三角灸 : Sanjiaojiu : Triangle Moxibustion

Location:

On the lower abdomen, construct and equilateral triangle with the umbilicus (Shenque Ren-8) as the apex and the sides equal to the length of the patients smile.

Needling:

These points are treated by moxibustion only, indirect, mediated by ginger, crushed garlic, aconite cake, etc., or by cones placed directly on the skin.

TCM Actions:

Regulates Qi and alleviates pain
Stops diarrhoea

TCM Indications:

• Chronic diarrhoea, abdominal pain, pain around the umbilicus, Shan (疝) Disorder, Running Piglet Qi (奔豚氣, Ben Tun Qi) arising from the umbilicus.

Neuroanatomy:

Superficial Innervation: Anterior cutaneous thoracic nerves from T10 and T11

Dermatome Segment: T10, T11

Martial Applications & Effects of Injury:

See Montaigue, Dim Mak Locations, Taijiworld.com for explanation of effects.

Notes:

For shan disorder treat the opposite side with moxibustion. All three points are treated for diarrhoea.

Reference Notes:

Basic information on location, needle depth, TCM actions, indications and combinations is taken from Deadman et al (2001): A Manual of Acupuncture with additional anatomical information researched by reference to Gray's Anatomy (38th Ed., 1995) unless otherwise referenced. Images were found on acupunctureschoolonline.com and can be traced back to Claudia Focks (2008) Atlas of Acupuncture originally. I cannot claim any credit or rights over them. Other sources should be quoted in the text.

For some of the more unusual terms I have created a glossary here