Small Intestine Meridian of Hand Taiyang and Its Main Acupoints
手太阳小肠经及其主要穴位
I. General distribution of Small Intestine Meridian
1. From hand to head.
2. Along the posterior lateral side of the upper limb and the scapular region. As there is close relation between the meridian and the shoulder area, it is also called “Shoulder Meridian” in the Classic of Moxibustion with Eleven Yin-Yang Meridians, one of the oldest texts concerned with the meridians.
3. Connects with the small intestine, heart, esophagus, stomach, ears, nose, and eyes.
4. Meets the Heart Meridian of Hand Shaoyin at the tip of the little finger, the Urinary Bladder Meridian of Foot Taiyang at the inner canthus, and the Du Meridian at DU14-Dazhui.
II. Main indications
1. Diseases and disorders along the external pathway of the Small Intestine Meridian, including pain of the wrist, upper hemiplegia, frozen shoulder, stiff neck.
2. Pain or discharge in the ears, and facial pain.
3. Lactation, malaria.
III. Main acupoints of Small Intestine Meridian
SI1 Shàozé 少泽 (Lesser Marsh)
Location: On the ulnar side of the distal phalanx of the little finger, 0.1 cun (finger cun) distance from the corner of the nail.
Classification: Jing-Well point of the Small Intestine Meridian
Indications:
1. Insufficient lactation
2. Febrile diseases, apoplexy, loss of consciousness
3. Sore throat, conjunctivitis, headache
Functions:Resuscitates, promotes lactation, opens orifices, clears Heat.
Notes: SI 1 is an empirical point for insufficient lactation. 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 0.1cun or prick to bleed.
SI3 Hòuxī 后溪 (Back Stream)
Location: When a loose fist is made, the point is on the ulnar aspect of the hand, proximal to the 5th metacarpophalangeal joint, at the end of the transverse crease of the metacarpophalangeal joint, at the junction of the red and white skin.
Classification: Shu-Stream point of the Small Intestine Meridian
Master Point of the Du Meridian (couple with UB 62)
Master Point of the Du Meridian (couple with UB 62)
Indications:
1. Pain and rigidity of the head and neck, malaria, pain in the lumbar and sacrum, acute spasm in the finger, elbow and arm
2. Acute lumbar sprain
3. Manic psychosis, epilepsy
4. Deafness, eye congestion
Functions:Benefits the neck and back, activates the meridian, expels exterior Wind, regulates the Du meridian, calms the Shen, treats malaria.
Notes: SI 3 is an excellent point for neck and back issues when coupled with UB 62. 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 - 1.0 cun.
SI4 Wàngu 腕骨 (Wrist Bone)
Location: On the ulnar aspect of the palm, in the depression between the 5th metacarpal bone and hamate bone, at the junction of the red and white skin.
Classification: Yuan-Source point of the Small Intestine Meridian
Indications:
- Jaundice, diabetes
- Pain in the lumbar and leg, contracture of the fingers, pain in the wrist, weakness to hold things in the hand
- Pain and rigidity of the head and neck, tinnitus, conjunctivitis
Functions:Activates and clears the meridian, resolves Damp-Heat.
Notes: 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.
Needling:Perpendicular insertion 0.3 - 0.5 cun.
SI5 Yanggŭ 阳谷 (Yang Valley)
Location: On the ulnar aspect of the wrist, in the depression between the styloid process of the ulna and the triquetral bone.
Classification: Jing-River point of the Small Intestine Meridian
Indications:
1. Jaundice
2. Neck pain, pain of the hand and wrist
3. Febrile diseases
Functions:Clears Heat, clears the meridian, reduces swelling.
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.
SI6 Yănglăo 养老 (Nourishing the Aged)
Location: On the dorsal ulnar aspect of the forearm, in the depression on the radial side of the styloid process of the ulna.
