San Jiao Meridian of Hand Shaoyang

 Jing-Luo System

 Traveling course of the regular meridian

It starts from the ulnar side of the tip of the ring finger at TE 1 Guanchong , runs up between the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones and the radius and ulna, passes through the olecranon and the lateral aspect of the upper arm, reaches the shoulder region, enters the supraclavicular fossa, descends to the chest, connects with the pericardium, and homes to the upper, middle, and lower Jiao from the chest to the abdomen.

The branch from the chest ascends to the supraclavicular fossa and the neck, runs along the posterior border of the ear to the corner of the anterior hairline, turns down to the cheek, and reaches the infraorbital region.

The branch from the retroauricular region passes the ear, emerges in front of the ear, goes up across the chest branch, ends at the outer canthus, and connects with the Gall Bladder Meridian.

Traveling course of the divergent meridian

It diverges from the regular San Jiao Meridian on the vertex, descends to enter the supraclavicular fossa and connects with the san Jiao, and disperses in the chest.

Traveling course of the collateral

It separates from the regular San Jiao Meridian at TE 5 Waiguan , 2 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist, travels up along the lateral aspect of the arm, enters the chest, and joins the Pericardium Meridian.

The muscle region

It starts on the ulnar side of the ring finger and knots at the wrist. It travels upward along the arm and knots at the elbow. It then ascends across the lateral aspect of the upper arm and the shoulder, and reaches the neck to join the muscle region of the Small Intestine Meridian. A branch separates at the mandible and enters the root of the tongue. Another branch splits from the mandible and ascends in front of the ear to the outer canthus, crosses the temple, and binds at the corner of the forehead.

The cutaneous regions

Point System

There are 23 points on the San Jiao Meridian, among which the points underlined are commonly used. The range of treatment of the San Jiao points include diseases of the sides of the head, ears, eyes, throat, chest, and hypochondrium and triple warmers; and febrile diseases and other illnesses along the traveling course of the meridian. Examples are migraine, deafness, tinnitus, eye pain and redness, sore throat, abdominal pain and distension, edema, enuresis, dysuria, pain behind the ears, pain on the lateral side of the arms.

TE 1 Guanchong 

Name: Passage Surging. The Shaoyang Meridian runs between the Taiyang and Yangming as through a passage; as a Jing-Well point, Qi begins to surge here for its further flow.

Special Group: Jing-Well Point of the San Jiao Meridian.

 

Location: On the ulnar side of the ring finger, at the dorsal aspect of the finger, about 0.1 cun posterior to the corner of the nail ().

Actions: Dispels wind, clears heat and fire, resuscitates, and benefits the throat and tongue.

Indications: Headache, redness of the eyes, poor hearing, sore throat, febrile diseases, malaria, stiffness of the tongue, vexation, unconsciousness.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.1 cun or prick to induce bleeding.

TE 2 Yemen 

Name: Fluid Gate. It is a water point that generates fluid.

Special Group: Ying-Spring Point (water) of the San Jiao Meridian.

Location: In the depression proximal to the margin of the web between the ring and little fingers when a loose fist is made.

Actions: Clears heat, unblocks the meridian, and relieves pain and swelling.

Indications: Headache, redness of the eyes, poor hearing, sore throat, malaria.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.2–0.3 cun.

TE 3 Zhongzhu 

Name: Central Islet. The point is situated between the metacarpal bones like a central islet.

Special Group: Shu-Stream Point (metal) of the San Jiao Meridian.

Location: On the dorsum of the hand, between the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones, in the depression proximal to the fourth metacarpophalangeal joint. To locate the point, make a loose fist ().

Actions: Clears heat and fire, clears the head and eyes, sharpens hearing, and unblocks the meridian.

Indications: Headache, redness of the eyes, tinnitus, poor hearing, sore throat, febrile diseases, difficult movement of the fingers.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3–0.5 cun.

TE 4 Yangchi 

Name: Yang Pool. The point is on a Yang meridian and its location is in a depression resembling a pool into which the vital-Qi diffuses.

Special Group: Yuan-Primary Point of the San Jiao Meridian.

Location: On the transverse crease of the dorsum of the wrist, in the depression on the ulnar side of the tendon of the extensor digitorum communis muscle ().

Actions: Dispels wind-heat and unblocks the meridian.

Indications: Redness and pain of the eyes, poor hearing, sore throat, malaria, pain in the wrist, Xiao Ke or Consuming-Thirst Syndrome (roughly comparable to diabetes).

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3–0.5 cun.

TE 5 Waiguan 

Name: Outer Pass. The point is located on the “outer” or lateral aspect of the arm, opposite PC 6 Neiguan or the Inner Pass. Also, it plays a role as the gateway or “passes” to its interiorly–exteriorly related meridian, Pericardium, and to the Yang Wei or exterior-connecting meridian as a Confluent point

Special Group: (1) Luo-Connecting Point of the San Jiao Meridian; (2) Confluent Point of the Yang Wei Meridian.

