Scalp acupuncture is a modern acupuncture method. The Chinese attribute its development to Chiao Sun-Fa, a 35-year-old physician in North China, and it has been used in China since 1971. The principle of scalp acupuncture is very straightforward; the aim is to stimulate the diseased area of the brain in order to facilitate a return of function in that area.
This method is based on elementary functional neuroanatomy, and has nothing to do with traditional Chinese medicine. If part of the brain is damaged, for instance by a stroke, then the scalp is stimulated over the damaged area of the brain. All the scalp points are representations of the underlying functional areas of the brain. It therefore follows that the most common use of scalp acupuncture will be in diseases in which there is brain damage, such as strokes or severe head injuries, although this method can be used for a variety of other conditions. Scalp acupuncture is particularly useful for reducing chronic muscle spasm.
I. Localization of Scalp Points
When using scalp therapy it is vital to localize the scalp area accurately. There are very few good reference texts for such scalp points so accurate scalp maps have been included in this text.
Motor area
0.5cms posterior to the midpoint of the anterior-posterior line defines the upper limit of the motor area. The lower limit intersects the eyebrow-occiput line at the anterior border of the natural hairline on the temple. The upper 1/5 represents the lower limbs and trunk, the middle 2/5 represents the upper limbs and the lower 2/5 the face.
Contralateral motor disturbance of the appropriate area.
Sensory area
This is a line parallel to the motor area and 1.5cms behind it. The sensory input to the lower limbs and trunk is represented on the upper 1/5, the middle 2/5 represents the upper limbs, and the lower 2/5 represents the face.
Contralateral sensory disturbances of the appropriate area, pain and vertigo.
Foot motor-sensory area
Parallel to and 1cm lateral to the anterior-posterior line. The line is 3cms long and starts 1 cm posterior to the line representing the sensory area.
Motor and sensory disturbances of the lower limbs and genito-urinary system
Chorea-tremor area
Parallel to and 1.5cms in front of the motor area.
Parkinson's disease and tremor and chorea from any cause.
Vasomotor area
Parallel to and 1.5cms in front of the chorea-tremor area.
Cerebral oedema and hypertension.
Vertigo-auditory area
A 4cm horizontal line with its centre located 1.5cms above the apex of the pinna.
Tinnitus, vertigo and deafness.
1st Speech or usage area
Taking the parietal tubercule as a reference point insert three needles separately at 40° to each other. Each line is 3cms long.
Parietal lobe lesions.
2nd Speech area
This line is 3cms long and starts on a point 2cms posterior-inferior to the parietal tubercule and parallel to the anterior-posterior line.
Nominal aphasia.
3rd Speech area
A 4cms line originating at the midpoint of the vertigo-auditory area and running posteriorly.
Sensory aphasia.