Master Tung's Acupuncture Points 22.01 & 22.02
Location: 22.01 & 22.02 are located on the palm of the hand and along the thenar eminence. The first point is 1 cun proximal to the fold on the skin between the thumb and index finger. The second point is 1 cun proximal to the first point, and directly opposite of Ling Gu (22.05).
Indications: Neck and upper back pain, respiratory disorders including pneumonia, asthma, and external wind invasions.
Notes: The points 22.01 & 22.02, are effective for neck and upper thoracic pain, as well as for various respiratory conditions. This is a good point combination to use when neck or upper back pain presents with colds, fevers, cough, or difficult to treat lung diseases. As they are on the hand, use them for acute, excessive, severe, and hard to treat lung conditions. For such patterns it is often best to use these points first, and early in the treatment process. If the lung condition is more chronic, deficient, or if the patient is needle sensitive then 33.13 - 33.15 are often better choices.
These points also treat cervical and upper thoracic pain in the UB channel, and are very good for many of these patterns. They are some of the top points to use when pain is in the UB meridian, and in the area of C5 - T1. They may also be used for pain in the upper thoracic area, but in many cases of thoracic pain, the ashi points 3 - 5 cun proximal to LU 9 are preferable. When thoracic pain originates from cervical problems, 22.01 & 22.02 can be used, but for thoracic pain without cervical involvement, the ashi points between LU 7 and LU 6 are most effective.
22.01 & 22.02
We can see from the image that the region of 22.01 and 22.02 is innervated by the median nerve originating from T1. This helps explain why these points are effective for lower cervical and upper thoracic pain. The image entitled arm nerves also shows the radial nerve moving through the area of the hand, but the radial nerve moves through the yang (dorsal) side of the hand.
The abductor pollicis brevis muscle is innervated by the median nerve (T1).
The thenar muscles are part of the Deep Front Arm Line and influence pectoralis minor, and the deep fascia between the clavicle and pectoral region. This likely plays a role in these points ability to benefit some lung disorders.
While these points are often very effective for treating conditions effecting the lower cervical and upper thoracic vertebrae, they are quite painful to needle. For this reason I tend to use them in later treatments. The points on the achilles tendon 77.01, 77.02, and 77.03 are also effective for neck disorders, and get to deep levels of the myofascial system in the neck. The achilles tendon points are much less painful.
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When needling these points use a 36 gauge needle or smaller. I rarely needle these points on first time patients, as the intensity of them may put some people off from receiving additional treatments. For patients that are extremely needle sensitive I don't typically use these points. Since 77.01 - 77.03 also get to the deep structures of the neck, they are a good substitute and needle sensitive clients do well the the achilles points.
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For clients who are not needle sensitive, obese, respond slow, or are unresponsive to acupuncture, these points can be effective choices for neck, cervical, and lung disorders. I also prefer these points for severe external invasions, fevers, colds, bacterial and viral infections of the lungs. To be effective for acute respiratory conditions it is best to needle them at the earliest onset of symptoms.
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For chronic and difficult to treat lung conditions these points can be effective, but I tend to start with more proximal points. As points like LU 7, 33.13 - 33.15, LI 4, Ling Gu, ST 36, and the Four Flowers are also effective for lung patterns, I often find it best to start with these, and only needle 22.01 & 22.02 when absolutely necessary.
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