YNSA AND TAIL ACUPUNCTURE

New Acupuncture System for Canine and Feline

Noriko Shimizu, DVM.

Nashiku Shimizu, DVM.

ACACIA ANIMAL HOSPITAL

210-2-101, Nakamachi
Kodaira-city, Tokyo, Japan, 187-0042

What is Yamamoto New Scalp

Acupuncture(YNSA)?
„ Yamamoto New Scalp
Acupuncture (YNSA) is a
completely new concept for
humans, developed around 1970
and first officially announced in
1973 by Dr. Yamamoto in Japan.
YNSA is quite a different system
from Chinese scalp acupuncture.
YNSA is classified as a somatic
representation or microsystem
comparable to other well-known
microsystems, such as ear
(auriculotherapy), mouth, nose,
hand or foot acupuncture.

1
Development of animal YNSA
„ After 5 years of clinical study I recognized
that canines/felines also have a YNSA
system and that it can be utilized for
treatment of, for example, locomotory and
nervous system disorders. However, the
canine/feline YNSA system is not exactly
the same as that for humans, but is rather
simple in comparison.

2
Development of Tail Acupuncture
„ The canine/feline YNSA system was effective for
treating disorders of the upper half of the body.
However, in the case of the lower half of the
body, it was not enough, and some other system
was needed to complement it.
„ Through clinical observation, I found there were
also Microsystems on the tail and in the gluteal
region. I named these “Tail Acupuncture”. Tail
Acupuncture is utilized for spinal disorders and
joint disorders of the pelvic limbs.

MICROSYSTEM ON CANINE

3
The Basic YNSA somatotope
„ The Basic YNSA somatotope is located
bilaterally on the forehead. Note that
although in humans the Basic YNSA
somatotope is located on both the
forehead (Yin position) and the occipital
scalp (Yang position), in canines and
felines the Basic YNSA somatotope is
located only on the forehead (Yin position).

BASIC YNSA SOMATOTOPE

somatotope

4
5
 YNSA POINTS
and Diagnostic Areas
„ BASIC POINTS
„ SENSORY POINTS
„ BRAIN POINTS
„ YPSILON POINTS
„ NECK DIAGNOSTIC AREAS

6
 YNSA Points

„ BASIC POINTS
„ Y POINTS
„ BRAIN POINTS

YNSA Points (side view)

7
 BASIC POINTS

„ A：head,cervical
I D spine,shoulder
H „ B：cervical spine,shoulder,
C shoulder joint,scapular
B region
E A „ C：scapular region,
shoulder joint, thoracic limb
„ D：lumbar spine,pelvic limb
„ E：thoracic spine, ribs,
(lungs and heart)
„ F：sciatic nerve
„ G：knee
„ H & I：Lumber (Extra Points)

Basic Points (side view)

H I
A B C D
E

F G

8
 Basic A Point
„ The YNSA Basic A Point is located approximately 0.5-1
cm bilateral to the midline, at the frontal line on the
muscle frontalis, or approximately 5 cm upper to the
vertical line of the medial angle of the eye.
„ The A Point is subdivided into A1-A8 following a vertical
line from anterior to posterior, and it has an approximate
total length of 1 cm.
„ The Points A1-A8 represents the head and cervical
spine as well as those parts of the body supplied by
nerves derived from this region.

Basic A Point

I „ A：head,cervical
D
H spine,shoulder
C
B
E A

9
Basic A Point (side view)
H I
A B C D
E

F G

10
Indications for
the Basic A Point
All reversible conditions within the areas
innervated by the cervical nerves .
„ All pain relief after injury or after surgery
„ Headaches
„ Cervical syndrome
„ Trigeminal neuralgia, or any facial, neck,
or shoulder neuralgia
„ Toothache, gingivitis
„ Cerebral disturbances
„ Facial paralysis

11
 Basic B Point
„ The YNSA Basic B Points are approximately 0.5-
1cm bilateral to the Basic A Point, or 1-1.5 cm
lateral to the midline, at the frontal line on the
muscle frontalis. The Basic B Point has no
subdivisions. It represents the cervical spine
region and areas innervated by the cervical
nerves – the shoulder, the clavicular region,
and sometimes the shoulder joint.

Basic B Point

„ B：cervical spine,
I D
H shoulder,
C shoulder joint,
B
E A scapular region

12
Basic B Point (side view)
H I
A B C D
E

F G

Indications for
the Basic B Point
„ All reversible conditions within the areas
innervated by the cervical nerves, internal or
external, deep and superficial areas.
„ For example:
・ All pain relief after injury or after surgery
・ Neck-shoulder-arm syndrome
・ Shoulder pain due to immobility after
arm fractures
・ Hemiplegia, etc.

