Twelve points that together cover the whole body, with the paired and alternating methods of use.
Zhen Jiu Da Cheng (针灸大成)Acupuncture Rhymes
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
The English is translated from the Chinese vernacular. The original text and its pinyin sit beneath each sentence in smaller type; hide them whenever you prefer to read the translation alone.
Zusanli and Neiting, Quchi joined with Hegu, Weizhong paired with Chengshan, Taichong and Kunlun, Huantiao with Yanglingquan, Tongli and Lieque.
Where carrying applies, use the carrying method; where cutting applies, use the cutting method. The three hundred and sixty points come to nothing beyond these twelve.
ORIGINAL合担用法担，合截用法截，三百六十穴，不出十二诀。
hé dān yòng fǎ dān，hé jié yòng fǎ jié，sān bǎi liù shí xué，bù chū shí èr jué。
—— 《针灸大成·马丹阳天星十二穴治杂病歌》
Attributed to the Jin dynasty physician Ma Danyang, this song selects twelve points said to be sufficient for the disorders of the entire body. For each it gives the location, the indications and the needling method, and it closes with advice on combining them: where points pair, use them together; where they alternate, use them in turn.
The twelve-point scheme is the classic example of selecting a small repertoire and mastering it thoroughly, an approach that has obvious appeal against the tendency to accumulate ever longer prescriptions. It is still used as a basis for teaching point selection in clinical training.
ANNOTATION
Ma Danyang (马丹阳): personal name Yu, one of the seven northern masters of Quanzhen Dao in the Jin dynasty, skilled in acupuncture.
Carrying method (担法): taking two points, or one above and one below, like the two ends of a carried pole.
Cutting method (截法): taking a single point to cut off the momentum of the illness.
COMMENTARY
The twelve celestial star points are close in character to the song of the four command points: both govern many by means of few. Seen together, they reveal a deep conviction of the ancients about clinical practice — what matters is not the number of points but their fitness. Those who use several dozen needles at a sitting might reflect here.