4. POINTS OF THE SPLEEN MERIDIAN OF FOOT-TAIYIN
SP 1 (Jing-Well Point)
Chinese Name: Yinbai
English Name:
Location: On the medial side of the great toe, 0.1 cun posterior to the corner of the nail.
Indications: Abdominal distension, bloody stools, menorrhagia, uterine bleeding, mental disorders, dream disturbed sleep, convulsion.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.1 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The dorsal digital artery.
Innervation: On the anastomosis of the dorsal digital nerve derived from the superficial peroneal nerve and the plantar digital proprial nerve.
SP 2 (Ying-Spring Point)
Chinese Name: Dadu
English Name:
Location: On the medial side of the great toe, distal and inferior to the first metatarsal digital joint, in the depression of the junction of the red and white skin.
Indications: Abdominal distension, gastric pain, constipation, febrile diseases with anhidrosis.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.1-0.3 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The branches of the medial plantar artery and vein.
Innervation: The proper plantar digital nerve derived from the medial plantar nerve.
SP 3 (Shu-Stream and Yuan-Primary Point)
Chinese Name: Taibai
English Name:
Location: Proximal and inferior to the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint, in the depression of the junction of the red and white skin.
Indications: Gastric pain, abdominal distension, constipation, dysentery, vomiting diarrhea, borborygmus, sluggishness, beriberi.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The dorsal venous network of the foot, the medial plantar artery and the branches of the medial tarsal artery.
Innervation: The branches of the saphenous nerve and superficial peroneal nerve.
SP 4 (Luo-Connecting Point, Confluent Point)
Chinese Name: Gongsun
English Name:
Location: In the depression distal and inferior to the base of the first metatarsal bone, at the junction of the red and white skin.
Indications: Gastric pain, vomiting, abdominal pain and distension, diarrhea, dysentery, borborygmus.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-0.8 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The medial tarsal artery and the dorsal venous network of the foot.
Innervation: The saphenous nerve and the branch of the superficial peroneal nerve.
SP 5 (Jing-River Point)
Chinese Name: Shangqiu
English Name:
Location: In the depression distal and inferior to the medial malleolus, midway between the tuberosity of the navicular bone and the tip of the medial malleolus.
Indications: Abdominal distension, constipation, diarrhea, borborygmus, pain and rigidity of the tongue, pain in the foot and ankle, hemorrhoid.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.2-0.3 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The medial tarsal artery and the great saphenous vein.
Innervation: The medial crural cutaneous nerve and the branch of the superficial peroneal nerve.
SP 6
Chinese Name: Sanyinjiao
English Name:
Location: 3 cun directly above the tip of the medial malleolus, posterior to the medial border of the tibia.
Indications: Abdominal pain, borborygmus, abdominal distension, diarrhea, dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, uterine bleeding, morbid leukorrhea, prolapse of the uterus, infertility, delayed labour, nocturnal emission, impotence, enuresis, dysuria, edema, hernia, pain in the external genitalia, muscular atrophy, motor impairment, paralysis and pain of the lower extremities, headache, dizziness and vertigo, insomnia.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable. Acupuncture on this point is contraindicated in pregnant women.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The great saphenous vein, the posterior tibial artery and vein.
Innervation: Superficially, the medial crural cutaneous nerve; deeper, in the posterior aspect, the tibial nerve.
SP 7
Chinese Name: Lougu
English Name:
Location: 6 cun from the tip of the medial malleolus, on the line connecting the tip of the medial malleolus and Yinlingquan (SP 9), posterior to the medial border of the tibia.
Indications: Abdominal distension, borborygmus, coldness, numbness and paralysis of the knee and leg.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy: See Sanyinjiao (SP 6).
SP 8 (Xi-Cleft Point)
Chinese Name: Diji
English Name:
Location: 3 cun below Yinlingquan (SP 9), on the line connecting Yinlingquan (SP 9) and the medial malleolus.
Indications: Abdominal pain and distension, diarrhea, edema, dysuria, nocturnal emission, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: Anteriorly, the great saphenous vein and the branch of the genu suprema artery; deeper, the posterior tibial artery and vein.
Innervation: See Sanyinjiao (SP 6).
SP 9 (He-Sea Point)
Chinese Name: Yinlingqnan
English Name:
Location: On the lower border of the medial condyle of the tibia, in the depression posterior and inferior to the midial condyle of the tibia.
Indications: Abdominal pain and distension, diarrhea, dysentery, edema, jaundice, dysuria, enuresis, urinary incontinence, pain in the external genitalia, dysmenorrhea, pain in the knee.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: Anteriorly, the great saphenous vein, the genu suprema artery; deeper, the posterior tibial artery and vein.
Innervation: Superficially, the medial crural cutaneous nerve; deeper, the tibial nerve.
