J. Acupunct. Tuina. Sci.

(2008) 6: 150-156
DOI: 10.1007/s11726-008-0150-9

Special Topic Study

Brief Introduction of TANG Style Scalp Acupuncture

YE Ming-zhu () 1, TANG Hui-xian () 2
1 Jiangsu Community Health Service Center, Changning District, Shanghai 200050, P.R. China
2 Shanghai Guanghua Hospital of Integrative Chinese & Western Hospital, Shanghai 200052, P.R. China


Key WordsScalp Acupuncture; Acupuncture Therapy; Scalp Stimulation Areas
CLC NumberR245.32
Document CodeB
The TANG style scalp acupuncture was created by
TANG Song-yan (1921-1982). TANG completed the
book TANG Style Scalp Acupuncture (unpublished) in
August 1979. The following is a brief introduction of
this book according to the hand-written copy by
TANG Hui-xian, TANGs daughter.

1Standard Line and Orbital Transverse

Diameter
For the convenience of determining the accurate
location of scalp mapping areas and points, TANG set
up three standardization lines. Since individuals have
different sizes of head circumference, he used the
orbital transverse diameter as the horizontal
positioning size in the head.
1.1Anterior-posterior (AP) midline ()
The AP midline is a line connecting the glabellum
with the center of the inferior border of the occipital
prominence. The middle point at 1/2 of the midline is
referred to as yin-yang point. The line from yin-yang
point to glabellum is ascribed to yin, and the line from
yin-yang point to the center of inferior border of the
occipital prominence is ascribed to yang.
1.2Vertical auricular (VA) line ()
The VA line is a line connecting the anterior border
of the supra-auricular notch with the transverse line
between the anterior border of auricle and yin-yang
point.
1.3Canthus-occipital (CO) line ()
The CO line is a line connecting the orbital margin
of outer canthus, along the supra-tragic notch, with
the center of the inferior border of the occipital
prominence. The canthus-auricular line is a line
connecting the anterior border of supra-tragic notch
Author: YE Ming-zhu (1947- ), male, vice chief physician

Fig.1. Schematic layout of TANG styles scalp mapping areas

and points (next number is corresponding data

with the orbital margin of outer canthus. The

occipital-auricular line is a line connecting the
anterior border of supra-tragic notch with the center of
the inferior border of the occipital prominence.
1.4Transverse diameter of the orbit ()
The transverse diameter of the orbit refers to the
straight line from orbital margin of the inner canthus
to that of the outer canthus. The length of this straight
line in the scalp is considered as a miniature of 1/4
length of the torso.

2Location and Indications of Scalp Mapping

Areas and Points
Based on the TCM yin-yang theory, the TANG
style scalp acupuncture uses vertical auricular line as
the dividing line: the anterior part to this line is
ascribed to yin and the posterior part to this line is

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J. Acupunct. Tuina. Sci. (2008) 6: 150-156