13
 Basic C Point
„ The YNSA Basic C Point is located
approximately 1-1.5 cm lateral to the B point or
2-3.5 cm lateral to the midline, at the frontal line
of the muscle frontalis. The C Point with its
division runs in an imaginary line at an angle of
45 degrees from the root of the nose to roughly
the border of the muscle frontalis and the
muscle interscutularis, stretching over an area
of about 1 cm in a slightly oblique line following
the shape of the skull.

Basic C Point

„ C：scapular region,
I D
H shoulder joint,
C thoracic limb
B
E A

14
Basic C Point (side view)
H I
A B C D
E

F G

15
The Basic C Point represents
the upper extremities as a whole, but can
also be subdivided into 9 smaller parts.
From back to front, the C Point begins
with the shoulder joint, followed by the
upper arm, the elbow, forearm, and hands.

16
 Indications for
the Basic C Point
„ Post-traumatic and post-operative pain
·
„ Frozen shoulder
„ Dislocation of the shoulder joint,
for easier  manipulation
„ Sprained joints, Fractures
„ Rheumatoid arthritis
„ Bursitis, Tendosynovitis
„ Hemiplegia, paraplegia
„ Paresthesia, Circulatory disturbances, etc.

Basic D Point
„ There are two kinds of YNSA Basic D
Points; one is the main D Point and the
other is the divided D point (D1-D8). The
main D Point represents the whole lower
part of the body, including the lumbar
vertebrate and lower extremities. The
divided D Point represents D1-D8 lumbar,
and sacrum.

17
 Basic D Point

I D „ D：lumbar spine,pelvic
H limb
C
B
E A

Basic D Point (side view)

H I
A B C D
E

F G

18
The main D Point
„ The main D Point is located on a crossing
between the upper line of the muscle
zygomaticus and its adhesive line on the
scutular cartilage in the temporal region,
approximately 0.5~1cm above the
zygomatic arch, and 1cm in front of the
ear over the muscle frontallis. The main D
Point is bilateral.

The divided D point

„ The divided D Point is located on the
scutular cartilage, on the adhesive line of
the muscle zygomaticus or on the muscle
superficial scutuloauricularis, about 0.5-1
cm in length posterior to the main D Point
and just in front of the ear, above the
temporomandibular joint region.

19
Indications for
the Basic D Point
All reversible conditions, post-traumatic or post-
operative pain, and motor disturbances.
„ Lumbago
„ Herniated intervertebral disk
„ Circulatory disturbance of the legs
„ Neuralgia, ・ Rheumatism
„ Arthritis, ・ Muscle cramps
„ Sciatica, ・ Hemiplegia, paraplegia
„ Fracture and sprains

20
Basic E Point
„ The YNSA Basic E Points are located above the
superior orbit approximately 1cm lateral to the
midline and follow the curve of the orbicular
muscle of the eye laterally. Each line is about 1-
1.5cm long. The E Points are bilateral, with
about 13 subdivisions.
„ E1 is most superior and represents thoracic
vertebrae 1.
„ E1-E13 represent the thoracic vertebrae, the ribs
and thoracic cavity, and the internal organs
innervated by the thoracic nerves.

21
 Basic E Point

I D „ E：thoracic spine, ribs,

H
C (lungs and heart)
B
E A

Basic E Point (side view)

H I
A B C D
E

F G

22
 Indications for
the Basic E Point
All reversible conditions, post-traumatic
or post-operative pain.
„ For example:
・ Intercostal neuralgia
・ Fractures
・ Asthma
・ Dyspnea
・ Bronchitis

23
External occipital
protuberance Basic F&G Points

„ F：sciatic nerve
„ G：knee

G F =mastoid
process

Atras(C1) Axis vertebra(C2)

vertebra wing spinous process

Basic F and G Points

H I
A B C D
E

F G

24
 Basic F and G Points
C1

G C2

F(mastoid process)

External acoustic meatus

Zygomatic arch

Basic F Point
„ The YNSA Basic F Point is located in the
retroauricular area, over the highest point
of the mastoid process. The canine/feline
mastoid process is, however, too small to
recognize exactly. Instead of the mastoid
process we can use the highest point
behind the ear. Sometimes the Basic F
Point and Basic G Point are difficult to
recognize separately.

