Atlas of Acupuncture

4.5 The Heart Channel System – Hand shaoyin(shou shao yin jing luo)

Location

1 cun proximal to the ventral wrist joint space (‘most distal

transverse wrist crease’), on the radial side of the tendon of the

flexor carpi ulnaris muscle.

How to find

Position the forearm in a relaxed fashion. The location of the

ventral wrist crease is variable; therefore, the proximal border of

the pisiform bone (➞3.3.2) provides a more reliable landmark.

➞HE-7is located on the wrist joint space, radial to the distinct

tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle. Locate HE-51 cun

proximal to ➞HE-7, also on the radial side of the tendon.

Located along a line on the radial aspect of the tendon are

➞HE-6(0.5 cun proximal to ➞HE-7) and ➞HE-4(1.5 cun

proximal to HE-7). ➞LU-8is also located 1 cun proximal to

the ventral wrist joint space, but on the radial aspect of the

forearm.

Needling

Vertically 0.3–0.5 cun or obliquely 0.5–1 cun in a proximal or

distal direction. Caution: Needling may be painful.

Actions/Indications

● Regulates and strengthens the Heart Qi (main point!) and the

Heart rhythm

● Calms the shen

● Benefits the tongue

● Benefits the Bladder (via the taiyangchannel)

● Opens the channel and luo-connecting vessels

Special features

Luo-connecting point, Ma Dan Yang Heavenly Star point. Main

point for regulating and strengthening the Heart Qi.

Penetrating the Interior TONGLI HE-5

Tendon of

the flexor

carpi ulnaris 1 cun

HE-5

Pisiform

Joint space

Flexor

carpi ulnaris

HE-7

HE-5

Wrist joint space

Joint space

Radial artery

LU-9

Carpal bones

Abductor

pollicis longus

1 cunLU-8

Ch04.5-F10028.qxd 2/22/08 4:38 PM Page 211