Magic Points for Spinal Pain; An easy step 1, 2, 3

By David Lee, L.Ac.

A simple and effective acupuncture protocol for neck and low back pain does exist. It is called Bisoma acupuncture, which only needs to use Horary points to treat these most frequent muscle-joint pains. Bisoma is simple because it uses only two sets Horary points. Bisoma is effective because its relief is quick and lasting. It accelerates recovery of the soft tissue damage, even from structural issues caused by disc herniation, degenerative joint disease, and spondylolisthesis. At least 70% of them notice moderate to high relief, even in these conditions. The magic points are found in the correct usage of Horary points through Bisoma acupuncture. You will quickly be recognized as the go-to acupuncturist by the community.

Bisoma acupuncture is constitutional. The prefix ‘bi’ means two and the suffix ‘soma’ means body. These active points are ingrained in an individual from birth through lifetime. The points for relieving spinal pain are convenient to use because they are repeatable at any time.

Bisoma acupuncture points are called Horary due to their Five Element nature. Each Horary point is identical in its Five Element characteristic as its pertaining meridian. The five element points are on Transporting points of Well, Spring, Stream, River, and Water. For Yang points, a Well point is Metal, a Spring point is Water, a Stream point is Wood, a River point is Fire, and a Sea point is Water. When we associate acupuncture points to the Transporting points, then Large Intestine 1 is a Metal-Well, Urinary Bladder 66 is a Water-Spring, Gall Bladder 41 is a Wood-Stream, Small Intestine 5 is a Fire-River, and Stomach 36 is an Earth-Sea. These point locations are ingrained in an individual from birth. Set 1 is called a Metal-Order because a Metal element begins at the Well point. 

However, there is another group of people who do not have Horary points on the standard locations. Rather, the points are the same as that of Yin points. The alternative points are in Set 2. These new Horary points are as follows: Gall Bladder 44 is a Wood-Well, Small Intestine 2 is a Fire-Spring, Stomach 43 is an Earth-Stream, Large Intestine 5 is a Metal-River, and Urinary Bladder 40 is a Water-Sea. These are the alternate points that are innate in 30% of a population. Set 2 is called a Wood-Order because a Wood element begins at the Well point.

These 2 sets are the special points that treat spinal pain very well by promoting healing. The relief is as quick and lasting as Korean Saam Four Needle Technique. The main difference between Bisoma and Saam is that Bisoma is more reliable. Therefore, the relief can be achieved for more people.

Here is how you use the Bisoma technique. It is a simple 3 step process. In step 1, pick only on one side of the body. It does not matter whether it is ipsilateral (same side as the pain) or contralateral (opposite side of the pain). Do not give a bilateral (both sides of the body) treatment. It is because each side of the body acts independently with Metal-Order and Wood-Order. Besides, the result of a bilateral acupuncture is same as one-sided acupuncture. However, if one side of the body has the correct Horary points and the other side does not, then the relief is not as good as only one side acupuncture. 

In step 2, acupuncture the Metal-Order Horary points LI1, UB66, GB41, SI5, and ST36 on the chosen side. It is because more people have Metal-Order than Wood-Order. Treat Metal-Order Horary points up to two times. If a relief is significant, then repeat until the problem is resolved or is much better.

In step 3, if the relief is mild or none with Metal-Order, then provide two treatments of Set 2 Wood-Order Horary points GB44, SI2, ST43, LI5, and UB40 on the same side of the body. Set 2 points should result in a better reduction in pain and increase in range of motion. Continue with the better relieving of the 2 sets until the condition is resolved or much better.

Bisoma acupuncture can be used with other acupuncture points. You can add scalp, local, and non-Transporting distal points for additional relief.