25
Indications for
the Basic F Point
„ The Basic F Point represents the sciatic
nerve.
„ The indication for theBasic F Point is
sciatica.

Basic G Point
„ The YNSA Basic G Point is divided into three
parts:
1. G1: medial knee area
2. G2:frontal knee area
3. G3: lateral knee area
„ The Basic G Points are situated around the
edge of the mastoid process, and they turn
approximately 60 degrees backwards compared
with humans.

26
Indications for
the Basic G Point
Disturbance and all types of post-traumatic pain
of the knee joint and patella.
„  For example:
・ bruising
・ rheumatism
・ arthritis
・ patella fracture
・ slipping patella
・ sprains

Basic H and I Point

„ The H and I extra, or supplementary,
Lumbar Points are sometimes used in
addition to the Basic D Points.
„ The YNSA Basic H Point is located almost
directly caudally from the Basic B Point.
„ The YNSA Basic I Point is located about
1cm caudal to the Basic C Point.

27
 Basic H and I Points
H I
A B C D
E

F G

Basic H and I
Points
„ H&I：
I D
H Lumber (Extra Points)
C
B
E A

28
 Indications for
the Basic H and I Points
„ The same as for those for the Basic D
Point.
„ The effects of the Basic H and I Points are
increased when used in combination with
the D Point, especially for chronic
lumbago or chronic pain or numbness of
the pelvic limbs.

YNSA Sensory Points

„ There are four Sensory Organ Points, i.e., The
Eye Point, Nose Point, Mouth Point, and Ear
Point, belonging to this group on humans.
„ The Eye Point, Nose Point and Mouth Point are
observed on canines/felines. However, the Ear
Point has not yet been found on canine/feline.
„ Every canine/feline Sensory Point is bilateral
and observed both on the scalp and in the
gluteal region.

29
 Eye Point A and B
„ The Eye Point A is in the occipital region
and the Eye Point B is on the sacrum.

External occipital
protuberance
Nose A Eye A Point
Eye A
„ Eye A point in the
occipital region

Atras(C1) Axis vertebra(C2)

vertebra wing spinous process

30
 Eye B Point

„ Eye B point on the

sacrum

Eye B

31
Indications for the Eye Point
All ophthalmic disturbances and pain
„ impaired vision
„ glaucoma
„ conjunctivitis
„ strabismus
„ epiphora
„ post-traumatic or post-operative pain and
discomfort

32
 Nose Point A and B
„ The Nose Point A is in the occipital region
and the Nose Point B is on the tail.

External occipital
protuberance
Nose A Nose A Point
Eye A
„ Nose A Point in
the occipital
region

Atras(C1) Axis vertebra(C2)

vertebra wing spinous process

33
 Nose B Point
Anus
Nose
Nose BB
Anus
Sacrotuberous
Sacrotuberous
ligament
ligament
Mouth
Mouth BB
Tuber
Tuber
ischiadicum
„ Nose B Point in the
ischiadicum
coccygeal region

Ischiadic
Ischiadic
arch
arch

Indications for the Nose Point

„ All conditions affecting the nose, e.g.,
„ allergic conditions
„ rhinitis
„ sinusitis
„ nasal obstruction
„ post traumatic or postoperative pain
„ canine rhinostenosis in brachycephalic
species

34
Mouth Point A and B
„ The Mouth Point A is in the temporal
region and the Mouth Point B is on the
base of the tail.

Mouth A Point
Zygomatic arch
Mouth A

35
 Mouth B Point
Anus
Nose B Sacrotuberous
ligament

Mouth B
Tuber
ischiadicum
„ Mouth B Point in
the coccygeal
region
Ischiadic
arch

36
 Indications for
the Mouth Point
All conditions affecting the mouth which
show swelling of mandibular lymph node.
„ stomatopathy
„ stomatitis
„ gingivitis
„ toothache
„ swelling of mandibular lymph node
„ feline gingivostomatitis

External occipital
protuberance
Nose A SENSORY POINTS
Eye A
„ Sensory points in
the occipital
region
- Eye A
- Nose A

Atras(C1) Axis vertebra(C2)

vertebra wing spinous process

37
 Sensory Points

„ Sensory points on
the sacrum
- Eye B

Eye B

Sensory Points
Anus
Nose B Sacrotuberous
ligament

Mouth B
Tuber
ischiadicum
„ Sensory points in the
coccygeal region
- Nose B
Ischiadic
arch
- Mouth B

38
Sensory Point(Mouth A)
Zygomatic arch

Mouth A

YNSA Brain Points

Three Brain Point were recently found on
canines/felines.
„ The Cerebrum Point,
„ The Cerebellum Point
„ The Basal Ganglia Point.
„ The location of canine/feline Brain Points
is different from those of humans.