ascribed to yang. The miniature of the frontal part of

the body is ascribed to yin and inversely suspended in
the anterior half of the scalp in a supine position. The
miniature of the back part of the body is ascribed to
yang and inversely suspended in the posterior half of
the scalp in a prone position. Over the anterior and
posterior scalp, there are 53 mapping areas and 9
points, 62 in total.
2.1Yin-yang point () (Fig.1. point 1)
Location: At the midpoint of 1/2 of AP line
Indications: Genitourinary system disorders such as
itching or pain around perineum, and coccydynia.
2.2Tiantu point () (Fig.1. point 2)
Location: The crossing point between anterior
hairline and anterior midline
Indications: Chest, lung or cervical diseases,
including esophagus, trachea, thyroid gland, foreneck
and throat.
Remark: In cases of abnormal anterior hairline, one
can divide the anterior hairline into three equal parts
and locate the transverse crossing line between the
lower 1/3 and upper 2/3 as the anterior hair line.
2.3Xiphoid process point () (Fig.1. point 3)
Location: The crossing point between the anterior
1/3 and posterior 2/3 of the three equal parts in the
midline connecting yin-yang point and Tiantu point.
Indications: Pain or itching around the Xiphoid
process and distending pain in the thoracic cavity.
2.4 Umbilical point ( ) (Fig.1. point 4,
hereinafter inclusive)
Location: The crossing point between the anterior
2/3 and posterior 1/3 of the three equal parts.
Indications: Distension or pain around the
umbilicus or abdomen.
2.5Area of lower jiao ()
Location: In between the yin-yang point and
umbilical point. Its posterior borderline is the vertical
auricular line. Its anterior borderline is the transverse
line of the umbilical point (parallel to the vertical
auricular line). Its bilateral margins are the bilateral
ends of the orbital transverse diameter lateral to the
anterior midline.
Indications: Digestion and genitourinary system
disorders including lower abdomen, external genitals,
large and small intestine, urinary bladder and pelvic
cavity. Stimulating this area can supplement
Yuan-primordial qi and benefit the kidney.
2.6Area of middle jiao ()
Location: In between the umbilical point and
Xiphoid process point. Its posterior borderline is the

transverse line of the umbilical point. Its anterior

borderline is the transverse line of the Xiphoid
process point. Its bilateral margins are the bilateral
ends of the orbital transverse diameter lateral to the
anterior midline.
Indications: Distending pain of upper abdomen and
stomach, indigestion and liver or spleen problems.
Stimulating this area can benefit the stomach,
strengthen the spleen and promote digestion.
2.7Area of upper jiao ()
Location: In between the Xiphoid process point and
Tiantu point. Its anterior borderline is the anterior
hairline. Its posterior borderline is the transverse line
of the Xiphoid process point. Its bilateral margins are
bilateral ends of the orbital transverse diameter lateral
to the anterior midline.
Indications: Disorders inside or outside the thoracic
cavity including chest wall, mediastinum, heart, lung,
bronchus and esophagus. Stimulating this area can
soothe the chest, promote qi flow, clear the lung and
tranquilize the mind.
2.8Urogenital area ()
Location: At the posterior 2/3 of the lower jiao area.
Its anterior borderline is the crossing transverse line
between the anterior 1/3 and posterior 2/3 of the lower
jiao area. Its posterior borderline is the vertical
auricular line. The bilateral margins are the bilateral
ends of 1/2 of the orbital transverse diameter lateral to
the anterior midline.
Indications: Reproductive, urinary and endocrine
system disorders including external genitals, uterus,
and urinary bladder.
2.9Gastric area ()
Location: The center of the middle jiao area. Its
posterior borderline is the crossing transverse line
between the posterior 1/4 and anterior 3/4 of the
middle jiao area. Its anterior borderline is the crossing
transverse line between the posterior 3/4 and anterior
1/4 of the middle jiao area. Its bilateral margins are
the bilateral ends of 1/2 of the orbital transverse
diameter lateral to the anterior midline.
Indications: Gastric distension and pain, poor
appetite and indigestion.
2.10Liver-spleen area ()
Location: Its posterior borderline converges with
the anterior borderline of gastric area (i.e., the
crossing transverse line between the anterior 1/4 and
posterior 3/4 of the middle jiao area). Its anterior
borderline is the crossing transverse line between the
posterior 1/4 and anterior 3/4 of upper jiao area. Its

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J. Acupunct. Tuina. Sci. (2008) 6: 150-156

