Master Tung's Acupuncture Points - Three Scholars, 33.13, 33.14, 33.15
These points are located on the lung meridian and are often used together as a dao ma.
Location
33.13 - 4 cun above the wrist crease on the lung meridian
33.14 - 7 cun above the wrist crease on the lung meridian, note this point is the same as LU 6
33.15 - 10 cun above the wrist crease or 2 cun below LU 5 and on the lung channel
Indications
Lung disorders including colds, asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), upper respiratory infections, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest.
Heart patterns and conditions including chest pain, arrhythmia, shortness of breath, and palpitations
Upper back and shoulder pain, numbness in the hands and fingers
The Three Scholars & Dao Ma Point Groups
A key to using Master Tung's points effectively is to use what is known as a dao ma. This is a combination of two or three points, usually on the same meridian or fascial line, and in close proximity to one another. Typically, the points are 2 - 3 cun apart, which is interesting because de qi often propagates by 2 - 3 cun.
The points that compose the Three Scholars are 3 cun apart from one another. By needling several points along a meridian, it compounds the effects of the individual points to produce synergetic effects. This is one reason Master Tung's points can be so effective, because we are not simply using one point on a meridian, but we are using dao ma's to produce a stronger response.
Lung 7 is one of the most frequently used points on the lung meridian, and in TCM point protocols, it is often used singularly on the lung channel. It may also be paired with points like LU 5 or LU 10, depending on the exact pattern that is present.
Notice that LU 7 and the Three Scholars have similar functions. The primary indications of the Three Scholars are for lung and respiratory-related disorders, and secondarily for chest and heart conditions. Since lung and heart disorders are often comorbid, we can use the Three Scholars for patients who have both heart and lung diseases.
When a lung disorder predominates the patient's symptomology, and they also have heart problems, we can use the Three Scholars as the primary yin arm points. When these three points are needled as a dao ma, it is often sufficient, and the use of a point like PC 6 is not necessary. However, for the patient who has a primary concern related to heart disease and a secondary concern of a lung disorder, we can needle the PC channel instead of the points on the lung meridian.
In the Tung system, there is another 3-point unit on the PC meridian known as Xin Ling (33.17). The primary indications for these points include heart disease, angina, endocarditis, and chest oppression. The points are located 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5 cun above PC 7 and on the PC meridian. As the first two points are close to PC 6, we can expect this dao ma to function much like PC 6. However, as we are needling 2 or 3 of these points, they tend to have stronger effects than only needling PC 6 alone.
These points and PC 6 tend to produce strong qi sensation, and for many people, it is often sufficient to needle 2 of the 3 points. However, for people who are less needle sensitive, don't get de qi, or have big body types, it may be necessary to needle all three of the points that make up Xin Ling.
In summary, for patients with lung and heart comorbidity, either the Three Scholars or Xin Ling may be needled. It is not necessary to needle more than three of these points at a time. However, these two point groups may be alternated between sessions to target both the lungs and heart.