Fireside Chat: The Science of Point Location in Acupuncture
Dr Poney Chiang and Dr John McDonald discuss how classical Acupuncture point locations relate to underlying neuroanatomy — and how a precise, science-informed account of point location supports professional credibility. Hosted by Dr Scott Ling. Presented live on 3 August 2025.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM AEST
Is This Webinar For You?
How precisely do we locate Acupuncture points — and what are we actually targeting when we needle them? This fireside chat brought together Dr Poney Chiang and Dr John McDonald for a conversation on the science of point location.
From Wang Weiyi's bronze statues in 1026 AD to the WHO's 2008 standardisation, the question of accurate point location has a long history. Drawing on the work of the late Professor Lou Baiceng — who described several historical locations for GB 20 (Fengchi), each targeting a different anatomical structure — the discussion moved beyond "location" to "location, angle, depth."
Dr Chiang related this to his Neuro-Meridian work, in which classical point locations are examined against specific neuroanatomical structures through cadaver research. The session was conducted in English and closed with a live Q&A.
What This Fireside Chat Covered
The Science of Point Location
How classical point locations correspond to specific neuroanatomical structures.
Location, Angle, Depth
Why a point is not just a spot on the skin but a target within the tissues — and what that means for needling.
A Long History of Standardisation
From Wang Weiyi's bronze statues to the WHO's 2008 effort, and why debates about point location persist.
Lessons from Professor Lou Baiceng
Several historical locations for GB 20, each targeting a different structure, and the principle of directing DeQi.
Communicating Acupuncture Credibly
How a neuroanatomical account of point location helps Acupuncturists explain their work to medical colleagues.
Live Q&A with the Speakers
An open discussion with Dr Chiang and Dr McDonald.
Meet the Speakers & Host
Speaker
Dr Poney Chiang
Dr Poney Chiang is a leading voice in integrating Acupuncture channel theory with modern neuroanatomy. He is a professor and director of the Integrative Acupuncture Program at York University's Faculty of Health and a professor at the American Neuro-Acupuncture Institute in Santa Fe, and a former chair of Herbal Medicine at the Ontario College of TCM. His research uses cadaver dissection and MRI to study the neuroanatomy of Acupuncture points, and he is writing a textbook on integrative Acupuncture.
Speaker
Dr John McDonald
A registered Acupuncturist, academic, researcher, and writer with more than 50 years' experience, Dr John McDonald is Chair of Acupuncture Now Australia and Vice-Chair for Research at the Acupuncture Now Foundation in California. He practises on the Gold Coast and teaches at Endeavour College of Natural Health.
Host
Dr Scott Ling
Dr Scott Ling is the clinical director at Sustain Health and has built one of the most reputable Chinese Medicine clinics in Australia. He regularly attends and contributes to TCM events worldwide, seeking out top Acupuncturists globally to foster growth and learning within the community.
Important Information
Live Only — No Recording
This was a one-time live event on Zoom on 3 August 2025. No recording or replay was made available.
Presented in English
The fireside chat was conducted entirely in English.
CPD Certificate
The session carried 1 CPD point (to be approved by AACMA). A digital certificate was emailed to attendees who completed the webinar.
A Fireside Conversation
An informal discussion between Dr Poney Chiang and Dr John McDonald, hosted by Dr Scott Ling, followed by audience Q&A.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was a recording available?
No. This was a one-time live event — there were no recordings or replays available.
Could attendees ask questions?
Yes. A Q&A session was set aside at the end with the speakers.
What language was the session in?
It was conducted in English.
Were slides shared?
No. Speaker slides were not distributed to participants.
What is Neuro-Meridian Acupuncture?
Neuro-Meridian Integrative Acupuncture, developed by Dr Poney Chiang, examines the relationship between classical Acupuncture points and the nervous system, integrating channel theory with modern neuroanatomy.
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