Small Intestine Meridian and Acupuncture Points

Introduction

• The smallest time Meridian is often underutilized in Chinese medicine.
• Small intestine organ's functions are minimal compared to other organs but its channel and 19 acupuncture points are valuable.

Small Intestine Channel Pathway and Function

• Function of the Small Intestine: Separate clear from turbid (clear for nourishment, turbid excreted as urine). Also, mental aspect of differentiating right from wrong.
• Hand Channel and Taiyang Channel: Starts at hand, connects to heart & small intestine.
• Activated between 1 and 3 PM. Important to drink water during this time.
• Pathway: Tip of the fifth finger → scapula → DU14 → into body (heart/small intestine) → branches to outer canthus (finishes at ear) → inner canthus (meets bladder meridian).
• Functions: Useful for ear, cheek, jaw, neck issues, swollen lymph nodes, mental health.

Clinical Use of Acupuncture Points

Small Intestine 1 (SI1)

• Location: Base corner of the nail on the ulnar side of the fifth finger.
• Uses: Fainting, fever, manic behavior, lack of breast milk (combined with CV17, LI4).

Small Intestine 2 (SI2)

• Location: Distal to fifth metacarpal bone.
• Uses: Clear fire and heat, blood in urine.

Small Intestine 3 (SI3)

• Location: Proximal to the fifth metacarpal head.
• Uses: Back issues (neck to sacrum), scapular knots, night sweat, occipital headaches, sore throat, acute tinnitus, manic behavior.
• Shoe Stream Point: Connects with the heart channel.

Small Intestine 4 (SI4)

• Location: Between hamate bone and fifth metacarpal.
• Uses: Pain along meridian, neck, occipital back, shoulder, elbow pain, jaundice.

Small Intestine 5 (SI5)

• Location: Between triquetral bone and ulna styloid process.
• Uses: Swollen lymph nodes, combined with LI4 and SI17.

Small Intestine 6 (SI6)

• Location: Radial side of the styloid process of the ulna, where thumb lands when turned.
• Uses: Pain along the channel, occipital pain, elbow and shoulder pain.
• She cleft point: Good for blood stasis and pain.

Small Intestine 7 (SI7)

• Location: 5 cun above SI5, along line to SI8.
• Uses: Manic behavior, anxiety, hyperactivity, connects to heart.

Small Intestine 8 (SI8)

• Location: Between olecranon and medial epicondyle of humerus.
• Uses: Elbow pain, prevention of epilepsy attacks.

Small Intestine 9 to 15 (SI9-SI15)

• Locations: Upper back (various points from posterior axillary fold to C7 vertebrae).
• Uses: Musculoskeletal issues, pain, tension, frozen shoulder.

Small Intestine 16 (SI16)

• Location: Posterior border of sternocleidomastoid (SCM), at level of laryngeal prominence.
• Uses: Swollen lymph nodes, voice loss, sore throat.

Small Intestine 17 (SI17)

• Location: Anterior to SCM, at level of mandible angle.
• Uses: Similar to SI16 but easier to needle.

Small Intestine 18 (SI18)

• Location: Directly below outer canthus, level of nostrils on cheek.
• Uses: Lower sinuses pain, congestion, Bell's Palsy, hemiplegia.

Small Intestine 19 (SI19)

• Location: Tragus area, close to GB2 and CV21.
• Uses: Ear pain, tinnitus, jaw pain, TMD.

Recap of Points

• SI1: Lack of breast milk.
• SI2: Blood in urine.
• SI3: Spine issues, musculoskeletal issues.
• SI4: Pain along meridian, jaundice.
• SI5: Swollen lymph nodes.
• SI6: Pain along meridian, blood stasis.
• SI7: Manic behavior, anxiety, heart connection.
• SI8: Elbow pain, epilepsy protocol.
• SI9-15: Musculoskeletal issues.
• SI16-17: Swollen lymph nodes, voice loss, ear issues.
• SI18: Lower sinuses pain, congestion, Bell's Palsy.
• SI19: Ear pain, tinnitus, jaw pain (TMD).

Additional Resources

• Check out acupoint Made Easy and other resources for in-depth study and more graphics.