Acupuncture, Trigger & Motor Points
Acupuncture, Trigger & Motor Points
For each medical condition or acupuncture diagnosis, there a number of possible points to choose from to treat. These include:
Acupuncture
- Local acupuncture meridian points in the vicinity of the problem
- Ahshi or locally sensitive points
- Distal points from a range of theories and personal systems (Dr. Tan, Master Tung)
- Points to address underlying imbalances chosen from various theoretical frameworks including TCM, 5 element, Japanese, Korean or others
Trigger or motor points which are frequently in the
- Center of the muscle belly
- Muscle-tendon junction
- Fascia between muscles
- Tendino-periosteal junction
- Ligaments
- Other points in muscles that are responses to particular postural or traumatic stresses
Some of these points are more clinically useful than others. All points taught in this class have been tested and proven in clinical practice to be the most effective.
These classes will teach the most clinically useful points for each condition based on Malvin Finkelstein’s 30 years of clinical experience
Anatomical Locations
Point locations are defined by relationship to anatomical structures – most frequently bones or muscles. All points are considered to be very small.
Japanese and some classical Chinese traditions emphasize palpation. Palpation traditions define tightness of the tissue (muscle, tendon, ligament, fascia) and tenderness to the patient as the defining features of an “active” point.
Some of my early experiences as NCCAOM (formerly NCCA) Exam Committee Chairperson for 6 years, enlightened my concept of point locations. At the beginning of the process of developing the point location exam, master acupuncturists and teachers from many traditions were brought together and asked to locate a series of points on models. This was done with well thought out methodology to insure independent and consistent marking. To the great surprise and consternation of all participants, the results indicated that although there was agreement on the anatomical description, there was not agreement on the actual location on a model. Points ranged in size from dime-sized to several inches. Participants were checked and double checked on their locations and described their 30-50 years of successful usage of their locations, as well as the many generations of their teachers’ use of these locations. A consistent method of testing these points was developed over the next year.
In my own practice, I expanded my palpation of points and found that many of the differing point locations were tight and tender on various patients. Over many years, I discovered that some point descriptions were close, but did not correlate with underlying anatomical structures, such as joints, muscle tendon junctions, etc. When I palpated at those anatomical structures, the points were significantly more tight and tender and treatment of these points got significantly better results.
I believe that when the points were first discovered, these anatomical structures were the points that were treated. Over centuries and millennia of oral transmission, I believe that these correlations were lost in many of the traditions. The traditions that utilize palpation have sometimes been able to get back to these locations.
I have systematized the locations of these anatomically located points and these are the points that are taught in these classes.