Abstract
Background
The Chinese back shu and front mu points, and the methodological problems involved in correlating points in skin or muscle with the internal organs.
Objectives
To assess the segmental relationship between the Chinese back shu and front mu points and the internal organs.
Material and Methods
The acupoints and reflexes as well as their dermatomal and myotomal innervation are tabulated alongside data on the autonomic innervation of the internal organs, based on published studies and authoritative sources. Simple connections and comparisons are made between segment numbers, with minimal use of statistical analysis. Numbers of muscle layers at the different point families are also compared, together with organ correlations at the different layers.
Results
Although many other points are segmentally related to each organ, in most cases the traditional back shu and front mu points for a particular organ are in some way segmentally related to that organ. Correspondence is better at dermatome than myotome level except for the front mu points. For the back shu points, there is greater segmental organ correspondence at deeper muscle layers, whereas this relationship is reversed at the front mu points. Other subsidiary results are presented.
Conclusions
These tentative results indicate that there is no compelling evidence that the traditionally accepted back shu and front mu points have any greater validity in terms of segmental correspondence with their associated organs than many other acupuncture points. Depth of needling, or the palpatory pressure used to assess sensitivity, must be key factors in any future discussion of the segmental organ correspondences of these points and reflexes.
Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund
Die methodologischen Probleme der Zuordnung der Shu- und Mu-Punkte in der Haut sowie Muskeln zu inneren Organen.
Zielsetzung
Die Beurteilung der segmentalen Beziehungen zwischen den genannten Akupunkturpunkten und inneren Organen.
Material und Methodik
Die Akupunkturpunkte und ihre Reflexbeziehungen, ihre Innervation der Haut und Muskeln werden mit bekannten Daten der autonomen Innervation der inneren Organe verglichen. Basis hierfür sind Studien und autoritative Quellen. Es werden einfache Beziehungen und Vergleiche zwischen den einzelnen Segmenten hergestellt, bei minimalem Einsatz statistischer Analyse. Die Anzahl der Muskelschichten unter Akupunkturpunktgruppen sowie die Organbeziehungen dieser verschiedenen Ebenen werden aufgezeigt.
Ergebnisse
In den meisten Fällen zeigt sich eine segmentale Beziehung zwischen Shu- und Mu-Punkten und dem traditionell angegebenen Ziel-Organ; allerdings korreliert dieses Organ segmental auch mit weiteren Akupunkturpunkten. Anders als bei den Mu-Punkten zeigt sich bei den Shu-Punkten eine deutlichere segmentale Korrespondenz für das Dermatom als für das Myotom. Für die Shu-Punkte zeigt sich eine deutlichere segmentale Korrespondenz bei tieferen, bei den Mu-Punkten bei den oberflächlicheren Muskelschichten. Weitere Nebenbeziehungen werden aufgezeigt.
Schlussfolgerungen
Diese vorläufigen Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass keine überzeugende Evidenz dafür besteht, dass die Shu- und Mu-Punkte eine größere Validität segmentaler Organbeziehungen besitzen als viele andere Akupunkturpunkte. Der Tiefe der Nadelung sowie dem diagnostisch-palpatorischen Druck zum Aufspüren von Sensibilitäten wird in zukünftigen Diskussionen der segmentalen Korrespondenz erste Priorität eingeräumt werden müssen.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Sherrington CS. On the spinal animal. Medico-Chirurgical Transactions of the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society of London. 1899; 82 (2nd series 64):449–77
Head H. On disturbances of sensation with especial reference to the pain of visceral disease. Brain. 1893; 16,1–2:1–132
Förster O. The dermatomes in man. Brain. 1933 March; 56,1:1–39
Ackerknecht EH. The history of the discovery of the vegetative (autonomic) nervous system. Medical History. 1974 Jan; 18,1:1–8
Huang LX. Personal communication, 30 April 2007
Wang MJ, Zhu YC. Clinical experience of Dr. Shao Jingming in treatment of diseases by puncturing back-shu points. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1996 March; 16,1:23–6
O’Connor J, Bensky D, eds. Acupuncture: A comprehensive text. Chicago, IL: Eastland, 1981
Kubiena G, Sommer B, eds. Praxishandbuch Akupunktur. Munich: Urban und Fischer, 2004 (3. Aufl.)
