Heart Meridian
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HT-9
Wood-Mu
Well-Jing Point
Exit Point
Safety Warnings
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
Needle Depth
0.1–0.2 cun
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique), 10-15° (Transverse)
Body Area
Fingers
Location
On the radial side of the little finger, about 0.1 cun posterior to the corner of the nail.
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Calms the Mind
- Expels Interior Wind
- Regains consciousness
- Benefits the tongue and eyes
Indications
Fear
Thirst
Sadness
Anxiety
Eye pain
Red eyes
Hypomania
Heart pain
Depression
Tongue pain
sPalpitations
Restlnessness
Swollen tongue
Feeling of heat
Impaired consciousness
Commentary
Like Shaofu HE-8, Shaochong HE-9 is also able to strongly drain Fire or Heat from the Heart. Thus it treats symptoms such as thirst or feeling of heat.
The main difference is that HE-9 expels Interior Wind due to Wind stroke as well . It is often stimulated to regain consciousness by opening the Mind's orifices and removing the Channel's Obstruction caused by the Wind.
Finally, it benefits the tongue and eyes as the Heart Channel run through these Organs. Therefore, it can treat symptoms such as pain at the root of the tongue, swollen tongue, eye pain and red eyes.
Classical Sources
《针灸甲乙经》Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (A-B Classic of Acupuncture): First recorded this point and established its location on the radial side of the little finger, 0.1 cun from the nail corner.
《灵枢·九针十二原》Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot): "所出为井" (What emerges is called the Well) - establishing the theoretical basis for Well-Jing points as the origin of channel qi flow.
《难经·六十八难》Nan Jing (Classic of Difficulties): "井主心下满" (Well points govern fullness below the heart) - indicating the application of Well points for chest oppression and Heart disorders.
《针灸大成》Zhenjiu Dacheng: Records the alternative name "经始" (Jingshi - Beginning of the Channel), referencing its role as the origination point of the Heart channel's qi flow.
How to Locate
Shaochong HE-9 is located at the junction of the lines drawn along the radial and bottom border of the nail, about 0.1 cun from the corner of the nail. Shaoze SI-1 is located on the other corner of the nail.
Caution
This point is located at the fingertip where nerve endings are concentrated, making it quite sensitive to needling. Always use gentle technique. For bloodletting, ensure proper sterilization and avoid excessive bleeding. Not suitable for patients with bleeding disorders or those on anticoagulant therapy. Due to its strong effect on consciousness and Heart qi, use with caution in very weak or deficient patients.
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique) / 10-15° (Transverse)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.1–0.2 cun
Needling Directions
0.2–0.3 cun vertically or obliquely in a proximal direction. For acute disorders such as pain or inflammation, prick to bleed with a needle, lancet or three-edged needle. Caution: Painful point.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Sharp, pricking sensation locally. May produce a distending or electrical sensation radiating toward the palm. Due to the dense nerve endings at fingertips, sensation is typically strong even with shallow insertion. When used for bloodletting, immediate relief of symptoms is often reported.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 3–5 minutes
Cupping
Contraindicated
Bloodletting
Particularly Recommended
Gua Sha
Contraindicated
Five Element & Transporting Classification
Five Phase
Wood-Mu
Transporting Type
Well-Jing Point
Mother-Child Role
Mother (Tonifying)
Special Point Classifications
Exit Point
Related Resources
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