手少阴心经及其主要穴位
I. General distribution of the Heart
1. From the chest to the hand.
2. Along the posterior medial side of the upper limb.
3. Connects with the heart, small intestine, lung, throat, and eyes.
4. Meets the Spleen Meridian of Foot Taiyin at the Heart and the Small Intestine Meridian of Hand Taiyang at the radial side of the tip of the little finger.
II. Main Indications
1. Diseases of the Heart in terms of modern medicine, including cardiac pain, palpitation.
2. Mental problems, such as insomnia, manic or depressive mental disorders, hysteria.
3. Problems along the external course of the Heart Meridian.
III. Main Acupoints of Heart Meridian
HT1 Jíquán 极泉 (Supreme Spring)
Location: At the apex of the axillary fossa, where the axillary artery pulsates.
Indications:
1. Chest congestion, shortness of breath, sad, anxious
2. Apoplexy, hemiplegia, pain in the shoulder and arm, distention and pain in the chest and hypochondrium
Functions: Frees the chest, activates the meridian, benefits the arm.
Needling: Perpendicular or oblique insertion 0.3 - 0.5 cun. Keep away from the axillary artery.
HT3 Shàohăi 少海 (Lesser Sea)
Location: When the elbow is flexed, the point is at the midpoint of the line connecting the medial end of the transverse cubital crease and the medial epicondyle of the humerus.
Classification: He-Sea point of the Heart Meridian
Indications:
1. Cardiac pain, spasmodic pain and numbness of the elbow and arm, hand tremor
2. Scrofula, pain in the axillary and hypochondrium, eye redness, toothache
Functions: Calms the Shen, activates the meridian, transforms Phlegm, clears Heat, benefits the arm, alleviates pain.
Notes: He-Sea points are where the qi of the meridian collects and goes deep into the body. He-sea points are known to indicated treat rebellious qi and diarrhea.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 0.5 - 1.0 cun.
HT4 Língdào 灵道 (Spirit Path)
Location: On the palmar aspect of the forearm, the point is on the radial side of the tendon m. flexor carpi ulnaris, 1.5 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist.
Classification: Jing-River point of the Heart Meridian
Indications:
1. Cardiac pain, sudden loss of voice
Functions: Calms the Shen, benefits the voice, benefits the muscles and sinews.
Notes: Jing-River points are where the qi of the meridian begins to flow more heavily. They are known to treat cough and asthma due to pathogenic cold or heat.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 0.3 - 0.5 cun.
HT5 Tōnglĭ 通里 (Connecting Interior)
Location: On the palmar aspect of the forearm, the point is on the radial side of the tendon m. flexor carpi ulnaris, 1.0 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist.
Classification: Luo-Connecting point of the Heart Meridian
Indications:
1. Sudden loss of voice, stiffness of the tongue
2. Palpitation
3. Pain in the wrist and arm
Functions: Calms the Shen, benefits the tongue, regulates heartbeat.
Notes: HT 5 is a very good point to tonify Heart Qi. Luo-Connecting points of one meridian can communicate with two meridians. They treat diseases of the collaterals and can be used to treat chronic diseases, especially chronic diseases of the Zang-Fu organs. Clinically, Luo-Connecting points are often combined with Yuan-Source points in the treatment of diseases.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 0.3 - 0.5 cun.
HT6 Yīnxì 阴郄 (Yin Cleft)
Location: On the palmar aspect of the forearm, the point is on the radial side of the tendon m. flexor carpi ulnaris, 0.5 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist.
Classification: Xi-Cleft point of the Heart Meridian
Indications:
1. Cardiac pain, palpitation due to fright
2. Hectic fever and night sweat
3. Hemoptysis, epistaxis, sudden loss of voice
Functions: Calms the mind, clears deficiency Heat, nourishes Heart Yin, stops night sweating.
Notes: HT 6 is a very good point for Steaming Bone disorders and night sweating. A Xi-Cleft point is the site where the Qi of the meridian is deeply converged. Qi and blood are stored deeply at these particular points. If there appear abnormal reactions at X-Cleft points, it shows that the pathogens have entered the deeper parts of Zang-Fu organs. Thus, they are used for acute, painful symptoms, inflammation, protracted diseases of its pertaining meridian and Zang-Fu organ. Also, Xi-Cleft points of the Yin meridians have hemostatic functions.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 0.3 - 0.5 cun.
HT7 Shénmén 神门 (Spirit Gate)
Location: On the wrist, at the ulnar end of the transverse crease of the writs, in the depression on the radial side of the tendon m. flexor carpi ulnaris.
Classification: Yuan-Source point of the Heart
Shu-Stream point of the Heart Meridian
Indications:
1. Insomnia, depression, anxiety, mania
2. Cardiac pain, palpitations due to fright, irritability, chest pain
Functions: Calms the Shen, tonifies and regulates the Heart Blood and Qi.
Notes: HT 7 is the point for emotional issues, especially excessive anxiety and worry. Clinically, Yuan-Source points are of great significance in treating diseases of the internal organs. Yuan-Source points are the sites where the Yuan (Primary) qi of the Zang-Fu organs passes and stays. Puncturing the Yuan-Source points stimulates the vital energy of the regular meridians, regulates the functional activities of the internal organs, reinforces antipathogenic factors and eliminates pathogenic factors. This method of treating diseases deals principally with the root causes. The Yuan (source) point from the affected meridian is often combined with the Luo (Connecting) point of the internally-externally related meridians in use. Shu-Stream points are where the qi starts to pour down the meridian. They are known to alleviate heaviness and pain in the joints. On Yin Meridians, Shu-Stream points are identical to the actions of Yuan-Source points.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 0.3 - 0.5 cun.
Location: On the palm, between the 4th and 5th metacarpal bones. When a fist is made, the point is where the tip of the little finger touches.
Classification: Ying-Spring point of the Heart Meridian
Indications:
1. Pruritus and pain of the external genitalia
2. Spasmodic pain of the little finger
3. Palpitation, chest pain
Functions: Calm
