Master Tung's Acupuncture

By Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto | Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Wokingham

Master Tung's acupuncture (Tung's Magic Points, Tung's Orthodox Acupuncture) is a family-lineage style passed down for several centuries within the Tung family of Shandong, China, and brought into the wider world by Master Tung Ching-Chang (1916–1975) after he settled in Taiwan. It uses a unique set of acupuncture points — many located on the limbs — and is known for producing rapid, often immediate pain relief.

Master Tung's points are not part of the standard TCM repertoire. They sit alongside the classical 365 points as a separate, parallel system. Some are well-known: Ling Gu and Da Bai, on the back of the hand between the thumb and index finger, have become signature points in modern pain practice worldwide.

On this page

1. What is Master Tung's acupuncture?
2. The Tung family lineage
3. The Tung points
4. Signature points — Ling Gu and Da Bai
5. Conditions Tung's acupuncture suits
6. Tung's vs TCM acupuncture — the differences
7. Master Tung's acupuncture in Wokingham
8. FAQs

1. What is Master Tung's acupuncture?

Master Tung's acupuncture is a family-lineage tradition that uses several hundred unique acupuncture points clustered on the hands, forearms, feet and lower legs — with smaller sets on the head, ear and torso. It is predominantly a distal system: the points are usually located far from the area of pain.

Treatment is characteristically minimalist — often only two to six needles per session — and the patient is usually asked to move the painful area immediately after needling to confirm the response. Clinically, the system is best known for producing dramatic and often immediate change in pain, especially musculoskeletal pain.

2. The Tung family lineage

The Tung family of Shandong province in China is said to have practised this style for several hundred years, passing the knowledge from father to son in strict secrecy. The lineage emerged into the wider world only in the twentieth century, when Master Tung Ching-Chang (1916–1975) was forced to leave China after the civil war and settled in Taiwan. Master Tung treated patients in Taipei and began teaching outside the family, breaking the long tradition of secrecy. His most influential text, Tung's Orthodox Acupuncture, was published in 1973.

His student Dr Miriam Lee carried the lineage to the United States in 1966 and later trained Dr Richard Tan and others. Today the lineage is taught internationally by figures such as Susan Johnson, Wei-Chieh Young, Robert Chu and Brad Whisnant.

3. The Tung points

The traditional Tung text lists between 200 and 740 points (different lineages count differently), organised into “regions” rather than channels:

• Region 1 — fingers.
• Region 2 — back of the hand and palm.
• Region 3 — forearm.
• Region 4 — upper arm.
• Region 5 — foot.
• Region 6 — lower leg.
• Region 7 — thigh.
• Region 8 — ear.
• Region 9 — head.
• Region 10 — back.
• Region 11 — chest and abdomen.

Some Tung points coincide with classical TCM points; many do not. Selection is based on the affected channel (using classical theory in a way similar to Dr Tan's Balance Method), the body region and the type of pathology.

4. Signature points — Ling Gu and Da Bai

The pair of points known as Ling Gu (“Spirit Bone”) and Da Bai (“Great White”) are located on the back of the hand between the thumb and index finger, just proximal to and just distal of the junction of the first and second metacarpals. Used together, they are one of the most widely deployed point combinations in modern pain acupuncture worldwide. They are particularly indicated for:

• Sciatica and lower back pain.
• Neck and shoulder pain.
• Headache, particularly occipital and vertex.
• Hip pain.

Other well-known Tung points include the “Three Emperors” on the lower leg (used for fertility, hormonal and Kidney-related conditions), the “Big Bone” (Da Gu) for shoulder, and “Foot Thousand Gold” for sciatic-type lower limb pain.

5. Conditions Tung's acupuncture suits

Master Tung's acupuncture is most strongly indicated for:

• Acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain in any region.
• Sciatica and radicular pain.
• Frozen shoulder, tennis and golfer's elbow.
• Headache and migraine.
• Acute sports injuries.
• Post-surgical and post-traumatic pain.

The lineage also includes points for fertility, hormonal and internal medicine conditions, but the pain applications are what brought Master Tung's style its international reputation.

6. Tung's vs TCM acupuncture — the differences

• Unique point system — Tung uses points not in the standard TCM repertoire.
• Distal needling — Tung points are predominantly on the limbs, far from the painful area.
• Few needles — treatments often use only 2–6 needles.
• Movement therapy — the patient is asked to move the affected area during the treatment to test the response.
• Speed — the system is known for producing immediate effects in pain conditions.
• Lineage transmission — knowledge of the points and their indications was traditionally passed within a family rather than codified in mainstream texts.

7. Master Tung's acupuncture in Wokingham

My own training is primarily in TCM acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, but I incorporate Master Tung's points — particularly Ling Gu, Da Bai and the Three Emperors — in pain treatment where they are the right fit. Tung's distal approach pairs well with TCM-style local treatment and is especially useful when needling near an acutely painful area would be uncomfortable.

To discuss whether Tung-style distal needling suits your pain pattern, contact me at my Wokingham clinic.

8. FAQs

What is the difference between Master Tung's acupuncture and Dr Tan's Balance Method?

Master Tung uses a unique set of family-lineage points not found in standard TCM. Dr Tan's Balance Method primarily uses classical TCM points but selects them using a six-system framework. Both are distal-needling systems and Dr Tan was strongly influenced by Master Tung's tradition. Many modern practitioners use both.

Is Master Tung's acupuncture only for pain?

It is best known for pain, but the lineage includes points for fertility, hormonal, gynaecological, gastrointestinal and emotional conditions. Pain is where the rapid effect is most easily demonstrated.

What are Ling Gu and Da Bai?

Two of the most widely used Tung points, located on the back of the hand between the thumb and index finger. They are used together for sciatica, back pain, neck and shoulder pain, headache and hip pain.

Are Tung points safe?

Yes — the points are located on the hands, forearms, feet and lower legs in areas that are routinely needled in standard acupuncture practice. Safety considerations are the same as for any acupuncture.

How many sessions do I need?

For acute pain, 3–6 sessions often produce sustained improvement. For chronic pain, 6–12 sessions is a typical initial course, with maintenance as needed.

To discuss whether Master Tung-style distal needling could help you, contact me or book a consultation at my Wokingham clinic.

Related reading: About acupuncture | Dr Tan's Balance Method | Dry needling | Acupuncture for pain