Ghost Points

In modern clinical practice, Ghost Points are applied thoughtfully for conditions including severe anxiety, PTSD, addiction, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Rather than needling all 13 points, experienced practitioners typically select 2-3 Ghost Points per session based on the patient's presentation, combining them with other appropriate points.

Point Selection by Trinity: For early-stage Shen disturbance (wandering thoughts, initial confusion), use First Trinity points (DU-26, LU-11, SP-1). For addiction and dependency issues, Third Trinity points (ST-6, REN-24, PC-8) are appropriate. For deep-seated trauma or PTSD, Second Trinity points (PC-7, BL-62, DU-16) offer powerful access to stored emotional patterns.

Common Combinations: DU-26 + PC-7 for severe anxiety and consciousness revival; BL-62 + DU-16 for epilepsy and neurological blockages; ST-6 combined with local jaw points for PTSD-related jaw clenching; PC-8 + LI-11 for heat-related manic episodes.

Clinical Considerations: Ghost Points are powerful and should be used judiciously. They work best as part of comprehensive treatment including herbal medicine, lifestyle counseling, and gradual integration of emotional material. These points can bring up intense emotions; ensure patients have adequate support between sessions.

The Ghost Points maintain significant clinical relevance for treating what modern medicine classifies as psychiatric and neurological disorders. Research in China has demonstrated their effectiveness for conditions including post-stroke depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and addiction. One clinical study showed that combining Ghost Point acupuncture with scalp techniques achieved 89.5% effectiveness for post-stroke depression.

Modern practitioners apply these points for: severe anxiety and panic disorders; PTSD and complex trauma; addiction (substance and behavioral); bipolar disorder and mood instability; depression resistant to other treatments; dissociative states; eating disorders (particularly SP-1 for body image issues); and age-related cognitive decline. The points are particularly valuable when conventional approaches have failed or when there's a clear emotional/spiritual component to illness.

The Ghost Points also offer a framework for understanding how unprocessed emotions and trauma can "possess" a person, altering their behavior, thoughts, and sense of self. This perspective resonates with modern trauma theory and provides patients with a meaningful conceptual framework for their healing journey.

The Thirteen Ghost Points are unified by their special capacity to address severe disturbances of the spirit (Shen) and mind. Each point bears a "ghost" name reflecting its role in the ancient exorcism-based treatment paradigm, but more importantly, each targets specific aspects of psychological dysfunction.

The points span multiple meridians – Governing Vessel, Conception Vessel, Lung, Spleen, Pericardium, Bladder, Stomach, and Large Intestine – creating a comprehensive network for treating mental-emotional disorders. They are organized into Four Trinities representing disease progression: (1) DU-26, LU-11, SP-1 address early Shen wandering and phlegm accumulation; (2) PC-7, BL-62, DU-16 treat deeper possession affecting heart and brain; (3) ST-6, REN-24, PC-8 address addiction and loss of vitality; (4) DU-23, REN-1, LI-11 treat severe decline and constitutional breakdown. The 13th point (Hai Quan or Yin Tang) serves as the seal for complete treatment.

Clinically, practitioners select points based on the trinity matching the patient's disease stage, typically using no more than 3 Ghost Points per session combined with other supporting points. This category represents one of TCM's earliest systematic approaches to psychiatric treatment.