Disease and Condition Overview
Epilepsy is characterized by episodes of sudden loss of consciousness, involuntary movements and convulsions. Its etiology involves phlegm, fire, stagnation and congenital reasons which then cause the disruption of qi and blood movement, misting the clear orifices.
Clinically, epilepsy is differentiated into idiopathic epilepsy, and symptomatic epilepsy.

Pair-point Treatment Combinations

(1) Xuanji (RN21), Juque (RN14) (Fig 36)
Xuanji ( RN21 ) : on the chest, on the anterior midline. 1 cun posterior to Tiantu (RN22).
Juque (RN14) : on the upper abdomen, on the anterior midline, 6 cun superior to the umbilicus.
Xuanji (RN21 ) promotes and elevates qi of the upper jiao. dredges stagnation. Juque (RN14) clears heart and stabilizes shen, removes phlegm and strengthens diaphragm. The two points combined, one above, one below, work to promote qi, removes stagnation and phlegm, quiets the heart and calms the mind. Appropriate for epilepsy caused by repressed zong qi, phlegm obstructing the heart shen.

Needling techniques:
1. In supine position. Xuanji (RN21)  needle downwards oblique insertion 1 cun.
2. Juque (RN14) perpendicular insertion 0.5 cun. manipulate for 5-10 minutes.

(2) Hegu ( LI4 ), Taichong (LV3) (Fig 5)
Hegu (LI4) clears heat,opens fu organ, tranquilizes and calms the mind, Taichong (LV3) soothes the liver and regulates qi, pacifies liver and extinguishes wind. The two points combined treat qi and blood simultaneously, open channels and invigorate luo-connecting channels. clear heat and extinguish wind. Appropriate for improving overall epilepsy.

Needling techniques:
1. Hegu (LI4) perpendicular insertion 1 cun.
2. Taichong (LV3) perpendicular insertion 0.5 cun.

(3) Laogong (PC8), Yongquan ( KI1) (Fig 37)
Laogong (PC8) : at the center of the palm, between the second and the third metacarpal bones, proximal to the metacarpo- phalangeal joint. It is located under the tip of the middle finger when a fist is made.
Yongquan ( KI1 ) : on the sole, in a depression formed when the foot is planter flexed, at the junction of the anterior third and posterior two-thirds of the line connecting the base of the second and third toes and the heel.
Laogong (PC8) is located at the heart of the palm. Yongquan (KI1) is located at the center sole of the foot. These two points, one heart and one kidney, keeps each point in check, clear above and stabilize below, tranquilizing and calming the mind, stopping spasm and convulsion. Appropriate for treating epilepsy.

Needling techniques:
1. Laogong (PC8) perpendicular insertion 0.5 cun.
2. Yongquan (KI1) perpendicular insertion 1 cun.
3. Strong stimulation.

(4) Shuigou / Renzhong ( DU26 ), Jianshi (PC5) ( Fig 38 )
Shuigou (DU26) : on the face, at the unction of the upper third and middle third of the philtrum.
Jianshi ( PC5 ) : on the palmer side of the forearm, on the line connecting Daling (PC7) and Quze (PC3), 3 cun superior to the wrist crease, between the tendons of palmaris longus and flexor carpi radiatis.
Shuigou / Renzhong ( DU26 ) revives the mind and opens orifices. Jianshi (PC5) opens chest and resolves phlegm. These two points, one opens while the other descends. reviving the mind and opening orifices, expelling phlegm and stopping spasms. Appropriate for  treating epileptic attack.

Needling techniques:
1. Shuigou / Renzhong (DU26), upwards oblique insertion 1 cun, strong stimulation.
2. Jianshi (PC5) perpendicular insertion 1 cun, manipulate 10-20 minutes.

