Method of Localizing Foot Acupoints

Foot acupuncture is applied to special acupoints on the foot (FA) other than the
acupoints of the 14 meridians to treat diseases of the entire body. As a branch of
traditional acupuncture, it is adopted according to the meridianal theories and on the
basis of the close relationships between foot and meridians, internal organs, and qi
and blood to treat diseases by stimulating the circulation of meridianal qi, adjusting
the functions of internal organs, tissues, qi and blood, enriching vital energy, and
expelling pathogens.
Foot acupuncture is a simple and effective therapy with numerous indications.

Method of Localizing Foot Acupoints

The correct localization of foot acupoints is very important for obtaining good
therapeutic effects.

Proportional bone measurement (Figs. 19 and 20):

(1) The distance between the heel border and the root of 3rd toe is divided into 10 cun
(one cun is about 3.3 cm).

(2) The distance from tip of medial of lateral malleolus to medial or lateral border of
foot is divided into 3 cun.

(3) The distance between medial border (dorsoplantar boundary) of first
metatarsophalangeal joint and lateral border (dorsoplantar boundary) of 5th
metatarsophalangeal joint on both dorsal and plantar side is divided into 5 cun.

(4) The widest part of the heel is divided into 3 cun.

These standards can be applied to all average-size adults of any age and either sex.

Surface anatomical landmarks:

The acupoints are located according to surface anatomical landmarks, including the
creases of toes, tips of toes, metatarsophalangeal joints, capitula of metatarsal bones,
terminals of creases between toes, tips of medial and lateral malleoli, and tuberosity
of navacular bone. For example, the dysmenorrhea acupoint (FA-M 3) is 2 cun below
the tip of medial malleolus; the bed-wetting acupoint(FA-P 21) is at the midpoint of
the first crease of the little toe.


Method of Local i zi ng Foot Acupoi nts
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Method of Local i zi ng Foot Acupoi nts
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