Introduction to George Soulié de Morant

When I began my work on vestibular and primitive reflex training, I found it perplexing that, given the significance of cranial nerves and their influence on the autonomic nervous system, particularly their presence in the brainstem and cervical spine, there were no acupuncture points between GV 14 and GV 15. This seemed illogical, given the extensive knowledge and depth of our medicine.

As an integrative acupuncturist working closely with physical therapists and chiropractors, neck work is a fundamental part of my treatment for every patient. Whether it involves needling the paraspinals or other neck points, addressing spasticity and tension in the neck is always needed.  Most points are technically ashi or empirical points without specific names. In the early days, I had more faith in chiropractic care than in acupuncture to resolve a subluxation, but over time, as my skill set improved, treating the cervical spine was effective and there is rarely the need to refer out anymore.

Given their importance as part of the more primitive brain stem, the lack of information on cervical spine points didn't make sense. I don’t want to speculate about discrepancies between sources, but it's important to remember that this knowledge (TCM) was traditionally passed down orally. The current iteration of Oriental medicine, TCM, was synthesized during a period of medical modernization in China. Other countries did not undergo this process.  This brought a much-needed uniformity to Oriental medicine, but perhaps at a cost. To effectively treat sympathetic dominance, and restore parasympathetic function, it is helpful to rediscover these regions and integrate it with our modern understanding. George Soulié de Morant is a valuable source for this information.

George Soulié de Morant: An Introduction

George Soulié de Morant was a French diplomat and sinologist who played an influential role in introducing traditional Chinese medicine to the Western world. Initially aspiring to train as a medical doctor, he instead entered the diplomatic corps. As a fluent speaker of Chinese, Soulié de Morant had privileged access to information that others did not have. His unique position allowed him to gather extensive knowledge on traditional Chinese medicine, which he meticulously documented and shared with the Western world. In his book, L'Acupuncture Chinoise, he provides exhaustive research including polarity, biochemical mechanisms, and the autonomic nervous system at a level of detail previously unseen. He proudly mentions that his compendium was the first of its kind to include bony anatomical landmarks. His work has been instrumental in bridging the gap between Eastern and Western medical practices, providing a deep understanding of acupuncture and its physiological effects.

What makes George Soulié de Morant's work particularly intriguing is not only its exhaustive detail and the ease with which it facilitates cross-referencing of point functions and the movement of Qi and blood through classical references. It is also his exploration of the physiology of energy production in relation to the autonomic nervous system. In Volume Three, "The Physiology of Energy," he delves into the dynamics of sympathetic and parasympathetic dominance, providing a rigorous scientific framework that bridges Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and modern neurology. His meticulous references to the classics simplify the process of cross-referencing these concepts, allowing for a re-examination of the classical texts of our medicine with fresh perspectives. Many of the earlier works in TCM tend to describe the effects of distorted Qi dynamics, often emotional, rather than their causes, as nerves and modern neurology was in its infancy.

 George Soulié de Morant identified several discrepancies between what he was taught and the International Standard (IS) of acupuncture points used today. A significant difference lies in his descriptions of the du and ren mai.  While the IS typically designates a single point in the middle of each vertebra, Soulié de Morant references parallel points situated under each transverse process, with a sagittal qi dynamic that has both an upbearing dynamic (sensory, afferent, and sympathetic) and down bearing (efferent, motor, vagal). This distinction is particularly relevant when considering the anatomy of the paraspinals and the multifidus muscles, and how the demonstration of primitive reflexes affects them systemically. By including anatomy trains and fascia physiology, we can begin to leverage TCM with greater effect for neurological applications.

Introduction of Cervical Spine Points

I have cross-referenced Soulié de Morant’s points on the upper thoracic and cervical spine with neurology, adding information on innervation, cranial nerves, and reflexes where possible.  Many of these were omitted from the international system.  TThis is by no means complete, but intended to demonstrate how we can qualitatively consider these ideas to enhance treatment and harness neuroplasticity.