39
 Locations of YNSA Brain Points
The Cerebrum Point and the Cerebellum Point
are approximately 0.5cm from both sides of the
midline in the forehead region.
„ Basic A Points are located on a line behind the
Cerebrum Point and the Cerebellum Point.
„ The single Basal Ganglia Point is located
between the Cerebrum and Cerebellum Points
on the midline. The Basal Ganglia Point has an
elongated shape.

BRAIN POINTS

„ Basal ganglia
Basal
ganglia
„ Cerebellum

Cerebellum
„ Cerebrum

Cerebrum

40
41
42
43
 Indications for
the Brain Points
„ Neurological diseases and disturbances
„ for example:
„ all motor disturbances
„ hemiplegia and paraplegia
„ trigeminal neuritis
„ endocrine disturbances
„ epilepsy, ・ insomnia
„ depression and psychological disturbances

44
 Summary of Basic Points
„ The nine Basic Points are mostly used to
treat motor nerve dysfunctions, as in
paralysis, hemiplegia, and paraplegia.
„ Indications include dysfunctions and pain
of the kinetic apparatus caused by injury,
surgery, and inflammation, and
pathological changes, such as herniated
intervertebral discs or spondylosis.

Summary of
YNSA Sensory Points
„ The Eye Point is used to treat all of the
ophthalmic disturbances and pain.
„ The Nose Point is used to treat all conditions
affecting the nose. It is specially used for canine
rhinostenosis in brachycephalic species.
„ The Mouth Point is used for all conditions
affecting the mouth with swelling mandibular
lymph nodes. It is specially used for feline
gingivostomatitis.

45
Summary of
YNSA Brain Points
„ The Brain Points are used to treat only
central nervous system disorders.

If the result are not completely

satisfactory
„ The use of YNSA Y Points can be
considered next.
„ Usually canine/feline patients need
additional treatmrnt with YNSA Y Points.

46
 YNSA Y Points
„ The canine/feline YNSA Y Points are 12 points
which form a somatotope representing the 12
internal organs, and they are located in the
frontal, parietal, and temporal regions. （The
human Y Points are originally located only in the
temporal region, but the frontal and parietal Y
Points have been added recently.）
„ The configuration of the canine/feline Y Points is
different from that of humans, and is similar to
the configuration of YNSA Neck Diagnostic
Points themselves.

Y Points and
Neck Diagnostic Areas

SM
ST

S/P
LA
HE
TH

LU
PC
LI GA
KI
BL

47
Approximate position of cervical
vertebrae on the scalp for Y POINT

The functioning of the Y Points

„ As the concept of these 12 Y Points is
based on the 12 meridian theory of
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
„ Each concept of the 12 Y Points
represents not only the internal organ but
also its related organ system.

48
The aim of inserting needles
into Y Points is
„ To neutralize all active Neck Diagnostic
Areas.
„ If all Neck Diagnostic Areas are
neutralized by treating correct Y Points,
the neck of the canine/feline patient is
naturally stretched and its motility
increases.

How to find Y Points

„ Y points must be determined in each
patient and with every treatment using the
YNSA neck diagnosis .
„ The success of YNSA treatment is greatly
dependent on this diagnosis. Mastering
YNSA neck diagnosis will lead to the
correct YNSA Point.

49
Liver Point(LI) and
Liver Diagnostic Area

M. brachiocephalicus

M. Trapezius
pars cervicalis

M. supraspinatus

Muscle(M.)
sternocephalicus

M. omotransversarius

12 Y POINTS
ST TH LA
KI SM S/P

PC LI
HE

BL
GB
LU

50
 Y Points and
Neck Diagnostic Areas

SM
ST

S/P
LA
HE
TH

LU
PC
LI GA
KI
BL

S/P
TH 12 Y Points
„ KI：Kidney
KI
BL
„ BL：Bladder
LA LI „ PC：Pericardium
ST GA „ HE：Heart
PC
SM „ ST：Stomach
LU
HE „ TH：Triple Heater
„ SM：Small Intestine
„ S/P：Spleen/Pancreas
„ LU：Lung
„ LI：Liver
„ GA：Gall Bladder
„ LA：Large Intestine

51
Indications for the Y Points
„ Any dysfunction or imbalance of the
internal organs
„ Any kinetic or motor disorders or
disabilities

52
 The process of treatment in YNSA

„ 1: Treat Basic Points, Sensory Points, or

Brain Points
„ 2: Neck Diagnosis
„ 3: Treat Y Points

Treat several Y Points

„ A practitioner needs to treat several Y
points until there is no active area in the
neck diagnostic areas.
„ Because of the special nature of four-
legged animals, Tail acupuncture might
also be needed.

