阴市 : Yinshi : Yin Market

Location Guides:

Location:

On the thigh, on a line drawn between the lateral border of the patella and the ASIS, in a depression 3 cun proximal to the superior border of the patella.

Needling:

Perpendicular or oblique insertion 1 - 1.5 cun

Classical Needling:

"The Yangming usually has much Qi and much Blood" (Su Wen 素問 ch. 24) implying this channel can normally be needled or bled.
"The foot Yangming is to be pierced 6 fen deep and remain inserted for ten exhalations" (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 moxibustion is prohibited" (Huangfu Mi 皇甫謐, 3rd Century, Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing 針灸甲乙經).

TCM Actions:

Activates the channel and alleviates pain
Dispels Wind-Damp

TCM Indications:

• Sensation like cold water in the lumbar region and legs, difficulty in stretching and bending the leg, atrophy disorder and Painful Obstruction (痹, Bi) of the knee, Leg Qi (腳氣, Jiao Qi), weakness of the leg and knee, pain of the thigh and knee.
  
• Wasting and thirsting disorder, cold Shan (疝) Disorder, distension and pain of the abdomen, oedema with enlarged abdomen.

Neuroanatomy:

Superficial Innervation: Intermediate femoral cutaneous nerve of the thigh from L2 - L4

Dermatome Segment: L2

Martial Applications & Effects of Injury:

Striking this point causes great local pain and subsequent Qi drainage from the leg. This is also an electrical point that will send a rush of Qi to the head causing confusion and possible blackout if the strike is hard enough (Montaigue, Dim Mak Locations, Taijiworld.com).

Major Combinations:

• Lack of strength in the legs:
    Yinshi St-33 and Fengshi GB-31
    (Yu Long Fu, 玉龍賦, Ode of the Jade Dragon. First recorded in Gao Wu, 高武, 1529: Zhen Jiu Yu Jing, 針灸聚英, Glorious Anthology of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
• Pain of the legs and lumbar region:
    Yinshi St-33 with Huantiao GB-30, Fengshi GB-31, Weizhong Bl-40, Kunlun Bl-60, Chengshan Bl-57 and Shenmai Bl-62
    (Yang Jizhou, 杨继洲, 1601: Zhen Jiu Da Cheng, 針灸大成, Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
• Redness, swelling and pain of the knees:
    Yinshi St-33 with Xiguan Liv-7, Weizhong Bl-40 and Zusanli St-36
    (Yang Jizhou, 杨继洲, 1601: Zhen Jiu Da Cheng, 針灸大成, Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
• Disorders of the knee and region above the knee:
    Yinshi St-33 and Huantiao GB-30
    (Yang Jizhou, 杨继洲, 1601: Zhen Jiu Da Cheng, 針灸大成, Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
• Cold abdominal Shan Disorder:
    Yinshi St-33 with Ganshu Bl-18 and Taixi Kid-3
    (Yang Jizhou, 杨继洲, 1601: Zhen Jiu Da Cheng, 針灸大成, Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).

Notes:

In Mayan medicine:
Used to treat pain in the lower limbs (Garcia, Sierra, Balam, 1999: Wind in the Blood)

Reference Notes:

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