Table Of ContentMotor Point Index
An Acupuncturist’s Guide to Locating and Treating Motor Points
Matt Callison, M.S., L.Ac.
AcuSport Seminar Series LLC • Sports Medicine Acupuncture®
Author: Matt Callison, M.S., L.Ac.
Editors: Laurel Holloway, Ph.D., Stephanie Prady, M.Sc., M.Ac.
Artwork: Nancy T. Ryan Valentine – Ryan Designs
Creative Director: Michelle Livermore Copyright 2012 San Diego,
California. United States.
AcuSport Seminar Series LLC • Sports Medicine Acupuncture®
Library of Congress-in-Publication Data
ISBN 13: 978-0-615-16296-6
Callison, Matt. AcuSport Seminar Series LLC. San Diego, CA.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever
without written permission. Printed in the United States of America.
Any procedure or practice described in the Motor Point Index (MPI) should be applied by a
licensed, credential or registered acupuncturist in accordance with professional standards of care
used with regard to the unique circumstances that apply to each practice situation. Care has been
taken to confirm the accuracy of information; however, the author and editors do not accept any
responsibility for errors, omissions or for consequences from application of the information in this
MPI. There is no warranty, expressed or limited, with respect to the contents of the MPI.
To order the Motor Points and Acupuncture Meridians Chart or
additional copies of the Motor Point Index go to
www.sportsmedicineacupuncture.com
Table of Contents
Foreword
Alex Tiberi, L.Ac.
Amoy A. Ng, M.D.
Preface: Refining Motor Point Locations for Acupuncturists
Background and Theory:
Making the Most of TCM and Motor Points
Motor Points: Unique Ashi Points
Muscle Imbalance, Muscle Spindles and Yin and Yang Theory
Muscle Spindle Dysfunction
Huatuojiaji Points
Motor Points
Needling Techniques for Motor Points
Shallow needling (Zhi Ci)
Hairline needling (Mao Ci)
Joining Valleys (He Gu Ci)
Green Turtle Searching for the Point (Cang Gui Tan Xue)
Using the Motor Point Index
Muscles by Region
Face
Head and Neck
Shoulder
Elbow and Forearm
Wrist and Fingers
Low Back and Hip
Knee
Ankle and Foot
Appendix: Empirical Points
Muscle Index
References
Foreword
As a teacher of Chinese medicine, I have often encountered students
seeking to study only the “oldest” of styles or theories. I have also
witnessed debates between practitioners of Chinese medicine and Indian
Ayurvedic medicine, as to which system is older and therefore more
valid. This sort of thinking always leaves me a little sad, since it treats
Chinese medicine as a dead tradition, devoid of growth and
development. But as anyone with degenerative joint disease will tell you,
old is not automatically better. We must take the wisdom of age and
marry it to the vitality of youth. An example of this marriage is the
expansion of the traditional concept of the “Ashi” point to include the
modern biomedical understanding of the motor points. The efficacy of this
technique happily proves to me that Chinese Medicine is very much alive.
Throughout its history, Chinese Medicine has been able to absorb new
ideas, techniques and paradigms. Five elements has blended with eight
principles. Meridian therapy with Traditional Chinese Medicine. This
blending allows Chinese medicine to increase in effectiveness and adapt
to new circumstances. It also encourages Chinese medicine to take
advantage of the contributions of insightful practitioners, who have both
experience and new concepts to contribute. Matt Callison is one of these
practitioners.
The development of this motor point technique required a tremendous
amount of patient observation and a careful recording of experience,
guided by an understanding of the mechanical structure of the body. Matt
was perfectly qualified for this endeavor. He has a large practice which
emphasizes the treatment of orthopedic disorders, and is very
knowledgeable of both the modern biomedical and Chinese medical
anatomy and pathophysiology of orthopedics. He is also a popular
lecturer, who has honed a clarity of presentation which is apparent in this
elucidation of the motor points. Most importantly, he is willing to stretch
Chinese medicine to embrace these new methods, benefiting
practitioners of both Chinese medicine and modern biomedicine. His
insight will be useful not only to acupuncturists, but also to physical
therapists, sports trainers, and orthopedists.
I have found the ability to assess orthopedic conditions using modern
biomedical evaluation and traditional Chinese medical diagnostic
techniques to be very helpful. Moreover, having the ability to identify
factors such as meridian involvement, as well as being able to pinpoint
the exact site of an orthopedic lesion in order to accurately direct
treatment, can be especially effective. Balancing the tone and tension of
the muscle structure around the lesion is also essential. This motor point
technique allows the practitioner to achieve this. As with all good
techniques in Chinese medicine, it is a very balanced method. It can
reduce muscle tension and spasm as well as help strengthen muscle
weakness.
I recommend that all practitioners treating orthopedic disorders expand
their understanding of both eastern and western techniques by
incorporating this motor point treatment technique into their practice.
