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Master Tung’s San Cha San — A Powerful Point for Pain, Neurological Disorders, and More

Updated: Sep 13

Master Tung's Acupuncture Point: Sanchasan (22.17)
Master Tung's Acupuncture Point: Sanchasan (22.17)

In the Master Tung system, some points stand out for their ability to address multiple conditions with remarkable speed and effectiveness. One such point is San Cha San, a versatile point often used for pain relief, neurological issues, and gastrointestinal disorders.

At Restorative Care Acupuncture & Health here in Miami, I often turn to San Cha San when patients present with acute or chronic pain, neurological disorders, or other health conditions. Its effectiveness makes it a staple in Tung-style treatments.


Who Was Master Tung, and Why Are His Points So Special?


Master Tung Ching-Chang (1916–1975) was one of the most renowned acupuncturists of the 20th century, known for a powerful system of acupuncture that was passed down within his family for generations. He later opened his teachings to the public, and his methods are now practiced worldwide.


Tung points are renowned for their ability to treat problems distally — they are needled far from the area of complaint yet deliver fast, powerful results. San Cha San perfectly demonstrates this concept, offering remarkable effectiveness for a wide range of conditions.


Point Location: San Cha San


Name meaning: 

  • San Cha translates as “Three Forks”. This translation becomes even more meaningful when we consider all three San Cha Points: San Cha Yi (1), San Cha Er (2), and San Cha San (3). Many acupuncturists like to refer to this point combo as the Wolverine Points after the famous superhero from the X-Men franchise.


Location:

  • On the San Jiao Channel, on the dorsum of the hand, between the MCP joints of the 4th and 5th fingers. Overlaps SJ2 (Yemen), but needled deeper into SJ3 (Zhongzhu), HT8 (Shaofu), or sometimes Yao Tong Xue (SJ).


Needle depth:

  • Needle insertion is along and parallel to the metacarpal bones, with the hand forming a loose or soft fist.


Indications and Conditions Treated


San Cha San is widely used for conditions involving pain, neurological disorders, and other health conditions.


Pain & Neurological Conditions


  • Back pain, soreness, or weakness

  • Bone spurs

  • Sciatica

  • Leg pain

  • Shoulder pain

  • Hemiplegia (post-stroke)

  • Numbness and weakness of the hand or arm

  • Paralysis of hands or feet

  • Facial pain (Trigeminal neuralgia)

  • Facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy)

  • Droop or heaviness of eyelids

  • Migraines and headaches

  • Myasthenia gravis

  • TMJ pain

  • Generalized body pain


Other Uses


  • Edema (especially from kidney diseases such as nephritis)

  • Pancreatitis

  • Splenomegaly

  • Common cold

  • Sore throat

  • Diseases of the five senses

  • Dizziness

  • Tinnitus

  • Palpitations

  • Eye redness, swelling, or pain

  • Keratitis

  • Optic atrophy

  • Uticaria

  • Fatigue


Pro-Tip


  • San Cha San is not only a Ying Spring point but it is also technically a Shu Stream point, which makes it a very good Guide Point for any kind of heat (inflammation) or pain on the SJ Channel.

  • I also like to pair it with Shen Guan (77.18 - Kidney Gate) for almost any kind of shoulder pain or if I suspect some kind of Kidney issue.


Conclusion


Master Tung’s San Cha San is more than just a hand point — it’s a versatile tool for addressing many complex conditions. Its broad applications and quick results make it an essential point in Tung-style acupuncture. For patients, San Cha San represents the blending of tradition and modern clinical effectiveness, offering relief in conditions that often prove difficult to treat.


Robert Collazo, A.P.

Restorative Care Acupuncture & Health

📍 2100 SW 22nd St, Miami, FL 33145

📞 (786) 309-1456


Disclaimer


The information in this article is intended for licensed acupuncturists and healthcare professionals. All acupuncture points should only be located and needled by a qualified practitioner. Patients should not attempt to find or needle these points themselves. If you believe this point may help you, please consult a licensed acupuncturist.


References


  • Young, W.-C. (2019). One Needle Therapy: Pain Syndromes. American Chinese Medical Culture Center.

  • “San Cha San.” Master Tung Acupuncture: Point Database. Retrieved from https://www.mastertungacupuncture.org

  • McCann, H., & Ross, H.-G. (2015). Practical Atlas of Tung’s Acupuncture.

  • Han, E. Y.-L. (2018). The Power of the Points: Part 1.

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