Acupoints all have the effect of treating diseases in nearby areas, but some acupoints, due to their specific locations and the meridians they belong to, can extend their therapeutic effects beyond the scope of Benjing and influence the entire body. These acupoints have the ability to treat systemic sexually transmitted diseases, which is referred to as the systemic therapeutic effect.
(1) The Conception Vessel (CV) governs all yin meridians and primarily focuses on the lower abdomen. Acupoints below the navel, such as Qihai (CV6) and Guanyuan (CV4), have the functions of strengthening the foundation, consolidating the root, and restoring yang to save from collapse.
(2) The Governor Vessel (GV) commands the yang meridians and primarily focuses on the head and neck. Acupoints in the head and neck region, such as Baihui (GV20) and Dazhui (GV14), have the function of replenishing qi to rise yang.
(3) Acupoints at the junction of yin and yang meridians, specifically the jing-well points at the extremities of the limbs and acupoints on the Governor Vessel (GV) such as Renzhong and Huiyin (CV1), can facilitate the communication between yin and yang and provide emergency treatment for fainting.
(4) Certain acupoints that influence the functions of zang-fu organs can produce systemic therapeutic effects by regulating the functions of the related zang-fu organs. For example, Zusanli (ST36) can regulate gastrointestinal functions, enhance the body's nutrition and absorption, and thus strengthen the entire body; Neiguan (PC6) can regulate heart function, thereby enhancing the circulation of qi and blood throughout the body. Additionally, Ganshu (BL18) can treat eye diseases due to the liver's connection to the eyes, and Taixi (KI3) can treat insomnia due to the kidney's connection to the heart. These are all examples of this category.
In summary, the therapeutic effects of acupoints include local effects, distal effects, and systemic effects, all of which can be explained by the theory of meridians and collaterals. The pathways of meridians and collaterals represent the connections of acupoint therapeutics. Meridians and collaterals are interconnected, and there are various connections between meridians, forming the relationships among the three yin meridians or three yang meridians, the yin-yang exterior-interior meridians (i.e., taiyin and yangming, shaoyin and taiyang, jueyin and shaoyang), as well as between yang meridians and the Governor Vessel (GV), and yin meridians and the Conception Vessel (CV). These connections form the basis of the systemic therapeutic effects of acupoints. All acupoints in the body have analgesic, regulatory, and stimulating effects, but each acupoint has its own specific emphasis. For example, Hegu (LI4) has a systemic analgesic effect, particularly pronounced in the neck and back; Gongsun (SP4) is most effective for abdominal pain relief. Therefore, the therapeutic effects of acupoints have relative specificity.