Heart Meridian
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HT-1
Entry Point
Safety Warnings
- Dangerous point - requires extra caution
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
Needle Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular), 45° (Oblique)
Body Area
Shoulder, Upper Arm
Location
In the center of the axilla, on the medial side of the axillary artery.
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Heart Yin
- Opens the Channel and remove Stagnation
- Calms the Mind
Indications
Commentary
Jiquan HE-1 is mostly used to nourish the Heart Yin and clear Empty-Heat in the Heart. Therefore, it is able to treat Empty symptoms such as thirst, dry mouth and throat, night sweating, mental restlessness and insomnia.
It can also be stimulated to remove Stagnation from the Channel, so as to ease Heart and chest pain, distension and fullness of hypochondrium, inability to raise the shoulder as well as pain in the axilla.
Finally, it can calm the Mind to treat mental disorders such as sadness, anxiety and palpitation.
Classical Sources
Zhenjiu Jiayijing (針灸甲乙經) - Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: First recorded this point. Located in the armpit, on the inner side of the arm below the sinews, where the artery enters the chest.
Tongren (銅人) - Bronze Man: "Treats heart pain with dry retching, four limbs not gathering."
Zhenjiu Dacheng (針灸大成) - Great Compendium of Acupuncture: "Treats coldness and inversion of the arm and elbow, four limbs not gathering, heart pain with dry retching, vexation and fullness, rib pain, grief and unhappiness, yellow eyes."
Xunjing (循經): "Shoulder and arm cannot be raised, scrofula and goiter."
How to Locate
With the arm abducted, palpate along the thoracic wall in a superior direction towards the center of the axilla until reaching the highest point.
Caution
Located in the axilla near major neurovascular structures. The axillary artery, vein, and brachial plexus nerves (ulnar nerve, median nerve, medial cutaneous nerves) pass through this area. Always palpate the arterial pulse first and insert the needle on the medial side of the artery. Avoid large amplitude lifting-thrusting manipulation to prevent hematoma formation. Medial-directed insertion toward the chest risks puncturing the lung. If blood vessel is accidentally punctured, withdraw needle immediately, apply cold compress initially followed by warm compress to disperse hematoma.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular) / 45° (Oblique)
Depth Category
Medium
Standard Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needling Directions
0.5–1 cun vertically in the direction of GB-21. Caution: Axillary plexus and artery. Needling in a medial direction may puncture the Lungs!
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distention and soreness in the axilla, with numbness or electric sensation radiating down the arm toward the forearm and fingers. The sensation typically follows the Heart channel pathway along the inner arm. When needling correctly, the arm may twitch slightly.
Moxibustion
Questionable
Duration: 5–10 minutes
Cupping
Contraindicated
Bloodletting
Contraindicated
Gua Sha
Contraindicated
Special Point Classifications
Entry Point
Related Resources
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