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Location Guides: |
Luo-Connecting point
Command point
Confluent point of the Yin Wei Mai, coupled with Gongsun Sp-4
On the flexor aspect of the forearm, 2 cun proximal to Daling P-7, on the line connecting Daling P-7 with Quze P-3, between the tendons of palmaris longus and flexor carpii radialis.
Perpendicular insertion 0.5 - 1 cun, or joined to Waiguan S.J.-5, or oblique proximal insertion 1 - 1.5 cun for diseases of the chest, or oblique distal insertion 1 - 1.5 cun for numbness of the fingers
The median nerve lies directly under this point and needling commonly induces an electric sensation. This is an acceptable manifestation of deqi but once elicited further manipulation is inappropriate and may damage the nerve.
"The Jueyin usually has much Blood and little Qi" (Su Wen 素問 ch. 24) implying this channel should normally be bled.
"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 two fen and moxaed with three cones" (Huangfu Mi 皇甫謐, 3rd Century, Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing 針灸甲乙經).
Unbinds the chest and regulates Qi
Regulates the Heart and calms the Shen
Harmonises the Stomach and alleviates nausea and vomiting
Clears Heat
Opens the Yin Wei Mai
䷈ Xiao Xu 小畜 Gentle Cultivation
Shared with Yangchi SJ-4. Balanced by ䷏ (Taichong Liv-3 or Guangming GB-37).
Hexagram attributions are my own with an explanation given in the glossary.
Superficial Innervation: Border of lateral and medial cutaneous nerves of the forearm (C5 - C6 and C8 - T1)
Dermatome Segment: C6, T1 on ventral axial line
Deeper Structures: Median nerve from C5 - T1
Drains Qi and upsets the Yin/Yang balance of the body through the Yin Wei Mai causing confusion internally resulting in mental instability or illness. Often incorporated into locks where it is pressed violently in order to shock the person to allow the lock to be completed. Can also cause nausea when struck (Montaigue, Dim Mak Locations, Taijiworld.com).
In seizing martial arts (Qin Na) this point is a dividing muscle/tendon point (fen jin, 分筋) and cavity press point (Dian Xue, 點穴) gripped with the fingers causing possible numbness or fainting due to contraction of the lungs. It is used frequently in Qin Na techniques which grab the wrist because it can immobilise the oppenent's arm (Yang, 1995, Tai Chi Chin Na; Yang, 2004, Analysis of Shaolin Chin Na, 2nd Edition).
This point is used frequently in Aikido where pressure is applied using the knuckle of the index finger when seizing the wrist in Yonkyo (四教) technique (Jones, 2012, How to Do Yonkyo | Aikido Lessons, Howcast Youtube Video).
Command point for the heart, chest and epigastrium added after Gao Wu (Ming Dynasty).
Empirical point for nausea (Dune & Shiao, 2006, Lee & Done, 2009, Dent et al, 2003).
One of the most commonly used points in acupuncture for draining excess in the chest, calming the mind and reducing nausea from any cause. The Pericardium's Jueyin relationship to the Liver makes it especially useful for nausea from Liver qi stagnation.
Often combined with Gongsun Sp-4 to open the upper branch of the Chong Mai for fullness and pain in the epigastrium, or agitation and Heat in Heart and chest.
Also an important point for chest pain and acupuncture analgesia during chest surgery (Deadman et al, 2001)
Tinel's sign: light percussion over the median nerve along the channel near this point will elicit a tingling or pins and needles feeling in the thumb, index and middle finger in cases of carpal tunnel syndrome (also see Daling Pc-7 for Phalen's manoeuver.
Ling Shu Ch. 10, On Channels, describes the diseases relating to the Luo emanating from this point as:
Repletion: Pain in the heart
Depletion: The head feels heavy
(Unschuld, 2016).
