Heart Meridian
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HT-2
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
Upper Arm
Location
3 cun above the medial end of the transverse cubital crease, in the depression medial to the biceps brachii muscle.
Main Actions
- Opens the channel
Indications
Headaches
Scrrofula
Axilla pain
Yellow eyes
Arm stiffness
Shoulder pain
Stiff shoulder
Shoulder redness
Shoulder swelling
Lateral costal region pain
Commentary
Qingling HE-2 is mostly used to open the Channel so as to ease pain. Therefore, it is able to treat arm, shoulder or axilla pain and stiffness.
Classical Sources
《太平圣惠方》 (Taiping Shenghui Fang): "Moxibustion with three cones; indicated for shoulder that cannot be raised, unable to put on clothes."
《铜人腧穴针灸图经》 (Tongren Shuxue Zhenjiu Tujing): "Treats shoulder and arm that cannot be raised, inability to wear clothing, headache, chills, yellow eyes, and hypochondriac pain."
《针灸大成》 (Zhenjiu Dacheng): "Indicated for yellow eyes, headache, chills and shivering, hypochondriac pain, shoulder and arm that cannot be raised, inability to put on clothing."
《类经图翼》 (Leijing Tuyi): "Chills and shivering, hypochondriac pain, shoulder and arm that cannot be raised."
How to Locate
With the elbow flexed, measure 3 cun from the ulner end of the cubital crease towards the axilla. Qingling HE-2 is in a depression on the medial border of the biceps brachii muscle.
Caution
This point lies near the brachial artery, basilic vein, and ulnar nerve. Many classical texts contraindicated needling at this point due to the risk of damaging these structures. The Introduction to Medicine (Yixue Rumen) specifically prohibited needling here. Modern practice allows careful needling with proper technique, but practitioners should avoid the brachial artery. Oblique insertion directed distally or proximally is recommended to minimize risk. Moxibustion was traditionally preferred over needling at this location.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular) / 45° (Oblique)
Depth Category
Medium
Standard Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needling Directions
0.5–1 cun vertically or obliquely. Caution: Brachial artery! According to classic texts, needling is contraindicated, only moxibustion is permitted.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Soreness and distension locally, which may radiate along the medial aspect of the arm toward the elbow or shoulder. Some patients may experience numbness or tingling if the ulnar nerve is stimulated.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 10–15 minutes, or 3–5 cones
Cupping
Questionable
Bloodletting
Questionable
Gua Sha
Questionable
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