53
Position of the Y Points

„ The canine/feline Y Points are bilateral,

and extend over the frontal, parietal, and
temporal regions.

54
For example
„ When a feline/canine patient is limping
chronically, cervical problems are latent in most
cases, and usually can be improved by the
YNSA Y Points.
„ If a patient has been treated unsuccessfully
with Basic Points, the root of dysfunction or
imbalance can be surmised to be deeper in
origin.
„ In such cases, Y Points are used. This occurs
very often in feline/canine patients with limping
or hemiplegia.

Liver Point(LI) and

Liver Diagnostic Area

M. brachiocephalicus

M. Trapezius
pars cervicalis

M. supraspinatus

Muscle(M.)
sternocephalicus

M. omotransversarius

55
Indications for the Y Points
„ Cerebral disturbances, such as hemiplegia,
paralysis, cerebral palsy,
„ Many kinds of kinetic disorders
„ Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and coccygeal
pains of various origins
„ Osteoporosis

The concept of the 12 internal

organ system of TCM-1
1:Kidney system (kidney, spittle, bone, marrow,
head hair, ear, urogenital orifices, anus, fear and
terror, interior-exterior related organ of the
bladder)
2: Bladder system (bladder, interior-exterior
related organ of the kidney)
3: Pericardium system (pericardium, interior-
exterior related organ of triple heater)
4: Heart system (heart, sweat, blood, vessel,
face, tongue, joy, interior-exterior related organ
of the small intestine)

56
The concept of the 12 internal
organ system of TCM-2
5: Stomach system (stomach, interior-exterior
related organ of the Spleen)
6: Triple heater system (lymphatic system,
interior-exterior related organ of the pericardium)
7: Small intestine system (small intestine,
interior-exterior related organ of the heart)
8: Spleen/Pancreas system (spleen, pancreas,
saliva, muscles and limbs, lips, mouth, interior
related organ of the stomach)

The concept of the 12 internal

organ system of TCM-3
9: Lungs system (lung, nasal mucus and its fluid,
skin, body hair, nose melancholy, interior-
exterior related organ of the large intestine)
10: Liver system (liver, tears, tendons, nails, eyes,
anger, interior-exterior related organ of the gall
bladder)
11: Gall bladder system (gall bladder, interior-
exterior related system of the liver)
12: Large intestine system (large intestine,
interior-exterior related system of the lungs)

57
The connection between the 12 Neck
Diagnostic Areas and the 12 Y Points

„ The connection is only observed on the

same side, i.e., the right neck correlates to
the right scalp and the left neck to the left
scalp.

12 Neck Diagnostic areas and their

relation to the 12Y Points
„ (1) Kidney area: Kidney „ (1) Small intestine area:
Point(KI) Small intestine Point(SM)
„ (2) Bladder area: Bladder „ (2) Spleen/Pancreas area:
Point (BL) Spleen/Pancreas
„ (3) Pericardium area: Point(S/P)
Pericardium Point(PE) „ (3) Lungs area: Lungs
„ (4) Heart area: Heart Point(LU)
Point(HE) „ (10)Liver area: Liver
„ (5) Stomach area: Point(LI)
Stomach Point (ST) „ (11)Gall bladder area: Gall
„ (6) Triple heater area: bladder Point(GA)
Triple heater Point(TH) „ (12)Large intestine area:
Large intestine Point(LA)

58
YNSA Neck Diagnosis
„ YNSA Neck Diagnosis consists of
palpating the neck to find active areas.
„ If you find some active areas on the neck
and then palpate the same side of the
scalp, you can find some active Y Points
which correspond to the active Neck
Diagnostic Areas.

The final aim of the YNSA Neck

Diagnosis
„ Neutralize all active Neck Diagnostic areas
by treating the corresponding Y Points.
„ The most important thing is to find the
correct Y Points to neutralize the active
Neck Diagnostic areas.

