From Thomas Riordan: Using Manaka's Mu Points with Jingei Pulse Diagnosis

Here is an an interesting take on Front Mu points by Dr. Manaka in Japan that Thomas Riordan uses in his practice:

Having practiced the Japanese acupuncture style of Yoshio Manaka for several years I began to notice a correlation between it and the Jingei pulse diagnosis system since it is also from Japan. In Jingei when we palpate ST9 and LU9 the most common ratios seem to be either 2:1 or 1.5:1. These can be difficult to tell apart even after years of practice. I have noticed that what some people do to decide which point to use is to firmly press the corresponding points to be needled to decide which point to use. So in the case of trying to figure out if it is a 2:1 or 1.5:1 ratio they would palpate GB40 and BL64 and needle the point that is the most sore. In my opinion this is not the best way to tell which point should be needled. The Mu points are the points to be palpated to check the state of a meridian. As far as I can tell these are infrequently used in TCM but the Japanese practitoner Yoshio Manaka has used them quite extensively. Since Jingei is from Japan I propose that we use mu points that are from Japan.

After extensive research Yoshio Manaka came up with his own modern mu points that are listed on page 135 of his book Chasing the Dragon's Tail. These points work best when the person is all the way back in the recliner and not in a sitting up position.

If you have trouble distinguishing between a 2:1 and 1.5:1 ratio you can palpate the corresponding modern mu points of GB24 and KD11 (for BL) to see which is the most sore on the patient. As you palpate the points watch their face to see if they wince when you press one of the points. You would needle the point on the side that has the most sore and reactive mu point. So if right GB24 is the most reactive you would needle right GB40. If left KD11 is the most reactive you would needle left BL64.

If you were trying to figure out if the patient had a 3:1 or 2:1
ratio you could palpate ST21(for ST) and KD11. If right ST21 is the most sore they are a 3:1 ratio and right ST42 is the point to be needled.

I have heard some people object to frequently palpating KD11 on patients because of its proximity to the groin. We should not let prudishness prevent us from using the diagnostic tools we have. If we tell the patient what we are going to do and we are not tentative about it they will understand because they will know we are trying to help them.

Please let me know if you have any questions about this. Here is a chart that I came up with that has the pulse ratios and the mu points:
[attachment 226 JingeiwithModernMuPoints.xls]