Spleen Meridian of Foot Taiyin

Jing-Luo System

Traveling course of the regular meridian

It starts from SP 1 Yingbai （隐白）, runs along the medial aspect of the foot at the junction of dark and light skin, ascends in front of the medial malleolus and the medial aspect of the leg, crosses the Liver Meridian 8 cun above the malleolus, runs along the anterior border to the thigh, enters (homes to) the spleen and connects with the stomach, passes through the diaphragm, and reaches and ends at the root of the tongue.

The branch from the stomach goes upward and enters the heart, where it links with the Heart Meridian.

Traveling course of the divergent meridian

It diverges from the regular Spleen Meridian on the thigh, converges with the divergent meridian of the Stomach Meridian, goes upward to the throat, and enters the root of the tongue.

Traveling course of the collateral

It separates from the regular Spleen Meridian at SP 4 Gongsun （公孙）, 1 cun posterior to the base of the first metatarsal bone, and then connects with the regular Stomach Meridian. A branch enters the abdomen and connects with the stomach and intestines.

The major collateral of the spleen separates from the regular Spleen Meridian at ST 21 Dabao  emerges 3 cun below GB 22 Yuanye （渊液） on the side of the chest, and spreads through the chest and hypochondriac region.

The muscle region

It starts from the medial side of the great toe and knots upward at the medial malleolus. The straight portion runs upward, knots on the medial side of the knee, traverses the medial aspect of the thigh, and knots at the hip. Then it joins with the external genitalia and extends to the abdomen, knotting with the umbilicus. From there, it enters the abdominal cavity, knots with the ribs, and disperses through the chest. The internal portion adheres to the spine.

The cutaneous regions

Point System

There are 21 points on the Spleen Meridian, among which the points underlined are commonly used. The range of treatment of the spleen points includes illnesses of the spleen and stomach, gynecological or urogenital diseases, and other disorders along the meridian traveling course.

SP 1 Yinbai （隐白）

Name: Hidden White. The point is “hidden” on the medial side of the foot at the junction of “white” and dark flesh.

Special Group: Jing-Well Point of the Spleen Meridian.

Location: On the medial side of the great toe, 0.1 cun posterior to the corner of the toenail.

Actions: Clears damp-heat, regulates Stomach-Qi, and stops pain.

Indications: Abdominal pain, bloody stools and urine, menorrhagia, Ben Lou, Dian Kuang or Manic–Depressive Syndrome (bipolar disorder or schizophrenia), dream-disturbed sleep, Fright Wind Syndrome.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.1 cun.

SP 2 Dadu （大都）

Name: Great Metropolis. “Du” refers to a pool in ancient times. Qi is abundant at this Ying-Spring point, as though it were flowing into a large pool.

Special Group: Ying-Spring Point of the Spleen Meridian.

Location: On the medial side of the great toe, distal to the first metatarsodigital joint, at the junction of light and dark skin.

Actions: Tonifies the spleen, harmonizes the middle Jiao, and clears heat.

Indications: Abdominal bloating, stomachache, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, febrile diseases.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3–0.5 cun.

SP 3 Taibai （太白）

Name: Greater White. “Taibai” is also the name of the planet Venus, which belongs to metal in the Five Elements Theory. The spleen belongs to earth, which generates metal.

Special Group: (1) Yuan-Primary Point of the Spleen Meridian; (2) Shu-Stream Point of the Spleen Meridian.

Location: On the medial side of the foot, proximal to the head of the first metatarsal bone, at the junction of light and dark skin.

Actions: Reinforces the spleen, harmonizes the middle Jiao, and resolves dampness.

Indications: Stomachache, abdominal bloating, borborygmus, diarrhea, constipation, hemorrhoids, Foot Qi or beriberi, heaviness of the body with joint pain.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3–0.5 cun.

SP 4 Gongsun （公孙）

Name: The Yellow Emperor’s surname. He found the point and thus it carries his surname.

Special Group: (1) Luo-Connecting Point of the Spleen Meridian; (2) Confluent Point of the Chong Meridian.

Location: In the depression distal and inferior to the base of the first metatarsal bone, at the junction of light and dark skin.

Actions: Regulates the spleen and stomach, and harmonizes Stomach-Qi and the Chong Meridian.

Indications: Stomachache, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dysentery.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5–0.8 cun.

