V Overview of Hand Tai Yang Channel

Nov 2, 2024

Lecture Notes on Han Tai Yang Small Intestine Channel

General Overview

  • Small Intestine in TCM

    • Limited role in TCM compared to Western medicine.
    • In Western medicine, vital for digestion and nutrient absorption.
    • In TCM, focuses on separating clear from turbid, but clinically not emphasized.
    • More associated with urinary and lower abdominal issues.

  • Channel Pathways

    • Primary Channel: Starts at the little finger, travels up the arm, zigzag across shoulder blades, neck, and face.
    • Luo Connecting Channel: Begins at SI7, connects to heart channel, goes up the arm to LI-15.
    • Divergent Channel: Separates at the shoulder, connects to heart and small intestine organs.
    • Sinew Channel: Similar to the primary channel; treats shoulder, ear, and face issues.

Functions and Characteristics

  • Channel Characteristics
    • Treats shoulder, neck, and face issues due to its pathway.
    • Paired with the heart through yin-yang relationship.
    • Treats shen disturbances due to heat, calms the spirit.
    • Part of the Tai Yang pair, treats external attacks, especially with neck and shoulder symptoms.

Functions of Individual Points

Hand Points

  • SI1

    • Jing Well point: Revives consciousness, clears heat.
    • Promotes lactation and benefits the breast.

  • SI2

    • Ying Spring point: Clears heat, especially from upper channel.

  • SI3

    • Shu Stream point & Master point of Dumai: Treats pain in joints, neck, back, and calms the spirit.

  • SI4

    • Yuan Source point: Treats pain along the channel.
    • Empirical point for jaundice.

  • SI5

    • Jing River point: Clears heat from the upper channel, calms the spirit.

  • SI6

    • Xi Cleft point: Treats acute pain and eye issues.

  • SI7

    • Luo Connecting point: Connects to heart channel, calms shen, treats elbow and finger pain.

  • SI8

    • He Sea point: Calms the spirit, treats swelling.

Shoulder Points

  • SI9 - SI14

    • Treat shoulder and scapula issues, located on or near rotator cuff muscles.

  • SI11

    • Also unbinds the chest and benefits the breast.

  • SI15

    • Descends lung qi, treats cough.

Neck and Face Points

  • SI16 & SI17

    • Window of Heaven points: Treat neck, throat, and regulate qi flow.

  • SI18

    • Treats facial problems due to wind.

  • SI19

    • Benefits the ear, treating deafness and tinnitus.

Summary

  • The small intestine channel, especially its upper pathways, is primarily used for treating conditions in the upper body, such as neck, shoulder, and face issues.
  • Points along the channel have indications for clearing heat, calming the spirit, and promoting lactation.
  • Despite its limited role in digestion within TCM, the channel's physical pathway is more clinically significant.

Note: These notes are a condensed overview of the lecture and should be supplemented with detailed study and clinical practice for comprehensive understanding.