Kendall DE. Dao of Chinese Medicine: Understanding an ancient healing art. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002
Maciocia G. The Foundations of Chinese Medicine. A comprehensive text for acupuncturists and herbalists. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1989
Maciocia G. Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine. A comprehensive guide. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2004
Ma YT, Ma M, Cho ZH. Biomedical Acupuncture for Pain Management: An integrative approach. St Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone, 2005
Ross J. Acupuncture Point Combinations: The key to clinical success. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1995
Beresford-Cooke C. Shiatsu Theory and Practice. A comprehensive text for the student and professional. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1996
Walther DS. Applied Kinesiology Volume I. Basic procedures and muscle testing. Pueblo, CO: Systems DC, 1981
Upledger JE. Correlations between the associated points of acupuncture and paravertebral segmental visceral relationships. Available from: Upledger Institute UK, www.upledger.co.uk, date unknown
Bekkering R, van Bussel R. Segmental acupuncture. In: Filshie J, White A, eds. Medical Acupuncture: A western scientific approach. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 1998:105–35
Hansen K, Schliack H. Segmentale Innervation. Ihre Bedeutung für Klinik und Praxis. Stuttgart: Georg Thieme, 1962
König G, Wancura I. Neue Chinesische Akupunktur. Wien: Maudrich, 1975
Mayor DF, ed. Electroacupuncture: A practical manual and resource. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2007
Head H. On disturbances of sensation with especial reference to the pain of visceral disease. Part II. Head and neck. Brain. 1894; 17,3:339–480
Williams PL et al, eds. Gray’s Anatomy: The anatomical basis of medicine and surgery. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1999
Mayo Robson AW. 1904 Diseases of the Gall-bladder and Bile-ducts, including Gall-stones. London: Baillière, Tindall & Cox, 1904 (3. Aufl.)
Mackenzie J. Contribution to the study of sensory symptoms associated with visceral disease. Medical Chronicle. 1892 Aug; 16,5:293–322
Bergsmann O, Bergsmann R. Projektionssymptome: Reflektorische Krankheitszeichen als Grundlagen für holistische Diagnose und Therapie. Wien: Facultas Universitätsverlag, 1997 (4. Aufl.)
Melzack R, Wall PD. Handbook of Pain Management: A clinical companion to Wall and Melzack’s Textbook of Pain. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2003
Guyton AC. Basic Neuroscience: Anatomy and Physiology. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders, 1991 (2. Aufl.)
Macdonald AJR. Segmental acupuncture therapy. Acupuncture and Electrotherapeutics Research. 1983; 8,3–4:267–82
Cummings M. Segmental acupuncture. In: British Medical Acupuncture Society Foundation Course Notes. London: British Medical Acupuncture Society, 2001:145–57
Marks R. Distribution of pain provoked from lumbar facet joints and related structures. Pain. 1989 Oct; 39,1:37–40
Zhang Q, Zhu LX. Correspondence between acupoints and dermatome. International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture. 1998;9,2:127–31
Chen EC. Cross-sectional Anatomy of Acupoints. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1995
Anderson DM, Novak PD, Keith J et al, eds. Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders, 2003 (30. Aufl.)
Berne RM, Levy MN, eds. Principles of Physiology. St Louis, MO: Mosby, 2000
Bibliographisches Institut. The Way Things Work Book of the Body. Simon & Schuster, New York: Simon & Schuster, 1979
Briar C. Crash Course Nervous System. London: Mosby International, 2003 (2. Aufl.)
Gunn CC. Acupuncture and the peripheral nervous system. In: Filshie J, White A, eds. Medical Acupuncture. A western scientific approach. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1998:137–50
Mackenzie J. Symptoms and their Interpretation. London: Shaw and Sons, 1920 (4. Aufl.)
Mayor DF, ed. Electroacupuncture: A practical manual and resource. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2007 (CD version)
Kellgren JH. Observations on referred pain arising from muscle. Clinical Science. 1938 April 28;3,2:175–90
Sherrington CS. Experiments in examination of the peripheral distribution of the fibres of the posterior roots of some spinal nerves. Proceedings of the Royal Society. 1892 Dec 8; 52,318:333–7
Bischko J. The importance of traditional Chinese pathophysiology. American Journal of Acupuncture. 1987 Jan–March; 15,1:86–8
Patriquin DA. Chapman reflexes. In: Ward RC, ed. Foundations for Osteopathic Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2003 (2. Aufl.):1051–5
Wancura I. Akupunktur verstehen und optimieren: Segmentlehre — ein westlicher Weg für Akupunkteure, Neuraltherapeuten und Manualtherapeuten. München: Urban und Fischer, 2008
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
This is a shortened version of an article originally titled ‘The Chinese back shu and front mu points and their segmental innervation — a comparison with Chapman’s neurolymphatic reflexes’. The full article, with further Tables and References, may be found on the DZA website at www.elsevier.de/dza. It also mentions Jarricot’s thoracoabdominal reflexes and the myofascial trigger points.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mayor, D.F. The Chinese back shu and front mu points and their segmental innervation. Dtsch Z Akupunkt 51, 26–36 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dza.2008.05.006
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dza.2008.05.006
Keywords
- Acupuncture
- back shu (‘transporting’) points
- front mu (‘alarm’) points
- dermatome
- myotome
- viscerotome
- segment
- palpation
- referred pain