Ling Shu Ch. 19, On the Four Seasonal Qi, advises using the channels and Luo vessels for diseases which occur in spring. They are pierced deeply if severe and more shallow if mild. For the other seasons:
- in summer choose the Yang channels and Luo located in the partings between the skin and flesh
- in autumn choose the Shu-Stream points unless the disease in the Fu organs, then use the He-Sea points
- in winter choose Jing-Well and Ying-Spring opening and retain the needle.
Ling Shu Ch. 21, On Cold and Heat Diseases, repeats the advice to use Luo in spring but and adds that they can also treat diseases of the skin. For the other seasons it differs slightly from Ch. 19:
- in summer choose the partings in skin structures which also treat the muscle and flesh
- in autumn Taiyuan Lu-9 is chosen and can treat the sinews and vessels (this may also apply to other Shu-Stream points for this purpose, text is unclear)
- in winter one chooses the main channel points which also treat the bones and marrow.
Ling Shu Ch. 52, On the Wei Qi, considers this to be the root of the hand Jueyin meridian with the tip being at Tianchi Pc-1.
Neiguan Pc-6 and Gongsun Sp-4 release emotions from the suppressed (Ying-Qi) level in Jeffrey Yuen's system of using the Luo to harmonise emotions.
The full protocol is to:
- Tonify the Yuan-Source point of the Yin meridian that relates to the emotional disposition being expressed.
- Bleed or plum blossom the Luo related to the level of expression (Neiguan Pc-6 and Gongsun Sp-4 in this example) in a figure 8 (e.g. Right arm -> Left leg -> Right leg -> Left arm) starting with the side with dominant symptoms. If unsure all levels can be released.
- Bleed or plum blossom the Luo of the Yang meridian connected to the Yuan-Source point tonified at the beginning (Yuen, 2004, The Luo Vessels lecture transcript, NESA; Chin, 2003, The Luo Vessels).
I think of it as tonifying the organ to bring the emotion up and then releasing it from the Luo via its transverse connection, like in a guest-host protocol, with the additional Luo being added to focus on the level of release.
Nei Guan is also a homonym for 內觀 "Inner Observation", an important aspect of Neidan inner alchemy (Brine, 2020, The Taoist Alchemy of Wang Liping, p.51). See also Neiting St-44 which is a homonym for 內聽 "Inner Hearing", a complementary Neidan technique (ibid. p.63). 觀 Guan is also the name for ䷓ Hexagram 20 of the Yi Jing.
The trajectories of the Longitudinal Luo of the Jueyin demonstrate their connection to our deepest sense of identity, the Pericardium travelling to our chest, while the Liver Luo travels to the genitals.
In Tung acupuncture the three Xin Ling, Heart Spirit, points are located half a cun proximal, half a cun distal and 1.5 cun distal to this point. They are indicated for all manner of Heart disorders including physical, mental, speech aspects (Chu, 2015).
Principle Point of the Xing Nao Kai Qiao (醒脑开窍, activating the brain and opening the orifices) method of Dr. Shi Xue-Min for post-stroke sequalae along with Renzhong Du-26, Sanyinjiao Sp-6, Jiquan He-1, Chize Lu-5 and Weizhong Bl-40.
The aim of these points are to use the Yin meridians and the Du meridian to activate the brain and open the orifices and nourish the liver and kidney. This point can benefit stroke patients by improving cardiac output and oxygen supply while calming the Heart, regulating the Blood, and quieting the Spirit. Each point is usually manipulated for 1-3 minutes with one treatment course constituting 10 days of twice daily treatments 3-6 hours apart; 3-5 treatment courses are used continuously.
Liu, J. & Liu, K. (2012). Dr. Shi Xue-Min and the Xing Nao Kai Qiao Legacy. Acupuncture Today 13(3).
Jin's Three Needles for Cholesterol are located at this point, Zusanli St-36 and Sanyinjiao Sp-6. They are indicated for high cholesterol (eLotus, 2021).
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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