The Lung Channel of Hand Taiyin
Below is the pattern differentiation and acupuncture treatment prescription for the signs and symptoms we have learned in this video. There are still a few more things to learn before fully understanding this information. But I will leave these here for those who are interested in taking a peek of what’s coming later or for those who already have some knowledge about pattern differentiation and want to learn more. Until next time! :)
COMMON COLD
LU-7, LI-4, GB-20, GV-14, SJ-5
Wind-Cold (+ BL-12, BL-13)
Wind-Heat (+ LI-11, LU-5)
Weak patients (+ ST-36, RN-6)
Headache (+Yintang, Taiyang)
Runny nose (+LI-20)
Cough (+ BL-13, CV-22)
Body pain (+ GV-12)
COUGH
Exterior Invasion: BL-13, LU-7, LI-4
Wind-Cold (+ BL-12, SJ-5)
Wind-Heat (+ GV-14, LU-5)
Interior Disharmony: BL-13, LU-1, LU-9, SP-6
Phlegm-Damp (+ ST-40)
Liver Fire (+ LV-2, LU-10)
Liver Yin deficiency (+ BL-43; LU-6 for blood in phlegm)
SORE THROAT
LU-11, LI-1, SJ-1, SI-17, ST-44
EXCESS
Wind-Heat (+ GB-20, SJ-5)
LV-ST Fire (+ LU-10, ST-45)
DEFICIENCY: + KD-3, KD-7, LU-7, LU-10
WHEEZING & PANTING
BL-13, LU-1, LU-9, CV-17, Dingchuan
Excess (+ LU-5, LU-10)
Deficiency (+ BL-43, BL-23)
Profuse phlegm (+ CV-12, ST-40)
The Lung Channel of Hand Taiyin
Hello and welcome back, this is Junhwa from TCMexplained. In this post, we will be learning our first channel, the Lung channel of Hand Taiyin. Let’s start with the “cun” measurement system because it will guide us how the channels traverse the body. Base unit for this system is 1 cun, this is the width of the interphalangeal joint of the thumb.
The distance between the angles of the front hairline is 9 cun
The distance between the midpoint of the clavicles is 8 cun
The distance between the sternocostal angle and the belly button is 8 cun
The distance between the belly button and the pubic symphysis is 5 cun
The distance between the anterior axillary crease and the cubital crease is 9 cun
The distance between the cubital crease and the wrist crease is 12 cun
The distance between the lateral prominence of the greater trochanter and the popliteal crease is 19 cun
The distance between the eyebrow and the front hairline is 3 cun
The distance between the front hairline and and back hairline is 12 cun
The distance between the mastoid processes is 9 cun
The distance between the medial borders of the scapulas is 6 cun
The distance between the gluteal fold and the popliteal crease is 14 cun
The distance between the popliteal crease and the lateral malleolus is 16 cun
The distance between the popliteal crease and the medial malleolus is 15 cun
The Lung Primary Channel
The Lung primary channel originates in the Middle Burner, where the Stomach is located. The channel goes down to connect with the Large Intestine, goes up again, passes the Stomach and the diaphragm, and it penetrates the Lungs. It further ascends to the throat and then emerges at the first acupuncture point of the channel, LU-1.
It goes up to the center of the delto-pectoral triangle, goes down along the anterior-lateral aspect of the upper arm, and passes the cubital fossa of the elbow, where LU-5 is. It continues to go down along the anterior-lateral aspect of the forearm, passing LU-6. It goes to LU-7, passing the styloid process of the radius. It follows the lateral border of the radial artery, passing LU-8 and LU-9, goes to the thenar eminence, passing LU-10, and terminates at the radial side of the thumbnail at the last acupuncture point of the channel, LU-11.
The Lung primary channel has one branch at LU-7 at the styloid process. This branch goes to the radial side of the tip of the index finger, where it connects with the first acupuncture of point of the Large Intestine channel, LI-1.
The Lung Luo-connecting Channel
The Lung luo-connecting channel is relatively short. It separates at LU-7, follows the primary channel, spreading to the palm and thenar eminence, and then connects with the Large Intestine channel.
The Lung Divergent Channel
The Lung divergent channel diverges at the axilla, connects with the Lungs and disperses in the Large Intestine. There is a branch coming off from the Lungs, goes up to the supraclavicular fossa, throat, and then connects with the Large Intestine channel.
The Lung Sinew Channel
The Lung sinew channel starts at LU-11. It binds at the thenar eminence, goes along the flexor aspect of the forearm, binds at the center of the elbow, goes along the anterior-lateral aspect of the upper arm, and enters the chest below the axilla. It emerges in the supraclavicular region and goes laterally to the shoulder, anterior to LI-15. From the supraclavicular region, it also goes down to the chest and spreads over the diaphragm and floating ribs.
