Choosing points according to pathological conditions-
The condition can be diagnosed according to the eight principles (Shi-Xu, Yang-Yin, Hot-Cold,  Interior-Exterior), the theories of Zang-Fu and the channels and collaterals in order to locate and diagnose the disease. The imbalance can then be treated using the energetic function of points to correct the imbalance.
Diseases may be cured by the application of the methods of reinforcing the deficiency , and reducing the excess, to the points of the body surface. It is imperative, therefore, to have full knowledge of the functions of points, the channel courses, the distribution of points on each channel and the indications of each individual channel. Clinical practice requires that before giving treatment the pathological condition, which may be very complicated, should be analysed and summarized. After discovering  which channel or which internal organ is affected, investigate further the mechanism of the disease and determine the essential and secondary symptoms so as to decide whether acupuncture or moxibustion, reinforcing or reducing method should be applied.
The basic principle for acupuncture treatment may be stated as follows;
Reinforcing method should be employed for Xu = Deficiency syndromes.
Reducing for Shi = Excess syndromes.
Quicker treatment time for Heat syndrome, longer treatment time = retaining needle for Cold syndrome.
In deficiency and failing of Yang, moxibustion is indicated. Venous pricking to cause bleeding is used for blood stasis of the collaterals.
 Xu syndrome may be complicated with Shi syndrome or vice versa, and methods of treatment may be reinforcing first and reducing afterwards, or both simultaneously.

II  Local, Adjacent and Distal
One basic principle for prescribing and combining points is to select points according to the course of the channel, the distribution of points and their indications.

Selection of Distal Points
After the involved channel and organ are determined, points below elbow or knee of the involved channel are selected. For instance, Zusanli- St 36 is chosen to treat gastric or abdominal disorders; Hegu- KI 4 may be used for diseases of the face etc.
Thus diseases of the face, head, trunk or internal organs may be treated. Selection of distal points also includes choosing points of the body to treat diseases of the upper part, and vice-versa. This is essentially to select points below the elbow and knee as the principal ones. For neck pain, for instance, Houxi- SI 3 is chosen ; for the tense type of apoplexy, Yongquan K 1 etc.
An example of selecting point of the upper part of the body to treat diseases of the lower part is selecting Baihui Du20 to treat prolapse of rectum due to chronic dysentery, Renzhong- Du 26 to treat low back pain.

Selection of Local Points
For example, Zhongwan- Ren 12 is chosen to treat gastric pain, Changxing- Du 23 to treat headache. If there is ulcer, wound or scar in the local area, neither acupuncture nor moxibustion should be applied there, but may be applied at point in the adjacent area.

Selection of Adjacent Points
For instance Zhangmen- Liv13 is used to treat gastric pain, Fengchi- GB 20 in diseases of the eye. For strengthening therapeutic effect local points may be combined with adjacent points, or adjacent points can substitute for local points.

The above threee methods of selecting points may be used separately or in combination. For instance the selection of Zusanli- ST 36 and Neiguan- PC6 of the distal area combined with Zhongwan- Ren 12 of the local area of Zhangmen- Liv 13 of the neighbouring area may be considered in treating gastric pain.
 The crossing methods of selecting points may also be used ie. Selecting points of the right side to treat disorders of the left, and vice versa. For intance, points may be chosen on the affected side or the healthy side to treat facial paralysis or hemiplegia. Hegu- LI4 of the right hand may be used for toothache on the left side, and vice versa.

Examples for Prescription and Combination of Points 

 
III. Application of the Yuan- Source Points and  the Luo-Connecting Points

The Yuan- Source Point are indicated in Xu syndrome as well as Shi syndrome of their respective related organs. The luo- Connecting Points of the twelve regular Channels are indicated by the symptoms of their respective, externally-internally related channels.
 When a channel is affected, the Yuan- Source Point of that channel may be chosen as the main point. The Lou-Connecting Point of its externally-internally related channel can be combined with it to enhance the therapeutic effect.
 For instance, functionally, the Lung Channel and the Large Intestine Channel are internally- externally related. If the Lung Channel is involved, Taiyuan- Lu 9- the Yuan- Source Point of the Lung Chennel, and Pianli- LI 6- the Luo  Connecting Point of the Large Intestine Channel, may be prescribed.
  Or for problems of the Large Intestine Channel- Hegu- LI 4- the Yuan Source Point of the Large Intestine Channel, and Lieque- Lu 7, the Luo- Connecting Point of the Lung channel.

