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The Integration of Fu Zheng Gu Ben Theory and Master Tung’s Acupuncture in Advanced-Stage
Oncology Patients Undergoing Metronomic-Dosed Chemotherapy
Darin J. Bunch, MTCM, L.Ac.
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Contents
Foreword 3
Introduction to Fu Zheng Gu Ben Theory and Its Application in Oncology 3
General Pattern Differentiation Guidelines of Fu Zheng Gu Ben Theory 4
Introduction to Master Tung 6
Advantages of Master Tung’s Acupuncture 7
Master Tung’s Location of Extra Points and Naming of the Points 8
Body Correspondence, Angle and Depth of Needle Insertion, and Needle Retention 10
Master Tung’s and Dr. Wei-Chieh Young’s Essential Needling Methods 12
Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Etiology and Pathology of Tumors 15
The Seven Emotions Damaging the Body’s Internal Environment 23
Zang-Fu Organ Deficiency 23
Dietary Irregularities, Toxic Foods, and Inappropriate Diet Regimen 25
Metronomic-Dosed Chemotherapy 27
Master Tung’s Acupuncture in Advanced-Stage Oncology Patients Undergoing Metronomic-
Dosed Chemotherapy 29
Chinese Herbal Medicine in Fu Zheng Gu Ben Theory 39
Chinese Herbal Formulas Used in Fu Zheng Gu Ben Theory 52
Congees That Help Strengthen and Support Advanced-Stage Oncology Patients Undergoing
Metronomic-Dosed Chemotherapy 57
Lifestyle, Qigong, Meditation, and Nutrition for Advanced-Stage Oncology Patients Undergoing
Metronomic-Dosed Chemotherapy 64
Support Networks, Patient’s Mental Attitude and Conclusion 67
References 69
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Foreword
Cancer is certainly a complex disease and no individual is untouched in the Western
world without knowing someone—a friend, loved one, family member—who has not been
diagnosed with some type of cancer. Certainly it is a disease not fully understood even with all
the technology that we have available today and all the brilliant scientists working to eradicate
the disease. I have always noted that the disease is brilliant in one way in keeping our scientists
still guessing about the origins, mechanisms and pathways of the disease process while also
being not so intelligent as to inevitably (in most circumstances) terminate its host which will end
even cancer’s proliferation.
This paper will address my decade of experience as an acupuncturist and Chinese
medicine practitioner for the Seattle Cancer Treatment & Wellness Center/Cancer Treatment
Centers of America known to specialize in managing advanced-stage oncology patients receiving
metronomic-dosed chemotherapy utilizing Fu Zheng Gu Ben Theory and Master Tung’s style of
acupuncture in an integrated clinical setting.
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Introduction to Fu Zheng Gu Ben Theory and Its Application in Oncology
In what is commonly referred to as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Fu Zheng Gu
Ben or alternately, Fu Zheng Pei Ben refers to supporting the healthy Qi and optimizing the
body’s innate natural resistance to disease. In this paper, I will use Fu Zheng Gu Ben (FZGB).
Broken down, Fu Zheng translates as “support the upright” Qi of the body and Gu Ben translates
as “consolidate the root” to strengthen the resistance to illness (Pan, Cai, Chen, Webb, & Chen,
1992).
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Chinese medicine and allopathic medicine agree that cancerous tumors are a localized
manifestation of a pathology that exists in the entire body. This pathology can result from
exposure to toxins such as radiation or carcinogenic chemicals, or owing to exogenous
pathogens, a malfunctioning immune system or immunodeficiency, poor nutrition, hereditary
tendencies, weakness or damage to the organs, prolonged Qi and/or Blood stagnation, prolonged
Blood or Yin deficiency, emotional factors and more. Combinations of these factors may be
involved as well, such as hereditary tendencies combined with poor nutrition, or immune
deficiency with sufficient exposure to carcinogenic toxins. When applying FZGB theory, it is
essential to properly evaluate the patient’s constitution and differentiate the syndrome so that the
proper support can be executed. Treatment of symptoms should be subordinate to accurate
pattern identification in order to provide the best care to the patients in counteracting adverse
reactions to harsh allopathic treatment modalities and increase a patient’s quality of life before,
during and after such therapies—predominantly therapies such as, chemotherapy, radiation, and
surgery (Heuertz, 2006).
General Pattern Differentiation Guidelines of Fu Zheng Gu Ben Theory
FZGB theory when applied therapeutically to advanced-stage oncology patients should
be adjunct to primary allopathic oncology treatments. Firstly, it should address the underlying
constitutional root of the pathology. Secondly, it should address the clinical manifestations
directly or compensating for the imbalances and the clinical adverse reactions caused by
aggressive allopathic treatments (Heuertz, 2006).
