Sa-am Acupuncture Point Selection Guide
All 12 standard tonification prescriptions from the Sa-am (사암침법) Four-Needle tradition — each one a complete Five-Element correction in just four points. Tap any point to open it in the Medi-Chi point database.
The Five-Element Logic Behind Every Prescription
Tonify the mother (Sheng cycle, jade) and sedate the controller (Ke cycle, dashed red) — once on the affected meridian, once on the related organ. Four needles. One correction.
How to read each prescription
- Tonify (보법) — needle in the direction of meridian flow, gentle rotation, slow withdrawal, close the puncture.
- Sedate (사법) — needle against the flow, faster rotation, quick withdrawal, leave the puncture open.
- Each formula is exactly 4 needles: 2 tonified + 2 sedated.
- Reassess pulse mid-session; switch prescriptions as the picture evolves.
Lung Tonification
Metal
Yin organ
Fèi · 폐 · 肺
Clinical indications
- Chronic cough with weak voice
- Spontaneous sweating, easy colds
- Shortness of breath, low Wei Qi
- Grief, melancholy, low resilience
Caution: Avoid in acute Wind-Heat invasion; clear the exterior first.
Tonify (보법)
- LU9 — TàiyuānEarthMother (Earth) on own channel — generates MetalDepth: 0.3–0.5 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 20–30 min · CW rotation ×9 · slow withdrawal, close hole
- SP3 — TàibáiEarthEarth point on Spleen (mother organ)Depth: 0.5–0.8 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 20–30 min · CW rotation ×9 · slow withdrawal, close hole
Sedate (사법)
- LU10 — YújìFireController (Fire) on own channel — releases the brakeDepth: 0.5–0.8 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 10–20 sec · CCW rotation ×6 · quick withdrawal, leave hole open
- HT8 — ShàofǔFireFire point on Heart (controller organ)Depth: 0.3–0.5 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 10–20 sec · CCW rotation ×6 · quick withdrawal, leave hole open
Large Intestine Tonification
Metal
Yang organ
Dàcháng · 대장 · 大腸
Clinical indications
- Chronic constipation with weak peristalsis
- Atonic-type loose stools without heat
- Lower toothache or shoulder pain on the LI line
- Skin disorders rooted in Lung/LI deficiency
Tonify (보법)
- LI11 — QūchíEarthMother (Earth) on own channelDepth: 1.0–1.5 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 20–30 min · CW rotation ×9 · slow withdrawal, close hole
- ST36 — ZúsānlǐEarthEarth point on Stomach (mother-organ Yang pair)Depth: 1.0–2.0 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 20–30 min · CW rotation ×9 · slow withdrawal, close hole
Sedate (사법)
- LI5 — YángxīFireController (Fire) on own channelDepth: 0.3–0.5 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 10–20 sec · CCW rotation ×6 · quick withdrawal, leave hole open
- SI5 — YánggǔFireFire point on Small Intestine (controller-organ Yang pair)Depth: 0.3–0.5 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 10–20 sec · CCW rotation ×6 · quick withdrawal, leave hole open
Stomach Tonification
Earth
Yang organ
Wèi · 위 · 胃
Clinical indications
- Poor appetite, postprandial fatigue
- Cold sensation in the epigastrium
- Atonic gastric emptying, mild reflux
- Generalised low energy after illness
Tonify (보법)
- ST41 — JiěxīFireMother (Fire) on own channelDepth: 0.5–0.8 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 20–30 min · CW rotation ×9 · slow withdrawal, close hole
- SI5 — YánggǔFireFire point on Small Intestine (mother-organ Yang pair)Depth: 0.3–0.5 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 20–30 min · CW rotation ×9 · slow withdrawal, close hole
Sedate (사법)
- ST43 — XiàngǔWoodController (Wood) on own channelDepth: 0.3–0.5 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 10–20 sec · CCW rotation ×6 · quick withdrawal, leave hole open
- GB41 — ZúlínqìWoodWood point on Gallbladder (controller-organ Yang pair)Depth: 0.3–0.5 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 10–20 sec · CCW rotation ×6 · quick withdrawal, leave hole open
Spleen Tonification
Earth
Yin organ
Pí · 비 · 脾
Clinical indications
- Spleen Qi deficiency: bloating, loose stools, fatigue
- Damp accumulation, muscle weakness, heaviness
- Worry-driven digestive complaints
- Easy bruising from weak Spleen-holds-Blood function
Tonify (보법)
- SP2 — DàdūFireMother (Fire) on own channelDepth: 0.3–0.5 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 20–30 min · CW rotation ×9 · slow withdrawal, close hole
- HT8 — ShàofǔFireFire point on Heart (mother organ)Depth: 0.3–0.5 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 20–30 min · CW rotation ×9 · slow withdrawal, close hole
Sedate (사법)
- SP1 — YǐnbáiWoodController (Wood) on own channelDepth: 0.1 cun or prick to bleedAngle: Perpendicular or obliqueTechnique: Retain 10–20 sec · CCW rotation ×6 · quick withdrawal, leave hole open
- LV1 — DàdūnWoodWood point on Liver (controller organ)Technique: Retain 10–20 sec · CCW rotation ×6 · quick withdrawal, leave hole open
Heart Tonification
Fire
Yin organ
Xīn · 심 · 心
Clinical indications
- Heart Qi deficiency: palpitations on exertion, low stamina
- Mild anxiety with cold extremities
- Insomnia from a quiet, weak Shen rather than fire
- Chest oppression without heat signs
Caution: Not for excess-heat patterns (red tongue, rapid forceful pulse).
