A families exam does not ask for all 361 points. It asks what question each group answers and where it lives on the body.
Yuan and luo
The yuan-source is studied as access to the channel’s qi. On yin channels it often coincides with the shu-stream; on yang channels it is its own point. The luo-connecting links the channel to its collateral and, in pair theory, to its partner. One session: one pair, two sheets, the 3D body.
Shu and mu
Back-shu points sit on the inner bladder line and are associated with each zang-fu. Front-mu points sit on the front of the torso, near the organ of study. Memorise the list first, then one shu-mu pair. Not a back-plus-belly recipe.
The other families
The five shu, xi-cleft, window of heaven and confluent points have dictionary pages. Leave them for another week. This page is only for the four names that get mixed most often.
Questions
- Do I start with the bladder shu?
- If the exam is about the back, yes. If it is about pair theory, start with yuan and luo. One family at a time.
- Are there longer articles?
- Yes. Yuan, luo, back-shu and front-mu each have an article, linked from the dictionary.
Study reference within traditional Shiatsu/TCM frameworks. Does not diagnose or treat.