Acupuncture for gallstones: It's unclear whether acupuncture, by itself, can cause gallstones to pass, but acupuncture is used to treat symptoms of gallstones, such as biliary colic. The two acupuncture points mentioned qimen (LV-14) and riyue (GB-24) are the main ones cited in the literature. These points are located above the liver, on the right side, and are located one rib away and directly below the nipple. An in-depth analysis of the value of these points was presented in an article on the treatment of biliary colic (6), along with a brief mention of the nearby juque point (CV-14). Zhang Zhongjing's [author of Shanghan Lun] theory of acupuncture and moxibustion is an important component of his academic thought, of which the frequent use of the qimen point is quite characteristic. Indications of the qimen point include fullness of the abdomen, delirium, fullness of the chest and hips, distension of the pressure-resistant gastric region, and fever or alternate periods of fever and chills, which are similar to the clinical manifestations during an attack of biliary colic. ... We have found that the most sensitive and painful point of the qimen [among our patients with biliary colic] is in the area defined by the lines connecting the qimen, riyue and juque points, which, according to Traditional Chinese medicine is the dividing line between the liver and the gallbladder, and is especially indicated for the treatment of diseases of nearby internal organs. Qimen is the mu point [alarm point] of the liver, riyue is the mu point of the gallbladder, and juque is the mu point of the heart. Anterior mu points are mainly used in the treatment of diseases of internal organs. Various painful lesions are the result of the inability of the heart and liver to remove stagnation of vital energy, leading to the impediment of the flow of qi in the gallbladder, thus producing pain. Based on the principle of treating pain by pricking the sore point, the most pronounced sore point in the three-point area was detected.... Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Other points frequently mentioned in the literature for treating gallstones include the lower leg points yanglingquan (GB-34), qiuxu (GB-40), and zusanli (ST-36); also, there is an extra point known as gallbladder point (dannangxue), just below GB-34 (about 1-2 cun lower). Nausea and pain associated with cholecystitis and biliary obstruction are treated at neiguan (PC-6) and zhigou (TB-6), above the wrist. In explaining the use of these points, the Advanced Textbook of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacology states: Qimen and riyue are the anterior mu points of the liver and gallbladder meridians respectively; zhigou and yanglingquan can relieve hypochondriac pain, while zusanli helps strengthen the spleen and disperse heat-moisture. Auricular acupuncture gained a reputation as a method of expelling gallstones during the 1980s 1. It was reported to be particularly effective for patients with moist heat and less so for patients with qi stagnation, but not effective for those with qi deficiency. . Over 60 auricular points have been used in the treatment of gallstones, making it difficult to pinpoint which points may be particularly effective. Not surprisingly, the most commonly used points were those associated with the liver, gallbladder, bile duct, pancreas, duodenum, stomach, spleen, and small intestine. A treatment cycle would last thirty days with pressure exerted on the tip using various types of pellets, especially vaccaria seeds (which-14).