bilateral margins are the bilateral ends of the 3/4

orbital transverse diameter lateral to the anterior
midline. The left side is liver area. The right side is
spleen area.
Indications: Chest and hypochondriac pain and
splenohepatomegaly.
Remark: The stimulating area should be based on
the size or scope of individualized splenohepatomegaly.
2.11Cardiac area ()
Location: In the upper jiao area. Its posterior
borderline converges with the anterior borderline of
the liver-spleen area. Its anterior borderline is the
crossing transverse line between the anterior 1/4 and
posterior 3/4 of the upper jiao area. Its bilateral
margins are bilateral to the anterior midline. The left
side is 1/4 of the orbital transverse diameter and the
right side is 1/2 of t he orbital transverse diameter.
Indications: Cardiac diseases, neuroasthenia, and
mental disorders including chest tightness, chest pain,
palpitations, fearful throbbing, vexation, and
hyperarousal. Stimulating this area can calm the mind,
relieve convulsion and alleviate pain.
2.12Lung-bronchus area (c)
Location: It shares the same posterior borderline
with the cardiac area (i.e., the crossing transverse line
between the posterior 1/4 and anterior 3/4 of the upper
jiao area). Its anterior borderline is the anterior
hairline. When it comes to the bilateral margins, the
lung area is at the lateral ends of 3/4 of the orbital
transverse diameter lateral to the anterior midline, and
the bronchus area is at the 1/4 orbital transverse
diameter.
Indications: Acute or chronic bronchitis, coughs,
profuse sputum, asthma, dysphagia, swallowing, and
chest tightness or pain as well as problems involving
lung, trachea, esophagus and chest wall.
2.13Anterior cervical area ()
Location: The anterior midline from Tiantu point to
glabellum is referred to as forehead midline. Divide
the forehead midline into 5 equal parts, the crossing
transverse line between the upper 1/5 and lower 4/5 is
its lower borderline, and the anterior hairline is its
upper borderline. Its bilateral margins are at the 1/3
bilateral ends of the orbital transverse diameter lateral
to the forehead midline.
Indications: Conditions of thyroid gland, throat and
anterior cervical area.
2.14Gulamentum area ()
Location: Divide the forehead midline into 5 equal

parts and sub-divides the upper 2/5 into two equal

parts, the upper 1/2 of subdivided part is the
gulamentum area. Its lower borderline is at the
crossing transverse line between the upper 3/10 and
lower 7/10 of the forehead midline. Its upper
borderline converges with the lower borderline of the
anterior cervical area. Its bilateral margins are at the
1/6 of the orbital transverse diameter lateral to the
forehead midline.
Indications: Disorders of throat, chin, mouth and
neck.
2.15Oral-labial area ()
Location: Its upper borderline converges with the
lower borderline of gulamentum area. Its lower
borderline is the crossing transverse line between the
upper 2/5 and lower 3/5 of the forehead midline. Its
bilateral margins are downward extension straight
lines from the lateral border of the gulamentum area
(i.e., 1/6 of the orbital transverse diameter lateral to
the forehead midline).
Indications: Problems of mouth, lips, tongue and
teeth
Remark: Mild stimulating this area can help for
needle faint.
2.16Nasal area ()
Location: Its lower borderline is the transverse line
at 1/2 of the forehead midline. Its upper borderline
converges with the lower borderline of oral-labial area.
Its bilateral margins are at 1/6 of the orbital transverse
diameter lateral to the forehead midline.
Indications: Nasal problems such as stuffy nose,
runny nose, anosmia, and nasal bleeding.
2.17Eye area ()
Location: Its upper borderline is the 1/2 transverse
line of the forehead midline. Its lower borderline is
the crossing transverse line between the upper 3/5 and
lower 2/5 of the forehead midline. Its bilateral
margins are at 1/4 of the orbital transverse diameter
lateral to the forehead midline.
Indications: Eye problems such as redness, itching
and pain of eyes, visual deterioration, and myopia.
2.18Ear area ()
Location: It shares the same upper and lower
borderlines with the eye area. It is actually the
extended transverse line from the upper and lower
borderline of the eye area. Its bilateral margins are at
the 1/2 of the orbital transverse diameter lateral to the
forehead midline.
Indications: Tinnitus, deafness, painful ears, otitis
media, vertigo, and temporal headache.