SP 5 ShangQiu （商丘）

Name: Shang Hill. Shang is one of the Five Sounds and belongs to metal and the lung, according to the Five Elements Theory. This is a Jing-River point belonging to metal. “Hill” implies the point location below the medial malleolus, which resembles a mound.

Special Group: Jing-River Point of the Spleen Meridian.

Location: On the medial aspect of the ankle, in the depression anterior and inferior to the medial malleolus.

Actions: Reinforces the spleen and resolves dampness.

Indications: Abdominal bloating, diarrhea, constipation, jaundice, ankle pain.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5–0.8 cun.

SP 6 SanjinJiao （三阴交）

Name: Three-Yin Intersection. The three Yin meridians of the leg cross at this point.

Special Group: Crossing Point of the three Yin Meridians of the Foot.

Location: Three cun directly above the tip of the medial malleolus, on the posterior border of the medial aspect of the tibia.

Actions: Reinforces the spleen and stomach, helps the transportation and transformation functions of the spleen, regulates the Qi and blood of the three Yin meridians of the leg, and unblocks meridians and collaterals.

Indications: Abdominal pain and bloating, borborygmus, diarrhea, irregular menstruation, leukorrhea, prolapse of the uterus, infertility, difficult labor, nocturnal emissions, impotence, enuresis, Shan Qi or hernia, insomnia, muscular atrophy and pain of the lower limbs, Foot Qi or beriberi.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5–1 cun. Acupuncture is not advisable for pregnant women.

SP 7 Lougu （漏谷）

Name: Leaking Valley. “Leaking” implies the abnormal function of urination that the point Fu treats. The point is located in a valley-like anatomical depression above the medial malleolus.

Special Group: None.

Location: Three cun above SP 6 Sanyinjiao, on the line connecting the tip of the medial malleolus and SP 9 Yinlingquan.

Actions: Reinforces the spleen and resolves dampness.

Indications: Abdominal bloating, borborygmus, dysuria, nocturnal emissions, numbness and paralysis of the lower limbs.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3–0.5 cun.

SP 8 Diji （地机）

Name: Earth’s Crux. The point is the Xi-Cleft point of the Spleen Meridian, where Qi gathers deeply as the “crux” or central point for its further flow. The spleen belongs to earth in the Five Elements Theory.

Special Group: Xi-Cleft Point of the Spleen Meridian.

Location: Three cun below SP 9 Yinlingquan, on the line connecting SP 9 and the tip of the medial malleolus.

Actions: Reinforces the spleen, and regulates blood and menstruation.

Indications: Abdominal pain, poor appetite, diarrhea, dysuria, edema, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, nocturnal emissions.

Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.5–1 cun.

SP 9 Yinlingquan（阴陵泉）

Name: Yin Mound Spring. The point lies below the medial condyle of the tibia like a spring at the base of a mound. It is a Yin point, opposite to GB 34 Yanglingquan.

Special Group: He-Sea Point of the Spleen Meridian.

Location: On the lower border of the medial condyle of the tibia, in the depression on the medial border of the tibia.

Actions: Reinforces the spleen, resolves dampness, and drains the water passage of the san Jiao.

Indications: Abdominal distension, diarrhea, edema, jaundice, dysuria, urinary incontinence, knee pain.

Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.5–1 cun.

SP 10 Xuehai （血海）

Name: Sea of Blood. It is one of the key blood points for various blood disorders.

Special Group: None.

Location: Two cun above the mediosuperior border of the patella, located with the knee flexed, on the bulge of the medial portion of the quadriceps femoris muscle.

Actions: Regulates blood, dispels wind from the blood, and resolves dampness.

Indications: Irregular menstruation, Ben Lou or uterine bleeding, amenorrhea, urticaria, eczema, erysipelas, pain in the medial aspect of the upper leg.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 1–1.5 cun.

SP 11 Jimen （箕门）

Name: Winnower Gate. The name suggests the patient’s position for locating the point, i.e. sitting with legs open like a winnower.

Special Group: None.

Location: Six cun above SP 10 Xuehai, on the line connecting SP 10 and SP 12 Chongmen.

Actions: Frees the water passage and benefits urination.

Indications: Difficult urination, enuresis, pain and swelling in the inguinal region.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5–1 cun.

SP 12 Chongmen （冲门）

Name: Surging Gate. The Qi of the meridian flows into the interior layer from this point. It is near ST 30 Qichong and they share the name “Chong.”

Special Group: Crossing Point with the Liver Meridian and Yin Wei Meridian.

