By Li Ding
From the book:
"Acupuncture, Meridian Theory and Acupuncture Points"
"Luoxue", meaning to connect, is a point where a collateral starts to connect a
definite pair of Yin and Yang meridians which are externally-internally related. The 12
regular meridians, externally-internally related in pairs, are linked together by the Luo
(connecting) points in order. This establishes a continuous system for the circulation of
qi and blood through the 12 regular meridians, as to warm and nourish the entire body.
Each of the 12 regular meridians has a Luo (connecting) Point as well as Jiuwei (Ren 15),
the Luo (connecting) point of the Ren Meridian (connecting with the abdomen), Changqiang
(Du 1), the Luo (connecting) point of the Du Meridian (connecting with the head), and
Dabao (Sp.21), the Luo (connecting) point of the major collateral of the spleen
(connecting with the hypochondriac region), a total of 15. The Spleen Meridian of
Foot-Taiyin has another Luo (connecting) point Dabao (Sp.21) in addition to its original
one, Gongsun (Sp.4). This is because the four extremities all acquire vital energy from
the stomach. As this can not be obtained directly, the help of the spleen is required. The
spleen helps the stomach to transport fluids to the five zang organs and the four
extremities through its major collateral which governs both Yin and Yang collaterals of
the body. Each of the 15 collaterals has its own course and distribution. Each of them has
its own pathological manifestations. Consequently, the Luo (connecting) points are as
important as the other specific points.
The Luo (connecting) points are all located
below the elbow or knee, where the collaterals of the Yin meridians connect with their
respective Yang meridians, and the collaterals of the Yang Meridians connect with their
respective Yin meridians. Thus, the respective Yin and Yang meridians are
internally-externally related by Luo (connecting) points. The fifteen collaterals are the
major ones of the fourteen meridians, with the addition of the small collaterals,
superficial ones and the tertiary ones which are divided from, governed by and dominated
by the major ones. The Luo (connecting) points are locations at which the qi of the twelve
regular meridians converges. Jiuwei (Ren 15), the Luo (connecting) point of the Ren
Meridian, dominates the collaterals of the Yin merdians; Changqiang (Du 1), the Luo
(connecting) point of Du Meridian, governs the collaterals of Yang Meridians; and Dabao
(Sp.21), the Luo (connecting) point of the major collateral of the spleen, governs both
the collaterals and blood vessels of the whole body. The concept of the spleen's function
in keeping the blood circulation inside the vessels and preventing it from extravasation
was based on the above understanding.
All of the fifteen collaterals are the passages through which qi and blood are
transported into the zangfu organs and tissues of the body. An injury of the col!aterals
will inhibit the circulation of qi and blood, giving rise to stagnation of qi and
coagulation of blood.
Clinically, Luo (connecting) points are often combined with Yuan (source) points in the
treatment of diseases. Observations of the collaterals can sometimes be used as a
diagnostic aid. For example, observation of the thenar collateral for diagnostic purposes.
The chapter on meridians in the book Lingshu says,
"The fifteen collaterals are sometimes visable in patients suffering from Shi
conditions; but are not apparent in those patients affected by Xu syndromes. Such
differences vary from person to person, due to particularity of the collaterals and
varying degrees of experience among observers."
"When collaterals are observed, the colour blue suggests cold and pain, while red
suggests heat in the body. For example, over-riding blue at the thenar collateral implies
cold in the stomach; over-riding red means heat in the stomach; complete blackness implies
prolonged stagnation; a mixture of red, blue and green means invasion of pathogenic cold
and heat; and light green denotes qi deficiency."
"Pricking at particular collaterals to cause some bleeding once every other day
can regulate Xu and Shi conditions in certain diseases."
The application of Luo (connecting) points in general is summarized in the table
"Distribution and Indications of the Fifteen Luo (connecting) Points". For
example, Waiguan (S.J.5) is used with reducing method for acute elbow pain and an
excessive condition of the collaterals of the Shaoyang meridians; Tongli (H.5) is applied
with reinforcing method for difficult speech and aphonia due to weakness of qi, or a
deficient condition of the collaterals of the Shaoyin meridians. Luo (connecting) points
are often applied in the treatment of various chronic diseases involving the internal
impairment or accumulation of pathological substances such as stagnant qi, coagulation of
blood, phlegm, damp, etc. Pathogenic qi may reach a collateral through a meridian, because
"meridians are involved at the onset of diseases whilst collaterals are involved in
the chronic cases."
Distribution & Indications of the Fifteen Luo (Connecting) Points
Luo (Connecting) Points |
Connected Meridians |
Indications |
|
|
Excess |
Deficiency |
Lieque (Lu.7) |
large intestine meridian |
feverish palm and wrist |
shortness of breath, frequent urination |
Tongli (H.5) |
small intestine meridian |
fullness in the chest |
difficult speech |
Neiguan (P.6) |
Sanjiao meridian |
cardiac pain |
restlessness |
Zhizheng (S.I.7) |
heart meridian |
motor impairment |
warts |
Pianli (L.I.6) |
lung meridian |
toothache. deafness |
cold in teeth, chest fullness |
Weiguan (S.J.5) |
pericardium meridian |
spasm of elbow |
motor impairment of the elbow |
Feiyang (U.B.58) |
kidney meridian |
nasal obstruction, pain in back and head |
epistaxis |
Guanming (G.B.37) |
liver meridian |
syncope |
Wei syndrome |
Fenglong (St.40) |
spleen meridian |
sore throat, aphonia, mania |
foot drop |
Gongsun (Sp.4) |
stomach meridian |
sudden abdominal pain, diarrhea |
edema |
Dazhong (K.4) |
urinary bladder meridian |
restlessness, dysuria |
lumbar pain |
Ligou (Liv.5) |
Gall bladder meridian |
prolapse of uterus, hernia |
itching genitalia |
Jiuwei (Ren 15) |
connecting with abdomen |
abdominal pain |
itching in abdominal region |
Changqiang (Du 1) |
connecting with head |
spinal rigidity |
dizziness, heavy head |
Dabao (Sp.21) |
connecting with hypochondrium |
general pain |
generalweakness
|
|