Atlas of Acupuncture

4 Acupuncture Points of the Twelve Primary Channels

Location

Approximately 1 cun inferior to the highest prominence of the

medial malleolus, over the joint space between the talus and the

calcaneus.

How to find

From the highest prominence of the medial malleolus (➞3.6.2),

palpate distally, until the palpating finger can feel the depression of

the joint space between the talus and the calcaneus. (KID-6is often

located between the tendons of the tibialis and flexor digitorum

longus muscles.) Directly distal to this point, you can palpate a

small bony prominence, the sustentaculum tali. With the patient’s

foot in a supinated position, a visible skin crease forms on the level

of the point. Note: There are several variations regarding the exact

location of this point. However, the determining aspect for its loca-

tion is not the cun measurement but the joint space below the

prominence.

Needling

0.3–0.5 cun vertically or obliquely in a proximal direction. The

needle may reach the deltoid ligament.

Actions/Indications

● Nourishes Kidney Yin, clears empty Heat, benefits the throat,

regulates the Lower Burner

● Calms the shen

● Moves Qi locally

Special features

Opening (master) point of the yin qiao mai. Important point,

especially for strengthening the Kidney Yin.

KID-6 Shining Sea ZHAOHAI

KID-6

Joint space between

the talus and calcaneus Sustentaculum tali

Highest prominence

of the medial malleolus

Approxi-

mately

1 cun

KID-6

Highest prominence

of the medial malleolus

SP-5

SP-1

SP-2 SP-3

SP-4 KID-2

KID-6 KID-5

KID-4

KID-3

SP-6

LIV-4

KID-8

KID-7

KID-8

KID-3

KID-7

15

cun

11

12

SP-1

SP-4 KID-2

SP-5

SP-6

Highest

prominence

of the medial.

malleolus

13

14

Achilles

tendon

Highest prominence

of the medial malleolus KID-3

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