The thesis of this work is simple: no acupuncturist in the world uses more than 50 to 70 points. This is no accident. Of the 365 existing points, some are more reliable than others.

Philippe Sionneau has selected the 70 "essential points" and the 85 "small points with great effects" that form the very essence of clinical practice. Never has a book presented such an in-depth study of the applications and the subtle workings of acupuncture points.

A true concentrate of pragmatic and concrete data, this treatise examines the points from various angles:

Their very precise location: an illustration and a clear description for each point. Their spirit: a penetrating synthesis on the mechanism of the points, on the deeper meaning of their actions, movements and dynamics.

Concrete therapeutic protocols: an unprecedented development of the major clinical applications of the points. Study of numerous diseases according to Chinese nosology — Shan Qi, strangury-Lin Zheng, atrophy syndrome-Wei Zeng, chest Bi-Xiong Bi, Shao Yang syndrome, exhaustion-Xu Lao, etc. — or Western: hepatitis, shingles, loss of libido, azoospermia, hypertension, breast cyst, glaucoma, strabismus, carpal tunnel syndrome, asthma, etc.

The art of combining them: an in-depth exploration of the most famous traditional associations, along with the presentation of more than 1,000 effective point combinations. The art of differentiating them: a didactic presentation of the differences between closely related points, for better selection and therefore better application.

Their clinical particularities: a body of information that reflects the know-how and the "know-how-to-prescribe" of the finest specialists, along with the clinical subtleties for a better use of the points.

The single-point method: "one disease: one point", a method that uses a single effective point to treat a specific disorder. The acupuncture / pharmacopoeia equivalence: the vast majority of point combinations are accompanied by their equivalent in Chinese pharmacopoeia.