Tonify (보법)
- HT9 — ShàochōngWoodMother (Wood) on own channelDepth: 0.1 cun or prick to bleedAngle: Perpendicular or obliqueTechnique: Retain 20–30 min · CW rotation ×9 · slow withdrawal, close hole
- LV1 — DàdūnWoodWood point on Liver (mother organ)Technique: Retain 20–30 min · CW rotation ×9 · slow withdrawal, close hole
Sedate (사법)
- HT3 — ShǎohǎiWaterController (Water) on own channelDepth: 0.5–1.0 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 10–20 sec · CCW rotation ×6 · quick withdrawal, leave hole open
- KI10 — YīngǔWaterWater point on Kidney (controller organ)Depth: 1.0–1.5 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 10–20 sec · CCW rotation ×6 · quick withdrawal, leave hole open
Small Intestine Tonification
Fire
Yang organ
Xiǎocháng · 소장 · 小腸
Clinical indications
- Poor separation of clear/turbid → loose stools + scanty urine
- Shoulder/scapular ache along the SI channel
- Dull lower-jaw or ear pain without heat
- Mental fog secondary to digestive weakness
Tonify (보법)
- SI3 — HòuxīWoodMother (Wood) on own channelDepth: 0.5–1.0 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 20–30 min · CW rotation ×9 · slow withdrawal, close hole
- GB41 — ZúlínqìWoodWood point on Gallbladder (mother-organ Yang pair)Depth: 0.3–0.5 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 20–30 min · CW rotation ×9 · slow withdrawal, close hole
Sedate (사법)
- SI2 — QiángǔWaterController (Water) on own channelDepth: 0.2–0.3 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 10–20 sec · CCW rotation ×6 · quick withdrawal, leave hole open
- BL66 — ZútōnggǔWaterWater point on Bladder (controller-organ Yang pair)Depth: 0.2–0.3 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 10–20 sec · CCW rotation ×6 · quick withdrawal, leave hole open
Bladder Tonification
Water
Yang organ
Pángguāng · 방광 · 膀胱
Clinical indications
- Atonic bladder, urinary frequency without heat
- Chronic lumbar weakness and cold
- Spinal fatigue along the BL line
- Cold-type sciatica without acute inflammation
Tonify (보법)
- BL67 — ZhìyīnMetalMother (Metal) on own channelDepth: 0.1 cun or prick to bleedAngle: Perpendicular or obliqueTechnique: Retain 20–30 min · CW rotation ×9 · slow withdrawal, close hole
- LI1 — ShāngyángMetalMetal point on Large Intestine (mother-organ Yang pair)Depth: 0.1 cun or prick to bleedAngle: Perpendicular or obliqueTechnique: Retain 20–30 min · CW rotation ×9 · slow withdrawal, close hole
Sedate (사법)
- BL40 — WěizhōngEarthController (Earth) on own channelDepth: 1.0–1.5 cun or prick to bleedAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 10–20 sec · CCW rotation ×6 · quick withdrawal, leave hole open
- ST36 — ZúsānlǐEarthEarth point on Stomach (controller-organ Yang pair)Depth: 1.0–2.0 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 10–20 sec · CCW rotation ×6 · quick withdrawal, leave hole open
Kidney Tonification
Water
Yin organ
Shèn · 신 · 腎
Clinical indications
- Kidney Qi/Yang deficiency: cold feet, low back ache
- Reduced libido, early-morning fatigue
- Tinnitus that improves with rest
- Constitutional weakness, slow recovery
Caution: Choose carefully in Yin-deficiency heat patterns; warming additions may aggravate.