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2.19Facial area ()
Location: Its upper borderline is the crossing
transverse line between the upper 1/5 and lower 4/5 of
the forehead midline. Its lower borderline is at 1/2 of
the transverse line of the forehead midline. Its
bilateral margins are at the 1/2 of the orbital
transverse diameter lateral to the forehead midline.
Indications: Facial pain, numbness, itching,
puffiness, toothache, and facial palsy or spasm.
2.20Frontal area ()
Location: Its upper borderline converges with the
lower borderline of eye and ear areas. Its lower
borderline is the crossing transverse line between the
upper 4/5 and lower 1/5 of the forehead midline. Its
bilateral margins are at the 1/4 of the orbital
transverse diameter lateral to the forehead midline, i.e.,
the downward extended straight line from the lateral
border of the eye area.
Indications: Frontal headache and dizziness.
2.21Temporal area ()
Location: The lateral aspect of the frontal area. It
shares the same upper and lower borderlines with the
frontal area. Actually it is the extended transverse line
of the frontal area. Its bilateral margins are the
extended straight lines from the lateral aspect of the
ear area.
Indications: Temporal headache, migraine and
dizziness.
2.22Anterior vertical area ()
Location: Its upper borderline converges with the
lower borderline of frontal or temporal area. Its lower
borderline is at glabellum. Its bilateral margins are the
extended arc lines from the lateral end of the lower
borderline of temporal area (1/2 of the orbital
transverse diameter) and the two margins merge at
glabellum.
Indications: Pain or itching in the anterior half of
the vertex.
2.23Anterior area of upper limbs ()
Location: From the lateral border of the 1/2 of the
upper jiao area, along the posterior part of the anterior
hairline, to the top of the anterior end of
canthus-auricular line.
Indications: Problems involving the three hand-yin
meridians at the medial aspect of the upper limbs.
2.24Anterior shoulder area ()
Location: The 1/2 of the lateral border line in the
upper jiao area.
Indications: Problems involving three hand-yang

meridians from the anterior end of bilateral acromions

to anterior and inferior parts of the axillary fossa.
2.25Medial elbow area ()
Location: Divide the anterior area of upper limbs
into 5 equal parts, the medial elbow area is at the
crossing line between the upper 2/5 and lower 3/5.
Indications: Problems involving the three hand-yin
meridians at the medial aspect of the elbow joints.
2.26Medial wrist area ()
Location: The crossing line between the upper 4/5
and lower 1/5 of the anterior area of upper limbs.
Indications: Problems involving the three hand-yin
meridians at the medial wrist joints.
2.27Finger-palm area ()
Location: The lower 1/5 of the anterior area of the
upper limbs, i.e., in between the medial elbow area
and anterior end of canthus-auricular line. Divide this
area into upper and lower parts, the upper 1/2 is the
medial palm area; and the lower 1/2 is the yin aspect
of the fingers.
Indications: Swelling, pain, numbness or itching
along the three hand-yin meridians at the medial
aspect of the fingers and palms.
2.28Axillary area ()
Location: The middle 1/3 of the upper jiao area and
1/4 of the orbital transverse diameter away from the
anterior shoulder area.
Indications: Problems of axillary fossa.
2.29Anterior area of lower limbs ()
Location: From 3/4 of the lateral aspects in the
lower jiao area, along the vertical auricular line, to the
top of posterior part of canthus-auricular line.
Indications: Problems involving the three foot-yin
meridians at the medial aspect of the lower limbs.
2.30Anterior groin area ()
Location: The posterior 3/4 of the lateral border
line in the lower jiao area.
Indications: Problems involving the three foot-yin
meridians at the groin area in the medial aspect of the
thighs.
2.31Medial knee area ()
Location: Divide the anterior area of the lower
limbs into 5 equal parts, the medial knee area is at the
crossing line between the upper 2/5 and lower 3/5.
Indications: Problems involving the three foot-yin
meridians at medial aspect of the knee joints.
2.32Medial ankle area ()
Location: The crossing line between the upper 4/5
and lower 1/5 in the anterior area of lower limbs.