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Two pairs of opposing principles, representing four of the “eight principles” of TCM
diagnosis are commonly used to determine underlying constitutional root in cancer patients. The
first category distinguishes between the opposing but interdependent principles of Yin and Yang;
the second between excess and deficiency. It is of utmost importance to make appropriate
distinctions. For example, deficient Yin is treated by nourishing the Yin using herbs of Yin
nature. Alternately, excessive Yin is treated with herbs of a Yang nature which either boost the
Qi, actively drain or dry, warm or invigorate the circulatory system—all of which are Yang
actions. Failure to distinguish between the Yin or Yang nature of the patient’s condition can
result in the selection of herbs that are counter-productive. This can be extended to acupuncture,
though typically it is considered by TCM practitioners that acupuncture is far more forgiving
than Chinese herbal medicine in that it is not putting a supplement into the body with complex
chemistry. This can be determined used as what is commonly referred to as the “four
examination techniques” used in TCM. They are as follows: (a) looking/inspection, (b) listening
and smelling, (c) asking/inquiring, and (d) touching/palpation. For example, if there is only
excess in the pulse, if the cancer is in the early stages, and the constitution is otherwise strong
with sufficient, smooth-flowing Qi, a focused, localized intervention is recommended. However,
if the pulse reveals some underlying weakness, such as Yin, Qi, or Blood deficiency, if the cancer
has already progressed beyond the early stages, or if the constitution shows immunodeficiency,
then it is best to include a formula and acupuncture treatment strategy that boosts or nourishes
the weakened energy in order to attempt to bring the body into equilibrium (Heuertz, 2006).
In addition to the underlying root of the patient, there is often a particular clinical
manifestation or several manifestations involved. These manifestations may be caused by the
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toxicity of the tumor, a malfunctioning immune system, the physical blockage resulting from the
tumor, or they can arise as an adverse reaction of the allopathic treatment. Often, a patient may
experience depression from the chemotherapy or diagnoses of cancer, loss of appetite, or the
physical location of the tumor may interfere with breathing, swallowing, or urination. These are
all considered branch symptoms. Adjunct FZGB can help alleviate the patient’s symptoms,
strengthen their body, enhance the effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and speed healing after
surgery. In my own clinical experience I have found that both acupuncture and Chinese herbal
medicine can greatly offset the adverse reactions of allopathic treatment modalities in patients
diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer (Heuertz, 2006).
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Introduction to Master Tung
The Tung family lineage of acupuncture can be traced back to the Han Dynasty (206
BCE - 220 CE). It was passed orally always from the father to the eldest son and never to a
daughter residing in the Tung family due to the implications that if she possessed the Tung style
of acupuncture and married, her new family would be taught the Tung’s style of acupuncture,
thus breaking the lineage. Not until the 20th century where the last Master Tung, Tung Ching
Ch’ang, then residing in Taiwan decided to train outside of his family in order to preserve his
family’s acupuncture lineage to benefit future generations. The world was changing and so did
Master Tung Ching Ch’ang. It is documented that through the rest of his life from July 1,
1962-1975, he trained 73 students (McCann & Ross, 2012, p. 11).
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Advantages of Master Tung’s Acupuncture
Those that pursue the ongoing didactic and clinical training and practice of Master Tung’s
acupuncture techniques know that the needling is conducted away from the diseased area(s).
One advantage of this needling approach is that local areas, which may be quite sensitive, do not
need to be needled directly. For example, often in the case of advanced-stage oncology patients,
the tissue may be inflamed and painful, or necrotic. TCM acupuncturists would not typically
needle the breasts either. However, they may surround the breast, adjacent to the necrotic tissue
which can be both painful and emotionally traumatic to the patient due to the erosive effects
tumors can have. Additionally from my experience, often the oncologist and nursing staff needs
access to the port placed below the clavicle, and the clinicians may need to palpate and examine
the site of disease during their acupuncture session. Acupuncture needles inserted away from the
site of disease is very logical for this reason when working in a multidisciplinary facility.
Various scholars of Master Tung have repeatedly enforced that contralateral needling from the
area of the disorder is done based on classical TCM channel theory. A general rule of thumb and
written in Dr. Wei-Chieh Young’s book, Lectures On Tung’s Acupuncture Points Study states in
Biao You Fu’s poetry on Cross Channel Needling: “Treat problems on the left with points on the
right. Treat local problems with distal points (to drain away the problem). Treat disorders on the
head with points on the feet” (2008, p. 12).
