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Shu-Stream and Earth point
Yuan-Source point
Child point of the Heart channel
Binding point of the hand Shaoyin Sinews
Shokanten Nine continents Pulse for Middle Jiao, Shaoyin and Heart
At the wrist joint, on the radial side of flexor carpi ulnaris, in the depression at the proximal border of the pisiform bone.
Perpendicular insertion 0.3 - 0.5 cun, or oblique insertion proximally, medially or distally 0.5 - 0.8 cun, or up to 1.5 cun transverse oblique proximal insertion to connect all points up to Lingdao He-4 for "hypnosis needling" (Liu Yan, 2008, Diagrams of Acupuncture Manipulations, p. 134).
The ulnar artery and nerve lie adjacent to this point
"The Shaoyin usually has little Blood and much Qi" (Su Wen 素問 ch. 24) implying this channel should normally be needled.
"The hand Yin and Yang receive their Qi via nearby paths so their Qi arrive swiftly. The depth of piercing must not exceed 2 fen and must not remain inserted for longer than one exhalation" (Ling Shu 靈樞 ch. 12).
"It is needled to a depth of three fen, (the needle) is retained for a duration of seven exhalations, and it is moxaed with three cones" (Huangfu Mi 皇甫謐, 3rd Century, Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing 針灸甲乙經).
Calms the Shen
Regulates and tonifies the Heart
䷷ Lu 旅 Wanderer & ䷢ Jin 晉 Advancement
䷷ is shared with Xiaohai SI-8 and balanced by ䷻ (Fuliu Kid-7 or Zhiyin Bl-67).
䷢ is shared with Zhizheng SI-7 and balanced by ䷄ (Dazhong Kid-4 or Jinggu Bl-64).
Hexagram attributions are my own with an explanation given in the glossary.
Superficial Innervation: Ulnar nerve (palmar branch) from C8 - T1
Dermatome Segment: C8
Deeper Structures: Ulnar nerve from C8 - T1 travelling through ulnar tunnal
Heart 4, 5, 6 & 7 are all so close together they are usually attacked together with a grab causing great Qi loss and immobilisation, just before a more dangerous attack.
Striking this point damages the Shen, unbalancing the Fire element causing emotional instability and tension due to excess Heat (Montaigue, Dim Mak Locations, Taijiworld.com).
Location of the ulnar pulse
One of the main points for treating all spiritual, psychological and emotional disorders.
In five element acupuncture this point is reduced to drain excess in the Heart.
The Su Wen Ch. 20, Discourse on the Three Sections and Nine Indicators, describes "The man [indicator] of the central section: the hand minor yin [locations]... The man [indicator] serves to examine the heart". Wang Bing's commentary says this means "This is to say: the heart vessels. Their movement can be felt at the 'spirit gate' section at the tip of the prominent bone (i.e., the styloid processus) behind the palm" indicating this point (Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen, trans. Unschuld & Tessenow, 2011). However, a pulse can rarely be felt here and, as the original text does not state this point, it could refer to the region around Qingling He-2 where the brachial pulse can usually be felt.
Ling Shu Ch. 9, On Ends and Beginnings, advises that in the case of Heat associated with receding Yin Qi the Yang conduit should be pierced once and the Yin conduits twice. Based on other recommendation to use the He-Sea of the Yang conduits (Ch. 19) and the Yuan-Source with the Ying-Spring points (Chs. 6, 19 and 24) to clear Heat from the Zangfu, that would suggest this point, Xiaohai SI-8 and Shaofu He-8 as a protocol to clear Heat in the Heart/Small Intestine (although other chapters suggest the Heart channel is not treatable in Ling Shu acupuncture). Next it advises that in Cold associated with receding Yang Qi the Yang should be pierced twice and the Yin once but no such obvious protocol is evident for this situation. Another interpretation that would match with common practice today, based on the idea of odd numbers being Yang/moving/clearing while even numbers are Yin/tonifying/reinforcing, is that the points on the channel to be cleared are pierced on one side only while those on the channel to be tonified are pierced bilaterally.
Ling Shu Ch. 19, on the Four Seasonal Qi, advises using the Shu-Stream points, unless the diseases are in the Fu organs, in which case the He-Sea points are chosen.
Ling Shu Ch. 34, On the Five Disturbances, advises this point to remove disturbing Qi in the Heart causing vexation and silence.
Ling Shu Ch. 52, On the Wei Qi, considers this to be the root of the hand Shaoyin meridian with the tip being at Xinshu Bl-15.
Ling Shu Ch. 71, On Evil Visitors, says that this is the only point used for treatment of this meridian, the rest being treated using the hand Jueyin Pericardium.
A Shokanten pulse is used to assist in diagnosis where the radial pulse is unclear, or in the comparative analysis of meridians in the upper and lower portions of the body. They are particularly used in psycho-emotional disorders. This point relates to the Middle Jiao, Shaoyin and Heart.
In Tibetan medicine:
Moxa point (AMNH, Tibetan Medical Paintings)
In Thai massage:
Acupressure point indicated for heart conditions and insomnia (Salguero & Roylance, 2011, Encyclopedia of Thai Massage)
Basic information on location, needle depth, TCM actions, indications and combinations is taken from Deadman et al (2001): A Manual of Acupuncture with additional anatomical information researched by reference to Gray's Anatomy (38th Ed., 1995) unless otherwise referenced. Images were found on acupunctureschoolonline.com and can be traced back to Claudia Focks (2008) Atlas of Acupuncture originally. I cannot claim any credit or rights over them. Other sources should be quoted in the text.
For some of the more unusual terms I have created a glossary here
Steve Woodley Acupuncture & Traditional Medicine
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