Laterality of treatment points

[Beatriz Meza-Valencia]

Hi Allison,

I just finished reviewing the LV/GB lectures and have the following questions:

1. To treat oketsu of the head, what side do we use for SP3.2, SP6, and SP9?
2. Are GB17-19 diagnosis and treatment points? If they are treatment points what is the angle for the needle?
3. To treat liver excess is LV3 needled bilaterally?
4. What side of LV8 and SP5 do we use for pelvic pain or for inflammatory conditions?
5. If we are using GB40 and GB13 for sinusitis, which side do we use?
6. In general unless a side is mentioned for the treatment point, do we assume to use the same side as where the symptom is over the meridian?.
7. To treat pain at one of the two LV2 (fire points) do we only treat the LV M/W on that same side?

Thank you!

[Allison Bailey]

Hi and thanks for all the great questions!
1. Oketsu of the head requires treat of Oketsu (left Lv4, Lu5) in part 1 (plus adrenal, which remember is bilateral but often asymmetric depending on diffrential diagnosis) then bilateral spleen points of part 2 (alleviates dampness).
2. These GB points are near GV20 and is a region that is more diagnostic. You palpate this area of a boggy feeling. The body points should relieve any sensitivity there.
3. Liver excess has three types-one is when the LV Mu point (LV14) is tender-that is treated with LV3. Start with the right side LV3 (usually it is the RIGHT Lv14 that is diagnostic also. If the LV14 is still tender, then add left LV3 also.
The other type of Liver excess is when the actual liver organ is tender. That treatment we call the Rule of 7’s and is treated with Right Sp7, KD7, JpPC4 and HT3 (4-3=7).
The final type is tenderness at the Liver fire point (LV2) and for this you treat LV metal water points on the same side that the fire point is tender on.
4. For this you use LV8 and Sp5 on that same side as the tenderness/pain at the lower abdomen that reflects the pelvic pain.
5. Use same side as the sinus tenderness and when using GB40 for sinusitis needle upwards towards the head (sinuses).
6. In general we treat the same side as the diagnostic palpatory reflex if a side isn’t mentioned. However, for more systemic issues (like using spleen points for diabetes) we usually needle bilaterally.
7. Yes! On the same side where the fire point is tender. Sometimes both sides will be tender, sometimes unilateral so just treat the M/W points on the side with the tender fire point(s).
Hope this helps!

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