Principle of major acupoints composition: focus on Four Command and Star Twelve points

Article information

J Korean Med. 2024;45(3):235-242

Publication date (electronic) : 2024 September 1

doi : https://doi.org/10.13048/jkm.24052

Da-Eun Yoon ¹

, Heeyoung Moon ¹^,²

, Yeonhee Ryu ³

, Younbyoung Chae ¹^,

¹Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

²Department of Meridian and Acupoints, College of Korean Medicine, Semyung University, Jecheon, Republic of Korea

³KM Science Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea

Correspondence to: Younbyoung Chae, Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea, E-mail: ybchae@khu.ac.kr

Received 2024 July 29; Revised 2024 August 16; Accepted 2024 August 19.

Abstract

Objectives

In order to select proper acupoints, it is important to understand the principle of major acupoints composition among 361 acupoints.

Methods

We investigated the composition of major acupoints from Four Command points to Star Twelve points based on the classical medical texts. We reviewed the common principle of major acupoints composition.

Results

First, major acupoints are chosen to treat the targeted diseases associated with the corresponding meridian channels and these acupoints are located in distal part of the body below the knee and the elbow. Second, main acupoints are supposed to be the representative points among acupoints with similar indications. Main acupoints can be selectively to treat a specific disease or condition, rather than be used for general effect simultaneously.

Conclusions

We demonstrated the major acupoints from classical medical texts and revealed the common principles of major acupoints composition. These findings can help Korean medical doctors to choose more appropriate acupoints by understanding the principle of major acupoints composition.

Keywords: acupoints; major acupoints; Four Command points; Star Twelve points

Data availability

The authors can provide upon reasonable request.

Fig. 1

Example of Major acupoints in Four Command Points and Star Twelve Points

A: The Four Command acupoints include ST36 (orange), LU7 (blue), LI4 (green), and BL40 (purple). B: The Star Twelve acupoints include ST36-ST44 (orange), LU7-HT5 (blue), LI4-LI11 (green), BL40-BL57 (purple), GB30-GB34 (gray), and BL60-LR3 (pink). These major acupoints are useful to treat the targeted diseases associated with the corresponding meridian channels.

Table 1

Important acupoints across different textbook.

Acknowledgement

None.

Notes

^{Conflict of interest}

저자들은 아무런 이해 상충이 없음을 밝힌다.

^Funding

This research was supported by Institute of Information and Communications Technology Planning and Evaluation (IITP) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) [No. RS-2022-00155911, Artificial Intelligence Convergence Innovation Human Resources Development (Kyung Hee University)].

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Article information Continued

Fig. 1

Example of Major acupoints in Four Command Points and Star Twelve Points

Table 1

Important acupoints across different textbook.

Number	Acupoint name	4 Major points (四總穴)	11(10) Major points (千金十一穴)	11 Major points (天星十一穴)	12 Major points (天星十二穴)
1	ST36	○	○	○	○
2	LI4	○	○	○	○
3	BL40	○	○	○	○
4	LU7	○	○	○	○
5	ST44		○	○	○
6	LI11		○	○	○
7	BL57			○	○
8	HT5			○	○
9	GB34		○	○	○
10	GB30		○	○	○
11	BL60		○	○	○
12	LR3				○
13	SI3		○