Spleen Meridian of Foot Taiyin and Its Main Acupoints
足太阴脾经及其主要穴位
I. General distribution of Spleen Meridian
1. From the foot to the chest.
2. Along the anterior medial side of the lower limb.
3. Connects with the spleen, stomach, heart, oesophagus, throat, and root of the tongue.
4. Meets the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming at the medial side of the tip of the big toe, the Heart Meridian of Hand Shaoyin at the heart, and the Liver Meridian of Foot Jueyin three cun above the inner malleolus.
II. Main Indications
1. Dysfunction of the Spleen and Stomach
2. Gynecological diseases
3. Skin problems
4. Disorders along its external course.
III. Main Acupoints of Spleen Meridian
SP1 Yĭnbái 隐白 (Hidden White)
Location: On the medial side of the big toe, 0.1 cun from the corner of the nail.
Classification: Jing-Well point of the Spleen Meridian.
Indications:
1. Menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, bloody stools, hematuria
2. Abdominal distention
3. Manic psychosis, nightmares, convulsions
Functions:Stops bleeding, regulates the Spleen, calms the shen, revives consciousness.
Notes: Using moxa on SP 1 can stop bleeding anywhere in the body, especially uterine bleeding. Jing-Well points are where the qi bubbles up. Jing-Well points are indicated to revive consciousness. Jing-Well points are known to treat fullness below the Heart and clear Heat.
Needling:Subcutaneous insertion 0.1 cun. Or prick to cause bleeding.
SP3 Tàibái 太白 (Supreme White)
Location: On the medial aspect of the foot, in the depression posterior and inferior to the proximal metatarsodigital joint of the big toe, at the junction of the red and white skin.
Classification: Yuan-Source point of the Spleen Meridian.
Shu-Stream point of the Spleen Meridian.
Shu-Stream point of the Spleen Meridian.
Indications:
1. Gastric pain, abdominal distention and pain, diarrhea, dysentery
2. Lassitude and heaviness of the extremities, overweight (for dampness in all three jiaos)
3. Epigastric pain
Functions:Strengthens the Spleen, harmonizes and regulates the Spleen and Stomach, resolves dampness, clears Damp-Heat.
Notes: SP 3 is one of the major tonifying points of the body and is very commonly used. 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 0.5 - 0.8 cun.
SP4 Gōngsūn 公孙 (Grandfather Grandson)
Location: On the medial aspect of the foot, in the depression distal and inferior to the base of the first metatarsal bone.
Classification: Luo-Connecting point of the Spleen Meridian.
Master point of the Chong Mai Vessel (couple with PC 6).
Master point of the Chong Mai Vessel (couple with PC 6).
Indications:
1. Acute gastric pain, gastric distention and stuffiness, poor appetite, pain around the umbilical region, diarrhea, bloody stools
2. Epigastric pain, chest congestion, distention in the hypochondrium
3. Master point of Chong Mai (pair with PC 6): irregular menstruation, retention of placenta, postpartum faintness, shen issues
Functions:Strengthens the Spleen, harmonizes the middle jiao, resolves dampness, regulates the Chong Mai, regulates menstruation.
Notes: 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 0.6 - 1.0 cun.
SP6 Sanyinjiāo 三阴交 (Three Yin Intersection)
Location: On the medial aspect of the lower leg, 3 cun above the medial malleolus, on the posterior border of the medial aspect of the tibia.
Classification: Crossing point of the Spleen, Kidney and Liver Meridians.
Indications:
1. Irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, metrorrhagia, leukorrhea, amenorrhea, mass and gathering in the abdomen, prolapse of uterus, dystocia, postpartum faintness, persistent lochia, infertility, nocturnal emission, spermatorrhea, impotence, premature ejaculation, pain in the penis, hernia, testicular atrophy
2. Enuresis, anuria, edema, dysuria
3. Spleen and Stomach deficiency, borborygmus, abdominal distention, diarrhea, paralysis of the foot, beriberi, muscular pain
4. Diseases of the skin, urticaria
5. Insomnia, headache, dizziness, bilateral hypochondriac pain
Functions:Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach, resolves dampness, harmonizes the Liver, strengthens the Kidneys, nourishes Blood and Yin, regulates menstruation, cools and invigorates the Blood, benefits urination, calms the Shen.
Notes: SP 6 is one of the most commonly used points and one of the most versatile. Because the point crosses the Spleen, Kidney and Liver meridians, it can treat many conditions associated with all three organs. It's an important point in the treatment of any digestive, gynecological and emotional condition.
Needling:Perpendicular insertion 1.0 - 1.5 cun. Do not needle during pregnancy.
SP8 Dijī 地机 (Earth Pivot)
Location: On the medial aspect of the lower leg, 3 cun below SP 9, on the line connecting the tip of the medial malleolus and SP 9.
Classification: Xi-Cleft point of the Spleen Meridian.
Indications:
1. Abdominal pain, diarrhea
2. Dysuria, edema
3. Irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, spermatorrhea, impotence, lumbar pain
Functions:Harmonizes the Spleen, regulates menstruation and the uterus, moves Blood, regulates Qi.
Notes: A Xi-Cleftpoint 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 1.0 - 1.5 cun.
SP9 Yīnlingquán 阴陵泉 (Yin Mound Spring)
Location: On the medial aspect of the lower leg, in the depression of the lower border of the medial condyle of the tibia.
Classification: He-Sea point of the Spleen Meridian
Indications:
1. Edema
2. Dysuria, incontinence of urine
3. Abdominal distention, diarrhea, jaundice
4. Pain in the medial aspect of the knee
5. Pain in the penis, dysmenorrhea, pain in the vulva
Functions:Resolves Dampness (especially of the Lower Jiao), regulates the Spleen, frees the water passages and urination.
Notes: SP 9 is the point for resolving dampness (Cold-Damp of Damp-Heat) in the lower jiao.
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 1.0 - 1.5 cun.
SP10 Xuèhăi 血海 (Sea of Blood)
Location: When the knee is flexed, on the medial aspect of the thigh, the point is 2 cun above the mediosuperior border of the patella, on the bulge of the medial portion of m. quadriceps femoris.
Indications:
1. Irregular menstruation, metrorrhagia
2. Urticaria, eczema, erysipelas
Functions:Invigorates and moves the Blood, cools the Blood, benefits the skin, regulates menstruation.
Notes: As the name implies, SP 10 is the point for treating disorders relating to the Blood (Blood stasis, Heat in the Blood).
Needling:Perpendicular insertion 1.0 - 1.5 cun.
SP15 Dàhéng 大横 (Great Horizontal)
Location: On the middle of the abdomen, 4 cun lateral to the center of the body.
Classification: Crossing point of the Spleen Meridian and the Yin Wei Vessel
Indications:
1. Diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain
Functions:Regulates the intestines, regulates Qi, tonifies the Spleen.
Needling:Perpendicular insertion 1.0 - 1.2 cun.
SP21 Dàbāo 大包 (Great Embracement)
Location: On the lateral aspect of the chest, on the mid-axillary line, in the 6th intercostal space.
Classification: Major Luo-Connecting point of the Spleen Meridian
Indications:
1. General aching and weakness of the limbs
2. Asthma, pain in the chest and hypochondrium
Functions:Moves Blood, regulates Qi, benefits the sinews and joints.
Needling:Oblique or subcutaneous insertion toward the posterior direction 0.5 - 0.8 cun. Do not puncture point deeply.