Location: 3.5 cun lateral to CV 2 Qugu which is 5 cun below the center of the umbilicus, at the level of the upper border of the symphysis pubis, on the lateral side of the femoral artery.

Actions: Regulates the lower Jiao.

Indications: Abdominal pain, Shan Qi or hernia, Ben Lou or uterine bleeding, leukorrhea.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5–1 cun. Avoid puncturing the artery.

SP 13 Fushe（府舍）

Name: Fu Organ’s Abode. The name suggests that the location of the point on the abdomen is where the six Fu organs reside.

Special Group: Crossing Point with the Liver Meridian and Yin Wei Meridian.

Location: 0.7 cun laterosuperior to SP 12 Chongmen, 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline.

Actions: Regulates the lower Jiao and resolves stagnation in the Fu organs.

Indications: Abdominal pain, Shan Qi or hernia, abdominal masses.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5–1 cun.

SP 14 Fujie （腹结）

Name: Abdominal Bind. The point is located in the area where the Qi in the abdomen gathers or binds.

Special Group: None.

Location: 1.3 cun below SP 15 Daheng, 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline.

Actions: Regulates Qi and blood, and harmonizes the stomach and intestines.

Indications: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, Shan Qi or hernia.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5–1 cun.

SP 15 Daheng （大横）

Name: Large and Transverse. The point is situated on the transverse line level with the umbilicus; it is very important for treating disorders of the large intestine.

Special Group: Crossing Point with the Yin Wei Meridian.

Location: Four cun lateral to the center of the umbilicus.

Actions: Warms the middle Jiao and regulates the large intestine.

Indications: Diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 1–2 cun.

SP 16 Fu’ai （腹哀）

Name: Abdominal Lament. The name describes the sound of bowel movement as crying due to sadness or pain.

Special Group: None.

Location: Three cun above SP 15 Daheng, 4 cun lateral to CV 11 Jianli on the anterior midline.

Actions: Regulates the intestines.

Indications: Indigestion, abdominal pain, constipation, dysentery.

Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5–1 cun.

SP 17 Shidou （食窦）

Name: Food Cavity. The point functions to drain water from the chest and promotes the transportation of foods.

Special Group: None.

Location: On the chest, in the fifth intercostal space, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline.

Actions: Regulates the spleen and stomach, and benefits the chest.

Indications: Fullness and pain in the chest, acid regurgitation, abdominal bloating, edema.

Method: Puncture obliquely or subcutaneously toward the lateral aspect 0.3–0.5 cun.

SP 18 Tianxi （天溪）

Name: Heaven’s Stream. The point is at a higher place on the body and is thus named “Heaven”; it functions to promote lactation, causing milk to flow like a stream.

Special Group: None.

Location: On the chest, in the fourth intercostal space, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline.

Actions: Benefits the chest and promotes lactation.

Indications: Fullness and pain in the chest, cough, mastitis, insufficient lactation.

Method: Puncture obliquely or subcutaneously toward the lateral aspect 0.3–0.5 cun.

SP 19 Xiongxiang （胸乡）

Name: Chest Village. The name suggests the location of the point in the chest.

Special Group: None.

Location: On the chest, in the third intercostal space, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline.

Actions: Benefits the chest.

Indications: Fullness and pain in the chest.

Method: Puncture obliquely or subcutaneously toward the lateral aspect 0.3–0.5 cun.

SP 20 Zhourong （周荣）

Name: All-Round Flourishing. It is said that the Qi from this point connects with LU 1 Zhongfu to circulate all around the body.

Special Group: None.

Location: On the chest, in the second intercostal space, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline.

Actions: Benefits the chest and frees the flow or Qi.

Indications: Fullness in the chest, cough, hiccups.

Method: Puncture obliquely or subcutaneously toward the lateral aspect 0.3–0.5 cun.

SP 21 Dabao （大包）

Name: Great Embrace. The major collateral of the spleen starts from this point and its Qi spreads through the side of the trunk, “wrapping” or “embracing” the area.

Special Group: Major Luo-Connecting Point of the Spleen Meridian.

Location: On the side of the chest, on the mid-axillary line, 6 cun below the axilla, in the 6th intercostal space, midway between the axilla and the free end of the 11th rib.

Actions: Regulates Qi and blood, and benefits the chest and hypochondrium.

Indications: Asthma, pain in the chest and hypochondriac region, general aching, weakness of the four limbs.

Method: Puncture obliquely or subcutaneously backward 0.3–0.5 cun.