Download Point Location Year 1 Trimester 1 Class 1 Brief intro and overview

Point Location
Year 1
Trimester 1
Class 1
Brief intro and overview
1. Seitai Shinpo is a style of acupuncture that primarily focuses on the alignment of the spine. It
operates from the belief that once the spine becomes straight the patient can heal. In Seitai
Shinpo a specific style of needling is used over 22 back shu points and followed up with direct
moxa. When these points are needled in conjunction with direct moxa areas of muscular
distortion pulling the spine off center are released allowing the spine to go back into its center.
2. Next trimester we will learn the 22 back shu point, this trimester we will focus on identifying
several key body landmarks and drawing lines. Once you can accurately identify these
landmarks and make the proper lines you will be able to find the points on any body type. So
this trimester we will be focusing specifically on the upper and lower body landmarks and lines.
3. The lines will be broken up into two sections the lower back and the upper back. These first two
classes we will work on identifying the lower lines and the third and fourth class of the first tri,
identify the upper back lines. By the end of the trimester you will be able to identify these lines
on any body type.
4. The second trimester we will learn the 22 back points.
Identifying the lower lines: The superior border of the iliac crest, the inferior border of the PSIS and the
lumbosacral junction
1. Outlining the iliac spine
a. Begin by standing about level with the patient’s waist
b. With your hands on either side of the patient’s waist area, slide down both sides of the
patient’s body pressing in around the waist until you feel the iliac crest. While standing
on the right side of the patient, slide down and press your right palm ridge into the right
iliac crest while sliding the ridge of my left hand and ridge of my index finger on the left
side of the patient, to find their left superior iliac crest.
You can develop your own method but what is most important is that you are making a
sliding down motion from the head to waist, and pressing in when you get to the iliac
crest.
c. Once you have identified the iliac crest begin palpating with your fingertips along the
iliac spine. Begin at the iliac crest and follow the bone all the way down to the
posterior inferior iliac spine, or the PSIS. While drawing this line follow the soft
area between the "cliff face"(the bone) and the "valley"(the softer area right
next to the bone), and draw a line along this border.
d. When locating the PSIS make a pressing up motion, unlike the iliac crest where we
pushed down from the top here we will push up from the bottom. To do this use either
the ridge of your palm or index finger, and roll your finger around in order to find the
bony landmark. Once you have identified this landmark continue to draw your line
wrapping around the bone of the PSIS.
2. Line 1:
a. Now that you have an outline of the iliac spine draw a horizontal line connecting the
two superior borders of the iliac crest. This will be one long continuous line going
horizontal across the lower back
3. Line 2
a. Now draw another horizontal line about 3” along across the inferior border of each PSIS.
This is line 2.
4. Line 3:
a. From the PSIS move your fingers to palpate the center of the sacrum and continue
sliding your fingers up until you fall into your first groove. This is the lumbosacral
junction the place where the fifth lumbar vertebra intersects with the superior border of
the sacral spine. Here draw a line across the entire groove, this line will be another
horizontal line that will span from both the left and right medial border of the iliac
spine.
b. In all your lines will look like the below diagram. Will give the line handout to study that
we have used in class but also looking for ones that have more detail like the one below.
The top line is the height of the iliac crest, the second line is the lumbosacral junction and the bottom
line is the lower border of the posterior superior iliac spine.
Class Three and Four:
For this next class we will learn the upper lines consisting of, the inferior angle of the scapula, the spine
of the scapula, and the distance half way between these two, and then in class four have a practical on
all the lines.
1. With the patient lying prone and hands on the table at their sides, slide the ridge of your hand
up from waist to head and press against the inferior angle of the scapula and draw a line
connecting these two points.
2. Next find the spine of the scapula and make a mark along its ridge from lateral to medial
3. Finally find the half way mark on the scapula between your upper and lower lines. To do this can
take a measurement with your hands by place your index finger together and spreading your
pinky fingers out till they find the top and bottom line, your index fingers will now will be at the
center of the scapula, draw a horizontal line here, this is your third line, measure across and
connect with center of second scapula. ( Will have picture handout for this that we have used in
class.)