-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
endocrine system
hypothyroidism
acupuncture

patterns and combinations

after assessing the person and palpating, consider these patterns:
Yang Xu (Deficiency); Yang and Qi Xu (Deficiency); Heart Yang Xu (Deficiency); Yang Ming and Tai Yin concurrent Xu (Deficiency); Xu (Deficiency) of the Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel)

» illustrative combinations:
• PC-6, PC-8, UB-38/43, UB-15, UB-17 and "a point immediately at the tip of the spinous process of the 4th cervical vertebra" (+) for thyroid "insufficiency" (McWilliams, et al, lesson 31, p. 259)
• CV-22, LI-4 and GV-15: promote thyroid function (Finkelstein, p. 93)
• TW-4 and TW-5 (+): stimulate thyroid; reinforce the Three Warmers (Finkelstein, p. 61)
• qi ying, LI-4 and jia ji of C3 through C5 (also consider CV-22, LI-11, GB-20 and TW-3) for hypothyroidism (Lee and Cheung, p. 263)
• PC-6 and Sp-4: open the Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel) for which hypothyroidism is a Xu (Deficiency) symptom
• CV-13, GV-23, St-9, CV-19, GV-15, UB-15, Ht-7, St-10, CV-6, TW-3, Kd-7 and LI-4: influence thyroid (Worsley, 1975, p. B-20)
• GV-17, UB-7, TW-12 and CV-22 for thyroid swelling (Lee and Cheung, p. 264)
• CV-22, LI-11 and the most prominent protruded point of the thyroid for swelling (Lee and Cheung, p. 264)
• Kd-15 <-> Kd-16, Kd-3 (posteriorly), St-2/bi tong area, "thyroid shu" (hua tuo jia ji at C6 or C7), GV-2 (D), GV-11 (D), GV-12 (D), TW-4, "thyroid helper point" and "magic point" treat thyroid imbalance (Matsumoto)
• see also more combinations under "goiter" if present