“Never underestimate the power of one needle!” One of my mentors repeatedly said this
in various seminars I had throughout the years and I continuously remind myself of this
important lesson. Master Tung and his acupuncture points strategy uses fewer needles that have
often profound and quick results when done correctly. It is less invasive to the patient when
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using fewer needles away from the site of pain or disharmony and far less traumatic both from a
psychological as well as physical perspectives. For the acupuncturist, as one becomes more
skilled, they are able to select a treatment strategy that requires only a few needles to be
punctured on the body which will have a more focused treatment with greater therapeutic results.
Furthermore, many problems can be addressed by needling only one point. Having an extensive
understanding of Channel theory, classical acupuncture texts, and Master Tung’s applications of
points will allow for the selection of less points to be used with a far more extensive and potent
acupuncture treatment.
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Master Tung’s Location of Extra Points and Naming of the Points
In the Master Tung acupuncture system, there are over 740 points located on the hands,
arms, feet, legs, ears, head and face. A system was developed to help organize and locate the
points. Points on the fingers are defined as “11.00,” point on the hand are “22.00,” points on the
forearm “33.00,” points on the upper arm “44.00,” points on the plantar side of the foot “55.00,”
points on the medial and dorsal side of the foot “66.00,” points on the leg “77.00,” points on the
thigh “88.00,” points on the ear “99.00,” points on the head and face “1010.00,” points on the
back “DT.00,” and points on the chest “VT.00” (Wang & Vasilakis, 2013, p. 20).
Master Tung’s points have never been named using their own name by any of the Tung
lineage nor senior practitioners of Tung-style acupuncture. For example, Master Tung did not
name point FuKe (11.24) as “Tung’s Gynecology Point.” It is named “Female Gynecology”
because of the profound effects it has in treating gynecological issues. Points are named
according to their locations such as CeSanLi (77.22) which means “beside-sanli” in reference to
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it being lateral to Zusanli (ST-36). Some points are named according to their actions or after the
five elements such as ShuiJin (1010.20). ShuiJin’s (1010.20) name “implies the connection
between the Water (Kidney) and Metal (Lung). It strengthens both the Lung and Kidney,
promoting the descending function of the Lungs and the receiving function of the Kidney. This
has excellent outcomes for treating and regulating respiration. So it has very good effect in
regulating respiration” (Young, 2008a, p. 240).
Others are named after the Zang-Fu such as Dan (11.13) which means “Gallbladder.”
The indications for this two-point unit is for palpitations and morbid night crying of babies.
“With the extraordinary connection of the Heart and Gallbladder, it is also effective for infantile
night crying and fright due to deficiency of the Gallbladder. This point is located on the
Pericardium channel. Since the Pericardium has the connection with the Stomach, and
disharmony of the Stomach may disturb the sleep, and therefore the point can treat the above
disease. This is the same reason for the indications related to the Gallbladder” (Young, 2008a, p.
54).
Some are named after indications that they treat such as GanMen (33.11) which translates
to “Liver Gate.” This point is most effective for acute hepatitis. Some are named after the
location and action like ZhiShen (11.15) which translates to “Finger Kidney” as it is located on
the fourth metacarpal which is the San Jiao channel. The San Jiao connects to the Kidney so
therefore this point is indicated for treating dry mouth, Kidney deficiency and back pain. Some
are named according to number such as SanZhong (77.07) which is named “Third Weight” after
YiZhong (First Weight, 77.05) and ErZhong (Second Weight, 77.06). These points are frequently
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needled simultaneously to treat hyperthyroidism due to heart diseases or for lumps and cranial
tumors (Young, 2008a).
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Body Correspondence, Angle and Depth of Needle Insertion, and Needle Retention
Body correspondence that Master Tung employed corresponds to the following:
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• Skin to treat skin
• Muscle to treat muscle
• Tendon to treat tendon
• Vessel to treat vessel
• Bone to treat bone (Young, 2008a, pp. 15-16).
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This can be applied in theory to any acupuncture points, including those on the 14
channels to enhance therapeutic effects. Examples are: When a disease such as urticaria, which
has a component of Wind lodged in the skin, superficial shallow needling at XueHai (SP-10) can
be performed. If it is deeper lodged in the muscle, the same point can be needled to a depth that
reaches the muscle layer. Needling YangLingQuan (GB-34) close to the tendon or into the
tendon has a more profound effect on the sinews and tendons than needling in its common
location just slightly anterior and inferior to the head of the fibula. Another example is in the
case of whiplash where a patient cannot extend or flex the neck, needling both ZhengJin (77.01)
and ZhengZong (77.02) through the tendon has profound and immediate relief. TaiYuan (LU-9)
is proximal to the radial artery and is the “Influential Point of Vessels” which treats vascular
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