Atlas of Acupuncture

4.6 The Small Intestine Channel System – Hand taiyang(shou tai yang jing luo)

Location

On the ulnar border of the hand, in the depression proximal to

the metacarpophalangeal joint, at the border of the ‘red and

white’ skin.

How to find

Quick method:Slide from proximal (wrist) to distal (little fin-

ger) along the ulnar border of the hand, until the palpating finger

comes to rest at the junction between the base and the head of

the 5th metacarpal bone proximal to the metacarpophalangeal

joint. Here, locate S.I.-3. Or:Locate, with the patient making a

loose fist. Locate S.I.-3at the end of the most distal transverse

crease (this often originates between the index and middle fin-

gers and runs to the little finger). When making a fist, a small

bulge forms at the end of the crease. There, locate S.I.-3in a pal-

pable depression slightly proximal and dorsal to the bulge.

➞L.I.-3is located in a comparable position on the radial border

of the hand. Located in a comparable position on the foot are

➞SP-3(on the medial aspect) and ➞BL-65(on the lateral

aspect).

Needling

0.5–1 cun horizontally below the bone – that is, vertically to the

skin towards the palm – or 0.2–0.3 cun obliquely in a distal

direction. Caution: Painful point.

Actions/Indications

● Eliminates Wind and Heat from the taiyang(S.I., BL)

● Opens the channel and the luovessels

● Clears Heat and benefits the orifices

● Regulates the du mai, calms the shen

Special features

Shu-stream point, Wood point, tonification point, opening (mas-

ter) point of the du mai. Important distal point for pain, stiffness

and contractures along the course of the channel and for disor-

ders of the cervical spine.

Back Stream HOUXI S.I.-3

Most distal

transverse

crease

S.I.-3

S.I.-2

Junction

shaft/head

L.I.-3

Proximal

phalanx II

Metacarpal II

BL-66 BL-65 BL-64

SP-3

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