Case Study: Master Tung's Points, Dr. Tan's Applications for Upper Back Pain

by Dr. Richard Teh-Fu Tan, O.M.D., L.Ac.

Patient is a 30-year-old female, whose chief complaint was of pain in the upper thoracic region between the spine and the scapula, on the left side. She rated her pain as a 7 on a scale of 0 to 10 - moderately severe. Her pain was aggravated by scoliosis she had since childhood. Patient had received chiropractic treatment, but her improvement had reached a therapeutic plateau. The patient’s condition was possibly due to sprained ligaments from repetitive stress of household chores, and particularly by driving. Of course, her spinal curvature was considered to be the underlying causative factor.

ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT
The Chung Tze*-Chung Hsien** combination was selected. Needling was done on the right side of the body. To balance this, Ling Ku*** was chosen on the opposite side. The patient reported pain relief approximately 5 minutes after needle insertion. She was asked to move her shoulder while lying on the treatment table. This established the confirmation of her pain relief. We continued to treat her in this fashion, occasionally changing the sides for the points. This was due to the fact that she would sometimes experience this upper back pain on the opposite (right) side. The pain was always one-sided, although it did switch sides at times. Usually, the patient reported a corresponding pain in the region of her neck, on the opposite side of the back pain, thus making the selection of Ling Ku even more appropriate. Ling Ku’s location is especially significant in this case, due to it being anatomically opposite that of Chung Hsien. This facilitates a theoretical Yin/Yang balance between the left and right sides. Prior to each treatment the patient found it painful to sustain abduction against minimal resistance, or lower her arm smoothly and rotate her shoulder. After each treatment, she could easily and painlessly exhibit an increased range of motion.

CONCLUSION
Each of the twelve treatments lasted 30 to 40 minutes. They were administered over a six-week period. The patient progressed from moderately severe pain, to a state free of pain, and a demonstration of full range of motion in the region of the upper back scapula on both sides.

*Chung Tze is located on the palmar surface, about 1 cun medial to the midpoint of the web-margin between the thumb and index finger, on a line drawn from this intersection to PC 7 (Da Ling). Ah shi location is appropriate.

**Chung Hsien is located along the same line as described in the location for Chung Tze. It is about 1.0 cun proximal or medial to Chung Tze. Ah shi location is appropriate.

***Ling Ku is located in the depression, just distal to the junction of the first and second metacarpal bones. Approximately 0.5 cun proximal to LI 4 (He Gu), on the Yang Ming line.

This article was taken out of Dr. Tan's Twelve and Twelve in Acupuncture. Click here to order a copy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Richard Tan, O.M.D., L.Ac.

Dr. Richard Tan is a leading authority in acupuncture, herbs, feng shui and qi cultivation. His skills represent the culmination of years of study in the disciplines of Zang-Fu, Five Element and Channel Theory. Dr. Tan authored Twelve and Twelve in Acupuncture, Twenty-Four More in Acupuncture, Dr. Tan’s Strategy of Twelve Magical Points, and Acupuncture 1,2,3, among others.

To learn more about Dr. Tan’s Balance Method, he is speaking on the following topic for Lotus Institute. All classes are approved for 8 CEUs/PDAs by the California Acupuncture Board, Illinois Acupuncture Board, and NCCAOM.

CLASS BY THE AUTHOR:

Master Tung’s Points Dr. Tan’s Applications Part II

• 5/2/09 Denver, CO