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Indications: Problems involving three foot-yin

meridians at medial ankle joints.
2.33Sole and toe area ()
Location: At the lower 1/5 of the anterior area of
lower limbs, i.e., in between the medial ankle area and
posterior part of canthus-auricular line. Divide this
area into 3 equal parts, the upper 2/3 is the sole area,
and the lower 1/3 is the yin aspect of the toes.
Indications: Swelling, pain, cold, and numbness of
sole and yin aspect of the toes as well as problems
involving the three foot-yin meridians.
2.34Triangle area ()
Location: First, make an equilateral triangle by the
upward apposition of the two ends of the two
isometric lines of the canthus-auricular line. Then,
make small triangles at the 1/2 point of each touchline,
or triangle area. It covers upper triangle area, lower
triangle area, anterior triangle area and posterior
triangle area.
Indications: The lower triangle area is mainly
indicated for temporal headache, dizziness, aphasia,
neuroasthenia, cerebral hypoplasia, and poor memory.
The upper triangle area is mainly indicated for goiter.
The anterior and posterior triangles are mainly
indicated for fever due to common cold.
2.35Dazhui point ()
Location: Divide the posterior midline into 3 equal
parts, the Dazhui point is at the crossing point
between the upper 2/3 and lower 1/3.
Indications: Neck or back pain.
2.36Gastric ridge point ()
Location: At the crossing point between the
anterior superior 1/3 and posterior inferior 2/3.
Indications: Soreness, pain, cold sensation and
numbness in the back or low back, and distension or
pain of the stomach.
2.37Yangguan point ()
Location: Divide the midline connecting yin-yang
point and Dazhui point into 3 equal parts, the
Yangguan point is at the crossing point of the upper
1/3 and lower 2/3.
Indications: Acute or chronic low back soreness or
pain, lumbar sprain, and lumbar soreness or pain due
to kidney deficiency.
2.38Sub-diaphragm point ()
Location: At the crossing point between the upper
2/3 and lower 1/3 of the midline connecting yin-yang
point and Dazhui point.
Indications: Soreness and pain around T8, bleeding
involving lung, bronchus, stomach and intestine.

2.39Fengfu point ()
Location: Divide the midline connecting Dazhui
point and center of the lower border of occipital
prominence into 3 equal parts, the Fengfu point is at
the crossing point between the upper 1/3 and lower
2/3.
Indications: Occipital headache, neck rigidity,
hoarseness, and aphasia.
2.40Posterior vertical area ()
Location: Its upper borderline: the crossing
transverse line between the upper 2/3 and lower 1/3 of
the midline connecting Dazhui point and the center of
the lower border of occipital prominence. Its lower
borderline is at the posterior terminal of midline. Its
bilateral margins start from 1/2 of the orbital
transverse diameter lateral to its upper borderline and
then run interior and inferior to converge with the
center of the lower border of occipital prominence in
a shape of arc.
Indications: Pain or itching in the posterior part of
the vertex.
2.41Occipital area ()
Location: Its upper borderline is at the crossing
transverse line between the upper 1/3 and lower 2/3 of
the midline connecting Dazhui point and center of the
lower border of the occipital prominence. Its lower
borderline converges with the upper borderline of the
posterior vertical area. Its bilateral margins are at 1/2
of the lateral ends lateral to the midline.
Indications: Occipital headache, dizziness, blurred
vision, and stiff neck.
2.42Jingming area ()
Location: Its lower borderline: at the crossing line
between occipital area and posterior vertical area. Its
upper borderline is the transverse line of Fengfu point.
Its bilateral margins are at 1/4 of the lateral ends
lateral to the midline.
Indications: Visual deterioration, blurred vision,
and redness or pain of the eyes.
2.43Posterior occipital area ()
Location: In between the transverse line of Dazhui
point and of Fengfu point. Its bilateral margins are at
the 1/3 of the lateral ends lateral to the midline.
Indications: Stiffness, soreness and pain of nape
and cervical problem.
2.44Language-intelligence area ()
Location: Its lower borderline is the crossing line
between the posterior occipital area (Fengfu point)
and occipital area. Its upper borderline is at 1/2 of the
crossing transverse line of the posterior occipital area.