Key Points
The primary channel “originates” in the Middle Burner
The primary and divergent channels travel to the throat region
The primary and luo-connecting channels travel to the index finger to connect with the Large Intestine channel
The primary channel connects with 3 organs: the Stomach, Large Intestine, and Lungs (The Lungs are the Lung primary channel’s associated Yin organ, and the Large Intestine is the internally-externally related Yang organ; The Stomach is the organ of the Yangming channel, as is the Large Intestine)
The sinew channel starts from LU-11, unlike the primary channel
Signs and Symptoms of the Primary Channel
So, that was the anatomy of the Lung channel of Hand Taiyin. Last time we learned that one of the functions of the channels is to respond to the dysfunction in the body. The channel can have problems due to stagnation of Qi and Blood from physical injuries or overuse; the channel can have problems due to invasions of Exterior Pathogenic Factors, such as Wind or Cold; the channel can have problems because of Yin-Yang imbalance or internal organ disharmonies.
Now, let’s look at what kind of signs and symptoms manifest when there is a problem with the Lung primary channel.
Shortness of breath
Cough and wheezing
Fullness and oppression of the chest
Aversion to cold with sweating
Frequent urination
Pain in the throat
Pain and coldness of the arm, shoulder, and chest
Shortness of breath, cough and wheezing, and fullness and oppression of the chest are due to the dysfunction of the Lungs in respiration and descending of Qi, leading to the counterflow of Qi.
Aversion to cold with sweating is due to the dysfunction of the Lungs in dispersing and diffusing.
Frequent urination is due to the dysfunction of the Lungs in regulating the water passage.
Pain in the throat, and pain and coldness of the arm, shoulder, and chest are due to stagnation of Qi and Blood in the channel.
Signs and Symptoms of the Luo-connecting Channel
In excess syndrome, there is a feeling of heat in the palms
In deficiency syndrome, there is yawning, frequent urination, and shortness of breath
Signs and Symptoms of the Sinew Channel
Pain and spasms of the muscles along the sinew channel
Main Acupuncture Points of the Lung Channel
Since we are learning about the signs and symptoms of channels, let’s go over some acupuncture points that can treat them as well. In general, any points on the Lung channel can be used to treat the dysfunctions of the Lungs. But every point has its own special actions. We will learn about them in more detail in future, so for now, let’s briefly go over some of the Lung channel points.
LU-9 is a major point that can tonify both Lung Qi and Lung Yin. Lung Qi deficiency can cause cough, wheezing, and fullness and oppression of the chest with shortness of breath, yawning, or copious watery phlegm. On the other hand, Lung Yin deficiency can cause cough, wheezing, and fullness and oppression of the chest with heat in the palms, spitting of blood, or scanty dry phlegm.
In case of cough, wheezing, and fullness and oppression of the chest due to excess, rather than deficiency, LU-1 or LU-8 is a better choice.
LU-5 can clear all kinds of Heat from the Lungs and descend the Lung Qi. Whether Heat is caused by deficiency or excess, or internally or externally, LU-5 can be used.
For acute conditions, LU-6 can be used, especially when there is bleeding due to Wind-Dryness or Wind-Heat.
Aversion to cold with sweating refers to the invasion of Wind, causing common-cold symptoms, such as chills and fever, nasal discharge, and headache. LU-7 is the major point that can release the exterior Wind. Not only that, it can also clear the internal Wind that causes headache. As Wind attacks the upper part of the body, LU-7 is well-known for treating the head and neck problems.
Since the Lungs are the “upper source” of water and they regulate the water passage, when the Lungs are deficient, there may be frequent urination or inability to control urination. At this time, LU-5 can be used. On the other hand, when the Exterior Pathogenic Wind obstructs the movement of water, there can be urinary retention, and for this case, LU-5 can be used as well.
For pain in the throat, LU-10 or LU-11 can be used. LU-10 can be used for both excess and deficiency Heat, whereas LU-11 is used more often for excess Heat.
For pain and coldness of the arm and shoulder with restricted movement, LU-5 is an important point. Also, especially for the acute conditions, LU-6 is useful as well.
For a feeling of heat in the palms, LU-10 can be used as a local point. But since LU-10 also clears heat from the Lung channel and the Lungs, it is appropriate for this condition. And LU-7, 8, and 9 are also indicated for heat in the palms.
So, that was the first Channel of the TCM Anatomy series. I hope this was a good starting point. Next, we will learn about the Large Intestine channel of Hand Yangming. If you have any feedback or questions about the material covered, please don’t hesitate to contact at junhwa@tcmexplained.com.
* The content is provided only for education purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
References
1. Cheng, Xinnong, ed. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion. 3rd ed. Fifteenth Printing 2014. Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 2012.
2. Deadman, Peter, Mazin Al-Khafaji, Keven Baker. A Manual of Acupuncture. 2nd ed. East Sussex, England:Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications, 2007.
3. Kaptchuk, Ted J. The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2000.
4. Maciocia, Giovanni. The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Text for Acupuncturists and Herbalists. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone, 2015.