SP 10
Chinese Name: Xuehai
English Name:
Location: When the knee is flexed, the point is 2 cun above the medial superior border of the patella, on the bulge of the medial portion of m. quadriceps femoris. Or when the patient's knee is flexed, cup your right palm to his left knee, with the thumb on the medial side and with the other four fingers directed proximally, and the thumb forming an angle of 45° with the index finger. The point is where the tip of your thumb rests.
Indications: Irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, uterine bleeding, amenorrhea, urticaria, eczema, erysipelas, pain in the medial aspect of the thigh.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.2 inches. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The muscular branches of the femoral artery and vein.
Innervation: The anterior femoral cutaneous nerve and the muscular branch of the femoral nerve.
SP 11
Chinese Name: Jimen
English Name:
Location: 6 cun above Xuehai (SP 10), on the line drawn from Xuehai (SP 10) to Chongmen (SP 12).
Indications: Dysuria, enuresis, pain and swelling in the inguinal region, muscular atrophy, motor impairment, pain and paralysis of the lower extremities.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: Superficially, the great saphenous vein; deeper on the lateral side, the femoral artery and vein.
Innervation: The anterior femoral cutaneous nerve; deeper, the saphenous nerve.
SP 12
Chinese Name: Chongmen
English Name:
Location: Superior to the lateral end of the inguinal groove, lateral to the pulsating external iliac artery, at the level of the upper border of symphysis pubis, 3.5 cun lateral to Qugu (CV 2).
Indications: Abdominal pain, hernia, dysuria.
Acupuncture Method: Avoid puncturing the artery.
Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch.
Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: On the medial side, the femoral artery.
Innervation: Just where the femoral nerve traverses.
SP 13
Chinese Name: Fushe
English Name:
Location: 4 cun below the centre of the umbilicus, 0.7 cun superior to Chongmen (SP 12), 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Indications: Lower abdominal pain, hernia.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Innervation: The ilioinguinal nerve.
SP 14
Chinese Name: Fujie
English Name:
Location: 1.3 cun below Daheng (SP 15), 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline, on the lateral side of m. rectus abdominis.
Indications: Pain around the umbilical region, abdominal distension, hernia, diarrhea, constipation.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The eleventh intercostal artery and vein.
Innervation: The eleventh intercostal nerve.
SP 15
Chinese Name: Daheng
English Name:
Location: 4 cun lateral to the center of the umbilicus, lateral to m. rectus abdominis..
Indications: Abdominal pain and distension, diarrhea, dysentery, constipation.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.7-1.2 inches. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The tenth intercostal artery and vein.
Innervation: The tenth intercostal nerve.
SP 16
Chinese Name: Fuai
English Name:
Location: 3 cun above the centre of the umbilicus, and 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Indications: Abdominal pain, indigestion, constipation, dysentery.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The eighth intercostal artery and vein.
Innervation: The eighth intercostal nerve.
SP 17
Chinese Name: Shidou
English Name:
Location: In the 5th intercostal space, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Indications: Fullness and pain in the chest and hypochondriac region.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture obliquely 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The thoracoepigastric vein.
Innervation: The lateral cutaneous branch of the fifth intercostal nerve.
SP 18
Chinese Name: Tianxi
English Name:
Location: In the 4th intercostal space, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Indications: Fullness and pain in the chest and hypochondrium, cough, hiccup, mastitis, insufficient lactation.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture obliquely 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The branches of the lateral thoracic artery and vein, the thoracoepigastric artery and vein, the fourth intercostal artery and vein.
Innervation: The lateral cutaneous branch of the fourth intercostal nerve.
SP 19
Chinese Name: Xiongxiang
English Name:
Location: In the 3rd intercostal space, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Indications: Fullness and pain in the chest and hypochondriac region.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture obliquely 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The lateral thoracic artery and vein, the third intercostal artery and vein.
Innervation: The lateral cutaneous branch of the third intercostal nerve.
SP 20
Chinese Name: Zhourong
English Name:
Location: In the 2nd intercostal space, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Indications: Fullness in the chest and hypochondriac region, cough, hiccup.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture obliquely 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The lateral thoracic artery and vein, the second intercostal artery and vein.
Innervation: The muscular branch of the anterior thoracic nerve, the lateral cutaneous branch of the second intercostal nerve.
SP 21 (Major Luo-Connecting Point of the Spleen)
Chinese Name: Dabao
English Name:
Location: On the lateral side of the chest and on the middle axillary line, in the 6th intercostal space.
Indications: Pain in the chest and hypochondriac region, asthma, general aching and weakness.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture obliquely 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The thoracodorsal artery and vein, the seventh intercostal artery and vein.