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J. Acupunct. Tuina. Sci. (2008) 6: 150-156

Its bilateral margins are at 1/4 of the occipital

auricular line lateral to the midline.
Indications: Hoarseness, dementia, mental disorder
and language disorder.
2.45Back area ()
Location: In between the transverse line of Dazhui
point and of gastric ridge point. Its bilateral margins
are at the lateral ends of orbital transverse diameter
lateral to the midline.
Indications: Soreness and pain in the back. The area
shares the similar function with the 12 Back-shu
points.
2.46Low back area ()
Location: In between the transverse line of
Yangguan point and of gastric ridge point. The
bilateral margins are at the lateral ends of orbital
transverse diameter lateral to the midline (i.e., the
upward extension line of the lateral border of the back
area).
Indications: Soreness or pain in back or low back
and problems involving kidney, stomach and large or
small intestine.
2.47Sacrococcygeal area ()
Location: In between the transverse line of
Yangguan point and of vertical auricular line. Its
bilateral margins are at the lateral ends of orbital
transverse diameter lateral to the midline (i.e., the
upward extension line of the lateral border of the low
back area).
Indications: Pain, itching, and numbness in
perineum, sacrococcygeal region, anus, hip and
buttocks as well as problems involving large and
small intestine and urinary bladder.
2.48Posterior area of lower limbs ()
Location: This area starts from the 3/4 of the lateral
border of the sacrococcygeal area, along the posterior
part of vertical auricular line, to the top of anterior
part of the occipital auricular line.
Indications: Problems involving the three foot-yang
meridians at the lateral aspect of the lower limbs.
2.49Posterior hip area ()
Location: At 3/4 of the bilateral borderlines in the
sacrococcygeal area.
Indications: Soreness, pain, and numbness in hip
joint and buttocks.
2.50Lateral knee area ()
Location: Divide the posterior area of lower limbs
into 5 equal parts, the lateral knee area is at the
crossing line between the upper 2/5 and lower 3/5.
Indications: Problems involving the three foot-yang

meridians at lateral aspect of knee joints.

2.51Lateral ankle area ()
Location: At the crossing line between the upper
4/5 and lower 1/5.
Indications: Problems involving the three foot-yang
meridians at lateral aspect of the ankle joints.
2.52Foot dorsum and toe area ( )
Location: In between the lateral ankle area and the
anterior part of occipital auricular line. Divide this
area into 3 equal parts, the upper 2/3 is foot dorsum
area and the lower 1/3 is the yang area of toes.
Indications: Swelling, pain, numbness and itching
in foot dorsum or yang aspects of the toes.
2.53Posterior area of upper limbs ()
Location: This area starts from the inferior and
posterior 1/3 of the lateral border of the back area and
then runs down to the posterior part of the middle 1/3
of the occipital auricular line.
Indications: Problems involving the three foot-yang
meridians at lateral aspects of the upper limbs.
2.54Posterior shoulder area ()
Location: At the inferior and posterior 1/3 of the
bilateral line in the back area.
Indications: Swelling, pain, sore, and numbness
around shoulder joints or lateral aspects of the
shoulder.
2.55Posterior elbow area ()
Locations: Divide the posterior area of upper limbs
into 5 equal parts, this area is at the crossing line
between the upper 2/5 and lower 3/5.
Indications: Problems involving the three
hand-yang meridians at lateral aspects of elbow joints.
2.56Lateral wrist area ()
Location: At the crossing line between the upper
4/5 and lower 1/5 in the posterior area of upper limbs.
Indications: Problems involving the three
hand-yang meridians at lateral aspects of wrist joints.
2.57Lateral hand area ()
Location: In between the lateral wrist area and
posterior part of middle 1/3 of occipital auricular line.
The upper 1/2 is hand dorsum area. The lower 1/2 is
yang aspect area of fingers.
Indications: Swelling, pain, sore, numbness and
itching in dorsum of hand and yang aspects of fingers.
2.58Hypertension area ()
Location: A straight line at the same level of Fengfu
point vertically extended from the crossing line
between the posterior 1/4 and anterior 3/4 of the
occipital auricular line.
Indications: Ataxia, hypertension or hypotension.

