San Jiao Channel Flashcards
Pathway of San Jiao Channel
Originates from the tip of the ring finger
- -> Running upward between the 4th and 5th metacarpal bones along the dorsal aspect of the wrist to the lateral aspect of the forearm between the radius and ulna
- -> Passing through the olecranon and along the lateral aspect of the upper arm, it reaches the shoulder region, where it goes across and passes behind the GB channel.
- -> Winding over to the supraclavicular fossa, it spreads in the chest to connect with the PC.
- -> Descends through the diaphragm down to the abdomen, and joints its pertaining organ, the upper, middle and lower jiao
Branch of SJ channel
A branch originates from the chest;
–> Running upward, it emerges from the
supraclavicular fossa –> Ascends to the neck, running along the posterior border of the ear, and further to the corner of the anterior hairline.
–> Turns downward to the cheek
–> Terminates in the infraorbital region
Auricular branch of SJ channel
Arises from the retroauricular region –> Enters the ear –> Emerges in front of the ear –> Crosses the previous branch at the cheek –> Reaches the outer canthus (SJ 23) Links with the GB channel
SJ Divergent
After deriving from the SJ channel at the vertex, it descends into the supraclavicular fossa –> Crosses the upper jiao, middle jiao and lower jiao –> Finally disperses in the chest
SJ Luo-connecting channel
Arises from SJ 5 (Waiguan), 2 cun above the dorsum of the wrist –> Travels up the posterior aspect of the arm and over the shoulder –> Disperses in the chest –> Converging with the PC primary channel
Sinew channel
Starts from the extremity of the fourth finger –> knots at dorsum of wrist –> ascends forearm –> knots a olecranon of elbow –> proceeds along lateral aspect of arm, crosses shoulder and neck –> converges w muscle region of SI channel
Branch: splits at angle of mandible, connects w root of tongue
Another branch: proceeds upward in front of the ear to outer canthus —> crosses temple –> connects at corner of forehead
SJ 1 location
On the lateral side of the ring finger
about 0.1 cun posterior to the corner of the nail
SJ 2 location
Clench the fist.
in the depression proximal to the margin of the web
SJ 3 location
Clench the fist.
on the dorsum of the hand
between the 4th and 5th matacarpal bones proximal to the MP joint
SJ 4 location
on the transverse crease of the dorsum of the wrist
in the depression lateral to the tendon of m. extensor digitorum communis
SJ 4 needling
needling method:
slightly oblique proximal insertion 0.3 - 0.5 cun
2. transverse insertion towards the radial side of the wrist beneath the tendons, 0.5 - 1.0cun
SJ 5 location
2 cun above (proximal to) SJ 4 between the radius and ulna
SJ 5 needling
needling method:
1. slightly oblique insertion towards the ulnar side or oblique proximal or distal insertion
towards the elbow or wrist respectively, 0.5 - 1.5 cun 2. through and through to PC6
caution; movement of the patient’s arm or hand after needling this point can result in a bent needle
SJ 3 needling
perpendicular or oblique directed proximally, 0.5 - 1.0 cun
SJ 2 needling
perpendicular insertion 0.3 - 0.5 cun
SJ 1 needling
- perpendicular or oblique insertion directed proximally 0.1 – 0.2 cun
- prick to bleed
SJ 6 location
3cunaboveSJ4
between the radius and ulna
on the radial side of m.extensor digtorum
SJ 6 needling
- slightly oblique insertion towards the ulnar side or oblique proximal or distal insertion
towards the elbow or wrist respectively, 0.5 - 1.5 cun - through and through to PC5
SJ 7 location
3cunaboveSJ4(atthelevelwithSJ6) about one finger-breadth lateral to SJ 6 on the radial side of the ulna
SJ 7 needling
same as SJ 5
SJ 8 location
4cunaboveSJ4
between the radius and ulna
SJ 8 needling
same as SJ5
contra-indicated to needling according to some classic text books
SJ 9 location
on the lateral sid of the forearm 5 cun below the olecranon
between the radius and ulna
SJ 9 needling
perpendicular or oblique proximal or distal insertion towards the elbow or wrist respectively, 1 – 2 cun
SJ 10 location
Flex the elbow
in the depression about 1 cun superior to the olecranon
SJ 10 needling
needling method: perpendicular insertion 0.5 - 1.0 cun
SJ 11 location
1 cun above SJ 10
SJ 11 needling
Same as SJ 10: perpendicular insertion 0.5 - 1.0 cun
SJ 12 location
on the line joining the olecranon and SJ 14 midway between SJ 11 and SJ 13
SJ 12 needling
perpendicular or oblique insertion 1 - 2 cun
SJ 13 location
on the line joining SJ 14 and the olecranon on the posterior border of m.dltoideus
SJ 13 needling
same as SJ 12: perpendicular or oblique insertion 1 - 2 cun
SJ 14 location
Abduct the arm.
