DEMYSTIFYING TUNG ACUPUNCTURE

M.K.SHASTRI
24 slides, 24 minutes
 So many points, what do you choose?
Choose based on holographic image
Choose based on your TCM teaching
Choose based on channel relationship
Choose based on right-left-up-down (the magic square)
Choose based on 5 elements
Choose based on Antique points
Choose based on classic texts
Choose based on time of day, time of year
I just ask the patient where they would like be needled, and I needle there.
2 main reasons Master Tungs pts are so special-
Choose based on reaction area
Choose based on location of Dao Ma group
 Techniques
1 Most important step; Get the De Qi
– Why? You need to modulate the nerve
– Don’t kill your patients, just get the right spot
– Japanese or Chinese qi- I don’t think it matters
– The magic of needling is in the “left” hand. (thank you Robert Chu)
– 2nd step? Repeat step 1.
– Basics- use 28-40 gauge needle, 30 minutes retention time, no flaking,
poking, twisting. I use 34-38.
– Why 30 minutes? Classics say 28.8 minutes, and MRIs show that your brain
will be lit up for around 28 minutes. (90%) (last 10% is from 28-42minutes if
patients are chronic and or need the time then I have them sit for that
additional 14min).
– Depth is important. The closer the problem the shallower the insertion the
further the problem deeper the insertion. 77.08 (St 36) (knee,stomach, lungs, heart)
 Dao Ma
▪ “The Dao Ma Needling Technique of Master Tung Ching-Chang
was one of the clinical methods he most frequently employed.
This technique can succinctly be stated as follows: three points
are needled simultaneously to profoundly 'obtain qi' (De Qi) and
rapidly effect a cure. Dr. Tung did not greatly concern himself with
'supplementing' (Bu) or 'draining' (Xie) needle techniques, but
rather with powerfully 'obtaining qi' (De Qi) to influence the
'Reaction Areas' of the points needled. In this style of
acupuncture, the more you obtain the qi, the faster your results
will be.”
▪ Over 60% of Master Tung points are in “dao mas”
 Dao Ma
88.09-10-11, Penetrating Gates
– Impotence- sexual dysfunction, nephritits,
diabetes, dizziness, low back pain, edema from
the kidney, renal issues/renal pain
– Clinically? Day in day out? Kidney issues, back
pain, sexual dysfunctions, Type 2 hypertension
(kidneys), edema, any case of weakness, low
back pain, kidney pain, clavicle/arm/acromian,
chest pain
– Why? Bone=kidney, spleen channel, earth helps
the water, spleen treats stomach, spleen helps
lung, holographic images
– Muscle treats muscle, kidney reaction area
• 77.01-02-03 Upright Tendon Dao Ma
• Vertebral pain, back pain, neck pain, brain swelling, pain
in upper
shoulder, headache
• 77.01=C2-3 (3.5 cun proximal to heel)
• 77.02=C4-5 (2 cun up)
• 77.03=C6-7 (2 cun up)
• You could even add one at the juncture to get the atlas
C1-2 occipital
area, or add another proximal for T1-2
• Bladder channel treats bladder/kidney channel
• Holographic image- neck, head, low back
• Bone for bone, tendon for tendon, tap the bone
• Reaction area of vertebral and brain areas
 Dao Ma for infertility
• Hancho, 11.06
• Ring finger, ulnar side
• All infertility, uterus issues, menstruation issue,
tubal obstructions, fibroids etc etc (1-5 points)
• Fu ke, 11.24
• Thumb, ulnar side (2-5 points)
• Supports hancho use together, same indications
• Reaction area of the uterus
• Tw/kid, holographic, even Greeks said that was
• the fertility finger, wedding ring