59
If you palpate a correct
Y Point, an active Neck
Diagnostic area reduces
in size or disappears immediately.

60
 How to palpate the neck
„ Repeat the next procedure(1-5) until all active Neck
Diagnostic areas are neutralized.
„ (1) Palpate on both sides of the neck and find an active
Neck Diagnosis area
„ (2) Palpate the same side of the scalp and find a correct
Y Point
„ (3) Treat the Y Point by inserting a needle
„ (4) Palpate the neck and confirm that the active areas on
the neck have been neutralized
„ (5) Palpate on both side of the neck and find other
active Neck Diagnostic areas

61
 3 Extra Neck Diagnostic Areas
„ The 3 Extra Neck Diagnostic areas are
observed only in canines/felines.
„ The 3 Extra Neck Diagnostic Areas have
their own treating Points. If you insert
needles into these Points, the active Extra
Neck Diagnostic Areas can be reduced in
size or disappear immediately.

The Extra Neck Diagnostic Area 1

„ Means the swollen mandibular lymph
nodes
„ Correlates to the Mouth Point A on the
scalp and the Mouth Point B inside the
sacrotuberous ligament.

62
 Extra Neck Diagnostic Area
2. Superficial cervical lymph nodes

1. Mandibular lymph nodes

3. Muscle spraspinatus

Extra Neck Diagnostic Area 1

and Mouth Point A,B
Mouth A

Mouth B
Extra neck
diagnostic area
1 (=Mandibular
lymph nodes)

63
 The Extra Neck Diagnostic Area 2
„ Means the swollen superficial cervical
lymph nodes.
„ Correlates to the Lymphatic Point inside
the sacrotuberous ligament.

Extra Neck Diagnostic Area 2

and Lymphatic Points
Lymphatic
Point

Extra neck
diagnostic area 2
(=Superficial
cervical lymph node)

64
 The Extra Neck Diagnostic Area 3
„ Means the active area or nodule on the
muscle supraspinatus.
„ Correlates to the Scapula point A on the
occipital and the Scapula point B in the
gluteal region.

Scapula A Point
Scapula A
and Extra Neck
Diagnostic
Area 3

„ Scapula A and B
Points are treating
points for active
Extra Neck
Diagnostic Point
Area 3
Extra neck diagnostic
point area 3
(=M. supraspinatus)

65
 Scapula B Point

Scapula B

The 3 Extra Neck Areas and their

treating points
„ (1) Extra Neck Diagnostic Area 1:
mandibular lymph nodes
treating point= Mouth Point A and B
„ (2) Extra Neck Diagnostic Area 2:
Superficial cervical lymph nodes
treating point=Lymphatic point
„ (3) Extra Neck Diagnostic Area 3
Muscle supraspinatus:
treating point= Scapula Points A and B

66
 TAIL ACUPUNCTURE POINTS

Nose B
Mouth B
Scapula B

Lymphatic
Point

Points in the
Nose A
Occipital region
Eye A
„ Eye A
„ Nose A
„ Scapula A

Scapula A

67
The type of needle
„ No.01 - No.1 stainless steel needle is
encouraged for both canine/feline patients.
„ No.1×30mm is suitable for canines.。
„ No.01×30mm is suitable for felines and
sensitive canines.
„ For the treating points on the buttocks
„ No.1×30mm or No.3×50mm is suitable for
canines
„ No.1x30mm is suitable for felines.

68
Length of treatments
„ The length of treatment depends entirely
on the canine/feline patient’s endurance. If
the patient can endure it, 5 - 15 minutes
with the needles for each treatment is
effective.

Number of needles
„ The number of needles for each treatment
depends on the canine/feline patient’s
progress.
„ Acute ailments need fewer needles, and
chronic ailments need many more needles.
„ Basically, canine/feline patients need
many more needles in comparison to
humans.

69
 How to insert
a needle in the scalp

„Keep a palpated
point by your finger
when you insert a
needle into the point
under your
finger.

Movie 1(YNSA and Neck diagnosis)

70
How to insert
a needle in the buttock
„ Keep a palpated
point outside by
your forefinger so
as not to hurt the
internal organs
when you insert a
needle into the point.

71
Tail Acupuncture
„ Tail Acupuncture was accidentally
discovered during the treatment of a
canine patient with a herniated disk in
2001. When I pressed the tip of the tail of
the patient, his paralyzed pelvic limbs
moved reflexively. It suggested to me a
new possibility for the treatment of disk
disorders.

72
The first report
on Tail Acupuncture
„ It was reported as a new microsystem
which can complement YNSA in 2003. It is
mainly utilized for spinal disorders and
joint disorders of pelvic limbs.