The Yuan- Source and the Luo- Connecting Points 

Back-Shu and Front-Mu Points
These points can be used separately or in combination. Whenever an internal organ is affected, the Back-Shu and The Front- Mu Point of that organ can be prescribed. On can either prescribe its corresponding Front- Mu point or its Back- Shu point, or both simultaneously. For instance; Weishu- UB 21 and Zhongwan- Ren 12 may be selected for gastric disorders; or Pangguangshu- UB 28  and Zhongji- Ren 3 are chosen for disorders of the urinary bladder.
The Back-Shu Points relate to Yang and can be used in treating visceral diseases as well as diseases of the sense organs which are related to their respective correspoind internal organs. For instance Ganshu- UB 18- the Back-Shu point of the Liver, may be chosen to treat eye disorders, as eye is the “window” of the Liver; Shenshu- UB 23, the Back-Shu point of the Kidney can be selected to treat deafness, as ear is the “window” of the kidney.
The Front-Mu points relate to Yin. Their therapeutic function is mainly in treating disorders associated with hypochondriac pain, Qimen- Liv 14 may be  prescribed; Tianshu- St 25 may be prescribed for disorders of the Large Intestine associated with abdominal pain.

Five Shu Points
Each group of the Five Shu Points  have properties in common.

Along each of the twelve regular channels, below the elbow or knee, lie five specific points, namely, Jing-well, Ying-Spring, Shu-Stream, Jing- River and He-Sea. They are arranged in the above order from the distal ends of the limbs to the elbow or knee. These names image the flow of  Qi along the channels as the movement of water. Jing-Well is the place where the Qi of the channel starts to bubble. Jing-Spring is where the Qi of the channel starts to flourish. Shu-Stream is where the Qi of the channel flourishes. Jing-River is where the Qi of the channel incrases in abundance. Finally- He-Sea represents the confluence of river in the sea, where the Qi of the Channel is the most flourishing.

The therapeutic properties of the Five Shu  Points are as follows;
Jing-Well points are indicated in mental illness and a stifling sensation in the chest.
Ying-Spring Points in febrile diseases.
Shu-Stream Points in Bi syndrome = painful joints. Caused by pathogenic Wind and Damp.
Jing-River Points in asthma, cough and throat disorders.
He-Sea Points in disorders of the intestine, Stomach and the other Fu organs.

The Five Shu points are respectively attributed to the five elements.
The order of the five elements in the Yin channels is:  Wood  Fire  Earth  Metal  Water.
The order in the Yang Channels is: Metal  Water  Wood  Fire  Earth.
According to the Sheng- Nourishing cycle of the five elements, each channel has a mother point and a son point. For instance, the Lung Channel related to metal, the mother of metal is earth, then the mother point of the Lung Channel is Taiyuan- Lu 9, which is attributed to earth according the category of the five elements. The son of metal is water, so the son point of the Lung Channel is Chize- Lu 5 which is attributed to water.
 The mother point of a channel has a tonifying effect and is indicated in Xu syndrome of its related channel, while the son point has a reducing effect and in indicated in the Shi syndrome of its related channel.
Hence the saying, Reinforce the mother for Xu syndromes, reduce the son for Shi syndrome. For example, when the Lung Channel is involved in Xu syndrome with symptoms of chronic cough, shortness of breath, low voice, hydrosis and thready weak pulse, then the reinforcing method on Taiyan- Lu 9 may be prescribed. On the other hand, if the Lung Channel is involved in Shi syndrome with abrupt onset of cough, dyspnea, coarse voice, stifling sensation in the chest and inability to lie flat, and superficial and forceful pulse, Chize- Lu 5 with reducing method may be prescribed.
The Five Shu Points of the Yin Channels

  The Five Shu Points of the Yang Channels

Xi-Cleft Points
The Xi-Cleft Point have the properties of treating acute disease occurring in their respective related organs. For instance, Kongzui- Lu 6  is effective in treating hemoptysis. Wenliu- LI 7 is effective for borborygmus and abdominal pain. Liangqiu- St 34 is useful for epigastric pain,  Diji- Sp 8 is prescribed for menstrual pain.

Lower He-Sea Points of the Fu organs are used in treating diseases of the six Fu organs, the reason being that the Fu organs, ie the Stomach, Large intestine, Small intestine, Gall bladder, Urinary bladder nad San Jiao are closely related with the three Yang channels of the foot.
In treating diseases of the six Fu organs, the main points selected are the Lower He- Sea points. For instance, for gastric pain and acidity, Zusanli- St 36 is selected; For dysentery or appendicitis, Shangjuxu- St 37 is used; Yanglingquan- GB 34 is for pain in the gall bladder and vomiting.