Hua Tuo Jia Ji: TCM Acupoint Guide

Name

Hua Tuo Jia Ji (Huatuojiaji)

Location

A group of points located 0.5 to 1 cun lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the twelve thoracic and five lumbar vertebrae. Note: in clinical practice, the points 0.5 to 1 cun lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the seven cervical vertebrae are used as additional Huatuojiaji points.

Needling

• Straight insertion for needling the nerve root, pointed slightly toward the spine: 1.5 cun deep for the cervical and thoracic points, 2.5 cun deep for the lumbar points. Sensation: local distention and soreness, or an electric, numb sensation extending to the limbs and between the ribs.
• Slanted insertion for arthritis of the vertebral joints, pointed into the intraspinal ligament, 1 to 1.5 cun. Sensation: distention and soreness extending around the point.
• Puncture perpendicularly, 0.5 to 1 cun in the cervical and chest region; 1 to 1.5 cun in the lumbar region.
• Moxibustion is applicable.

Actions

• Regulates and harmonizes the five Zang and six Fu

Indications

• The points from the first to the fourth thoracic vertebrae treat disorders of the Lungs and upper limbs
• The points from the fourth to the seventh thoracic vertebrae treat disorders of the Heart
• The points from the seventh to the tenth thoracic vertebrae treat disorders of the Liver and Gallbladder
• The points from the tenth to the twelfth thoracic vertebrae treat disorders of the Spleen and Stomach
• The points from the first to the second lumbar vertebrae treat disorders of the Kidneys
• The points from the third to the fifth lumbar vertebrae treat disorders of the Bladder, Large and Small Intestines, uterus and lower limbs
• The points from the first to the seventh cervical vertebrae treat disorders of the neck
• All of the points treat herpes zoster at the level of the affected segmental nerve
• All of the points treat pain and stiffness of the local nerve
• All Internal organ disorders and symptoms
• Problems of the spine
• Problems of the adjacent tissues and extremities, including atrophy disorder
• C1 to C4: head region
• C1 to C7: neck region
• C4 to C7: upper extremities
• C7 to T9: chest cavity
• T8 to L5: abdominal cavity
• T11 to L5: lumbosacral region
• L2 to S2: lower extremities
• L2 to S4: pelvic cavity

Notes

These points are named after the famous doctor Hua Tuo, who lived during the Han dynasty. He is said to have used these points rather than the Back-Shu points. They are often used as local points for backache and are particularly useful to correct deviations of the vertebrae.