Master Tung’s Acupuncture 22.11 Tu shui 【土水】

Master Tung’s acupuncture point 22.11 Tu shui 【土水】

The name of this point is Tu Shui. Tu 土 is earth. Shui 水 is water.

22.11 acupuncture point is on the lung channel, the metal lays between earth and water. Lung has a connection with the leg Tai yin spleen, this explains its effect on gastro intestinal disorders. Since it is on the lung meridian it can also be indicated for lung disharmony symptoms. This point is on a muscle which represents the spleen and near a bone which represents the kidney.  Earth and water are a symbol for the function of this point as regulating qi and water passages.

Location: A three point set on the lung meridian, along the radial aspect of the first metacarpal bone. Divide the line into 4 equal parts. The points are at the quarters junctions. The middle point overlaps Lu-10.

Needle: 0.5- 1.5 cun. Some of the doctors will needle two points in order to reduce local pain and discomfort.

Reaction area: Lung, kidney.

Main functions:

Harmonize spleen stomach, regulates the middle Jiao, clear and diffuse lung qi, open the channels, quicken the Luo. This area around Lu-10 which is the Ying- spring point that can clear heat and diffuse the lung.

“Dr. Wei Chieh Young mention that 22.11 point can treat disease of the lung, spleen and kidney. It regulates qi, and is therefore very effective in treatment of stomach and asthmatic breathing” (Practical Atlas Of Tung’s Acupuncture- Henry McCann & Hans-Georg Ross).

Indications:

1. Acute gastritis, chronic stomach disease, diarrhea. The point is on the lung channel which its internal meridian starts at Ren-12. Therefore 22.11 can treat digestion disease. The lung is also balancing the stomach by its partner the hand Yang Ming large intestine. We need to understand that the pathology is related to cold which is the energy of the water.
2. Cough, asthma, throat pain.
3. Whole body swelling and pain, periostitis, inner leg muscle pain, sciatica. From a mirroring point of view, the thumb reflects the leg and the thenar muscle (where 22.11 is located on) is a reflection of the thigh. Therefore we can use this point to treat sciatica and lower back pain especially in kidney deficiency conditions. The earth water point (22.11) can regulate cold, water and dampness, and reduce swelling.

Major combinations:

1. For sever stomach pain add 77.08 (Si hua shang), 66.05 (Men jin).
2. Bloating and fulness in the abdomen add 22.05 (ling gu)+ 22.04 (Da bai).
3. For gastritis add Four flowers dao ma (77.08+ 77.09+ 77.11), 66.05 (Men jin), three emperors (77.17+ 77.19+ 77.21).