Kidney Meridian of Foot Shaoyin and Its Main Acupoints
足少阴肾经及其主要穴位
I. General distribution of Urinary Bladder Meridian
1. From the foot to the chest.
2. Along the posterior medial side of the lower limb and the lumbosacral region.
3. Connects with the kidney, urinary bladder, lung, liver, heart, throat, and tongue.
4. Meets the Urinary Bladder Meridian of Foot Taiyang at the outside of the tip of the small toe and the Pericardium Meridian of Hand Jueyin in the chest, and cross the Spleen Meridian of Foot Taiyin three cun above the tip of the inner ankle bone.
II. Main indications
1. Urogenital disorders, including nocturnal enuresis, incontinence of urine, seminal emission, impotence, and infertility.
2. Diseases of the digestive and respiratory systems, such as cough, asthma, diarrhoea
3. Throat problems, such as chronic pharyngitis and globus hystericus.
III. Main acupoints of Kidney Meridian
KI1 Yŏngquán 涌泉 (Gushing Spring)
Location: On the sole, in the depression when the foot is in plantar flexion, approximately at the anterior third and the posterior two thirds of the line from the web between the 2nd and 3rd toes to the back of the heel.
Classification: Jing-Well point of the Kidney Meridian
Indications:
1. Loss of consciousness, infantile convulsion, manic psychosis
2. Headache, pain of the neck, dizziness
3. Nausea, vomiting
4. Swelling of the pharynx, dryness of the tongue, dysuria, constipation
5. Hot sensation in the sole
Functions: Descends excess above, resuscitates, clears heat, calms the Shen, tonifies Yin, clears Empty-Heat.
Notes: KI 1 is an excellent point to subdue excess Liver Yang, Wind and/or Fire. 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: Perpendicular insertion 0.5 - 1.0 cun. Or use herbal application.
KI2 Rángŭ 然谷 (Blazing Valley)
Location: On the medial aspect of the foot, below the tuberosity of the navicular bone, at the junction of the red and white skin.
Classification: Ying-Spring point of the Kidney Meridian
Indications:
1. Prolapse of uterus, pruritus vulvae, irregular menstruation, bloody leukorrhea
2. Dysuria, retention of urine
3. Spermatorrhea, swelling and pain of the dorsum of the foot
Functions: Clears deficiency Heat, regulates the Lower Jiao.
Notes: Ying-Spring points are where the qi dribbles down the meridian. Ying-Spring points are indicated for heat in the body and changes in the complexion. Ying-Spring points are known to clear heat from the meridian.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 0.5 - 1.0 cun.
KI3 Tàixī 太溪 (Great Stream)
Location: On the medial aspect of the foot, posterior to the medial malleolus, in the depression between the tip of the medial malleolus and tendo calcaneus.
Classification: Yuan-Source point of the Kidney Meridian
Shu-Stream point of the Kidney Meridian
Shu-Stream point of the Kidney Meridian
Indications:
1. Impotence, spermatorrhea, frequent need to urination
2. Deafness, tinnitus, dizziness
3. Dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, infertility, sterility
4. Lumbar pain
5. Headache, dizziness, blurring of vision, toothache, swelling of pharynx
6. Cough, asthma, diabetes, chronic diarrhea
7. Insomnia
Functions: Tonifies the Kidneys (Yin and Yang), strengthens the low back, relieves heel/ankle pain.
Notes: KI 3 is important to use for any Kidney deficiency pattern. 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 - 1.0 cun.
KI4 Dàzhōng 大钟 (Great Convergence)
Location: On the medial aspect of the foot, posterior and inferior to the medial malleolus, in the depression anterior to the medial side of the attachment of tendo calcaneus.
Classification: Luo-Connecting point of the Kidney Meridian
Indications:
1. Retention of urine, enuresis, constipation
2. Hemoptysis, asthma
3. Dementia
4. Pain in the heel
Functions: Benefits the Kidneys, local point for heel/ankle pain, strengthens the will.
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 0.3 - 0.5 cun.
KI5 Shuĭquán 水泉 (Water Spring)
Location: On the medial aspect of the foot, posterior and inferior to the medial malleolus, 1 cun directly below KI 3, in the depression of the medial side of the tuberosity of the calcaneum.
Classification: Xi-Cleft point of the Kidney Meridian
Indications:
1. Irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, prolapse of uterus
2. Dysuria
Functions: Regulates menstruation, benefits urination.
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 0.3 - 0.5 cun.
KI6 Zhàohăi 照海 (Shining Sea)
Location: On the medial aspect of the foot, in the depression below the tip of the medial malleolus.
Classification: Master Point of the Yin Qiao Vessel (couple with LU 7)
Indications:
1. Dryness and soreness of throat, constipation, retention of urine
2. Irregular menstruation, bloody leukorrhea, prolapse of uterus, pruritus vulvae
3. Epilepsy, insomnia
4. Eye disorders
Functions: Nourishes the Kidneys, clears deficiency-Heat, regulates the Yin Qiao vessel, benefits the throat, benefits the eyes, calms the Shen.
Notes: KID 6 is one of the best points to nourish Kidney Yin.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 0.3 - 0.5 cun.
KI7 Fùlīu 复溜 (Returning Flow)
Location: On the medial aspect of the lower leg, 2 cun directly above KI 3, anterior to tendo calcaneus.
Classification: Jing-River point of the Kidney Meridian
Indications:
1. Edema, abdominal distention, diarrhea
2. Febrile disease without sweat or ceaselessly sweating, night sweating
3. Weakness, numbness and pain of the lower extremities
Functions: Strengthens the Kidneys, resolves Dampness, regulates sweating, treats edema, strengthens the low back.
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 0.6 - 1.0 cun.
KI9 Zhùbīn 筑宾 (Guest Building)
Location: On the medial aspect of the lower leg, 5 cun directly above KI 3, on the line connecting KI 3 and KI 10, at the medial and inferior end of the belly of m. gastrocnemius.
Classification: Xi-Cleft point of the Yin Wei Vessel
Indications:
1. Cardiac pain, insomnia, manic psychosis
2. Hernia
3. Pain of the lower leg
Functions: Calms the Shen, clears the Heart, alleviates pain.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 1.0 - 1.5 cun.
KI10 Yīngŭ 阴谷 (Yin Valley)
Location: When the knee is flexed, the point is on the medial side of the popliteal fossa, between the tendons of m. semitendinosus and semimembranosus.
Classification: He-Sea point of the Kidney Meridian
Indications:
1. Impotence, hernia, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis
2. Dysuria
3. Pain in the knee and popliteal fossa
Functions: Resolves Dampness and Damp-Heat from Lower Jiao, benefits the Kidneys, 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 1.0 - 1.5 cun.
KI16 Huāngshū 肓俞 (Vitals Shu)
Location: On the middle of the abdomen, 0.5 cun lateral to the center of the umbilicus.
Classification: Crossing point of the KID Meridian and the Chong Vessel
Indications:
1. Abdominal pain and distention, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea
Functions: Regulates Qi, removes meridian obstructions, regulates the intestines.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 1.0 - 1.5 cun.
KI23 Shénfēng 神封 (Spirit Seal)
Location: On the chest, in the 4th intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Indications:
- Cough, asthma, distention and fullness of the chest and hypochondrium
- Nodules in the breast
Functions: Opens the chest, descends rebellious Lung and Stomach Qi, stops cough, benefits the breasts.
Needling: Oblique or subcutaneous insertion 0.5 - 0.8 cun. These points on the chest should not be inserted deeply to avoid injuring the heart and lungs.
