Atlas of Acupuncture

4 Acupuncture Points of the Twelve Primary Channels

Location

2 cun proximal to the anterior wrist joint space (‘most distal wrist

crease’), between the tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor

carpi radialis muscles.

How to find

As the location of the wrist crease varies, the wrist joint space is

a more reliable reference point (➞3.3.3). It can easily be pal-

pated by moving the patient’s hand in a relaxed way. From the

centre of the wrist joint space (➞P-7), measure 2 cun in a prox-

imal direction and locate P-6between the two tendons, which

become more pronounced when the fingertips are pressed

together. If only one tendon is visible, this will be the tendon of

the flexor carpi radialis muscle. P-6is located on its ulnar aspect.

Or quick method:From the centre of the wrist joint space,

glide in a proximal direction between the two tendons. The skin

will begin to form a bulge in front of the sliding finger, which

will come to a halt at P-6.

➞T.B.-5(2 cun proximal to the dorsal wrist joint space) is

located opposite P-6.

Needling

0.5–1 cun vertically or obliquely in a proximal or lateral direc-

tion. Caution: The median nerve is located directly below this

point.

Actions/Indications

● Calms the shen

● Unbinds the chest

● Harmonises the Stomach

● Opens the channel

Special features

Luo-connecting point, opening (master) point of the yin wei mai,

Gao Wu command point for the thorax. Main point for nausea

and vomiting. Very important point.

P-6 Inner Gate NEIGUAN

Joint space

T.B.-4

T.B.-5

Joint space

T.B.-4

T.B.-5

Tendon of

the flexor

carpi radialis

Pisiform

Tendon of

the palmaris

longus

Wrist joint space

Pressing the thumb and little

finger together for better

presentation of the tendons

P-7 P-6

2 cun

P-6

P-7

P-6

HE-3

P-4

P-5

P-6

HE-4

HE-5

HE-6

HE-7

P-7

LU-6

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10

11

cun^12

LU-5

LU-7

LU-8

LU-9

P-3

LU-10

LU-11 P-8

P-9

HE-8

HE-9

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