posterior and inferior to the acromion in the depression about 1 cun posterior to LI 15
SJ 14 needling
- with the arm abducted, perpendicular insertion directed towards the center of
axilla,1-1.5 cun - transverse-oblique insertion directed towards the elbow, 1,5 - 2 cun
SJ 15 location
midway between GB 21 and SI 13 on the superior angle of the scapula
SJ 15 needling
oblique insertion directed according to the clinical manifestation, 0.5 – 1 cun
caution; perpendicular insertion, especially in thin patients, carries substantial risk of inducing a pneumothorax
SJ 16 location
posterior and inferior to the mastoid process
on the posterior border of m. sternocleidomastoids almost level with SI 17
SJ 16 needling
perpendicular insertion, 0.5 – 1 cun
SJ 17 location
posterior to the lobule of the ear
in the depression between the mandible and mastoid process
SJ 17 needling
perpendicular insertion, directed towards the opposite ear, 0.5 – 1.0 cun
caution; if the needle is directed too anteriorly or posteriorly, pain will ensure and may cause discomfort on opening and closing the mouth for some while after treatment
SJ 18 location
in the center of the mastoid process at the junction of the middle and lower third of the curve formed by: SJ 17 and SJ 20
SJ 18 needling
- subcutaneous insertion along the course of the channel, 0.3 – 0.5 cun
- prick to bleed
SJ 19 location
posterior to the ear
at the junction of the upper and middle third of the curve formed by : SJ 17 and SJ 20f behind the helix
SJ 19 needling
same as SJ18:
- subcutaneous insertion along the course of the channel, 0.3 – 0.5 cun
- prick to bleed
note; according to several classical texts, this point is contraindicated to bleeding
SJ 20 location
directly above the ear apex within the hairline
SJ 20 needling
transverse insertion, 0.5 – 1.0 cun may be needled in any direction
SJ 21 location
In the depression anterior to the supratragic notch slightly superior to the condyloid process of the mandible
Locate the point with the mouth open
SJ 21 needling
inferior oblique insertion, slightly posteriorly, 0.5- 1.0 cun
SJ 22 location
anterior and superior to SJ 21
at the level with the root of the auricle
on the posterior border of the hairline of the temple where the superficial temporal artery passes
SJ 22 needling
transverse insertion, 0.3 – 0.5 cun
SJ 23 location
in the depression at the lateral end of the eyebrow
SJ 23 needling
transverse insertion, medially along the eyebrow or posteriorly, 0.5 – 1.0 cun
Crossing point(s) of GB/SI/LI
GB/SI: SJ 22, SJ 20 (Deadman)
GB/LI: SJ 20 (Shang Hai)
Crossing point of GB
SJ 17
Window of the Sky point
SJ 16
Crossing point of Yang Wei / GB
SJ 15
Crossing point of Yang Wei
SJ 13
He-sea point (earth)
SJ 10
Xi-cleft point
SJ 7
Jing-river point (fire)
SJ 6
Luo-connecting point
SJ 5
Confluent point of Yang Wei
SJ 5
Source point
SJ 4
Shu-stream point (wood)
SJ 3
Ying-spring point (water)
SJ 2
Jing-well point (metal)
SJ 1
Front-mu point of SJ
Ren 5
Back-shu point of SJ
UB 22
Lower he-sea point of SJ
UB 39
SJ organ Fx
- Govern the various forms of qi
- Serves as the passage for the flow of yuan qi and body fluid
- Takes a part of digestion, absorption, distribution and excretion of food and water
SJ channel Fx
- Clears heat.