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2.59Wind area ()
Location: A straight line at the same level of Fengfu
point vertically extended from 1/2 of the occipital
auricular line.
Indications: Migraine, insomnia, fearful throbbing,
poor memory, aphasia, neuroasthenia, and cerebral
hypoplasia. Stimulating this area can soothe the liver
and stop wind.
2.60Tranquilization area ()
Location: This area starts from the crossing point
between the anterior 1/4 and posterior 3/4 of the
occipital auricular line and vertically extends
downward. Its lower border is at the border of cranial
bone. Its upper border is at the same level of ear apex.
Indications: Insomnia, neuroasthenia, dizziness,
headache,
hypertension,
restlessness
and
hyperarousal.
2.61Vestibular area ()
Location: Its upper borderline is the crossing line
between the upper 3/5 and lower 2/5 of the posterior
area of upper limbs. Its lower borderline is the
transverse line of auricle. The anterior border
converges with the vertical auricular line. The
posterior borderline is at the upward extension line of
the tranquilization area.
Indications: Dizziness, headache, blurred vision,
tinnitus, deafness, and hearing impairment.
2.62Anmian (sound sleep) area ()
Location: The posterior 1/3 of the line connecting
outer canthus and tragus (i.e., canthus-auricular line).
Indications: Insomnia. Stimulating this area can
calm the mind.

meridians are located in the anterior area of the lower

limbs. The distribution law: Shaoyin in located in the
anterior, Taiyin in the posterior, and Jueyin in the
middle. The three hand-yang meridians are located in
the posterior area of the upper limbs. The distribution
law: Taiyang is located in the anterior, Yangming in
the posterior, and Shaoyang in the middle. The three
foot-yang meridians are located in the posterior area
of the lower limbs. The distribution law: Yangming is
located in the anterior, Taiyang in the posterior and
Shaoyang in the middle. Therefore the corresponding
areas can be punctured in clinical practice.
The treatment method can also be based on pattern
identification. For example, the tranquilization area
can be used for insomnia, the middle part of the back
area [similar function as Xinshu (BL 15)] can be used
for hyperactivity of heart-fire, and the lower part of
low back area [similar function as Shenshu (BL 23)]
can be used for kidney-yin deficiency. The
combination of these areas can improve sleep.

3 Treatment Based on Meridian Distribution

and Pattern Identification

5.2Operation
Insertion: Press the selected area or point with the
left hand, insert the needle into scalp with right hand
at the angle of 15-30, followed by small amplitude
lifting, thrusting and rotating. Retain the needles after
arrival of qi. Usually we use more needles with mild
stimulation. Sometimes we can also use less needles
or even one needle only.
Time of needle retaining: 1 hour or more for
intractable conditions.
Once every day or every other day, 20 times for
one course, 2-4 weeks interval between any two
courses or 2-3 successive courses.

TANG considers that the miniature of the front and

back parts of the body contains the miniature of the
14 meridians. The yin-yang point is the converging
point of the Governor Vessel and Conception Vessel.
The anterior midline from glabellum to yin-yang
point is the Conception Vessel and ascribed to yin,
and the posterior midline from the center of the lower
border of occipital prominence to yin-yang point is
the Governor Vessel and ascribed to yang. The
micro-meridian system of the 12 regular meridians
shares similar distribution law with the 12 regular
meridians. The three hand-yin meridians are located
in the anterior area of upper limbs. The three foot-yin

4Indications
Scalp acupuncture has extensive indications,
including internal or external medicine, gynecology,
and pediatrics.

5Operation Method
5.1Needles and body position
Stainless needles sized 0.30 mm in diameter and 25
or 40 mm in length were selected; sitting or lying
position was taken.

156 Copyright2008 Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian

Translator: HAN Chou-ping()

Received Date: December 26, 2007