Master Tung's points and protocols are highly effective for many conditions including various patterns of knee pain. In this post and the video below, I will discuss some of Tung's acupuncture points on the hands and arms for knee pain, as well as a common pattern that is often present in both lateral and medial knee pain. The video covers some of the primary Tung points for knee pain, while the text below discusses a common structural pattern and biomechanical relationships between the LV and GB meridians.
Master Tung's Points for Knee Pain Video
Traditional and Myofascial Methods of Pattern Identification
A traditional approach to working with knee pain is to first identify what meridians are symptomatic or painful. Once the affected meridians are identified we can use Dr. Tan's six systems, imaging, and mirroring to identify meridians and points to needle.
If medial knee pain is present, we may identify the LV meridian as being the primary channel affected and could use Ling Gu and LI 11 as a point combination. Similarly, if the pain is in the lateral aspect of the knee, we are likely to determine that the GB meridian is the primary affected channel and could use a point on the SJ meridian like 22.07 along with other points around the elbow.
Structurally, the LV and GB connection can be seen as a relationship
between the medial and lateral regions of the legs and body.
From a myofascial perspective, we can equate the Lateral Line (LL) to the GB meridian and the Deep Front Line (DFL) to the three leg yin channels. It is useful to correlate the meridians and myofascial lines because it allows us a structural and mechanical viewpoint for understanding meridians and point functions. For instance, in traditional meridian theories, we recognize the relationship between the LV and GB meridians. Structurally, the LV and GB connection can be seen as a relationship between the medial and lateral regions of the legs and body. In the knee, this is especially apparent as the GB meridian is located on the most lateral aspect of the knee and the LV meridian runs through the most medial portion of the knee (the KI meridian is more posterior and the SP meridian is more anterior).
External Rotation of the Leg and Medial and Lateral Knee Pain
A common pattern related to both medial and lateral knee pain is external rotation of the leg. In external rotation, the femur and/or tibia rotate laterally away from the midline. This can easily be seen in clients when their feet and/or knees rotate outward.
When the leg rotates externally, it puts strain on the medial structures of the knee and MCL. Over time this can lead to a sprain, tear, or injury on the medial side where the LV meridian is located. In this pattern, the muscles on the LL and associated with the GB meridian will be in contraction. These muscles include the glutes and tensor fascia latae. Additionally, the deep lateral rotators on the DFL including the piriformis, quadratus femoris, obturator, and gemellus muscles will also be in contraction.
Understanding the dynamics between the lateral hip rotators and the LV and GB meridians gives many insights into biomechanics, traditional meridian theory, and point functions.
For instance, one method we use in traditional practices is to needle the affected meridian in either the area of pain or distal to the painful region. For lateral knee pain, we could needle points like GB 33 and GB 34 as these points are on either side of the knee and could be considered local points for lateral knee pain. Similarly, traditional theory states that we can needle other points on the GB meridian for knee pain.
In the Master Tung system, GB 31 (88.25) can be used for knee pain and can be especially effective for lateral knee pain when there is chronic external rotation in the leg. This point is located in the tensor fascia latae and can help to release tightness and contraction in the IT band. By releasing chronic tightness in the IT band through using an acupuncture point like GB 31, we can often obtain effective relief from pain. However, GB 31 on its own is typically not sufficient to correct the overall pattern.
A System and Point Prescription for Lateral Knee Pain
An effective point prescription for general knee pain is to use Ling Gu (22.05) and LI 11 on the opposite side as the pain. For good measure, and to target the shao yang GB - SJ connection, add 22.07 to the point prescription.
When using these points it is also necessary to have the patient move their knee while the needles are retained. Local manual therapies like acupressure and massage on the knee are also very useful and can help to improve patient outcomes.
While these distal points are often enough to provide fast and effective pain relief, they may not be sufficient for conditions where there is excessive tightness in the IT band. For such cases, needling GB 31 (88.25) along with other points in the region may be necessary to release long-held muscular contractions. When chronic external rotation in the leg is also present, it is often the case that GB and LL points will be necessary to unravel the pattern.
While this approach of using the distal points of Ling Gu, LI 11, and 22.07 with GB 31 and other local GB points is often highly effective, there is one other factor that needs to be accounted for and addressed with acupuncture. Additionally, including manual therapies with distal needling helps to correct the root patterns and gives us additional information about what other points may be necessary to produce the best results. To learn more about this pattern, manual therapies to use, and additional points that may be necessary, check out my new short class on knee pain at the link below.
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