1) Reduces fever Febrile diseases
- Wei and Qi level
- Shao yang level
2) Clears heat from the neck, throat and tongue
3) Clears heat from the eyes - especially W-H and LV/GB heat - Soothing the HT and clams the sprit
- Benefits the ears - especially excess patterns (LV yang rising etc.)
- Treats headache - temporal headache
SJ 1 Fx
- Expels wind
- Benefits ear and tongue
- Invigorates blood
SJ 2 Fx
- Clears upper jiao heat
- Calms the spirit
- Resolves obstruction from the channel
SJ 3 Fx
- Clears heat
- Removes obstruction from channel
- Regulates the Qi and lifts the mind –> for LV qi stag
SJ 4 Fx
- Clears heat
- Benefits original Qi –> used in chronic dz to tonify and promote homeostasis
- Regulates ST (combine w ST 42 for fatigue)
- Promote fluid transformation
- Tonifies Chong and Ren channels
- Relaxes sinews and removes obstructions
SJ 5 Fx
- Releases exterior, expels wind-heat and opens the Yang Wei channel –> good for headaches and releasing exterior & wind-heat
- clears heat: head and ears, LV yang rising, middle and lower jiao
- removes obstruction from channel and activates channel and alleviates pain
SJ 6 Fx
Most important pt on SJ channel for moving qi and learning heat in SJ!
Famous pt for the treatment of constipation.
- Regulates the Qi: qi stag in chest/lateral costal region; qi stag in lower jiao
- clears heat in three jiao
- benefits the voice
- removes obstruction from channel: local pain
SJ 7 Fx
- removes obstruction from channel and stops pain: for acute pain around ears, temples, eyebrows
SJ 8 Fx
Meeting point of the three yang channels of the arm
- Clears heat and SJ channel
- Removes obstruction from the channel: esp. effective when area of pain involves more than one channel on yang surface of arm and shoulders
SJ 9 Fx
- Benefits the throat and ears
SJ 10 Fx
Important point to treat phlegm
- resolves dampness and phlegm, and dispels “masses”: visible and invisible phlegm
- dispels stagnation: LV qi stag, rebellious qi
- invigorates the qi and relieves pain
- clears heat from SJ channel
- regulates Wei qi and yang qi and expels wind
SJ 11 Fx
- Activates channel and dispels wind-damp
2. clears damp-heat
SJ 12 Fx
- Activates channel and alleviates pain
SJ 13 Fx
- Regulates qi and transforms phlegm
SJ 14 Fx
- Dispels wind-damp, alleviates pain and benefits the shoulder joint: important local point for pain on shoulder going, esp. posterior aspect
SJ 15 Fx
Important local point for pain in shoulder
- Dispel wind-damp, activate channel and alleviate pain
- Unbind chest and regulate qi
SJ 16 Fx
- Window of the sky point: Benefits head and sense organs, regulates and descends qi, problems of neck
- Activates channel and alleviates pain
SJ 17 Fx
- Expels wind: exterior and interior wind from face
- Clears heat and benefits the ears: major local point for ear problems
- ACAP
SJ 18 Fx
- Benefits ears
2. Calms fright and pacifies wind
SJ 19 Fx
- Benefits ears and head
- Clears head
- Calms fright and relieves tetany –> essential pt for tx of tetany
SJ 20 Fx
- Clears heat: ears, teeth, bumps, lips, eyes
SJ 21 Fx
- Clears and benefits the ears, teeth, gums and lips
SJ 22 Fx
- Expels wind and alleviates pain
SJ 23 Fx
- Expels wind and stops pain: facial paralysis, headache, aversions to wind and cold…
- Brightens eyes
Name of SJ 2
Ye Men (gate of fluids)
Name of SJ 4
Yang Chi (Yang pond)
Name of SJ 5
Wai Guan (outer gate)
Name of SJ 8
San Yang Luo (connecting of three Yang)
Name of SJ 17
Yi Feng (wind screen)
Name of SJ 21
Er Men (ear door)
