Disease and Condition Overview
Schizophrenia is characterized by patients exhibiting illogical, hallucinations, delusions and strange behavior. In Chinese medicine, its etiological factor is brain marrow deficiency or wind, fire, phlegm and stagnation causing the irregular movement of qi and blood, and blocking the clear orifices.

Pair-point Treatment Combinations

(1) Shuigou / Renzhong (DU26), Huiyin (RN1) (Fig 42)
Shuigou ( DU26 ) : on the face, at the unction of the upper third and middle third of the phihrum.
Huiyin ( RN1 ) : on the perineum, in male, the point is located at the midpoint between the posterior border of the scrotum and anus ; for female, it is located between the posterior commissure of the large labia and anus.
Shuigou / Renzhong (DU26) reviving the mind and opening orifices, dispel wind clears heat. Huiyin (RN1) strengthen essence and tonify brain. When used in conjunction, one above, another point below, they both connect to and open the Ren and Du channels, regular yin, yang, qi and blood.
Needling techniques:
Shuigou / Renzhong (DU26 needling from the below upwards, oblique insertion 1 cun.
Huiyin (RN1) needling from the below upwards, perpendicular insertion 1 cun.

(2) Jiuwei (RN15), Houxi (SI3) ( Fig 43 )
Jiuwei (RN15): on the upper abdomen, on the anterior midline,1 cun inferior to the xiphosternal synchondrosis.
Houxi (SI3) : on the ulnar side of the hand, when the fist is formed, it is located at the end of the transverse crease proximal to the fifth metacarpo-phalangeal joint, on the junction of the red and white skin.
Jiuwei (RN15) harmonizes stomach qi and suppresses the inverse upward qi, clears heart to stabilize shen. Houxi ( SI3 ) promotes and elevates taiyang and Du channel qi. When needled in conjunction, these two points open channels and invigorate luo-connecting channels, calm the heart and strengthen will. Appropriate for treating acute schizophrenia attack.
Needling techniques:
Jiuwei (RN15) needling downwards, oblique insertion 1 cun.
Houxi (SI3) perpendicular insertion 1 cun.

(3) Shangwan (RN13), Shenmen (HT7) (Fig 44)
Shangwan (RN 13) : on the upper abdomen, on the anterior midline, 5 cun superior to the umbilicus.
Shenmen (HT7) : at the wrist joint, on the radial side of flexor carpi ulnaris, in the depression at the proximal border of the pisiform bone.
Shangwan (RN13) regulates spleen and stomach, resolves phlegm dampness, calms the mind. Shenmen (HT7) clears heart and cools nutrient system, calms the
mind and strengthens the will. Distal and proximal points combined to open heart channel, calms the mind and strengthens the will. Appropriate for treating schizophrenia caused by phlegm obstructing the heart.
Needling techniques:
Shangwan (RN 13) perpendicular insertion 1 cun.
Shenmen (HT7) perpendicular insertion 0.5 cun.

(4) Fenglong (ST36), Yanglingquan (GB3d) (Fig 45)
Fenglong (ST40) : on the anteriolateral side of the lower leg, 8 cun superior to the prominence of the lateral malleolus, lateral to Tiaokou (ST38), two finger breadths (middle finger) lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia.
Yanglingquan (GB34) : on the lateral side of the lower leg, in a depression anterior and inferior to the head of the fibula.
Fenglong (ST36) connects spleen and stomach channels and stomach lowers turbid, expels phlegm and stabilizes shen. Yanglingquan (GB34) disperses and drains liver and gallbladder, clears heat, drains dampness, relaxes the sinews, and opens the luo- connecting channels. The two points work together to regulate qi in the fu organs, clear heat and expel phlegm. Appropriate for treating schizophrenia caused by excess of dampness and phlegm or obstructed qi in the fu organs, accompanied by constipation.
Needling techniques:
Fenglong (ST36) perpendicular insertion 2 cun.
Yanglingquan (GB34) perpendicular insertion 2 cun.

(5) Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LV3) (Fig 5)
Hegu (LI4) clears heat, opens fu organs, tranquilizes and calms the mind. Taichong (LV3) soothes and pacifies the liver, regulates qi and extinguishes wind. These two points, one yin, one yang, together, they harmonize yin and yang, open channels, invigorate luo-connecting channels, clear heat and extinguish wind. Appropriate for overall treatment of schizophrenia.
Needling techniques:
Hegu (LI4) perpendicular insertion 1 cun.
Taichong ( LV3 ) perpendicular insertion 1 cun.

(6) Benshen (GB13), Shenzhu (DU12) (Fig 40)
Benshen (GB13) regulates congenital shen, pacifies liver and extinguishes wind. Shenzhu (DU12) clears heart and strengthens will. Combine these two points to effectively treat heart and brain together. Appropriate for treating acute episodes and remission of schizophrenia.
Needling techniques:
Benshen (GB13) oblique insertion 0.5 cun.
Shenzhu (DU12) perpendicular insertion 1 cun, apply moxa using moxa stick for 20 minutes.

(7) Houxi (SI3), Shenmai (BL62) (Fig 15)
Houxi ( SI3 ) promotes yang, clears heat, quiets the heart and calms the mind, Shenmai ( BL62 ) connects to yang, emolliates the sinews, calms the mind and strengthens the will. Both points, when used in conjunction, open the Du channel, regulate shen, clear heat, extinguish wind, calm the mind and strengthen the will.Appropriate for treating all types of schizophrenia.
Needling techniques:
Houxi (SI3) perpendicular insertion 1 cun.
Shenmai (BL62) perpendicular insertion 0.5 cun.

Commentaries
Acupuncture treatment of schizophrenia has definite effects, especially during a schizophrenia attack.
Generally, during a schizophrenia episode, needle Shuigou / Renzhong (DU26), Huiyin (RN1), or Jiuwei (RNI5), Houxi (SI3), use strong stimulation.

In the remission stage, according to the patient's constitution, treatment should be appropriately selected:
Excess dampness and phlegm -- select Shangwan (RN 13 ), Shenmen (HT7).
Constipation, select Fenglong (ST36), Yanglingquan (GB34), Qi and blood stagnation, select Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LV3).
And for the Benshen ( GB 13 ), Shenzhu ( DU 12) combination can be used either during remission or acute stage.
Houxi (SI3), Shenmai (BL62) pair is used for general overall treatment.