TCM Acupuncture Theory - Front Mu and Back Shu Points
Traditional Chinese Medicine utilizies a number of theories which group acupuncture points together based on their functions and/or other relationships. Many of these theories are important in a clinical setting and are used, along with other theory and diagnostic information, to decide which acupuncture points will be used for a given condition.
Below you find information regarding the back shu and front mu points. See our Acupuncture Point Categories section for a complete list of point categories.
For complete information about a single point, click on it within the chart.
Front Mu Points Theory and Applications
- Used primarily to treat their related organ a/or for problems in the local area.
- Used diagnostically as they often become sore when their related organ is imbalanced.
- Considered more for acute a/or local problems of the organs.
- Some historical texts point more to their usage as treating imbalances within the yang organs, while the Back Shu points will treat imbalances within the yin organs.
Front Mu Points Chart
| Lung | LU 1 | Urinary Bladder | CV 3 |
| Large Intestine | ST 25 | Kidney | GB 25 |
| Stomach | CV 12 | Pericardium | CV 17 |
| Spleen | LV 13 | Triple Heater | CV 5 |
| Heart | CV 14 | Gall Bladder | GB 24 |
| Small Intestine | CV 4 | Liver | LV 14 |
Back Shu Points Theory and Applications
- Used primarily to treat their related organ, especially with chronic conditions.
- May be used for problems in the local area.
- Used diagnostically as they often become sore when their related organ is imbalanced.
- Some historical texts point more to their usage as treating imbalances within the yin organs, while the Front Mu points will treat imbalances within the yang organs.
Back Shu Points Chart
| Lung | UB 13 | Urinary Bladder | UB 28 |
| Large Intestine | UB 25 | Kidney | UB 23 |
| Stomach | UB 21 | Pericardium | UB 14 |
| Spleen | UB 20 | Triple Heater | UB 22 |
| Heart | UB 15 | Gall Bladder | UB 19 |
| Small Intestine | UB 27 | Liver | UB 18 |
| Governing Vessel | UB 16 | Diaphragm | UB 17 |
| Qihai (Sea of Qi) | UB 24 | Guanyuan (Gate of Source) | UB 26 |
| Zhonglu (Center Back Muscles) | UB 29 | Baihuan (White Ring) | UB 30 |
| Gaohuang (Vital Region) | UB 43 |
Sources and resources for further study
There are many resources which discuss acupuncture and chinese medicine at varying levels. Our research section includes a comprehensive list of the main texts and websites related to chinese medicine. Below are the sources that were used for this section:
- Hartstein, Rachel: New England School of Acupuncture, Actions & Effects Lecture Notes
- LaBruzzo, Cynthia: New England School of Acupuncture, TCM Theory Lecture Notes
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