THE KIDNEY CHANNEL OF FOOT-SHAOYIN

1. The Kidney Channel of Foot-Shaoyin starts from the inferior aspect of the small toe and runs obliquely towards:
1. The sole (Yongquan, K. 1.)
2. Emerging from the lower aspect of the tuberosity of the navicular bone
3. and running behind the medial malleolus,
4. it enters the heal.
5. Then it ascends along the medial side of the leg
6. to the medial side of the popliteal fossa
7. and goes further upward along the postero-medial aspect of the thigh
8. towards the vertebral column (Changqiang, Du 1), where it enters the kidney, its pertaining organ, and connects with urinary bladder.
9. The straight portion of the channel reemerges from the kidney.
10. Ascending and passing through the liver and diaphragm,
11. it enters the lung,
12. runs along the throat
13. and terminates at the root of the tongue.
14. A Branch springs from the lung, joins the heart and flows into the chest to link with Pericardium Channel of Hand-Jueyin (see Diagram)
2. The following are 27 points of this channel:
1. Youngquan (Jing-Well Point, K. 1)
1. Location: In the depression appearing on the sole when the foot is in plantar flexion, approximately at the junction of the anterior and middle third of the sole (see Diagram)
2. Indications: Pain in the vertex, dizziness, blurring of vision, sore throat, dryness of the tongue, aphonia, dysuria, dyschesia, infantile convulsion, feverish sensation in the sole and loss of consciousness.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy
1. Vasculature: Deeper, the plantar arch.
2. Innervation: The 2^nd common plantar digital nerve.
2. Rangu (Ying-Spring Point, K.2)
1. Location: Anterior and inferior to the medial malleolus, in the depression on the lower border of the tuberosity of the navicular bone (see Diagram)
2. Indications: Pruritus vulvae, prolapse of uterus, irregular menstruation, seminal emission, hemoptysis, diarrhea, swelling and pain of the dorsum of the foot.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy
1. Vasculature: The branches of the medial plantar and medial tarsal arteries.
2. Innervation: The terminal branch of the medial crural cutaneous nerve, the medial plantar nerve.
3. Taixi (Shu-Stream and Yuan-Source Point, K. 3)
1. Location: In the depression between the medial malleolus and tendo calcaneus, level with the tip of the medial malleolus (see Diagram)
2. Indications: Sore throat, toothache, deafness, hemoptysis, asthma, irregular menstruation, insomnia, seminal emission, impotence, frequency of micturition, pain in the lower back.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy
1. Vasculature: Anteriorly, the posterior tibial artery and vein.
2. Innervation: The medial crural cutaneous nerve, on the course of the tibial nerve.
4. Dazhong (Luo-Connecting Point, K. 4)
1. Location: Posterior and inferior to the medial malleolus, in the depression medial to the attachment of tendo calcaneus (see Diagram)
2. Indications: Hemoptysis, asthma, pain and stiffness of the lumbosacral region, dysuria and pain in the heel.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy
1. Vasculature: The medial calcaneal branch of the posterior tibial artery.
2. Innervation: The medial crural cutaneous nerve, on the course of the medial calcaneal ramus derived from the tibial nerve.
5. Shuiquan (Xi-Cleft Point, K. 5)
1. Location: 1 cun directly below Taixi (K. 3), in the depression anterior and superior to the medial side of the tuberosity of the calcaneum (see Diagram)
2. Indications: Irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, prolapse of uterus, dysuria, and blurring of vision.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.4 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
1. Regional anatomy - see Dazhong (K.4)
6. Zhaohai (K. 6)
1. Location: 1 cun below the medial malleolus (see Diagram)
2. Indications: Irregular menstruation, prolapse of uterus, pruritus vulvae, hernia, frequency of micturition, epilepsy, sore throat, and insomnia.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy
1. Vasculature: Posteroinferiorly, the posterior tibial artery and vein.
2. Innervation: The medial crural cutaneous nerve; deeper, the tibial nerve.
5. Note: Zhaohai (K.6) is one of the Eight Confluent Points communicating with the Yinqiao Channel.
7. Fuliu (Jing-River Point, K. 7)
1. Location: 2 cun directly above Taixi (K.3), on the anterior border of tendo calcaneus (see Diagram)
2. Indications: Diarrhea, borborygmus, edema, abdominal distension, swelling of leg, muscular atrophy, weakness and paralysis of foot, night sweating, and spontaneous sweating.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy
1. Vasculature: Deeper, anteriorly, the posterior tibial artery and vein.
2. Innervation: The medial sural and medial crural cutaneous nerves; deeper, the tibial nerve.
5. Note: In the medial aspect of the leg, the distance from the tip of the medial malleolus to the level of Yinligquan (Sp. 9) is measured as 13 cun.
