Warm Reminder
This section aims to introduce the basic knowledge of acupoints in the human body, allowing everyone to have a fundamental understanding of them and a simple grasp of their application in external therapies such as moxibustion, cupping, and guasha. Many acupoints have high risks associated with needling; non-professionals in acupuncture should not attempt needling operations!
Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian
🔹 Meridian Pathway
The Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian originates from the heart, connecting the heart, lungs, throat, and eyes, belonging to the heart network and small intestine. It emerges superficially from the lungs under the armpit, travels along the inner side of the upper limb, and terminates at the ulnar side of the little finger.
🔹 Summary of Indications
This meridian’s acupoints primarily treat conditions related to the heart, chest, mental state, and other ailments along the meridian pathway.
Acupoint of the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian
🔹 Shaohai (He Point)
[Source] “The Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion”: “Shaohai means water, located in the depression behind the inner elbow joint, where the artery can be felt, and is the entry point of the Hand Shaoyin Meridian, thus it is called He (He Point).”
[Location] Located in the anterior elbow area, level with the elbow crease, at the anterior edge of the medial epicondyle of the humerus.
[Simple Acupoint Location Method] Flex the elbow and locate the acupoint in the depression at the ulnar side of the elbow crease.
[Indications]
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Heart pain, hysteria, and other heart-related and mental disorders;
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Elbow and arm cramps, arm numbness, and tremors;
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Head and neck pain, pain in the axillary and lateral areas;
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Scrofula.
[Application]
In the human body, the Shaoyin is the innermost of the six meridians. The conditions treated by this acupoint are quite complex, involving multiple meridian diseases, hence it is referred to as “Shaohai”. The term “Shao” refers to the Shaoyin Meridian. The conditions treated include both exterior and interior, deficiency and excess, cold and heat, as well as emotional disturbances, such as mania, excessive salivation, neck stiffness, arm pain, toothache, dizziness, headache, qi counterflow, scrofula, etc., which embody the meaning of “hai”.
The Shaohai acupoint is indicated for heart pain, arm numbness and soreness, hand tremors, forgetfulness, sudden loss of voice, difficulty in elbow flexion and extension, scrofula, pain in the axillary and lateral areas, pleurisy, intercostal neuralgia, elbow and arm cramps, numbness, inability to lift the limbs, forearm numbness, and soft tissue disorders around the elbow joint, lower limb weakness, neck stiffness, stiff neck, axillary swelling and pain, elbow cramps, arm numbness, headache, dizziness, mental disorders, mania with laughter, epilepsy, tooth decay pain, neurasthenia, schizophrenia, dizziness, trigeminal neuralgia, ulnar neuritis, pulmonary tuberculosis, angina pectoris, lymphadenitis, and furuncles.
The Shaohai acupoint is the He water point of the Hand Shaoyin, with the heart belonging to fire, and water restraining fire. Various conditions caused by the upward blazing of heart fire can be treated by stimulating the Shaohai acupoint. Stimulating the Shaohai acupoint has the functions of regulating qi, unblocking meridians, benefiting the heart, calming the spirit, and clearing turbidity while elevating clarity, especially effective for conditions referred to in TCM as the disharmony between the heart and kidney. Clinically, this disharmony manifests as insomnia with vivid dreams, palpitations, weakness in the lower back and knees, forgetfulness, five hearts heat, dizziness, tinnitus, dry throat, dry mouth, night sweats, and other symptoms, as well as tooth pain and dizziness caused by heart fire, which can be effectively alleviated by pressing the Shaohai acupoint.
Press the Shaohai acupoint with the pad of the middle finger, ensuring moderate pressure. Each pressing session should last 5 minutes, performed twice daily. In daily health maintenance, the Shaohai acupoint can enhance overall health and wellness. During times of strong heart fire, it can be massaged 3-4 times daily for 1-2 minutes each time. This acupoint can also treat sweating, heart pain, and irritability.
[Literature]
“The Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion”: “Wind dizziness and headache, Shaohai is the main point.”
“The Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion”: “Malaria, chills in the back, headache radiating to the elbow and axilla, low back pain radiating to the lower abdomen, inability to lift the limbs, Shaohai is the main point.”
“Emergency Formulas Worth a Thousand Gold”: “Mainly for malaria, chills in the back. Main for qi counterflow, breathing difficulties, and vomiting.”
“Essential Secrets of the External Clinic”: “Main for cold and heat, tooth decay pain, mania.”
“Illustrated Classic of Acupuncture Points”: “Treats cold and heat, tooth decay pain, dizziness, mania, vomiting of saliva, inability to turn the neck, elbow cramps, pain under the axilla, and inability to lift the limbs.”
*Acupoint images are from the illustrated book “Illustrated Huangdi Neijing” published by Zitu Books
Cover | Eight Years Old
Editor | Yuan Li