Small Intestine 3 Location
- With the hand held in a loose fist, Small Intestine 3 is located on ulnar side proximal to the head of the 5th metacarpal, in a depression between bone and tendon.
Small Intestine 3 Needling
- To needle Small Intestine 3, use a perpendicular insertion to a maximum depth of 0.5 cun.
- This area can be tender on some people in which case press gently and firmly with the guide tube and use a rapid and firm insertion.
Small Intestine 3 TCM Theory
Small Intestine 3 is the opening point for the Du Mai and the coupled or closing point is Bladder 62.
To open the Du Mai, Small Intestine 3 is needled first, classically on the right for women and the left for men, and then Bladder 62 is needled, classically on the left for women and the right for men.
At the end of the treatment, the needles are removed in reverse order so that Bladder 62 is removed first followed by Small Intestine 3.
Small Intestine 3 is also the Shu-stream point for the Small Intestine channel.
Shu-stream points are where are where the Qi of the channel begins to pour and are located at or near the joints of the ankles and wrists.
Shu-stream points are used to:
- Treat heaviness or pain of the joints.
- Treat diseases which come and go such as those due to a retained pathogenic factor.
Small Intestine 3 is also the Wood point of the Small Intestine channel.
The main TCM actions of Small Intestine 3 are:
