My definition of “Ah Shi” points is more precise than the one used in TCM. My Ah Shi points are from some trauma of the body and the Ah Shi point just identifies the location of the damage. Points like this are often inflamed nerves, inflamed or torn tendons, ligaments, meniscus, labrum etc., broken bone, etc. The point is not special in any other way. Now you should needle these points very differently than “classical points”. The needling technique used depends on the type of damage and how you intend to treat it. If it is just an inflamed nerve or tendon, etc., you have three choices. First you could choose not to use needles at all and use FSM. This is particularly useful if you are treating numbness but are having trouble locating the exact spot on the nerve that is causing the problem. With FSM, you can just treat the whole length of the nerve. The second choice you have is using my anti-inflammation electro-acupuncture (AIEAC) technique, especially if it is a more tender point. This technique is indicated when the location of the inflammation can be identified. It can typically get rid of the inflammation in 1 to 3 treatments. Typically there will be some reduction of pain immediately after the treatment and even more relief 2-3 hours later as or the next day as the inflammation actually goes down. You will find that a point treated this way will be less tender or not tender at all on subsequent treatments . It treats an area a little smaller than a dime(for a 15 minute treatment). It also takes less time to do than FSM, taking about 15 minutes per point. Here you needle relatively deeply to get the needle tip relatively close to the inflammation. You don’t need to get qi but it is OK if you do. The third choice you have is needle the point relatively shallowly to create an anti-inflammatory effect. I typically do this for the ah shi points that aren’t that tender.
Now for torn tendons or broken bones, you don’t needle the ah shi point directly. You needle either side of it so you can direct the current of the electro-acupuncture through the damage. With the proper electro-acupuncture technique you can fill in a tear , strengthen the tendon and speed healing of a broken bone.
So you see, it is important to know what kind of point you are needling and what the problem is in order to know how you should needle it. This is the scientific view and is a better way of proceeding than the TCM point of view. Using my point of view will make your treatments work better and more reliably and if you use my electro-acupuncture techniques you will get even better results. And if you read my book, you will know why.
Oh, and if the ah shi point is a Du point on the spine and you suspect a degenerative process, needle the point normally and you will help slow or stop the degeneration. Read my book to learn why. There are ways to get a stronger effect than with just a needle.
Read more about “Classical Points“.
#acupuncturepoints #acupuncture #electroacupuncture #ahshipoints #scientificacupuncture