Acupoints of Sanjiao Meridian of Hand Shaoyang
手少阳三焦经及其主要穴位
I. General distribution of San Jiao Meridian
1. From the hand to the head.
2. Along the middle on the lateral side of the upper limb.
3. Connects with the san jiao, pericardium, ears, and eyes. As the Meridian is closed related to the ears, it is also called “Ear Meridian” in the Classic of Moxibustion with Eleven Yin-Yang Meridians, one of the oldest texts concerned with the meridians.
4. Meets the Pericardium Meridian of Hand Jueyin at the ulnar side of the tip of the ring finger and the Gallbladder Meridian of Foot Shaoyang at the outer canthus.
II. Main indications
1. Disorders along the external course of the Meridian.
2. Diseases of the ears, including tinnitus, deafness, pain and discharge in the ears.
III. Main acupoints of San Jiao Meridian
SJ1 Guānchōng 关冲 (Passage Hub)
Location: On the ulnar side of the distal phalanx of the ring finger, 0.1 cun distance from the nail.
Classification: Jing-Well point of the San Jiao Meridian
Indications:
1. Febrile disease, loss of consciousness
2. Tinnitus, deafness
3. Sore throat
4. Headache, redness of the eye
Functions: Clears Heat, dispels Wind, benefits the throat, eyes and ears, resuscitates.
Notes: 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: Superficial insertion 0.1 cun, or prick to cause bleeding.
SJ2 Yèmén 液门 (Fluid Gate)
Location: On the dorsum of the hand, proximal to the margin of the web between the 4th and 5th fingers, at the junction of the red and white skin.
Classification: Ying-Spring point of the San Jiao Meridian
Indications:
1. Malaria
2. Sore throat, fever
3. Headache, redness of the eye, deafness
Functions: Clears Heat, dispels Wind, benefits the ears, activates the meridian.
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 0.3 - 0.5 cun.
SJ3 Zhōngzhǔ 中渚 (Central Islet)
Location: On the dorsum of the hand, in the depression between the 4th and 5th metacarpal bones, proximal to the 4th metacarpophalangeal joint.
Classification: Shu-Stream point of the San Jiao Meridian
Indications:
1. Headache, redness of the eye
2. Tinnitus, deafness, otitis media
3. Sore throat
4. Pain in the scapular region, pain of the leg, fingers unable to extend
Functions: Clears Heat, dispels Wind, benefits the ears, eyes and head, activates the meridian, alleviates pain.
Notes: Shu-Stream points are where the qi starts to pour down the meridian. They are known to alleviate heaviness and pain in the joints.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 0.3 - 0.5 cun.
SJ4 Yángchí 阳池 (Yang Pool)
Location: On the transverse crease of the dorsum of the wrist, in the depression on the ulnar side of the tendon of m. extensor digitorum communis.
Classification: Yuan-Source point of the San Jiao Meridian
Indications:
- Diabetes
- Malaria
- Pain in the wrist
- Deafness, tinnitus
Functions: Clears Heat, activates the meridian, relaxes the sinews, alleviates pain.
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.
SJ5 Wàiguān 外关 (Outer Pass)
Location: On the dorsal aspect of the forearm, on the line connecting SJ 4 and the tip of the elbow, 2 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist between the ulna and radius.
Classification: Luo-Connecting point of the San Jiao Meridian
Master Point of the Yang Wei Vessel (couple with GB 41)
Master Point of the Yang Wei Vessel (couple with GB 41)
Indications:
1. Febrile disease, headache, redness, swelling and pain of the eye
2. Tinnitus, deafness
3. Pain in the hypochondrium, spasm and pain of the upper extremities
Functions: Dispels Wind-Heat, releases the exterior, benefits the ears, activates the meridian, alleviates pain.
Notes: SJ 5 is a very important point to use for releasing exterior Wind-Heat. 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 0.5 - 1.0 cun.
SJ6 Zhīgōu 支沟 (Branching Ditch)
Location: On the dorsal aspect of the forearm, on the line connecting SJ 4 and the tip of the elbow, 3 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist between the ulna and radius.
Classification: Jing-River point of the San Jiao Meridian
Indications:
1. Constipation
2. Pain in the hypochondrium
3. Deafness, tinnitus
Functions: Regulates Qi, moves the bowels, clears Heat, activates the meridian.
Notes: SJ 6 is an important point to use for treating constipation. 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 0.8 - 1.2 cun.
SJ10 Tiānjǐng 天井 (Heavenly Well)
Location: On the lateral aspect of the arm, when the elbow is flexed, the point is in the depression 1 cun directly above the tip of the elbow.
Classification: He-Sea Point of the San Jiao Meridian
Indications:
1. Migraine
2. Deafness, tinnitus
3. Scrofula
4. Epilepsy
Functions: Resolves Dampness and Phlegm, dispels nodules, activates the meridian, 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.
SJ14 Jiānliáo肩髎(Shoulder Crevice)
Location: On the region of the shoulder, when the arm is abducted, the point is posterior to LI 15, in the depression posterior and inferior to the acromion.
Indications:
1. Pain and limitation of the shoulder and arm
Functions: Activates the meridian, alleviates pain, benefits the shoulder, dispels Wind-Damp.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion toward the shoulder joint 1.0 - 1.5 cun.
SJ17 Yìfēng 翳风 (Wind Screen)
Location: Posterior to the lobule of the ear, in the depression between the angle of the mandible and the mastoid process.
Classification: Crossing point of the San Jiao and Gall Bladder Meridians
Indications:
1. Tinnitus, deafness, otitis media
2. Wry face, swelling of the cheek
3. Toothache
4. Scrofula
Functions: Dispels Wind, benefits the head/face and ears, clears Heat, activates the meridian, alleviates pain.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 0.8 - 1.2 cun.
SJ20 Jiăosūn 角孙 (Minute Angle)
Location: On the head, at the junction of the upper and middle third of the curve connecting SJ 20 and SJ 17 posterior to the helix.
Classification: Crossing point of the San Jiao, the Gall Bladder, and the Large Intestine Meridians
Indications:
1. Mumps
2. Nebula
3. Toothache
4. Neck rigidity
Functions: Benefits the ears and head, clears Heat, alleviates pain.
Needling: Subcutaneous insertion 0.3 - 0.5 cun.
SJ21 Ĕrmén 耳门 (Ear Gate)
Location: On the face, in the depression anterior to the supra-tragus notch and on the posterior border of the condyloid process of the mandible.
Indications:
1. Tinnitus, deafness, otitis media
2. Toothache
Functions: Benefits the ears, clears Heat, alleviates pain.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 0.5 - 1.0 cun with the mouth open.