Innervation: The seventh intercostal nerve and the terminal branch of the long thoracic nerve.
Chinese Name: Yinbai
English Name:
Location: On the medial side of the great toe, 0.1 cun posterior to the corner of the nail.
Indications: Abdominal distension, bloody stools, menorrhagia, uterine bleeding, mental disorders, dream disturbed sleep, convulsion.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.1 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The dorsal digital artery.
Innervation: On the anastomosis of the dorsal digital nerve derived from the superficial peroneal nerve and the plantar digital proprial nerve.
SP 2 (Ying-Spring Point)
Chinese Name: Dadu
English Name:
Location: On the medial side of the great toe, distal and inferior to the first metatarsal digital joint, in the depression of the junction of the red and white skin.
Indications: Abdominal distension, gastric pain, constipation, febrile diseases with anhidrosis.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.1-0.3 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The branches of the medial plantar artery and vein.
Innervation: The proper plantar digital nerve derived from the medial plantar nerve.
SP 3 (Shu-Stream and Yuan-Primary Point)
Chinese Name: Taibai
English Name:
Location: Proximal and inferior to the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint, in the depression of the junction of the red and white skin.
Indications: Gastric pain, abdominal distension, constipation, dysentery, vomiting diarrhea, borborygmus, sluggishness, beriberi.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The dorsal venous network of the foot, the medial plantar artery and the branches of the medial tarsal artery.
Innervation: The branches of the saphenous nerve and superficial peroneal nerve.
SP 4 (Luo-Connecting Point, Confluent Point)
Chinese Name: Gongsun
English Name:
Location: In the depression distal and inferior to the base of the first metatarsal bone, at the junction of the red and white skin.
Indications: Gastric pain, vomiting, abdominal pain and distension, diarrhea, dysentery, borborygmus.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-0.8 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The medial tarsal artery and the dorsal venous network of the foot.
Innervation: The saphenous nerve and the branch of the superficial peroneal nerve.
SP 5 (Jing-River Point)
Chinese Name: Shangqiu
English Name:
Location: In the depression distal and inferior to the medial malleolus, midway between the tuberosity of the navicular bone and the tip of the medial malleolus.
Indications: Abdominal distension, constipation, diarrhea, borborygmus, pain and rigidity of the tongue, pain in the foot and ankle, hemorrhoid.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.2-0.3 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The medial tarsal artery and the great saphenous vein.
Innervation: The medial crural cutaneous nerve and the branch of the superficial peroneal nerve.
SP 6
Chinese Name: Sanyinjiao
English Name:
Location: 3 cun directly above the tip of the medial malleolus, posterior to the medial border of the tibia.
Indications: Abdominal pain, borborygmus, abdominal distension, diarrhea, dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, uterine bleeding, morbid leukorrhea, prolapse of the uterus, infertility, delayed labour, nocturnal emission, impotence, enuresis, dysuria, edema, hernia, pain in the external genitalia, muscular atrophy, motor impairment, paralysis and pain of the lower extremities, headache, dizziness and vertigo, insomnia.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable. Acupuncture on this point is contraindicated in pregnant women.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The great saphenous vein, the posterior tibial artery and vein.
Innervation: Superficially, the medial crural cutaneous nerve; deeper, in the posterior aspect, the tibial nerve.
SP 7
Chinese Name: Lougu
English Name:
Location: 6 cun from the tip of the medial malleolus, on the line connecting the tip of the medial malleolus and Yinlingquan (SP 9), posterior to the medial border of the tibia.
Indications: Abdominal distension, borborygmus, coldness, numbness and paralysis of the knee and leg.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy: See Sanyinjiao (SP 6).
SP 8 (Xi-Cleft Point)
Chinese Name: Diji
English Name:
Location: 3 cun below Yinlingquan (SP 9), on the line connecting Yinlingquan (SP 9) and the medial malleolus.
Indications: Abdominal pain and distension, diarrhea, edema, dysuria, nocturnal emission, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: Anteriorly, the great saphenous vein and the branch of the genu suprema artery; deeper, the posterior tibial artery and vein.
Innervation: See Sanyinjiao (SP 6).
SP 9 (He-Sea Point)
Chinese Name: Yinlingqnan
English Name:
Location: On the lower border of the medial condyle of the tibia, in the depression posterior and inferior to the midial condyle of the tibia.
Indications: Abdominal pain and distension, diarrhea, dysentery, edema, jaundice, dysuria, enuresis, urinary incontinence, pain in the external genitalia, dysmenorrhea, pain in the knee.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: Anteriorly, the great saphenous vein, the genu suprema artery; deeper, the posterior tibial artery and vein.
Innervation: Superficially, the medial crural cutaneous nerve; deeper, the tibial nerve.