• Fu ke is stronger- most innervated finger
• Tap the bone, bone treats kidney
• The Dao Ma are the points Fu Ke, and we have
added a single point Hancho to go with it.
 Putting Dao Mas together
▪ Treating HA (Dao Ma and TCM points)
– Tai Yang (bilateral) and Yin Tang as a Dao Ma (kind of)
– 22.05, Ling Ku, LI 4, LI3 (Da Bai) as a Dao Ma
– 77.05-06-07 3 weights GB39 first pt, 2nd pt 2 cun proximal, 3rd pt 2 more cun proximal
▪ Treating Heart Issues:
Middle finger is the Heart in Master Tung system
– 11.07 Dao Ma (Maher Finger Heart three needles, Dr. Maher)
– 88.01-02-03 (Wei Chi Young, ST channel 5,7,9 up on upper thigh)
– 66.03-4 (LV2.5, LV3.5 kind of Dr. Wei Chi Young), vessel treats cardiac vessel, fire pts,
antique points
– 3 spirit needles (on the PC channel 7, 5,4)
 Putting Dao Mas together
▪ Knee pain (one way to treat it)
3 spirit needles, Pc 7,5,4 (opposite side, PC/ST, image, 1/4 image, medial tendon
treats the patella tendon)
Palm 3 Needles Shui er, Yi san- (border of pink white skin LU10 area +.5 cun, -
.5cun)
Hou zhou, hou zhi (can add in a 3rd point, LV2 if needed) same side.
LV/LV, LV/GB, jueying/yang ming, deepest channel in knee, circulation of the
knee, fire point, antique pts.
▪ Knee pain (another option)
4 flowers (ST36, 2nd pt 4.5 cun distal, 3rd pt 5 cun more distal) same side (Dao ma
and TCM same here)
44.16, Jian Zhong (single point Wei Chi Young)
Shoulder center dao ma- 1pt 0.5 cun distal to LI15, 2nd pt 2 proximal, 3rd pt
2 distal
 CONTD………….
▪ Jaw pain,TMJ, bruxisim (grinding teeth), teeth pain, trigeminal neuralgia, qiand blood
stagnation of the mouth
– 88.25 (GB31), 2nd point is 1.5 anterior, 3rd pt is 1.5 cun posterior 88.25
– Image, channel, wind, bone , (lots and lots of indications)
– 77.22-23 (between St36 and Gb34 is first point, 2nd pt is 2 cun distal)
– Since this is between both channels it will treat both channels
▪ The TEETH reaction area (interesting isn’t it)
Just a few examples! So many options, so many choices! Don’t memorize
my points, memorize the THEORY. If you know the reason(s),then you
will have the freedom to chose and the confidence in what to do with
your patients.
 Why 3
▪ Tao tells us of the Great Triad (Heaven-Mankind-
Earth) which can be loosely translated to mean the
path from obscurity into manifestation.
▪ 3 Depths of needling (Dr. Wei Chi Young)
▪ 3 needles in a Dao Ma
▪ 3 is a very important number
 Brief overview of a Dao Ma
▪ Over 60% of master tungs are dao mas
▪ Very powerful to stimulate the channel and brain
▪ 1=1
▪ 1+1=3
▪ 1+1+1=4
▪ Usually a set of 2-3 needles
▪ I would argue a dao ma needs to be always on the same channel, but
others say differently
▪ I Use 1-4 Dao Mas on a patient (some would say too many needles)
▪ The question always is, what dao mas are the best for this
particular problem????
– This is the next part, we need to know the reaction area!
 Reaction Areas
“We will also focus on “reaction area” neurophysical
acupuncture. This reflects the knowledge of the
delicate energy of the body and the neuroanatomical
and neurophysiologic aspects of the body. This
acupuncture style also corrects and heals the body
through the manipulation of the peripheral and central
nervous system by affecting the neuraxis, the actual
anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the
body”.
Reaction Areas One easy explanation
 Reaction Areas
▪ How many times do you see a “tung” point at
LI15ish (44.06) and they say we are treating
heart problems?