point analysis

»
palpate and consider:
• GB-20 (-): awakens the Shen and clears the Brain; harmonizes Qi and Xue (Blood); frees the channels and invigorates the collateral vessels
hua tuo jia ji of C3 to C5: facilitate flow of Qi and Xue (Blood)
• "thyroid shu" (hua tuo jia ji of C6 or C7): regulates thyroid; needle at 45° angle toward spine using #1 gauge needle or moxa or Tiger Warmer (Matsumoto)
GV-15 (+): clears the Shen and consciousness; strengthens the Mind; benefits and clears the Brain; influences the thyroid and parathyroids (Worsley, 1975, p. B-20); frees the channels; removes Obstruction from the collateral vessels; Sea of Bone Marrow Exit point
• GV-14 (+): clears and awakens the Brain and Mind; opens and restores the Yang by spreading Yang Qi through the Du Mai (Governing Vessel) and whole body; regulates and stimulates the flow of Qi; regulates the Xue (Blood); clears the throat and stimulates the thyroid; Jiao Hui Intersecting point of the Yang channels
• GV-12 (D or Tiger Warmer): pacifies the Shen; clears the Heart; treats thyroid imbalance (Matsumoto); tonifies the Lung; readjusts Qi of all Yang channels
• GV-11 (D or Tiger Warmer): calms the Shen and Heart; treats thyroid imbalance (Matsumoto)
GV-4 (+ and/or D): clears the Brain; restores collapsed Yang; relieves mental and physical exhaustion; nourishes the Yuan (Original) Qi; strengthens the Kidney; benefits and replenishes the Kidney Yang; reinforces and astringes the Jing (Essence); stimulates testes, adrenals and ovaries (Finkelstein, p. 77)' "Gate of Life (Fire)"
• GV-2 (D or Tiger Warmer): dissipates Dampness; treats thyroid imbalance (Matsumoto); warms the Lower Warmer; frees the channels and invigorates the collaterals
jing gong (+): tonifies Kidney Yang; warms the Jing (Essence)
UB-15 (+): strengthens and clears the Brain; regulates the Xue (Blood) and Qi of the Heart; strengthens Heart Qi and nourishes Heart Xue (Blood); invigorates circulation of the Qi and Xue (Blood) and tonifies Xu (Deficiency); influences thyroid (Worsley, 1975, p. B-20); relaxes and expands the chest, and benefits the Qi; Heart Shu Associated point
UB-17 (+): nourishes and invigorates the Xue (Blood) (esp. with D); enriches Yin; expands the chest and diaphragm; strengthens Xu (Deficient) conditions and increases stamina; Diaphragm Shu Associated point; Hui Reunion and Master point of the Xue (Blood)
"thyroid helper point": palpate for pain and/or tenderness and and needle most reactive point to treat thyroid imbalance; point located slightly medial to the lower border of the scapula at the level of UB-43/48 to UB-45/50 (Matsumoto)
GV-23 (+): brightens the eyes; influences the thyroid (Worsley, 1975, p. B-20)
• St-9 (=): regulates Qi and Xue (Blood); effects the carotid body; influences the thyroid (Worsley, 1975, p. B-20); transforms Phlegm and disperses masses (goiter); moves the Xue (Blood) and reconstitutes the pulse; Great Window of the Sky point; Exit point of the Sea of Qi; CAUTION: move the common carotid artery aside!
• TW-5 (+): reinforce the Three Warmers (Finkelstein, p. 61); normalizes excess of gonadotropins and stimulates the thyroid (Finkelstein, p. 62); transforms Phlegm and disperses goiter; moves the Yang Wei Mai; tonifies Wei (Protective) Qi; facilitates the circulation of Qi in the channels; Triple Warmer Luo Connecting point; Master point of the Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel); Couple point of the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel)
TW-4 (+): treats thyroid imbalance (Matsumoto); left TW-4 is tonic to Yang of the whole body (Finkelstein, p. 61); promotes function of Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); frees the channels and collateral vessels; Triple Warmer Yuan Source point
TW-3 (-): facilitates the circulation of Qi; clears the head and eyes; influences the thyroid (Worsley, 1975, p. B-20); Triple Warmer Wood and Tonification point
PC-6 (+): spreads the Qi and facilitates the Qi function of the Upper and Middle Warmers; builds Zhong (Ancestral) Qi in the chest; pacifies the Shen; awakens the Brain by improving intracranial circulation; tranquilizes the Heart; regulates the Qi; opens the Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel) to distribute Qi to the Stomach, chest and Heart; Pericardium Luo Connecting point; Master point of the Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel); Couple point of the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel)
• PC-8 (+): regulates the Heart (esp. Qi and Yang); Pericardium Fire and Horary point
• SI-7 (=): clears the Brain; effects thyroid (Finkelstein, p. 35); tonifies Kidney Yin by directing the Yang Qi of the Exterior toward the Internal duct of the Triple Warmer (Finkelstein, p. 35); Small Intestine Luo Connecting point
• LI-11 (=): regulates and harmonizes Qi, Ying and Xue (Blood); improves immune function (Finkelstein, p. 9); eliminates Dampness through the Intestines; frees the channels (esp. Yang Ming) and invigorates the collateral vessels; Large Intestine Earth and Tonification point
LI-4 (=): regulates Qi and Xue (Blood); brightens the eyes; influences the thyroid (Worsley, 1975, p. B-20); activates Wei (Protective) Qi and stimulates the immune system; tonifies Lung Qi; promotes menses; frees the channels (esp. Yang Ming) and invigorates the collateral vessels; Large Intestine Yuan Source and Entry point
• Lu-7 (+): spreads Lung Qi by stimulating the descending and dispersing of Lung Qi; calms wheezing; resolves Phlegm and clarifies Mucus; opens and regulates the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); regulates the Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Motility Vessel); effects release of sexual hormones; stimulates Lung function of dominating Water Pathways; promotes diuresis by descending the Turbid; Lung Luo Connecting and Exit point; Master point of the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); Couple point of the Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Motility Vessel)