Classification: Xi-Cleft point of the Small Intestine Meridian
Indications:
1. Blurring of the vision, tinnitus
2. Aching of the shoulder, back, elbow and arm, acute lumbar pain
Functions:Activates the meridian, benefits the eyes, benefits the shoulder and arm, alleviates pain.
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-Fun organ. Also, Xi-Cleft points of the Yin meridians have hemostatic functions.
Needling:Oblique insertion towards the elbow 0.5 - 0.8 cun.
SI7 Zhīzhèng 支正 (Branch of the Upright)
Location: On the dorsal ulnar aspect of the forearm, 5 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist, on the line connecting SI5 and SI8.
Classification: Luo-Connecting point of the Small Intestine Meridian
Indications:
1. Weakness of the joints, aching and dysfunction of the elbow
2. Warts
Functions:Activates the meridian, frees obstructions, calms the Shen, clears Heat, alleviates pain.
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 or oblique insertion 0.5 - 0.8 cun.
SI8 Xiăohăi 小海 (Small Sea)
Location: On the medial aspect of the elbow, in the depression between the olecranon of the ulna and the medial epicondyle of the humerus.
Classification: He-Sea point of the Small Intestine Meridian
Indications:
1. Pain in the elbow and arm
2. Epilepsy
Functions:Activates the meridian, alleviates pain, clears Heat and Damp-Heat.
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.
SI9 Jiānzhēn 肩贞 (True Shoulder)
Location: Posterior and inferior to the shoulder joint, when the arm is adducted, the point is 1 cun (finger inch) above the posterior end of the axillary fossa.
Indications:
1. Pain in the shoulder and arm
2. Scrofula, tinnitus
Functions:Activates the meridian, alleviates pain, benefits the shoulder.
Needling:Perpendicular insertion 1.0 - 1.5 cun.
SI9 Nàoshū 臑俞(Upper Arm Shu)
Location: On the shoulder, directly above the posterior end of the axillary fossa, in the depression inferior to the scapular spine.
Classification: Crossing point of the Small Intestine and Urinary Bladder Meridians, and the Yang Wei and Yang Qiao Vessels
Indications:
1. Pain in the shoulder and arm
2. Scrofula
Functions:Activates the meridian, alleviates pain, benefits the shoulder.
Needling:Perpendicular insertion 0.5 - 1.5 cun.
SI11 Tiānzōng 天宗 (Celestial Gathering)
Location: In the region of the scapula, in the depression in the center of the subscapular fossa, level with the 4th thoracic vertebra.
Indications:
1. Pain in the shoulder and arm
2. Asthma
3. Acute mastitis, lumps in breasts
4. Gallstone, cholecystitis
Functions:Activates the meridian, alleviates pain, benefits the breast, frees the chest, moves Qi.
Needling:Perpendicular or oblique insertion 0.5 - 1.0 cun.
SI18 Quánliáo颧髎(Cheek Bone Crevice)
Location: On the face, directly below the outer canthus of the eye, in the depression on the lower border of zygomatic bone.
Classification: Crossing point of the Small Intestine and San Jiao Meridians
Indications:
1. Wry face, twitching of eyelids, facial paralysis
2. Toothache, swelling of the cheek
Functions:Expels Wind, alleviates pain.
Needling:Perpendicular insertion 0.3 - 0.5 cun; oblique or subcutaneous insertion 0.5 - 1.0 cun. No moxa.
SI19 Tīnggōng 听宫 (Hearing Palace)
Location: On the region of the face, anterior to the tragus and posterior to the condyloid process of the mandible, in the depression formed when the mouth is open.
Classification: Crossing point of the Small Intestine, San Jiao and Gall Bladder Meridians
Indications:
1. Tinnitus, deafness, otorrhea
2. Toothache, dysfunction of the maxillary joint
Functions:Benefits the ears - Great point for any kind of ear problem.
Needling:Perpendicular insertion 0.5 - 1.0 cun with the mouth open.
