ACC Clinical Treatment Protocols 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When treating acute lumbar sprain with acupuncture, which local point is most commonly combined with distal point BL 40 (Weizhong)?
- BL 23 (Shenshu) (Correct answer)
- ST 36 (Zusanli)
- GB 34 (Yanglingquan)
- KD 3 (Taixi)
Correct answer: BL 23 (Shenshu)
BL 23 is the Back-Shu point of the Kidney and a primary local point for acute lumbar conditions, classically paired with BL 40.
Question 2: A patient presents with shoulder pain worse with internal rotation. Which acupuncture point combination best addresses impingement syndrome from a channel perspective?
- LI 4, LI 15, TH 14
- HT 1, PC 3, LU 5
- SI 9, SI 10, TH 14 (Correct answer)
- ST 38, GB 21, LI 11
Correct answer: SI 9, SI 10, TH 14
SI 9, SI 10, and TH 14 are local points along the Small Intestine and Triple Heater channels that course through the posterior shoulder, ideal for impingement affecting external rotation muscles.
Question 3: In electroacupuncture protocols for chronic pain, which frequency is best associated with releasing endorphins and enkephalins?
- 80–100 Hz
- 2 Hz (Correct answer)
- 15 Hz
- 40 Hz
Correct answer: 2 Hz
Low-frequency EA at 2 Hz preferentially stimulates release of endorphins and enkephalins via spinal and supraspinal pathways.
Question 4: A 45-year-old patient with headaches centered at the vertex responds to which primary acupuncture channel treatment according to channel theory?
- Taiyang (BL/SI) channel
- Shaoyang (GB/TH) channel
- Jueyin (LV/PC) channel (Correct answer)
- Yangming (ST/LI) channel
Correct answer: Jueyin (LV/PC) channel
The vertex is governed by the Liver channel (Jueyin), and LV 3 with GV 20 are classic points for vertex headaches.
Question 5: When treating knee osteoarthritis, which protocol correctly pairs local and distal points?
- ST 35, EX-LE 5, SP 10 locally with ST 36 distally (Correct answer)
- GB 34, BL 40 locally with KD 3 distally
- SP 9, SP 10 locally with BL 23 distally
- LV 8, SP 9 locally with LV 3 distally
Correct answer: ST 35, EX-LE 5, SP 10 locally with ST 36 distally
ST 35 and EX-LE 5 (Xiyan points) with SP 10 are the standard local knee points, while ST 36 serves as a key distal point strengthening Stomach channel qi.
Question 6: Which needle retention time is most appropriate for an initial treatment in a frail, elderly patient with deficiency conditions?
- 45–60 minutes
- 20–30 minutes
- 5–10 minutes (Correct answer)
- 30–40 minutes
Correct answer: 5–10 minutes
Frail or deficient patients tolerate shorter needle retention times of 5–10 minutes to avoid over-stimulation and adverse reactions.
Question 7: A chiropractic acupuncturist treating piriformis syndrome would most likely needle which combination of points to address the sciatic nerve pathway?
- GB 30, BL 54, BL 36, BL 40 (Correct answer)
- ST 31, ST 32, ST 34, ST 36
- SP 10, SP 9, LV 8, KD 10
- GV 4, BL 23, BL 25, GV 3
Correct answer: GB 30, BL 54, BL 36, BL 40
GB 30 and BL 54 are located directly over the piriformis, and BL 36–40 follow the sciatic nerve course down the posterior thigh and popliteal fossa.
ACC Clinical Treatment Protocols 2
When treating acute lumbar sprain with acupuncture, which local point is most commonly combined with distal point BL 40 (Weizhong)?