Tonify (보법)
- KI7 — FùliūMetalMother (Metal) on own channelDepth: 0.5–1.0 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 20–30 min · CW rotation ×9 · slow withdrawal, close hole
- LU8 — JīngqúMetalMetal point on Lung (mother organ)Depth: 0.3–0.5 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 20–30 min · CW rotation ×9 · slow withdrawal, close hole
Sedate (사법)
- KI3 — TàixīEarthController (Earth) on own channelDepth: 0.3–0.5 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 10–20 sec · CCW rotation ×6 · quick withdrawal, leave hole open
- SP3 — TàibáiEarthEarth point on Spleen (controller organ)Depth: 0.5–0.8 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 10–20 sec · CCW rotation ×6 · quick withdrawal, leave hole open
Pericardium Tonification
Fire
Yin organ
Xīnbāo · 심포 · 心包
Clinical indications
- Mild Heart-fire-protecting pattern: anxiety with vulnerability
- Chest tightness from emotional shock
- Insomnia with a busy mind but cold extremities
- Recovery support after emotional trauma
Tonify (보법)
- PC9 — ZhōngchōngWoodMother (Wood) on own channelDepth: 0.1 cun or prick to bleedAngle: Perpendicular or obliqueTechnique: Retain 20–30 min · CW rotation ×9 · slow withdrawal, close hole
- LV1 — DàdūnWoodWood point on Liver (mother organ)Technique: Retain 20–30 min · CW rotation ×9 · slow withdrawal, close hole
Sedate (사법)
- PC3 — QūzéWaterController (Water) on own channelDepth: 0.5–1.0 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 10–20 sec · CCW rotation ×6 · quick withdrawal, leave hole open
- KI10 — YīngǔWaterWater point on Kidney (controller organ)Depth: 1.0–1.5 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 10–20 sec · CCW rotation ×6 · quick withdrawal, leave hole open
Triple Burner Tonification
Fire
Yang organ
Sānjiāo · 삼초 · 三焦
Clinical indications
- Poor fluid distribution between the three jiaos
- Temperature dysregulation, intolerance to weather change
- Lateral head/ear ache with weakness
- Chronic post-viral fatigue with autonomic instability
Tonify (보법)
- TB3 — ZhōngzhǔWoodMother (Wood) on own channelDepth: 0.3–0.5 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 20–30 min · CW rotation ×9 · slow withdrawal, close hole
- GB41 — ZúlínqìWoodWood point on Gallbladder (mother-organ Yang pair)Depth: 0.3–0.5 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 20–30 min · CW rotation ×9 · slow withdrawal, close hole
Sedate (사법)
- TB2 — YèménWaterController (Water) on own channelDepth: 0.3–0.5 cunAngle: Perpendicular or obliqueTechnique: Retain 10–20 sec · CCW rotation ×6 · quick withdrawal, leave hole open
- BL66 — ZútōnggǔWaterWater point on Bladder (controller-organ Yang pair)Depth: 0.2–0.3 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 10–20 sec · CCW rotation ×6 · quick withdrawal, leave hole open
Gallbladder Tonification
Wood
Yang organ
Dǎn · 담 · 膽
Clinical indications
- Decisional fatigue, timidity, poor judgement under stress
- Chronic lateral headache without heat
- Hip and lateral leg ache along the GB line
- Sleep that breaks at 11pm–1am from underlying weakness
Tonify (보법)
- GB43 — XiáxīWaterMother (Water) on own channelDepth: 0.3–0.5 cunAngle: Perpendicular or obliqueTechnique: Retain 20–30 min · CW rotation ×9 · slow withdrawal, close hole
- BL66 — ZútōnggǔWaterWater point on Bladder (mother-organ Yang pair)Depth: 0.2–0.3 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 20–30 min · CW rotation ×9 · slow withdrawal, close hole
Sedate (사법)
- GB38 — YángfǔFireController (Fire) on own channelDepth: 0.5–1.0 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 10–20 sec · CCW rotation ×6 · quick withdrawal, leave hole open
- SI5 — YánggǔFireFire point on Small Intestine (controller-organ Yang pair)Depth: 0.3–0.5 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 10–20 sec · CCW rotation ×6 · quick withdrawal, leave hole open
Liver Tonification
Wood
Yin organ
Gān · 간 · 肝
Clinical indications
- Liver Blood/Yin deficiency with brittle nails and dry eyes
- Premenstrual fatigue rather than premenstrual heat
- Poor stress recovery, easily startled
- Tendons that feel weak rather than tight
Caution: Not for Liver Yang rising (hypertensive headache, red eyes) — sedate instead.
Tonify (보법)
Sedate (사법)
- LV4 — ZhōngfēngMetalController (Metal) on own channelTechnique: Retain 10–20 sec · CCW rotation ×6 · quick withdrawal, leave hole open
- LU8 — JīngqúMetalMetal point on Lung (controller organ)Depth: 0.3–0.5 cunAngle: PerpendicularTechnique: Retain 10–20 sec · CCW rotation ×6 · quick withdrawal, leave hole open