  GV 11 (IS GV 12) - Shendao 神道 (Pillar of the Body)

• Location: Back median line, at the level of the superior interior angle of the scapula. Lower edge of the third dorsal vertebra (spinous process). Between the fourth and third vertebrae. In the angle between the lower edge of the vertebra and the lateral edge of the median tendon.
• When tonified: Tonifies the governor vessel, brain, spinal cord, heart, and triple warmer.
• Neurology and Brain Centers: Affects the brain and spinal cord, addressing issues like weakness, hostility, phobias, hallucinations, and delirium from fever.
• Cranial Nerves: Influences spinal nerves and potentially cranial nerves in the upper thoracic region.
• Anatomy Train Fascia Layer: Superficial Back Line (SBL).
• Endocrine Effects: Not specifically mentioned.

  GV 11a [Unnamed]

• Location: Back median line at the level of the third thoracic vertebra.
• When tonified: Tonifies the governor vessel, sense organs, temporoparietal lobes.
• Direct effects: Eye (vision), ear (hearing), taste-smell, back of the throat, tongue, nose.
• Neurology and Brain Centers: Temporoparietal lobes, affecting sensory processing and integration.
• Cranial Nerves: Cranial nerves involved in sensory processing, particularly related to the ears, eyes, nose, and tongue.
• Anatomy Train Fascia Layer: Superficial Back Line (SBL).
• Endocrine Effects: Not specifically mentioned.

  GV 12 (IS GV 13 by name) - Shenzhu 身柱 (Body Pillar)

• Location: Upper back midline, on the lower edge of the second thoracic vertebra (spinous process). Between the second and third vertebrae and the lateral edge of the median tendon.
• When tonified: Tonifies the governor vessel, heart, medulla oblongata, spinal cord, lung, upper limb, nerve, teeth, throat, thyroid, eyes, palm, bladder.
• Neurology and Brain Centers: Affects the medulla oblongata and spinal cord, crucial for autonomic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and reflex actions.
• Cranial Nerves: Influences cranial nerves IX (Glossopharyngeal), X (Vagus), and XI (Accessory) as they pass through the medulla.
• Anatomy Train Fascia Layer: Superficial Back Line (SBL).
• Endocrine Effects: Influences the thyroid gland.

  GV 13 (IS GV 14 by name) - Taodao 陶道 (Way of the Ovens)

• Location: Top of the back midline, between the second and first thoracic vertebrae. In the angle between the median tendon and the deep edge of the thoracic vertebra. Two points separated by the median tendon each one commanding its side of the body.
• When tonified: Tonifies the governor vessel (deep level of the pulse), all yang and yin meridians, conception vessel, opposite part of the brain, posterior upper limb, lateral lower limb, opposite eye, ear, same side nape.
• Neurology and Brain Centers: Affects the spinal cord and brain, particularly beneficial for conditions like spinal degeneration, paralysis, and severe nervous system disorders.
• Cranial Nerves: Cranial nerves involved in autonomic and sensory functions.
• Anatomy Train Fascia Layer: Superficial Back Line (SBL).
• Endocrine Effects: Not specifically mentioned.

  GV 13a (IS Dazhui GV 14) - Dazhui 大椎 (Great Vertebra)

• Location: Lower nape midline, between the seventh and sixth cervical vertebrae in the angle between the lower edge of the seventh cervical vertebra and either edge of the median tendon. Two points in a hollow.
• When tonified: Tonifies the pituitary (deficiency), its thirteen hormones, vagus, adrenals, thyroids, parathyroids, kidneys, lungs, three nervous centers, testicles, ovaries.
• Neurology and Brain Centers: Influences the pituitary gland and vagus nerve, which are crucial for overall hormonal balance and autonomic regulation.
• Cranial Nerves: Influences cranial nerve X (Vagus) and other cranial nerves related to autonomic functions.
• Anatomy Train Fascia Layer: Superficial Back Line (SBL).
• Endocrine Effects: Affects the pituitary gland, adrenals, thyroids, parathyroids, and reproductive organs.

  GV 13b [Unnamed]

• Location: Lower nape midline, between C6 and C7; lower edge of C6; two points in the angle at either edge of the median tendon; in a hollow.
• When tonified: Tonifies the governor vessel, small intestine, parasympathetic adrenals (adrenalin), liver, median nerve (thumb, index finger, middle finger), calcium.
• Neurology and Brain Centers: Affects the parasympathetic system and median nerve, impacting autonomic functions and upper limb sensation/movement.
• Cranial Nerves: Influences cranial nerves related to autonomic and sensory functions.
• Anatomy Train Fascia Layer: Superficial Back Line (SBL).
• Endocrine Effects: Influences the adrenal glands and calcium metabolism.