St-9 (-): regulates the circulation of Qi and Xue (Blood); local point to influence the thyroid (Worsley, 1975, p. B-20); frees the channels (esp. Yang Ming) and invigorates the collateral vessels; CAUTION: move the common carotid artery aside!
St-10 (-): local point to influence the thyroid (Worsley, 1975, p. B-20); facilitates the throat; regulates the Lung; frees the channels (esp. Yang Ming) and invigorates the collateral vessels; CAUTION: move the common carotid artery aside!
• "magic point": located at the "corner" of the neck and shoulder, this point is tender or painful upon palpation and when needled assists in the treatment of thyroid imbalance (Matsumoto)
qi ying (-): local effect on thyroid through facilitation of Qi and Xue (Blood); disperses nodule; resolves Stagnation
• Kd-27 (+): tonifies Yuan (Original) Qi; expands and relaxes chest; redirects Rebellious Qi downward; fortifies the Spleen; tonifies Kidney (especially Yang); resolves Phlegm
Kd-15<->16 region: palpate for tenderness and/or pain, then needle most reactive point to treat thyroid imbalance as part of Xu (Deficiency) of the Kidney and/or Spleen due to birth trauma induced by improper severing of the umbilical cord causing damage to the ligamentum teres hepatis (Matsumoto)
• CV-22 (+): promotes thyroid function; benefits the throat; clears the voice; transforms and eliminates Phlegm; softens hard masses; Window of the Sky point
CV-19 (=): relaxes the chest; promotes the flow of Qi; stimulates pituitary; influences thyroid (Worsley, 1975, p. B-20); regulates the throat
CV-13 (+): invigorates the Qi; influences the thyroid (Worsley, 1975, p. B-20); strengthens the Spleen and dissipates Dampness; warms Spleen and Stomach to disperse Cold (D); Jiao Hui Intersecting point of the Hand Tai Yang (Small Intestine) and Foot Yang Ming (Stomach) channels on the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel)
CV-6 (+ and/or D): strengthens and moves the Qi; regulates Qi of Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); raises Middle Qi; regulates and tonifies Yuan (Original) Qi; warms the Lower and Middle Warmers (D); restores collapsed Yang; nourishes and invigorates Kidney Yang; warms Ming Men (Life Gate Fire) (esp. with D); influences pituitary, thyroid and adrenals (Worsley, 1975, p. B-20); reinforces Jing (Essence); regulates the menses; moves Qi and Xue (Blood) in Lower Warmer; regulates Water Pathways and dispels Dampness; warms feet and hands; Dan Tien (Elixir of Long Life), with CV-5
Sp-9 (+): regulates and tonifies Spleen (especially Yang); warms and moves the Middle Warmer; regulates the Water Pathways; transforms Damp Stagnation, esp. through promotion of diuresis; benefits Lower Warmer; Spleen He Sea Uniting and Water point
• Sp-6 (+): nourishes Yin; influences pituitary, adrenals, uterus and ovaries (Finkelstein, p. 27; Worsley, 1985, p. B-20); strengthens the Spleen; tonifies Qi and builds the Xue (Blood); raises blood pressure; aids transportation and transformation to improve digestion and nourishment; warms the Middle and Lower Warmers; benefits the Kidney; transforms Dampness and facilitates diuresis; regulates the menses; Jiao Hui Intersecting point of the three Foot Yin channels
Sp-4 (+): moves and strengthens the Spleen and Middle Warmer; rectifies the Qi mechanism (Flaws, 1989, p. 46); effects hypothyroidism through strengthening of the Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel); regulates the Xue (Blood), Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and menstrual cycle; invigorates the Xue (Blood) and regulates the Sea of Xue (Blood); transforms Dampness and Damp-Heat; tonifies Yuan (Original) Qi; Spleen Luo Connecting point of the Foot Tai Yin (Spleen) channel with Foot Yang Ming (Stomach) channel; Master point of Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel); Couple point of the Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel)
Kd-7 (+): clears Heat and nourishes Yin; strengthens Spleen and rids body of excess fluids; tonifies Yuan (Original) Qi; regulates Kidney Qi; strengthens and enriches the Kidney; stimulates adrenals, thyroid and testes; moistens dryness; regulates the pores and sweating; disperses Stagnation; Kidney Metal and Tonification point
Kd-3 (+): tonifies the Kidney, Yuan (Original) Qi, Xue (Blood) and Jing (Essence); warms Cold; strengthens the Brain; nourishes and enriches Kidney Yin, supplies Liver Yin, and tonifies Yin of the entire body; tonifies Kidney Yang; regulates the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel); regulates menses and Water Pathways; K. Matsumoto recommends needling toward the Achilles tendon when treating the thyroid; Kidney Yuan Source, Shu Stream and Earth point
• UB-60 (=): modulates thyroid; promotes Qi function and Xue (Blood) circulation; frees the channels and collateral vessels; reinforces the Kidney; Bladder Fire point
• GB-41 (=): brightens the eyes; removes Stagnancy of Liver Qi; clears and regulates Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel); clears Wetness (Damp Spleen) by draining into Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel), thereby increasing Spleen Qi and Xue (Blood) production, improving digestion, and warming extremities; Gall Bladder Wood and Horary point; Master point of the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel); Couple point of the Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel)

ear: thyroid, endocrine, shen men, brain


footnotes