SP 10
Chinese Name: Xuehai
English Name:
Location: When the knee is flexed, the point is 2 cun above the medial superior border of the patella, on the bulge of the medial portion of m. quadriceps femoris. Or when the patient's knee is flexed, cup your right palm to his left knee, with the thumb on the medial side and with the other four fingers directed proximally, and the thumb forming an angle of 45° with the index finger. The point is where the tip of your thumb rests.
Indications: Irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, uterine bleeding, amenorrhea, urticaria, eczema, erysipelas, pain in the medial aspect of the thigh.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.2 inches. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The muscular branches of the femoral artery and vein.
Innervation: The anterior femoral cutaneous nerve and the muscular branch of the femoral nerve.
SP 11
Chinese Name: Jimen
English Name:
Location: 6 cun above Xuehai (SP 10), on the line drawn from Xuehai (SP 10) to Chongmen (SP 12).
Indications: Dysuria, enuresis, pain and swelling in the inguinal region, muscular atrophy, motor impairment, pain and paralysis of the lower extremities.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: Superficially, the great saphenous vein; deeper on the lateral side, the femoral artery and vein.
Innervation: The anterior femoral cutaneous nerve; deeper, the saphenous nerve.
SP 12
Chinese Name: Chongmen
English Name:
Location: Superior to the lateral end of the inguinal groove, lateral to the pulsating external iliac artery, at the level of the upper border of symphysis pubis, 3.5 cun lateral to Qugu (CV 2).
Indications: Abdominal pain, hernia, dysuria.
Acupuncture Method: Avoid puncturing the artery.
Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch.
Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: On the medial side, the femoral artery.
Innervation: Just where the femoral nerve traverses.
SP 13
Chinese Name: Fushe
English Name:
Location: 4 cun below the centre of the umbilicus, 0.7 cun superior to Chongmen (SP 12), 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Indications: Lower abdominal pain, hernia.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Innervation: The ilioinguinal nerve.
SP 14
Chinese Name: Fujie
English Name:
Location: 1.3 cun below Daheng (SP 15), 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline, on the lateral side of m. rectus abdominis.
Indications: Pain around the umbilical region, abdominal distension, hernia, diarrhea, constipation.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The eleventh intercostal artery and vein.
Innervation: The eleventh intercostal nerve.
SP 15
Chinese Name: Daheng
English Name:
Location: 4 cun lateral to the center of the umbilicus, lateral to m. rectus abdominis..
Indications: Abdominal pain and distension, diarrhea, dysentery, constipation.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.7-1.2 inches. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The tenth intercostal artery and vein.
Innervation: The tenth intercostal nerve.
SP 16
Chinese Name: Fuai
English Name:
Location: 3 cun above the centre of the umbilicus, and 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Indications: Abdominal pain, indigestion, constipation, dysentery.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The eighth intercostal artery and vein.
Innervation: The eighth intercostal nerve.
SP 17
Chinese Name: Shidou
English Name:
Location: In the 5th intercostal space, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Indications: Fullness and pain in the chest and hypochondriac region.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture obliquely 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The thoracoepigastric vein.
Innervation: The lateral cutaneous branch of the fifth intercostal nerve.
SP 18
Chinese Name: Tianxi
English Name:
Location: In the 4th intercostal space, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Indications: Fullness and pain in the chest and hypochondrium, cough, hiccup, mastitis, insufficient lactation.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture obliquely 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The branches of the lateral thoracic artery and vein, the thoracoepigastric artery and vein, the fourth intercostal artery and vein.
Innervation: The lateral cutaneous branch of the fourth intercostal nerve.
SP 19
Chinese Name: Xiongxiang
English Name:
Location: In the 3rd intercostal space, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Indications: Fullness and pain in the chest and hypochondriac region.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture obliquely 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The lateral thoracic artery and vein, the third intercostal artery and vein.
Innervation: The lateral cutaneous branch of the third intercostal nerve.
SP 20
Chinese Name: Zhourong
English Name:
Location: In the 2nd intercostal space, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Indications: Fullness in the chest and hypochondriac region, cough, hiccup.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture obliquely 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The lateral thoracic artery and vein, the second intercostal artery and vein.
Innervation: The muscular branch of the anterior thoracic nerve, the lateral cutaneous branch of the second intercostal nerve.
SP 21 (Major Luo-Connecting Point of the Spleen)
Chinese Name: Dabao
English Name:
Location: On the lateral side of the chest and on the middle axillary line, in the 6th intercostal space.
Indications: Pain in the chest and hypochondriac region, asthma, general aching and weakness.
Acupuncture Method: Puncture obliquely 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The thoracodorsal artery and vein, the seventh intercostal artery and vein.
Innervation: The seventh intercostal nerve and the terminal branch of the long thoracic nerve.