YNSA and Tail Acupuncture

„ If YNSA treatment produces insufficient
results, or if a canine/feline patient is
hypersensitive to being touched on the
scalp, you can try Tail Acupuncture.
„ The combination of YNSA and Tail
Acupuncture will produce more
successful results for canine/feline
patients.

73
Anatomy of the canine tail
SKELETON:
„
Canine tails consist of 6-23 pieces of
caudal vertebrae, normally approximately
20 pieces .

Muscles of the canine tail

„ There are 12 muscles which run clockwise
along the caudal vertebrae. The forefront
one starts from L1. The last one starts
from Co3.

74
 The origin and the termination
of 6 right / left tail muscles
„ (1) muscle sacrocaudalis dorsalis medialis
: from L7 to the last Co.
„ (2) muscle sacrocaudalis dorsalis lateralis
: from L1 to the last Co.
„ (3) muscle intertransversarius dorsalis caudalis
: from Sacrum& Co3 to Co5(or Co6)
„ (4) muscle intertransversarius ventralis caudalis
: from Co3 to the last Co.
„ (5) muscle sacrocaudalis ventralis lateralis
: from S1 to the last Co.
„ (6) muscle sacrocaudalis ventralis medialis
: from S3 to the last Co.

Traditional Points
„ In traditional veterinary acupuncture there
are only 5 treatment points on the tail, all
located on the midline.
„ They are mainly considered when treating
canine/feline muscular-skeletal disorders.

75
 ACUPUNCTURE
POINTS ON THE TAIL

„Tail Acupuncture
zone includes
sacrum,caudal
vertebrae and pelvis.
All directions around
the tail are potential
points in Tail
Acupuncture.

76
77
 Treatment Points
in Tail Acupuncture
„ In Tail Acupuncture many points on the tail can
be utilized.
„ The 5 traditional veterinary points are also
included among the Tail Acupuncture Points, if
these points show some activity when you
touch them.
„ Some active reaction of the animal patient when
you touch a point on the tail is a major
indication to insert a needle into that point.

„ The points on the tail approximately

represent the spinal vertebrae and the
pelvic limb
„ The points are potentially located between
every caudal vertebra, namely every joint
of the caudal vertebrae

78
The location of
the treatment point is not fixed
„ The location of the treatment point
changes depending on the injured part of
the spine and the pelvic limbs.
„ The treatment points consist of all points
which show sensitivity when you touch
them, you need to palpate all of the tail,
i.e., from the tail base (Co1) to the tip of
the tail and in all directions around the
caudal vertebrae.

79
 ACUPUNCTURE
POINTS ON THE TAIL

„Tail Acupuncture
zone includes
sacrum,caudal
vertebrae and pelvis.
All directions around
the tail are potential
points in Tail
Acupuncture.

80
The points on the buttocks
„ The points on the buttocks consist of the
5 points, which I have already explained ,
namely Eye B Point, Nose B Point, Mouth
B Point, Lymphatic Point and Scapula
Point B.

81
 Points on the
buttocks 1
„ Sensory points on
the sacrum
- Eye B

Eye B

The Points on the buttocks 2

Nose B
Mouth B

Scapula B

Lymphatic
Point

82
Tail-Pelvic Limb Reflex
„ “Tail-pelvic limb reflex” is a syndrome which
follows spinal disorders.
„ When a blockage between the spinal nerves
and paralytic symptoms is observed, the tail is
the most sensitive part in the lower half of the
body.
„ Even when a deep sense of pain is weakened
by the blockage, stimulating the tail causes
standing and walking movement of both pelvic
limbs.

83
Utilization of Tail-Pelvic limb reflex
„ In a seriously paralyzed case, even if standing
or walking movement does not happen when
you touch the tail, at least the muscles of the
pelvic limbs will contract reflexively.
„ “Tail-pelvic limb reflex” can be utilized for
treating spinal disorders by acupuncture.
„ If the human can do some finger-pressure
therapy (SHIATSU) on the canine tail instead of
using needles at home, it also helps the animal
patient recover.

Movie 2(Tail-Pelvic limb reflex)

84
 Microsystems on the caudal
vertebrae

„There are two microsystems on the caudal

vertebrae.
„ 1: Spinal system
„ 2: Pelvic limb system

Spinal system on the caudal

vertebrae

„ Spinal blockage results in displacement,

observed as nodules or twists of the
caudal vertebrae. Some correlations
between the spine and the caudal
vertebrae are observed.