Matt’s detailed charting of the exact locations, combined with the clear
descriptions of needling methods, motor point indications and Huatuojiaji
points for innervating spinal segments will assist the practitioner in this
aim. Many practitioners of acupuncture have sought the “De Qi”, or the
response to needling, and have been so delighted when a muscle
responds with a twitch, which usually foretells a positive response to the
treatment. The “Qi and Blood” are valued for circulating, not stagnating.
This motor response is a clear sign of restored energy movement,
whether it is conceived of as neurological or more etheric. Engaging in
the practice of treating motor points will certainly move more energy.
Alex Tiberi, L.Ac.
Dean, Dept. of Oriental Medicine
Pacific College of Oriental Medicine
East is East and West is West
This famous line originates from the poet Kipling’s writing. Why did he
say that? Did he have acupuncture in mind? Chairman Mao said, “The
East wind will prevail.” Was he implying that acupuncture would one day
proliferate in America?
We have a fondness for putting labels on various disciplines, losing sight
of the real reason for the existence of these vast bodies of knowledge.
We have seen intelligent scholars and scientists symbolically slay each
other by ascribing labels to their particular style of practice.
Ten years ago, I completed my initial introduction to medical
acupuncture. It was disconcerting for me to learn that the study and
practice of acupuncture is not limited to one form or discipline.
With the emergence of American Acupuncture, I see an entirely new kind
of acupuncture on the horizon. In this age of evidence-based medicine,
Matt Callison L.Ac. has engaged in various styles of research and study.
As a result of this dedicated effort, Callison has synthesized acupuncture,
herbs, and manual medicine into an innovative approach which
addresses each client’s needs.
Furthermore, Callison has successfully formed a marriage of both
Eastern and Western acupuncture. By utilizing the paradigm of motor and
trigger points, he has successfully created a new form of acupuncture. As
a practitioner of medical acupuncture, I can relate to terminology such as
the following: motor points, Ashi points, manual muscle testing, agonist
and antagonist.
I embrace this paradigm--and its system of terminology — with
enthusiasm.
It is time we put aside our prejudices so that we focus on our primary
goal — the patient’s well being.
Matt Callison’s Motor Point Index and Motor Point and Acupuncture
Meridians chart and are invaluable tools to assist practitioners in their
quest for their patient’s satisfaction.
Enjoy.
Amoy A. Ng, M.D.
Roosevelt Medical Center
Seattle, WA
Preface: Refining Motor Point Locations for
Acupuncturists
I first learned about motor points, the entrance site of the motor nerve
into the muscle, while studying sports medicine at San Diego State
University. As taught in many sports medicine courses, electrical
stimulation to a muscle can be used to help retrain neuromuscular
function lost due to muscle inhibition following injury or surgery. To
accomplish this, a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
unit is used with two or four electrode pads. For example, a trainer places
an electrode pad approximately 2x2 inches in size over the agonist motor
point. Another electrode pad of the same size is placed either proximal or
distal from the motor point following the same nerve pathway or placed
onto the antagonist muscle motor point. Electrical current is then run
through the injured muscle in order to effect healing.
As a student trainer I experienced some success using this method. As a
sports medicine acupuncturist several questions occurred to me. First,
what would be the therapeutic outcome if an electrically conductive
material such as a stainless steel acupuncture needle were substituted
for the electrode pad and placed directly into the motor point? Next,
would needle stimulation to a precisely defined motor point improve
healing outcomes? Finally, given that the tool I was using was no longer
an electrode pad but a fine gauge needle, would it be possible to
establish with greater precision the exact location of the motor point for
needle insertion? To answer and test these questions I needed to refine
the location of motor points specifically for acupuncturists.
To accurately determine the location of the body’s musculoskeletal motor
points I cross-referenced 25 different sources used for electromyographic
studies. To precisely locate the motor points defined as the site in the
muscle having the lowest resistance to electrical conductivity, I used an
electronic neuromuscular stimulator with an interrupted galvanic current
and a standard probe of 8mm in diameter. The reference area of each
point was electrically stimulated until I obtained a muscle twitch with the
least amount of current. I recorded each motor point location and then
cross-referenced each to five other models to determine reliability.
Because the motor nerve entrance, the motor point, is no larger than a
quarter inch (7mm) in diameter it took me over two years to meticulously
map the exact location of the 128 muscle motor points included here in
the Motor Point Index (MPI), on the Motor Points and Acupuncture
Meridian Points chart and in my book, Sports Medicine Acupuncture.
Using acupuncture with more precise motor point locations in my clinic I
discovered I could increase range of motion, help patients regain muscle
strength and get them back to their sport and/or activities of daily living
more quickly than using traditional acupuncture points or other ashi
points alone. As my understanding of motor points developed over the
years I found that using the motor point, a specific ashi point, in the
context of channel and collateral (jing luo) theory is a treatment strategy
that the founders of Chinese medicine would recognize immediately. I
have used these motor point locations in my clinical practice for many
years now with great success and I encourage you to integrate motor
points into your treatment strategy for all musculoskeletal injuries.
Matt Callison