▪ How about TCM KD7 “bright eyes” treats the

eyes? Why? Reaction area of the optic nerve

▪ Why is LI4 (Ling Gu) so great for digestion?

(master tans 8 magical?) Ling Gu is ALSO the
reaction area of the intestines.
Putting Reactions Areas together
“Gut problem”- reaction areas
Gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, actual organ dysfunction
– Ling Gu, LI4, LI3 (intestine reaction area)
– 4 flowers or (ST36, ST38, 2.5 cun distal, 2.5 cun more distal
(spleen/stomach reaction area)
– Upper 3 yellows (liver/gallbladder reaction area) and or Liver Gate
– Men jin single point and/or dao ma (St 44, 43.5 43),(duodenum)
– Or Learn from Dr. Tan his 8 or 9 magical
 Putting reaction areas together
▪ Brain injury or brain issue
– 1010-02, head three meetings,
– Reaction area of the brain and vertebral areas
– 1st pt, 0.5 cun posterior to DU20, 2nd pt 1.5 ant/3rd pt 1.5 post.
– 55.02, three sages, between KD1 and heel
– Reaction area of heart, kidney, brain
– 77.08 Straight brain three needles
– Reaction area of the brain
– 4.5 cun from heel, plus 2 proximal, plus 2 proximal
 Wrap up of Reaction Areas
▪ It is typically used for internal problems, but can be used for pain as well.
▪ It’s a way to get to things that we can touch with our needles.
▪ It guides our choices as to which “Dao Ma” or even which “point” to to use.
▪ It treats the “why” we have what we have, it treats the “root”.
▪ Just more layer of understanding.
 Use them Together

Dao ma + Reaction areas to guide your

treatment protocol
 Putting Dao Mas and Reaction Areas together
Asthma, COPD, bronchial problems, any lung issue, any breathing issue
▪ 4 scholars: 4 cun proximal from wrist crease LU channel, 2nd pt is 3 cun more
proximal, 3rd pt is 3 more cun.
– Add in LU5 to go with it.
– LU controls the diaphragm
▪ Reaction area of the Heart and Lungs (we know that the heart is extremely
important when it comes to lung issues; they are a team)
▪ 3 emperors 1st pt 1.5 distal to SP9, 2pt is SP6.25, 3rd pt 4 cun proximal to 2nd pt.
SPL/LU treat each other.
▪ Reaction of the Kidneys, six fu, heart, lung
▪ Here we are treating the “grasping organ” of the breath the Lung, and the
“root” of the breath; the kidney.
▪ Tung and TCM are not that different
 Putting Reaction areas with Dao Mas together
▪ Spinal Pain- Why does the back hurt?
▪ 11.12,11.13 dao ma, dorsal side of middle finger- spinal holographic image (reaction area the
heart) vertebral column and Para spinals
▪ 22.05 (da ma maher, SI3, SI3.5, SI3.75,) (reaction area the kidney)
▪ Ling Gu single point (reaction area the ischium) (or a dao ma there)
▪ 44.02-03-04 (Wei Chi Young) (reaction area the “DU”channel, liver, kidney, and heart)
(SIchannel/bladder, bone for kidney/gallbladder) holographic image,etc
▪ BL65, 62, 60 (Dao Ma TCM)- (kidney reaction area, bladder treats kidney and bladder) (TCM shu
stream point, xi cleft pt,holographic image)
▪ 22.01 palm knee three needles (three points at LU10 distal/prox)
▪ Spleen and kidney (who is responsible for inflammation? Spleen and all the IgG’s)
 Getting better at Tung points
Quiz yourself, take every point, and every indication and say why at least
5 reasons why it works or “should work”. (know the THEORY)
▪ Don’t get so worried about the “exact point location”. Every Tung
teacher has a different point location!
▪ Be able to take any section and treat every condition.
▪ Get to where you feel comfortable in asking the patient where they would
like the needles.
– (much higher patient compliance, and now you two are a team; very important for your
business, their health, patient referrals, acceptance, professionalism etc…)
▪ Go somewhere overseas/ volunteer/ start treating 100 people a day
yourself…then when you treat 50 cases of back pain in day, you will see
right away,…”aaaahhhh this works, this doesn’t”.
 Acupuncture
▪ Master Tung points are amazing!
▪ All styles of Acupuncture are amazing! All styles work! You
just need to find what style works for you and your clinic!
▪ 90% of my patients get Acupuncture AND herbs. Acupuncture is
“what brings them in the door”. Acupuncture is the “popular and
accepted part of Chinese medicine”. But….Acupuncture and
herbs heal the patient.
▪ Usually focus acupuncture on pain, and herbs for internal issues.
But in my clinic I use both for both. But for pain, acupuncture is
1st, herbs are 2nd. For internal problems Herbs are 1st,
acupuncture is 2nd. (obviously as well, it depends on the patient)
 FINAL THOUGHTS
I found my own truth through 30,000 patients
You don’t have to listen to me
Use ANY teacher, as a guide….
You must WALK THE PATH
• YOU MUST LEARN YOUR OWN TRUTH
▪ “Your vision will become clear only when you look into
your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who
THANK
YOU