(5) Sishencong ( EX ), Yongquan (KI1)(Fig 39)
Sishencong: four points on the head. 1 cun anterior, posterior and lateral to Baihui ( DU20 ).
Yongquan (KI1): on the sole. in a depression formed when the foot is planter flexed, at the junction of the anterior third and posterior two-thirds of the line connecting the base of the second and third toes and the heel.
Sishencong (EX) pacifies liver and extinguishes wind. reviving the mind and opening orifices. Yongquan (KI1) clears heat lowers fire. tranquilizing and calming the mind. These two points resonates each other above and below to clear above and stabilize below, reviving the mind and opening orifices, tranquilizing and calming the mind. Appropriate for intermittent epileptic episodes.

Needling techniques:
1. Sishencong (EX) subcutaneously towards midline, oblique insertion 1 cun.
2. Yongquan (KI1) perpendicular insertion 1 cun.
3. Strong stimulation.

(6) Benshen (GB13), Shenzhu (DU12) (Fig 40)
Benshen (GB 13) : on the head, 0.5 cun superior to the hairline, 3 cun lateral to Shenting (DU24), 2/3 of the distance between Shenting (DU24) and  Touwei (ST8).
Shenzhu (DU 12): on the back, on the posterior midline, in a depression below the spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra.
Benshen (GB13) regulates congenital shen, stops spasm and convulsion, Shenzhu (DU 12) clears heart and solidifies will. When used in conjunction, they treat heart and brain simultaneously, regulate congenital shen, clear heart fire, extinguish wind and cease convulsion. Appropriate for treating epilepsy in children.

Needling techniques:
1. Benshen (GB13) posterior oblique insertion 0.5 cun.
2. Shenzhu (DU12) perpendicular insertion 1 cun.
3. Or moxa using moxa stick for 20 minutes.

(7) Houxi (SI3), Shenmai (BL62) (Fig 15)
Houxi (SI3) promotes yang and clears heat, quiets the heart and calms the mind. Shenmai ( BL62) releases the exterior and disperses cold, emolliating the sinews and solidifying will. These two points work synergistically to open Du channel, regulate brain, extinguish wind, stop convulsion, calm the mind and strengthen the will. Appropriate for epileptic seizures occurring mostly during the day.

Needling techniques:
1. Houxi ( S13 ) perpendicular insertion 1 cun.
2. Shenmai (BL62) perpendicular insertion 0.5 cun.

(8) Lieque ( LU7 ), Zhaohai (KI6) (Fig 41 )
Lieque (LU7): on the radial aspect of the forearm, above the styloid process of the radius, 1.5 cun proximal to the transverse crease of the wrist, between the tendons of brachioradialis and abductor pollicis longus.
Zhaohai ( KI6 ) : on the medial side of the foot, in the depression below the prominence of the medial malleolus.
Lieque (LU7) is the luo- connecting point of the Lung channel. Zhaohai ( KI6 ) is connected to yin motility vessel. These two points, one above and one below, tonify yin lower fire, clear heat and calm the mind. Appropriate for treating epilepsy occurring mostly at night.

Needling techniques:
1. Lieque ( LU7 ) needling upwards oblique insertion 1 cun.
2. Zhaohai (KI6) perpendicular insertion 0.5 cun

Commentaries
Acupuncture is effective in treating epilepsy and preventing frequent episodes.
During an epileptic episode, needle Laogong (PC8). Yongquan (KI1) or Shuigou /Renzhong (DU26), Jianshi (PC5), use strong stimulation.
To treat frequent epilepsy episodes, needle Sishencong (EX), Yongquan (KII).
For children's epileptic episodes, apply moxa on Benshen (GB13), Shenzhu (DU12) points.
Distinct time when most epileptic episodes occur
During the day ---  select Houxi (SI3), Shenmai (BL62).
During the night ---  select Lieque (LU7), Zhaohai (KI6).
Usual course of treatment to treat patient's constitution
Select Xuanji (RN21), Juque (RN14) to sooth the chest and regulate qi, clear heart and awaken shen.
Select Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LV3) to regulate qi and blood throughout the body.