The Guy Protocol
At Acupuncture That Works, we have developed the Guy Protocol© to help treat patients using Tamoxifen to help reduce the side effects of hot flushes. However, hot flushes are not only symptoms that breast cancer patients experience.
For example, hot flushes are a menopause symptom. Therefore, the points featured in this article are effective in a number of situations.
Acupuncture Meridians
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, meridians are paths through which the life energy ‘qi’ and blood flows, connecting acupuncture points across the body. Within the system there are 12 principal meridians which are divided into groups of yin and yang and pertain to interior organs as well as extending all over the surface of the body’s exterior, creating a network that links tissue and organs. It is a network which helps to maintain balance in the mind and body.
Each point along the meridians in the body have different effects and can be used to help treat a wide range of symptoms. The table below shows points used in the Guy Protocol © that are effective when focusing on hot flushes. They are used in the Guy Protocol © and each has their own function.
Table – Acupuncture For Hot Flushes
| Point | Needling Technique | Location | Notes |
| ST 36 | Tonify | Below the knee, 3 cun inferior to the lower border of the patella, one fingerbreadth lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia | Harmonises the Stomach Fortifies the Spleen and resolves dampness. Supports the correct qi and fosters the original qi, Tonifies qi and nourishes blood and yinActivates the channel and alleviates pain
Revives the yang and restores consciousness |
| KI3 | Tonify | Appears on the medial border of the foot, posterior to the medial malleolus, in the dip between the end of the medial malleolus and Achilles tendon. | Tonifies the Kidneys and fortifies yang. Benefits essence – Nourishes Kidney yin Firms Kidney qiRegulates the water passages and benefits urination
Benefits the ears and eyes |
| SP6 | Reduce | On the medial side of the lower leg, 3 cun superior to the prominence of the medial malleolus, in a depression close to the medial crest of the tibia. | Regulates qi and blood, hot flushes however works well with pain relief- Resolves dampness |
| SP9 | Reduce | In the depression between the medial malleolus and the Achilles tendon, level with the prominence of the medial Malleolus. | Helps intestines due to medications – overall regulate lower jiao/swelling – quite often breast cancer patients will get thrush so this point also helps with this. Harmonises the Liver and tonifies the Kidneys |
| LIV2 | Reduce | On the dorsal aspect of the foot, on the web between the first and second toes. 0.5 cun proximal to the web. | Powerful point to soothe the liver and is primarily employed to clear heat and drain fire from the liver. It effectively cools blood, descends rising yang and subdues internal wind |
Contact Us Today
If you are suffering from hot flushes, be it from breast cancer treatment, menopause or for any other reason, please contact us today for a consultation about how acupuncture can help you. Call us on 0800 051 76 88 to speak to one of our team.
