Heart Meridian
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HT-8
Fire-Huo
Spring-Ying Point
Safety Warnings
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
Needle Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Body Area
Hand — Palm
Location
On the palmar surface, between the 4th and 5th metacarpal bones. When a fist is made, the point is where the tip of the little finger rests.
Main Actions
- Clears Fire, Empty-Fire or Phlegm Fire in the Heart
- Calms the Mind
- Benefits the Bladder
Indications
Commentary
Like Shenmen HE-7, Shaofu HE-8 can also calm the Mind. Thus it is able to treat various mental issues such as palpitations, sadness, worry, agitation or mental restlessness.
However, it is a much stronger point and is particularly used in Excess cases of the Heart such as excessive Fire or Heat regardless being Empty or Full Heat. There might be Phlegm on top of the Fire or Heat. The typical symptoms are insomnia with restless dreams, thirst, bitter taste, mental restlessness or hypomania, dark urine, tongue ulcers, and a red tongue with redder tip and yellow coating.
The Heart Channel connects to the Small Intestine Channel, which then is related to the Bladder Channel through the Greater Yang. Therefor, Shaofu HE-8 can influence the Bladder function and treat enuresis or urination difficulties. It can also clear Fire from the Kidneys, so as to treat genitalia skin itchiness.
Finally, due to the Heart's connection to the Uterus via the Uterus Vessel, Tonifying method should be applied on Shaofu HE-8 to ease Uterus prolapse by lifting the sinking Qi there.
Classical Sources
Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (針灸甲乙經): First recorded this point as belonging to the Hand Shaoyin Heart channel and classified it as the Ying-Spring Fire point.
Zhenjiu Dacheng (針灸大成): "主烦满少气，悲恐畏人，掌中热，臂酸，肘腋挛急，胸中痛，手卷不伸，痎疟久不愈，振寒，阴挺出，阴痒阴痛，遗尿偏坠，小便不利，太息" (Treats irritability with fullness and shortness of breath, grief and fear of people, heat in palms, soreness of arms, spasm of elbow and axilla, chest pain, fingers unable to extend, chronic malaria, chills, uterine prolapse, genital itching and pain, enuresis, difficult urination, and excessive sighing).
Lingshu (灵枢): Established the Ying-Spring point category as where "the Qi begins to pour forth" like a small stream, explaining its Fire nature and its ability to clear Heat from the channel.
How to Locate
Shaofu HE-8 is mostly likes between the two transverse palmar creases and is sensitive to pressure. When a fist is made, HE-8 is mostly below the tip of the little finger, in the depression between the 4th and 5th metacarpal bones.
Caution
The palm contains sensitive structures including digital nerves and vessels between the metacarpal bones. Needle perpendicularly with shallow insertion (0.3-0.5 cun). Avoid deep needling as the interosseous muscles and digital vessels lie directly beneath. The palm area is generally sensitive, so patients may experience more discomfort than at other locations. Keep insertion superficial to prevent injury to the common palmar digital arteries and nerves.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needling Directions
Vertically 0.5–1 cun. Caution: Needling this point may be painful. Provide a competitive stimulus by pressing the palm with the fingernail close to the point before inserting the needle. Ask the patient to breathe out during needle insertion.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distending, aching, or electric sensation in the palm. Deqi may radiate along the ulnar aspect of the hand toward the little finger. Some patients report a warming sensation spreading through the palm. The point is typically more sensitive than surrounding tissue.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5-10 minutes with moxa stick; 1-3 moxa cones
Cupping
Contraindicated
Bloodletting
Recommended
Gua Sha
Contraindicated
Five Element & Transporting Classification
Five Phase
Fire-Huo
Transporting Type
Spring-Ying Point
Mother-Child Role
Child (Reducing)
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