[andrzejplacek@yahoo.se]

My question concerns point which direct Qi/have a specific vector t.ex.Gb21 drives energy down or Gb39 up.Is there any system or regularity about this?
Why suffers a patient from air hunger when UJ has excess?

[Joan]

In Chinese Medicine, the idea that certain points “direct Qi” upward or downward does not belong to a fixed vector-based system in the Western sense. There is no universal rule that assigns a permanent directional arrow to individual acupuncture points. Rather, directionality emerges from a combination of factors, including the point’s anatomical location, the course and nature of the channel, the functional level of the San Jiao involved, and, crucially, the pattern being treated.
Points such as GB21 are described as directing Qi downward because they are located at a high anatomical position, strongly disperse stagnation, and influence the upper and middle jiao. By releasing constraint in the upper body, Qi that is stuck above can descend. However, this is a contextual effect rather than an inherent mechanical property of the point itself. Likewise, points said to “raise” Qi do so because they support physiological ascent within a specific pattern, not because they universally push Qi upward.
Therefore, directional effects in acupuncture are better understood as relational and functional rather than absolute. They arise from how a point interacts with the overall Qi dynamic of the patient at that moment, often in combination with other points.
Regarding the second question: a patient may experience air hunger when the Upper Jiao is in excess because excess Qi or phlegm obstructs the normal diffusion and descent of Lung Qi. When Lung Qi cannot descend properly, respiration feels restricted and incomplete, leading to the subjective sensation of air hunger. This symptom reflects impaired regulation of Qi movement rather than a lack of air itself.

Finally, while these are valid and meaningful questions within the broader framework of acupuncture theory, they concern foundational principles of Qi movement and channel dynamics. As such, they do not directly pertain to Constitutional Acupuncture itself, which focuses on constitutional patterns and treatment strategies rather than general point theory. For that reason, these questions may be better addressed in a forum dedicated to general acupuncture theory rather than on a platform specifically devoted to Constitutional Acupuncture.

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