Introduction on Arm Acupressure Points (AAP)

Generally speaking, acupoints on the arm could be the most frequently used groups among the whole body points, e.g. LI4, LI11, PC6, HT7, SI3, LI15 etc. The six channels i.e. Lung, Heart, Pericardium, Large Intestine, Sanjiao, and Small Intestine connect almost the whole body. Especially, the Sanjiao and Pericardium channels link the upper-Jiao, middle-Jiao and lower-Jiao. In Pediatrics Tuina (Chinese Medical Massage), most of the points are located on the arm! Meanwhile, the clinical practice demonstrates that points on the arm are only sensitive to needles but also for acupressure. It is so easy to get Deqing when stimulating arm points.

Like ear acupuncture, eye acupuncture, abdominal acupuncture and other micro-systems, a perfect projection can also be found on the arm! Master Zhiping Ren, an amazing blind Tuina master in China, summarized and found the rules of the points on the arm and established the unique Arm Acupressure Points system (AAP). The AAP points are determined based on the points of the lung, pericardium, heart, large intestine, San Jiao, and small intestine meridians, points from Pediatrics Tuina, and holography biology. He published his book on 1980s. Then AAP was popularized in the whole nation. My private teacher, Dr. Chengda Zhang, a good friend of Master Zhiping Ren, expanded the use of these points, not only for acupressure but also for needling.

Dr. Chengda Zhang was a neurologist, he introduced AAP with acupuncture to treat cerebral palsy and spine marrow injuries. When I learned with him, I found he used so many points on the arm, some of which I know, but most of them I could not understand. He told me AAP and I read the book within one dag, because it is so beautiful, self-contained, good logic, and the book covers convecing case reports and analysis!

There are some clinical researches on AAP. Liu Jingling from the Rehabilitation Center of Qinghai University Hospital reported that Tan Bo (plucking) technique on AAP points (Thorax Line, Lumbar Line), LI4, LI11 was effective to treat elbow pain [1]. Zhang Zongbo et al from Munan County Hospital reported that AAP points (AAP Taiyang, AAP Cheek, AAP Occiput, AAP Sternocleidomastoid Muscle, AAP Cervical Vertibrae) in combination with neck traction were effective to treat cervical spondylosis.

In 2008, I witnessed the effectiveness of AAP points on acute chest pain after the earth quake applied by our medical team. Then I tried to use these points to treat neck pain, back pain, lumbar pain, and sciatica. It worked! From 2014 on, I introduced AAP to Europe. I am so glad to see that more and more practitioners are starting to learn and use AAP. Really hope it could benefit more in clinical practice.

Reference

[1] Liu JL. Effect of Arm Acupressure to treat elbow pain. Guide of China Medicine, 2014, 12(16):292.

[2] Zhang ZB and Zhang QM. Effect of Arm Acupressure and traction to treat cervical spondylosis. Shangdong Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2000, 19(8):477.

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