. Use in conjunction with LIV 3 (the Four Gates) to strongly move the qi and blood in the body in order to remove stagnation and alleviate pain. Functions: Expels Wind and releases the exterior, tonifies qi and strengthens immunity, stops pain, regulates the face and head area, induces labor. Notes: LI 4 is a very common and useful point. It is useful for any condition related to the face and head. It’s also particularly useful for Wind-Heat conditions (flu). Finally, LI 4 is known as the pain point in the body. Anywhere there is pain, use LI 4.  Clinically, Yuan-Source points are of great significance in treating diseases of the internal organs. Yuan-Source points are the sites where the Yuan (Primary) qi of the Zang-Fu organs passes and stays. Puncturing the Yuan-Source points stimulates the vital energy of the regular meridians, regulates the functional activities of the internal organs, reinforces antipathogenic factors and eliminates pathogenic factors. This method of treating diseases deals principally with the root causes. The Yuan (source) point from the affected meridian is often combined with the Luo (Connecting) point of the internally-externally related meridians in use. Needling: Perpendicular insertion .5 – 1.0 cun.  Do not needle during pregnancy.

LI4 can be used through acupuncture or acupressure to support the following functions:

• Body. This point is excellent for supporting the body with pain anywhere in the body, especially the face, head and neck (sinuses, toothaches, earaches, jaw tension, etc.). Additionally, it’s also a great aid in detoxification, i.e. constipation, diarrhea, food poisoning, and even hangovers! (A note of caution: Although LI4 can be awesome to help alleviate pain associated with cramping during menstruation, this powerful point is best to avoid stimulating on pregnant bodies.)

• Mind/Spirit. One of the brilliant things about this point is that is supports elimination by nourishing our resources so that we are able to let go with more ease. This point can offer us the calm bridge between what was and what is now.  “When we are full of anxiety, distress, and confusion, this point can clear out the system and revitalize the Qi with fresh clear energy and bring out thoughts back to the understanding of the heart” (Kaatz, 2012).

A note on using this point for acupuncture.

You can find LI4, (Co4) by locating the fleshy depression just beyond the meeting point where our thumb and first finger bones meet, in a “V” shape. This point is usually a little achy (especially when it needs some love!), which can help us know when we’ve found just the right spot. Once you find the spot you can massage it with gentle to moderate pressure in small circular motion for several minutes. Acupressure usually works pretty quickly, so you should feel some relief within the first few minutes. If you are massaging LI4 for a migraine or acute sinus pain, you will likely need to repeat this massage throughout the day if the pain returns. This is also an awesome point to stimulate to help ease and regulate bowel movements, and can be incorporated as part of your daily routine, anytime you are on the “throne”! 

Reference: Kaatz, D., & Tu, X. (2012). Characters of wisdom: Taoist tales of the acupuncture points. Soudorgues, France: The Petite Bergerie Press GET THIS BOOK – if you can – we in Australia/NZ are no longer being posted to!!!

COLON 4 Description and Info

Acupuncture Point: COLON 4 (LI 4, LI4) Chinese Name: He Gu English Name: Union Valley Location: Between the 1st and 2nd metacarpals, on the radial aspect of the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone, at the highest spot of the muscle when the thumb and index fingers are brought close together.Attributes: Yuan-Source point of the Large Intestine channel. Gao Wu Command point. Ma Dan-yang Heavenly Star point. Entry point. Command point for the face and mouth.

TCM Actions: Frees the channels and quickens the connecting vessels; courses wind and resolves the exterior; clears and discharges lung heat; frees gastrointestinal down bearing; relieves pain and quiets the spirit. Indications: Headache; painful swelling and reddening of the eyes; nosebleed; swelling of the face; sore, swollen throat; hypertonicity of the fingers; pain in the arm; wryness of the eyes and mouth; sweating or absence of it in heat diseases; menstrual block; prolonged labor; dysentery. Secondary Indications: Wind stroke – strabismus; malaria with fever and chills; mania; loss of voice; wind papules; cardiac pain; unilateral or ambilateral headache; great thirst, fever and aversion to cold in cold damage; headache and rigid spine; tonsillitis. Needle Information: Perpendicular insertion. 5 – 1.0 cun. Moxibustion is applicable, except in pregnancy. Cautions: Do not needle during pregnancy.

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Gall Bladder 31

Chinese Name:  Fengshi (English translation: Wind Market)Location: On the midline of the lateral aspect of the thigh, 7 cun above the transverse popliteal crease. When the patient is standing erect with the hands hanging down close to the sides, the point is where the tip of the middle finger touches. Indications: Weakness, numbness and pain of the lower extremities, beriberi General pruritus Sudden deafness Functions: Dispels Wind, activates the meridian, relieves itching, relieves pain. Notes: GB 31 is an empirical point to treat itching. Needling: Perpendicular insertion 1.0 – 2.0 cun.

On the mid line of the lateral aspect of the thigh, 7 cun above the transverse popliteal crease, when patient is standing erect with hands close to sides the point is at the tip of their middle finger. NOPE not measured by cun . . .- is where the finger lands . . (unless it is a very long body and you are on their hip still)  – then I may guess – where is most sore gets a needle in.

GB 31 – Clinical Usages

Over bleeding – this is about HEAT driving it.

Wind will happen with loss of blood – as not enough to go around – and then we have dryness. .