Warm Reminder
This section aims to introduce the basic knowledge of acupoints in the human body, providing a fundamental understanding of them and a simple overview of their application in external therapies such as moxibustion, cupping, and guasha. Many acupoints have high risks associated with needling; therefore, non-professionals should not attempt needling on their own!
Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian
🔹 Meridian Pathway
This meridian begins at the radial side of the distal phalanx of the index finger (Shangyang), ascends along the radial side of the index finger, travels between the first and second metacarpal bones, and enters between the tendons (the long and short extensor of the thumb) (Yangxi), following the radial side of the forearm, entering the outer side of the elbow (Quchi), then ascends along the outer side of the upper arm to the shoulder (Jianyu), where it meets the Governing Vessel at the Dazhui point, then moves forward into the supraclavicular fossa, connecting with the lungs, descends through the diaphragm, and enters the large intestine. Its branch travels from the supraclavicular fossa to the neck, passing through the cheeks, entering the lower teeth, and returning to cross at the philtrum, ascending alongside the nostrils (Yingxiang). The qi of this meridian connects with the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian.
🔹 Summary of Indications
This meridian’s acupoints are indicated for abdominal pain, borborygmus, diarrhea, constipation, dysentery, sore throat, dental issues, nasal discharge, or bleeding, as well as pain, heat swelling, or coldness along the pathway of the meridian.
Acupoints of the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian
🔹 Shangyang (Jing Point)
[Source] “Lingshu: Ben Shu”: The tip of the index finger.
[Location] On the index finger, at the radial side of the distal phalanx, 0.1 cun above the corner of the nail.
[Needling Method] Slightly clench the fist, extend the index finger, and where the line drawn from the radial side of the nail intersects with the line from the base of the finger is the acupoint.
[Indications]
1. Dental pain, sore throat, and other ENT disorders;
2. Febrile diseases, coma, and other heat syndromes, emergencies.
[Applications]
This point is where the qi of the Hand Yangming Large Intestine meridian emerges, capable of regulating the qi of the large intestine, clearing and draining Yangming fire heat, and has effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, draining fire and reducing swelling, and alleviating sore throat and pain, treating various head and facial disorders caused by excessive Yangming heat. This point is a Jing point of the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, belonging to the Metal element, and is directly connected to the Lung Meridian, thus it can clear and disperse the accumulated heat of both the Hand Yangming and Hand Taiyin meridians, having the function of draining excess and expelling pathogens.
It is used for febrile diseases with no sweating, as well as for heat evil obstructing the lungs, causing chest heat and cough. This point, being a Jing point, is where the qi of Yin and Yang meridians intersect, has the ability to drain heat, open the orifices, harmonize the chaotic flow of Yin and Yang qi and blood, and awaken consciousness, which can be used for emergencies such as fainting and stroke-induced coma. As the Jing point is where the qi and blood converge, it has a strong effect of invigorating blood and unblocking meridians, treating numbness of the fingers caused by poor circulation of qi and blood.
Regularly pressing Shangyang with the tip of the thumb can invigorate the qi and blood of the large intestine meridian, regulate digestive function, and accelerate metabolism, providing a strengthening and beneficial effect on the body. For constipation, one can use a guasha board to scrape the index and little fingers from the base to the tip, focusing on Shangyang to promote intestinal peristalsis.
If nausea and vomiting occur due to overeating, stimulating this point with a toothpick 7-10 times can alleviate discomfort. Additionally, Shangyang is an important acupoint for male sexual health; regular massage of this point with the thumb can significantly enhance sexual vitality and delay sexual aging.
Note: Due to the presence of nerve distributions at the acupoint, self-needling is not advisable.
[Literature]
“Suwen: Miao Ci Lun” states: Qi fills the chest, causing wheezing and heat in the chest; deafness and inability to hear sounds; wind in the ears; cold pain in the teeth and lips.
“Zhenjiu Jia Yi Jing” states: Heat malaria, dry mouth; pain in the lower teeth, chills and swelling; blue blindness; throat obstruction; wind in the ears, deafness and inability to hear sounds.
“Beiji Qianjin Yaofang” states: Fullness in the chest and sides.
“Taiping Shenghui Fang” states: Fullness and wheezing in the chest and diaphragm.
“Bian Que Shen Ying Zhen Jiu Yu Long Jing” states: Red and swollen eyes.
*Acupoint images are from the book “Illustrated Huangdi Neijing” published by Zitu Publishing.
Cover | Eight Years Old
Editor | Yuan Li