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The therapeutic effects of acupuncture and moxibus-tion are induced through stimulating the selected acupoints by means of acupuncture or moxibustion. Therefore the selection and combination of acupoints play an important role in the treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion. Correct selection and combination of acupoints are key to the curative effects of acupuncture and moxibustion thera-py.
4. 3. 1 Methods for selecting acupoints
The main principles for selecting acupoints are to se-lect along the meridians and according to the pathological conditions.
4. 3. 1.1 Selection of proximal acupoints
This is a method to select acupoints located on the adjacent area of the disease because acupoints can be nee-dled to treat the diseases around them or near them. This method can be divided into two types, selection of local acupoints and selection of adjacent acupoints.
4. 3. 1.1.1 Selection of local acupoints
It means to select acupoints located in the affected area. For example, Yingxiang (LI 20) is selected to treat nasosinusitis; Dicang (ST 4) is selected to treat distortion of mouth; Tinghui (GB 2) is selected to treat tinnitus and deafness; Taiyang (EX-HN 1), Touwei (ST 8) and Baihui (GV 20) are selected to treat headache; Zhongwan (CV 12) is selected to treat stomachache; Qimen (LR 14) and Riyue (GB 24) are selected to treat hypochondriac pain; Jianyu (LI 15) is selected to treat swelling and pain of shoulder; Xiyan (EX-LE 5) is selected to treat swelling pain of knee.
4. 3. 1.1.2 Selection of adjacent acupoints
It means to select acupoints located near the affected area. For example, Yintang (EX-HN 3 ) is selected to treat nasosinusitis; Fengchi (GB 20) is selected to treat headache; and Ciliao (BL 32) is selected to treat hemo-rrhoids.
4.3. 1.2 Selection of distal acupoints
It means to select acupoints distal to the affected are-a. The acupoints selected in this case are usually located below the elbows and knees. This method for selecting acupoints is based on the distribution of meridians and col-laterals. For example, Hegu (LI 4) is selected to treat toothache; Taichong (LR 3) is selected to treat redness, swelling and pain of the eyes; Kunlun (BL 60) is selected to treat stiffness and pain of the head and neck; Lieque (LU 7) and Chize (LU 5) are selected to treat cough; Daling (PC 7) is selected to treat palpitation and angina pectoris; Neiguan (PC 6) is selected to treat nausea and vomiting; Zusanli (ST 36) is selected to treat abdominal pain; and Weizhong (BL 40) is selected to treat lumbago.
4. 3. 1.3 Selection of contralateral acupoints
It is a method used to select the acupoints located oppo-site to the affected side, known as "to select the acupoints on the right side to treat diseases on the left, and vice versa". For example, the acupoints located on the right ankle are selected to treat the sprain of the left ankle.
4. 3. 1.4 Selection of acupoints according to the symptoms
This method is used to select acupoints for the treatment of syndromes involving the whole body, the clinical manifestations of which are not limited to a certain local area according to the indication of acupoints and the theory of syndrome differentiation. For example, Dazhui (GV 14) and Quchi (LI 11) are selected to treat high fever; Suliao (GV 25) and Shuigou (GV 26) are selected to treat syncope; Yinxi (HT 6) and Fuliu (KI 7) are se-lected to treat night sweating; Geshu (BL 17) is selected to treat asthenia of blood; Guanyuan (CV 4) and Qihai (CV 6) are selected to treat collapse; Zhigou (TE 6) is selected to treat constipation.