  GV 14 (IS GV 15) - Yamen 哑门 (Gate of Muteness)

• Location: Nape midline, between the fourth and third cervical vertebrae on the lower edge of the third vertebra. In the angle of the median tendon. Two points separated by the tendon.
• When tonified: Tonifies the governor vessel, spinal cord, temporoparietal lobes, fingers and toes, oblique muscles, transverse muscles, nose, larynx, tongue, back of the throat.
• Neurology and Brain Centers: Influences the temporoparietal lobes, affecting speech, motor function, and sensory processing.
• Cranial Nerves: Cranial nerves IX (Glossopharyngeal), X (Vagus), XI (Accessory).
• Anatomy Train Fascia Layer: Superficial Back Line (SBL).
• Endocrine Effects: Not specifically mentioned.

  GV 15 (IS GV 16) - Fengfu 风府 (Palace of Wind)

• Location: Nape midline, between the third and second cervical vertebrae. On the lower edge of the second vertebra. Two points in the angle on the lateral edge of the medial tendon.
• When tonified: Tonifies the governor vessel, adrenals, anterior and central brain (vagus), cervical muscles, all yang producer meridians, lower limbs.
• Neurology and Brain Centers: Affects the vagus nerve and anterior brain, crucial for autonomic functions and higher cognitive processing.
• Cranial Nerves: Cranial nerves IX (Glossopharyngeal), X (Vagus), XI (Accessory).
• Anatomy Train Fascia Layer: Superficial Back Line (SBL).
• Endocrine Effects: Influences the adrenal glands.

  GV 16 (IS GV 17 by name IS GV 15 by location) - Fengfu 风府 (Wind Mansion)

• Location: Nape midline, one large FW under the skull; between the first and second cervical vertebrae; two points in the angle between the lateral edge of the medial tendon and the lower edge of the first vertebra (hardly perceptible); in a hollow.
• When tonified: Tonifies the governor vessel, stomach, cerebellum, bladder, upper cheek same side, tonsils, lateral part of the eye same side, middle and internal ear, joints opposite side.
• Neurology and Brain Centers: Influences the cerebellum, crucial for motor control, balance, and coordination.
• Cranial Nerves: Cranial nerves IX (Glossopharyngeal), X (Vagus), XI (Accessory).
• Anatomy Train Fascia Layer: Superficial Back Line (SBL).
• Endocrine Effects: Not specifically mentioned.

  GV 17 (IS by name IS by location) - Naohu 脑户 (Brain's Door)

• Location: Nape midline, in the angle between the lower edge of the cranium and the lateral edge of the medial tendon; two points separated by the median tendon.
• When tonified: Tonifies all the energy of the governor vessel, medulla oblongata, superior occipital lobe, primate, inner ear, fallopian tubes, lower part of the genital system, half-body opposite side.
• Neurology and Brain Centers: Affects the medulla oblongata and superior occipital lobe, vital for autonomic functions, vision, and coordination.
• Cranial Nerves: Cranial nerves IX (Glossopharyngeal), X (Vagus), XI (Accessory).
• Anatomy Train Fascia Layer: Superficial Back Line (SBL).
• Endocrine Effects: Not specifically mentioned.

  GV 18 (IS GV 19 by name) - Qiangjian 强间 (Unyielding Space)

• Location: Posterior top of the skull midline, two FW posterior to the occipitoparietal suture. At the upper edge of a large protuberance. Two points on either side of the vertical groove.
• When tonified: Tonifies the governor vessel, superior occipital lobe, primate, face (eye along the nose, corner of the lips, chin, throat), stomach, occiput, nape, posterior part of the shoulder same side, all articulations same side.
• Neurology and Brain Centers: Affects the superior occipital lobe, essential for vision and sensory integration.
• Cranial Nerves: Influences cranial nerves involved in vision and sensory processing.
• Anatomy Train Fascia Layer: Superficial Back Line (SBL).
• Endocrine Effects: Not specifically mentioned.