The Sixteen Xi (Cleft) Points
by Li Ding from the book: Acupuncture, Meridian Theory and Acupuncture Points |
Early records of Xi (cleft) Points date back to Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (A Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion). Xi (cleft) Points are used for treating acute disorders of their related internal organs as well as of the areas supplied by the meridians. Needling these points can regulate the circulation of qi and blood in the diseased areas.
The Sixteen Xi (Cleft) Points | Indications |
---|---|
Kongzui (Lu.6) | hemorrhoid bleeding, hemoptysis, shortness of breath |
Wenliu (L.I.7) | toothache, common cold, hemorrhoids |
Liangqiu (St.34) | epigastric pain |
Diji (Sp.8) | acute diarrhea |
Yinxi (H.6) | cardiac pain, insomnia and mental mania |
Yanglao (S.I.6) | blurring of vision and tinnitus |
Jinmen (U.B.63) | infantile convulsions and systrema |
Shuiquan (K.5) | dysmenorrhea, prolapse of uterus |
Ximen (P.4) | cardiac pain, palpitation, hypochondriac pain |
Huizong (S.J.7) | pain in the heart area, enteritis |
Waiqiu (G.B.36) | mania with emotional excitement and insanity with emotional depression |
Foot-Zhongdu ( Liv.6) | hernia, uterine bleeding |
Fuyang (U.B.59) | acute diarrhea. sciatica, numbness, lumbar pain |
Jiaoxin (K.8) | orchialgia. amenorrhea, night sweating |
Yangiiao (G.B.35) | chest pain, numbness of the lower extremities |
Zhubin (K.9) | relieving pathogenic qi, hernia and beriberi |
Clinically, combination of the Xi (cleft) Points and the Eight Influential Points can often enhance the therapeutic effect of the acupuncture treatment, e.g. Liangqiu (St.34) and Zhongwan (Ren 12) for severe epigastric pain; Kongzui (Lu.6) and Shanzhong (Ren 17) for cough and hiccup with difficult breathing.
Observation of Xi (cleft) Points can sometimes be of help in diagnosing acute disorders. Often there is a reactive spot at a Xi (cleft) Point when a particular organ or meridian is affected, e.g. tenderness can be felt at Ximen (P.4) in case of acute pleurisy; or at Liangqiu (St.34) in case of acute mastitis.
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