Location: Two cun above the transverse crease of the dorsum of the wrist, between the ulna and the radius ().

Actions: Releases exterior conditions, dispels wind, clears heat, and unblocks the meridian.

Indications: Febrile diseases, headache, redness, swelling and pain of the eyes, tinnitus, poor hearing, Luo Li or scrofula, pain in the hypochondriac region, paralysis or pain in the upper limbs.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5–1 cun.

TE 6 Zhigou 

Name: Branch Ditch. The point is located between the two bones, as if in a ditch, and the meridian branches from this point to the next at a sharp angle.

Special Group: Jing-River Point (Fire) of the San Jiao Meridian.

Location: Three cun above the transverse crease of the dorsum of the wrist, between the ulna and the radius ().

Actions: Unblocks the San Jiao, promotes bowel movements, clears heat, and soothes the chest and hypochondrium.

Indications: Tinnitus, poor hearing, sudden loss of voice, Luo Li or scrofula, pain in the costal region, constipation, febrile diseases.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5–1 cun.

TE 7 Huizong 

Name: Convergence and Assembly. It is a Xi-Cleft point where the Qi of the meridian deeply gathers.

Special Group: Xi-Cleft Point of the San Jiao Meridian.

Location: Three cun above the transverse crease of the dorsum of the wrist, level with and about one finger-breadth lateral to TE 6 Zhigou, on the radial side of the ulna ().

Actions: Clears heat, frees the flow of Qi, and unblocks the san Jiao.

Indications: Poor hearing, epilepsy, paralysis or pain in the upper limbs.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5–1 cun.

TE 8 Sanyangluo 

Name: Three-Yang Connection. It is thought that the Qi of the three hand Yang meridians are connected to one another at this point.

Special Group: None.

Location: Four cun above the transverse crease of the dorsum of the wrist, between the ulna and the radius ().

Actions: Unblocks the meridians and collaterals, opens the orifices, and relieves pain.

Indications: Poor hearing, sudden loss of voice, toothache, paralysis or pain of the upper limbs.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5–1 cun.

TE 9 Sidu 

Name: Four Rivers. The point is named for the four rivers in China, because the function of the San Jiao is to control the water passage.

Special Group: None.

Location: Five cun below the olecranon, 7 cun above the transverse crease of the dorsum of the wrist, between the ulna and the radius ().

Actions: Soothes the throat and opens the ears.

Indications: Poor hearing, sore throat, sudden loss of voice, toothache, paralysis or pain of the lower limbs.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5–1 cun.

TE 10 Tianjing 

Name: Heaven’s Well. The point is located higher on the arm and is thus named “Heaven”; it is situated in a well-like depression.

Special Group: He-Sea Point (Earth) of the San Jiao Meridian.

Location: With the elbow flexed, in a depression 1 cun above the olecranon ().

Actions: Dispels wind, clears heat, unblocks the meridian, and calms the spirit.

Indications: Migraine, poor hearing, Luo Li or scrofula, epilepsy.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5–1 cun

TE 11 Qinglengyuan 

Name: Clear Cold Abyss. The point is in a depression like an abyss and is effective in treating some cold conditions.

Special Group: None.

Location: One cun above TE 10 Tianjing with the elbow flexed ().

Actions: Expels wind-cold, unblocks the meridian, and relieves pain.

Indications: Headache, paralysis or pain of the upper limbs, yellowish sclera.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5–1 cun.

TE 12 Xiaoluo 

Name: Disappearing River. The names of many previous points on this meridian are associated with water. However, the names of the remaining points after this one are not related to water at all. It is thus just like a river disappearing.

Special Group: None.

Location: Three cun above TE 11 Qinglengyuan, on the line connecting TE 11 and TE 14 Jianliao ().

Actions: Clears heat and unblocks the meridian.

Indications: Headache, toothache, neck rigidity, pain in the shoulder and back.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5–1 cun.

TE 13 Naohui 

Name: Upper Arm Convergence. “Nao” is the classical name of the upper arm. “Hui ” (“convergence”) suggests that the meridian meets the Yang Wei Meridian at this point.

Special Group: Crossing Point with the Yang Wei Meridian.

Location: Three cun below TE 14 Jianliao, on the line connecting TE 11 and TE 14 Jianliao, on the posterior border of the deltoid muscle ().

Actions: Benefits the shoulder joint, clears heat, and unblocks the meridian.

Indications: Goiter, Luo Li or scrofula, paralysis or pain of the upper limbs.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5–1 cun.

TE 14 Jianliao 

Name: Shoulder Bone-hole. The point is located in the space between the shoulder bones.

Special Group: None.

Location: On the shoulder joint, in the depression approximately 1 cun behind LI 15 Jianyu with the arm adducted, posterior and interior to the acromion ().

Actions: Dispels wind, resolves dampness, and benefits the shoulder joint.

Indications: Shoulder pain, difficult movement of the shoulder joint and upper arm.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 1–1.5 cun.

TE 15 Tianliao 

Name: Heaven’s Bone-hole. The point is situated high on the shoulder — Heaven — and in the space between local bony prominences.

Special Group: Crossing Point with the Yang Wei Meridian.

Location: In the suprascapular fossa, in the depression midway between GB 21 Jianjing and SI 13 Quyuan ().

Actions: Dispels wind, resolves dampness, and unblocks the meridian.

Indications: Pain in the shoulder and arm, tightness and stiffness of the neck.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3–0.5 cun.

TE 16 Tianyou 

Name: Celestial Window. It is one of the points of the Window of the Sky.

Special Group: Point of the Window of the Sky.

Location: On the side of the neck posterior and inferior to the mastoid process, on the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, approximately level with the angle of the mandible ().

Actions: Clears heat and fire, dispels wind, and clears the head.

Indications: Headache, eye pain, poor hearing, Luo Li or scrofula, stiff neck.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3–0.5 cun.

TE 17 Yifeng 

Name: Wind Screen. The point effectively dispels pathogenic wind like a windshield.

Special Group: Crossing Point with the Gall Bladder Meridian.

Location: On the side of the neck behind the ear lobe, inferior and anterior to the mastoid process, level with the lower border of the ear lobe ().

Actions: Dispels wind-heat, benefits the ears, and unblocks the meridians and collaterals

Indications: Tinnitus, poor hearing, facial paralysis, trismus, toothache, swelling of the cheek, Luo Li or scrofula.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5–0.8 cun.

TE 18 Chimai or Qimai 

Name: Spasm Vessel. The point is located behind the ear where there may be blue vessels seen especially when a convulsion or spasm condition occurs.

Special Group: None.

Location: In the center of the mastoid process, at the lower third of the distance of a curved line behind the ear connecting TE 17 Yifeng and TE 20 Jiaosun, based on the shape of the auricle (Fig. 16.11).

Actions: Clears heat, unblocks the meridian, and relieves convulsions.

Indications: Headache, tinnitus, poor hearing, child’s Fright Wind Syndrome.

Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.3–0.5 cun or prick the diluted vein to induce bleeding.

TE 19 Luxi 

Name: Skull Rest. The name implies that the point functions to clarify the head and calm the spirit.

Special Group: None.

Location: In the posterior region of the ear, two thirds of the distance of a curved line behind the ear connecting TE 17 Yifeng and TE 20 Jiaosun, based on the shape of the auricle ().

Actions: Dispels wind, opens the orifices, and calms the spirit.

Indications: Headache, tinnitus, poor hearing, child’s Fright Wind Syndrome.

Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.3–0.5 cun.

TE 20 Jiaosun 

Name: Angle Minute. “Angle” refers to the upper corner of the ear and “Minute” to the minute collateral within the area.

Special Group: None.

Location: Within the side hairline directly above the ear apex when the auricle is folded against the head.

Actions: Dispels wind-heat, benefits the ears, and brightens the eyes.

Indications: Tinnitus, redness, swelling and pain of the eyes, blurred vision, headache, swelling of the cheek, toothache, stiff neck.

Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.3–0.5 cun.

TE 21 Ermen 

Name: Ear Gate. It is one of the important points for ear disorders located in front of the ear.

Special Group: None.

Location: In the space anterior to the supratragic notch and superior to the condyloid process of the mandible. Ask the patient to open the mouth when locating and needling this point ().

Actions: Benefits the ears, sharpens hearing, dispels wind-heat, and unblocks the meridian.

Indications: Tinnitus, poor hearing, otorrhea, toothache, mandible pain.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3–0.5 cun with the mouth opened.

TE 22 Erheliao 

Name: Ear Harmony Bone-hole. The point functions to “harmonize” the ear and is located in a depression — like a “bone-hole.”

Special Group: Crossing Point with the Gall Bladder and Small Intestine Meridians.

Location: On the posterior border of the temple hairline, level with the upper root of the auricle, posterior to the superficial temporal artery ().

Actions: Dispels wind and unblocks the meridians and collaterals.

Indications: Headache, tinnitus, trismus, deviation of the mouth.

Method: Puncture obliquely or subcutaneously 0.3–0.5 cun. Avoid injuring the artery.

TE 23 Sizhukong 

Name: Silken Bamboo Hollow. It describes the location of the point in the depression (a “hollow”) of the end of the eyebrow (like bamboo leaves).

Special Group: None.

Location: In the depression at the lateral end of the eyebrow.

Actions: Dispels wind, clears heat, brightens the eyes, and relieves pain.

Indications: Headache, redness, swelling and pain of the eyes, twitching of the eyelids, toothache, Dian Kuang or Manic–Depressive Syndrome (bipolar disorder or schizophrenia), epilepsy.

Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.3–0.5 cun. Moxibustion is not advisable.