85
 SPINAL SYSTEM ON THE
CAUDAL VERTEBRAE

The occipital bone

correlates to the sacrum.
„ Cervical vertebrae(C1-
C7) correlate to Co1-Co6.
„ Lumbar vertebrae
correlate to Co1-Co6.
„ Thoracic vertebrae
correlate to Co1-Co12
(or 13).

86
For example
„ If a canine patient has a problem of subluxation
between C1-C2, you will find stiffness and
indurations around both C1-C2 and Co1-Co2.
„ Both of the displacements of C1-C2 and Co1-
Co2 are observed in the same direction. A
problem of the right C1-C2 joint produces
stiffness and indurations of the right Co1-Co2
joint.
„ The pain from the subluxation between C1-C2 is
relieved by acupuncturing the sensitive points
around Co1-Co2.

87
 Pelvic Limb System on the Tail

„ The tail is also considered another pelvic

limb. Muscular correlation between the tail
and the pelvic limb is observed.
·

Pelvic Limb System

„ The right 6 muscles around the caudal vertebrae
correlate to the muscles of the right pelvic limb.
„ The 6 left ones correlate to the muscles of the
left pelvic limb.
„ The muscles on the base of the tail correlate to
the muscles of the base of the pelvic limb.
„ The muscles on the tip of the tail correlate to
the muscles of the tips of toes.

88
PELVIC LIMB SYSTEM
ON THE TAIL

Once a spinal disorder takes place

„ Muscular atrophy from disuse occurs in
the pelvic limbs. At the same time
abnormal nodules or stiffness and partial
muscular atrophy are also observed on
the tail.

89
 Indications of Tail Acupuncture
„ (1) Spinal disorders
„ Cervical vertebrae
„ Thoracic vertebrae
„ Lumbar vertebrae
„ Sacrum
„ (2) Joint problems of the pelvic limb
„ Hip joint
„ Knee joint
„ Tarsus joint

When you palpate a tail of canine patient

with spinal disorders
„ if you find some nodules at the base of the
tail, acupuncturing those points causes
movement of muscles of the thigh, and
muscular relaxation of the neck also is
observed at the same time.
„ If there are some twists near the tip of the
tail, acupuncturing the points causes
movement of the toe tips.

90
Locating the Points & Inserting
Needles
„ There are two kinds of techniques
according to the region in Tail
Acupuncture.
„ (1)Tail
„ (2)Pelvis and Sacrotuberous Ligament

Tail
„ (1)Touch the tail slowly from the base to the tip, and find
some twists or nodules.
„ (2)Apply some finger-pressure (Shiatsu) to the top of the
twist, and confirm whether pelvic limb muscles move
reflexively. If a patient doesn’t have any paralytic
syndrome, the pelvic limb reflex can not be observed.
However, you can observe some other reaction by the
patient.
„ (3) Needles can be inserted into all of these twist points.
„ (4) Insert needles obliquely into the top of the twist on
the tail toward the head about 0.5cm.
„ (5) Keep the needles in the tail for 5~10 minutes, then
take them all out.

91
How to insert
a needle on the tail

92
Movie 3(Tail Acupuncture)

Pelvis and Sacrotuberous Ligament

„ (1) Touch the base of the tail and around the pelvis - the
sacrum, the ilium, the ischium, the pubis, and sacrotuberous
ligament, and find some abnormal indurations.
„ (2) Apply some finger-pressure (Shiatsu) to the indurations,
and confirm whether the extra neck area reduces.
„ (3) While the palpating finger is still in position over the
indurations, use the other hand to insert and guide the
needle into the Point at an angle. Around the sacrotuberous
ligament, you need to keep the tip of the needle parallel to
the rectum with your finger during the treatment.
„ Keep the needles in position for 5-10 minutes, then remove.

93
How to insert
a needle in the buttock
„ Keep a palpated
point outside by
your forefinger so
as not to hurt the
internal organs
when you insert a
needle into the point.

94
Types of needles
„ For the tail：
„  No.1×30 mm is suitable for felines
„   No.1~No.3×30mm is suitable for canines.
„ For the pelvis：
„  No.1×30mm is suitable for felines
„  No.3×45mm is suitable for canines.
„ For the sacrotuberous ligament
„  No.1×30mm is suitable for both
canines/felines.

„ The points on the tail, the points on

the buttocks, and the YNSA points on
the scalp can be used together as
occasion demands.

95
Movie 4(additional points)

96
 “YNSA and Tail Acupuncture”

Noriko Shimizu,D.V.M.
Nashiku Shimizu,D.V.M.

(Publisher)
Medical Tribune

OBRIGADA!

fwny9250@mb.infoweb.ne.jp

97