Acupuncture: Right-side Yang Horary points in Wood-Order of GB44, SI2, ST43, LI5, and ST36 (ST36 is as good as UB40) with central Earth points LI3, SI3, GB41, and UB65 for a Lesser Yin and Greater Yin constitution (Excessive Water-Wood, Deficient Fire-Earth-Metal, Kapha in Ayurveda, Cold-Dry Melancholic in Unani, ISFJ in Myers-Briggs, Affiliation in Need, and Soeumin in Sasang).

Treatment process: 3 years ago, she had 12 acupuncture treatments for right wrist and neck pain. 4 sessions in Metal-Order of LI1, UB66, GB41, SI5, and ST36 relieved much pain but afterwards the wrist was easily re-aggravated. 5^th treatment did not help. A change to Wood-Order from the 6^th into 12^th visit gradually relieved the pain and provided stability of the improved state. Wrist pain began to come back 2 months later. She also had left calf spasm. A repeat of Wood-Order with addition of Earth points for 5 treatments had again eliminated the pains. She came back 3 weeks ago with left neck pain, which was radiating down to left leg. A repeat of the same Wood-Order points for 4 treatments was again successful.   

Discussion: The beauty of acupuncture is that it is safe and does not aggravate a problem or pain. It is either beneficial or not helpful. In this case, the Metal-Order was initially working but showed its limitation. A switch to alternate points using Wood-Order helped to eliminate the pain or provide stability of the improved state.