8. Jiaoxin (K. 8)
1. Location: 2 cun above Taixi (K. 3), 0.5 cun anterior to Fuliu (K. 7), posterior to the medial border of tibia (see Diagram)
2. Indications: Irregular menstruation, uterine bleeding, prolapse of uterus, diarrhea, constipation, and pain and swelling of testis.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.4 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy
1. Vasculature: Deeper, the posterior tibial artery and vein.
2. Innervation: The medial crural cutaneous nerve; deeper, the tibial nerve.
5. Note: Jiaoxin (K.8) is the Xi-Cleft Point of the Yinqiao Channel.
9. Zhubin (K. 9)
1. Location: On the line drawn from Taixi (K. 3) to Yingu (K. 10), at the lower end of the belly of m. gastrocnemius in the medial aspect, about 5 cun above Taixi (K. 3) (see Diagram)
2. Indications: Mental disorders, pain in the medial aspect of the leg.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-0.8 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy
1. Vasculature: Deeper, the posterior tibial artery and vein.
2. Innervation: The medial sural cutaneous nerve and medial crural cutaneous nerve; deeper, the tibial nerve.
5. Note: Zhubin (K.9) is the Xi-Clieft Point of the Yinwei Channel.
10. Yingu (He-Sea Point, K. 10)
1. Location: On the medial side of the popliteal fossa, level with Weizhong (U.B. 40), between the tendons of m. semitendinosus and seminmembranosus when the knee is flexed (see Diagram)
2. Indications: Impotence, hernia, uterine bleeding, pain in the medial aspect of the thigh and knee.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.8-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy
1. Vasculature: The medial superior genicular artery and vein.
2. Innervation: The medial femoral cutaneous nerve.
11. Henggu (K. 11)
1. Location: 5 cun below the umbilicus, on the superior border of symphysis pubis, 0.5 cun lateral to Qugu (Ren 2.)
2. Indications: Pain in the external genitalia, seminal emission, impotence and retention of urine.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-0.8 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy
1. Vasculature: The inferior epigastric artery and external pudendal artery.
2. Innervation: The branch of the iliohypogastric nerve.
5. Note:
1. On the lower abdomen, the distance from Henggu (K.11 to Huangshu (K. 16) is measured as 5 cun. All the points on the line joining these points are 0.5 cun lateral to the Ren Channel.
2. The distance between the two nipples is measured as 8 cun, which serves as a standard for transverse measurement on the abdomen.
12. Dahe (K. 12)
1. Location: 4 cun below the umbilicus, 0.5 cun lateral to Zhongji (Ren 3) (see Diagram)
2. Indications: Pain in the external genitalia, seminal emission, and leukorrhea.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy
1. Vasculature: The muscular branches of the inferior epigastric artery and vein.
2. Innervation: The branches of the subcostal nerve and the iliohypogastric nerve.
13. Qixue (K. 13)
1. Location: 3 cun below the umbilicus, 0.5 cun lateral to Guanyuan (Ren 4.)
2. Indications: Irregular menstruation, and diarrhea.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy
1. Vasculature: See Dahe (K. 12.)
2. Innervation: The subcostal nerve.
14. Siman (K. 14)
1. Location: 2 cun below the umbilicus, 0.5 cun lateral to Shimen (Ren 5.)
2. Indications: Uterine bleeding, irregular menstruation, postpartum abdominal pain and diarrhea.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy
1. Vasculature: See Dahe (K.12.)
2. Innervation: The 11^th intercostal nerve.
15. Abdomen-Zhongzhu (K. 15)
1. Location: 1 cun below the umbilicus, 0.5 cun lateral to Abdomen-Yinjiao (Ren 7.)
2. Indications: Irregular menstruation, lower abdominal pain, and constipation.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy
1. Vasculature: See Dahe (K. 12.)
2. Innervation: The 10 intercostal nerve.
16. Huangshu (K. 16)
1. Location: 0.5 cun lateral to the center of the umbilicus (see Diagram)
2. Indications: Abdominal pain, vomiting, abdominal distension, and constipation.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy
1. Vasculature: See Dahe (K. 12.)
2. Innervation: The 10^th intercostal nerve.
17. Shangqu (K. 17)
1. Location: 2 cun above the umbilicus, 05 cun lateral to Xiawan (Ren 10.)
2. Indications: Fullness of abdomen, diarrhea and constipation.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy
1. Vasculature: The branches of the superior and inferior epigastric arteries and veins.
2. Innervation: The 9^th intercostal nerve.
5. Note: On the upper abdomen, all the points within the line from Huangshu (K.16) to Youmen (K. 21) are 0.5 cun lateral to the Ren Channel. The distance between the two points is 6 cun.
18. Shiguan (K. 18)
1. Location: 3 cun above the umbilicus, 0.5 cun lateral to Jianli (Ren 11.)
2. Indications: Vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, postpartum abdominal pain.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy
1. Vasculature: The branches of the superior epigastric artery and vein.
2. Innervation: The 8^th intercostal nerve.
19. Yindu (K. 19)
1. Location: 4 cun above the umbilicus, 0.5 cun lateral to Zhongqan (Ren 12.)
2. Indications: Boborygmus, abdominal distension and pain.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
1. Regional anatomy - see Shiguan (K. 18.)
20. Abdomen-Tonggu (K. 20)
1. Location: 5 cun above the umbilicus, 0.5 cun lateral to Shangwan (Ren 13.)
2. Indications: Abdominal pain and distension, vomiting and indigestion.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy - see Shiguan (K. 18.)
21. Youmen (K. 21)
1. Location: 6 cun above the umbilicus, 0.5 cun lateral to Juque (Ren 14.)
2. Indications: Abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3-0.7 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy
1. Vasculature: See Shiguan (K. 18.)
2. Innervation: The 7^th intercostal nerve.
22. Bulang (K. 22)
1. Location: In the 5^th intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the Ren Channel.
2. Indications: Cough and asthma.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy
1. Vasculature: The 5^th intercostal artery and vein.
2. Innervation: The anterior cutaneous branch of the 5^th intercostal nerve; deeper, the 5^th intercostal nerve.
23. Shenfeng (K. 23)
1. Location: In the 4^th intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the Ren Channel.
2. Indications: Cough, asthma, sensation of fullness in the chest and hypochondriac region, and mastitis.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy
1. Vasculature: The 4^th intercostal artery and vein.
2. Innervation: The anterior cutaneous branch of the 4^th intercostal nerve; deeper, the 4^th intercostal nerve.
24. Lingxu (K. 24)
1. Location: In the 3^rd intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the Ren Channel.
2. Indications: Cough, asthma, pain and fullness of the chest and hypochondriac region, and mastitis.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy
1. Vasculature: The 3^rd intercostal artery and vein.
2. Innervation: The anterior cutaneous branch of the 3^rd intercostal nerve; deeper, the 3^rd intercostal nerve.
25. Shencang (K. 25)
1. Location: In the 2^nd intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the Ren Channel.
2. Indications: Cough, asthma, and chest pain.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy
1. Vasculature: The 2^nd intercostal artery and vein.
2. Innervation: The anterior cutaneous branch of the 2^nd intercostal nerve; deeper, the 2^nd intercostal nerve.
26. Yuzhong (K. 26)
1. Location: In the 1^st intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the Ren Channel.
2. Indications: Cough, asthma, sensation of fullness in the chest and hypochondriac region.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3-0.5 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy
1. Vasculature: The 1^st intercostal artery and vein.
2. Innervation: The anterior cutaneous branch of the 1^st intercostal nerve, the medial supraclavicular nerve; deeper, the 1^st intercostal nerve.
27. Shufu (K. 27)
1. Location: In the depression on the lower border of the clavicle, 2 cun lateral to the Ren Channel.
2. Indications: Cough, asthma and chest pain.
3. Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3 inch. Moxibustion is applicable.
4. Regional anatomy
1. Vasculature: The anterior perforating branches of the internal mamary artery and vein.
2. Innervation: The medial supraclavicular nerve.
3. Summary of "The Kidney Channel of Foot-Shaoyin" Points.