Si Ma 駟馬 Three Horses (MTA - Z8.2)
An excerpt from "Extraordinary Acupoints: Atlas of Applications" by Dr Hui Zhang, PhD
About Master Tung Acupuncture (MTA)
Master Tung’s Acupuncture was initially a closely guarded oral tradition that was exclusively passed down within the Tung’ family. Master Tung broke this tradition and accepted his first disciple outside the family in 1962 in Taipei. In 1973, he published the first textbook, Dong Shi Zhen Jiu Zheng Jing Qi Xue Xue (董氏針灸正經奇穴學). Based on his experience and for the purpose of teaching. Since then, Master Tung’s acupoints system has gained a tremendous amount of momentum and popularity. It is currently one of the most sought-after and highly esteemed acupuncture schools, characterized by its simplicity, ease of use, and significant clinical efficacy. MTA is characterized by a unique set of acupoints e.g. 2 or 3 acupoints used in the same area, location between channels, palm diagnosis and acupuncture treatment, blood-letting, and connection of acupoints to internal organs and tissues (Wang and Vasilakis, 2011).
Z8.2 Si Ma 駟馬 Three Horses (MTA)
(“Extraordinary Acupoints: Atlas of Applications” Page 120)
Location
Si Ma Zhong 駟馬中 Middle Three Horses: 3 cun anterior to Feng Shi – GB31 in a standing position
Si Ma Shang 駟馬上 Upper Three Horses: 2 cun superior to Si Ma Zhong
Si Ma Xia 駟馬下 Lower Three Horses: 2 cun inferior to Shi Ma Zhong
Manipulation
Insert perpendicularly 0.5-2 cun.
Category
Lung and Liver
Indications
(1) Lung and chest: chest pain, upper back pain, rib-sides pain, lung diseases e.g. pneumonia, cough, and asthma
(2) Head: allergic rhinitis, sudden deafness, tinnitus, and otitis
(3) Skin diseases: acne, pigmentation, scabies, and eczema
(4) Liver: stroke sequelae, pains, facial paralysis, red eyes, and sciatica
Commentary
These acupoints are located between the gallbladder and stomach channels. Thus they can be used to balance Yangming and Shaoyang. Yangming belongs to metal; therefore, it is categorized as the lung. On the other hand, the Shaoyang gallbladder pairs with Jueyin liver; therefore, it is categorized as the liver.
Si refers to Heavenly Horse in the East Azure Dragon division in Chinese astrology. In Chinese language, Si (駟) also means four horses. Therefore, this acupoint is also translated as four horses in some books.
The horse belongs to the Qian trigram in Xian Tian Bagua (先天八卦 Prenatal Eight Trigrams) which also relates to
metal. The Qian trigram covers heaven and head in Yi Jing (易經Book of Change). In TCM, Tian (天heaven) refers to the external pathogens raised from abnormal climatic changes e.g. wind, cold, heat, damp, dryness, and summer heat. It is the lung that protects the body from those external pathogens. When the external pathogens attack the body, symptoms on the head are commonly seen, e.g. headache, running nose, tinnitus, itching eyes, sore throat, etc.
In the five elements theory, metal controls wood. When there is excess in the liver e.g. liver Qi stagnation (pain), liver wind (stroke, paralysis), lung metal acupoints can be selected to balance the excessive liver wood. In general, lung-metal acupoints can be chosen to treat various pain syndromes due to stagnation.
About the Book
Explanations and commentaries of acupoints’ indications are based on its location and internal connection to Zang and Fu organs and various structures of the body e.g. brain, uterus, throat, etc. Most of the explanations are enlightened by my research of Ling Shu (灵枢, Spiritual Pivot), MTA, and bio-medicine.
Explanations of the indications were based on EA’s location and internal connections to Zang and Fu organs and various structures of the body e.g. brain, uterus, throat etc. Most of the explanations were enlightened by my research of Ling Shu (灵枢, Spiritual Pivot) , MTA, neurology, and biomedicine. Actually, plenty of EA can be regarded as an extension of the standard acupoints. For instance, Zu Er Huo (Z6.1), including Huo Zhu and Huo Ying, are located in the region of Tai Chong – LR3 and their indica-tions are closely related to Tai Chong – LR3, even though they vary from it.
How to get the book “Extraordinary Acupoints: Atlas of Applications”?
In the EU: Press here
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Hui Zhang applies and teaches various acupuncture methods including, TCM acupuncture, WHO Standard Scalp Acupuncture, AAP (arm acupressure points), Master Tung’s Acupuncture, Pingheng Acupuncture, pestle needles (Taoist Acupuncture), Heat Sensitive Moxibustion, Tui Na (Chinese Medical Massage), Guasha, Cupping, Electricity Acupuncture, and Chinese Herbal Medicine, Chinese Medicine Psychology, etc..
He also uses Evidence-based methods in practice.
