The 12 back shu points (shus) are certainly the most commonly used acupoints on the body. No one leaves my office without having their shusshus palpated (except for perhaps the UPS guy). There are also points  located laterally to the corresponding to the five "souls" or spirits that reside in each yin organ. Not only are all of these points essential for assessment and treatment, they also elicit more client "oohs" and "ahhs" than any other points!

You may have seen translations of "shus" as "back transport points" or "associated points," or even the Japanese pronunciation of the character as "yu's" (which I have also been told is the plural of "you," as in the expression "yu's guys' shus"!). Anyway you say it, we are talking about the points halfway between the vertebral border of the scapula and the midline of the back, straight down and lateral to T-3 to S-2.

The back shu points correspond to the 12 Organs, but I am going to focus on the five yin Organs that house five different aspects of our souls. I capitalize "Organs" because I want to emphasize that in the Chinese use of the word, we are talking about an entire orb of influence rather than the way we think of the organs in the West. You'll see what I mean when I describe the use of each point.

In general, the back shu points are effective for assessing and treating an imbalance in their corresponding Organ. If you find that any of these points are tender, use that to explore your assessment further and incorporate that point into your treatment. This was established as far back as about 200 A.D. in the Ling Shu/Spiritual Pivot, chapter 51, which also describes the location of each point. This text recommends the use of moxa in treatment of the back shus, slowly burning it down to the skin to tonify and blowing on it so that it burns quickly to sedate. Keep in mind, do not try this unless you have training in using moxa, as you can cause more harm than good.

OK, let's get to the tofu of this article! The Lung Shu (B13) is located about an inch-and-a-half beside T3 and the Door of the Corporeal Soul (B42) is lateral to that, right before you get to the scapula. So you are pressing the points along side of the spine and you notice tenderness in this area.

If it's more medial, you might ask your patients questions about their Lungs in the Chinese sense of the Organ like, "Have you been feeling sick recently? Do you easily catch cold? Do you have allergies? Asthma? Shortness of breath? Skin conditions? Fatigue? (due to the function of the Lungs as the Ruler of Qi)" or any other Lung-related questions. If yes, combine this point with others, which relate specifically to their problem and condition.

If the pain is more lateral, you are accessing the Corporeal Soul (po), the spiritual/emotional aspect of the Lungs. You may want to inquire into whether or not the pain has bothered them a long time and if they have suffered any loss that could be causing them grief or sadness. This doesn't necessarily have to be a death of a loved one. The loss of a relationship, a job or anything treasured can have a similar devastating affect. Holding this point is profoundly nourishing and has a soothing affect on the spirit.

The Heart Shu (B15) is level with the lower border of T-5 and lateral to it is Hall of the Spirit (B44). If you find tenderness around B15, you might find that your client has any number of the following symptoms: chest pain; loss of memory; night sweating; heart palpitations; speech problems; or any other Heart-related disorder. I have also found it common for "broken hearts" to get lodged in this area. Over a period of time, chronic stagnation causes a painful nodule or "gummy bear" as it is sometimes technically called.

This pain often extends laterally from B15 to Hall of the Spirit (B44). The "spirit" (shen) referred to here is the integrative function of all five souls of the yin Organs. It also relates to the specific spirit housed in the Heart that rules our feelings; day-to-day consciousness; memory; thinking; sleep; and dreams. Thus, we find this point useful in treating insomnia, anxiety, mental restlessness, depression and "heartbreak."

The Liver Shu (B18) is located lateral to the lower border of T-9. The point lateral to that is Gate of the Ethereal Soul (B47). You might find an angry or irritable client if these points are sore and if the B47s are worse, he or she has been holding onto it for a long time, so be delicate in your line of questions! For B 18, you will find that it helps to treat any Liver pattern so make sure to enquire about stress level; any distention or feeling of fullness; sour regurgitation; poor night vision; floaters or red/swollen eyes.

The spirit that is housed in the Liver is the Ethereal Soul (hun), which is associated with imagination and intuition. It has to do with seeing in the metaphoric sense and being able to envision clearly and plan one's future. Frustration can develop and damage this aspect of the spirit if plans are thwarted repeatedly for a long period of time. This will deepen into resentment and depression if left untreated. You will find this point useful in helping to lift that depression and find direction and meaning in your clients' lives.

Lateral to T-11 is the Spleen Shu (B20), and lateral to that is House of Thought/Intelligence (B49). B20 is one of the most important Spleen tonification points on the body so you will find it useful in treating fatigue (particularly after eating), loose stools and appetite imbalances. It will also help resolve dampness and help build Blood as well.

The outer Shu will be more effective in treating the spiritual/ emotional aspect of the Spleen. Housed in the Spleen is our ability to study, think and memorize (yi), so students, take note! The pathological manifestation can be obsessive thinking, when thoughts are spinning around in your head faster than you can "see" them. The effect of this point is calming and centering.

The Kidney Shu (B23) is located at the level of L-2. Its outer point is Chamber of the Will Power (B52). If you find tenderness in this area, you can ask your clients Kidney related questions such as, "Do you get up at night to go to the bathroom? Do you have back or knee pain? Is there ringing in your ears?" A more delicate line of questioning is involved with the Kidney's job in storing jing as he or she may be impotent, infertile or lack sexual desire. Don't forget to ask about bone disorders like osteoporosis and symptoms of deficiency of the Sea of Marrow, also ruled by the Kidney (dizziness, poor memory, blurred vision, fatigue and a constant desire to sleep).

With all of the outer shus, you can strengthen your treatment by combining them with the inner shus but in particular, this is the case with the Chamber of Will Power (B52). To treat the spiritual aspect of the Kidney (zhi), use the Kidney Shu (B23). The Kidneys store jing/Essence, which is the material foundation of life and spirit. If jing is deficient, your client could be negative, unhappy, unmotivated and depressed. Used together, these two points will help strengthen will power and determination, stimulate the Spirit and the Mind and lift depression. The kind of depression I am talking about here is the Water type, when the person lacks the strength of resolve, energy or effort to get better.

Keep in mind that there is naturally a slow loss of jing as people age, and your client may have sped up that decline by hard living such as drugs/alcohol, overwork and excessive sex or childbearing. Lifestyle counseling is essential. Recommendations could include a daily practice of Tai Qi or Qi Gong, which are exercises specifically designed to help rebuild jing. It's hard to believe that you have that kind of strength and power at your fingertips, but there's a reason why Asian medicine has endured for 6,000-8,000 years: It works.

Learn More!

For a list of schools that offer programs in ABT, go to www.aobta.org. For information on the national ABT exam, go to www.nccaom.org.