Kidney Meridian - The Kidney Channel of Foot Shao-yin

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Quick Facts

Associated Organ

Kidneys

Acupuncture Points

27 points

Peak Hours

17:00 - 19:00

Flow Direction

Centripetal (toward torso)

Overview

The Kidney Meridian (Foot Shao Yin) is one of the 12 primary channels in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Often called 'the Root of Life,' this meridian is associated with the body's foundational energy (essence or Jing), governing growth, reproduction, and longevity. The channel begins at the sole of the foot at KI-1 (Yongquan) and travels up the inner leg, connecting with the kidneys and bladder before ascending through the liver, diaphragm, and lungs to end at the chest. With 27 acupuncture points on each side, this meridian is essential for treating urogenital conditions, lower back pain, respiratory issues, and mental-emotional disorders related to fear and willpower.

24-Hour Qi Circulation Cycle

Previous in cycle

Bladder Meridian

Current Channel

Kidney Meridian

17:00 - 19:00

Peak Activity Hours

Next in cycle

Pericardium Meridian

Channel Pathways

The Kidney Meridian consists of multiple channel systems, each with its own pathway and clinical significance.

Kidney Primary Channel

足少阴肾经 | Zú Shǎo Yīn Shèn Jīng

Pathway Description

The external pathway:

The Kidney Primary Channel originates beneath the little toe. It connects to Zhiyin BL-67 of the Bladder Primary Channel and forms the Foot Yin-Yang circuit.
It then flows to Yongquan KID-1 under the foot sole and then Rangu KID-2 below the navicular tuberosity.
The Channel continues to Taixi KID-3 posterior to the medial malleolus, descends through the heel and then ascends to Zhaohai KID-6 below the medial malleolus.
The pathway then ascends the medial aspect of the lower leg, crossing Spleen Channel at Sanyinjiao SP-6.
It continues going up along the postero-medial aspect of the thigh and reaches the perineum.
From there, it ascends to the lower abdomen at Hengu KID-11 on the pubic bone.
The external pathway continues going up 0.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline until reaching Youmen KID-21.
Then the distance to the anterior midline increases to 2 cun until the infraclavicular fossa, where Shufu KID-27 is located.

The internal pathway:

From the perineum, a deep internal pathway separates from the external one and flows to Changqiang DU-1.
It then runs up along the spine to the Kidneys and then the Bladder, with smaller branches connecting the Directing Vessel at Guanyuan REN-4, Zhongji REN-3 and Yingjiao REN-7.
- From the Kidneys, a branch ascends to the Liver and then spreads in the Lungs. It passes the trachea and terminates at the tongue root.
- From the Lungs, another branch flows to the Heart and connects to the Pericardium Primary Channel. It then spreads in the chests and links to Shanzhong REN-17.

Kidney Divergent Channel

足少阴经别 | Zú Shǎo Yīn Jīng Bié

Pathway Description

The Kidney Divergent Channel separates from the Primary Channel at Yinggu KID-10 in the popliteal fossa.
It ascends along the Bladder Divergent Channel on the thigh and passes Weizhong BL-40 of the center of popliteal fossa and Chengfu BL-36 of the gluteal crease center.
It then penetrates the anus and connects to the Kidneys.
Continuing going up to Shenshu BL-23 around the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra (L2), it then splits to two branches:
- One branch follows the Girdling Vessel around the waist to the abdomen.
- One branch continues ascending to the root of the tongue. It then turn around to the nape of the neck and converge with the Bladder Primary Channel around Tianzhu BL-10.

Kidney Sinew Channel

足少阴经筋 | Zú Shǎo Yīn Jīng Jīn

Pathway Description

The Kidney Sinew Channel originates beneath the little toe.
After crossing the foot sole diagonally, it connects to the Spleen Sinew Channel and binds at the medial malleolus.
- A small branch travels to the calcaneus from there.
The main Sinew Channel ascends the posteromedial aspect of the leg and binds at the medial condyle of the tibia.
Crossing the Bladder Sinew Channel, it continues running up along the medial surface of the thigh and binds above the external genitalia around Zhongji REN-3 and Qugu REN-2, where it also connects to other Yin Sinew Channels.
- Then an internal branch runs through the abdomen, ascending the spinal vertebrae all the way to the neck nape, where it connects to the Bladder Sinew Channel, around Tianzhu BL-10.

Kidney Luo-Connecting Vessel System

足少阴络脉 | Zú Shǎo Yīn Luò Mài

Pathway Description

The Kidney Luo-Connecting Vessel separates from the Primary Channel at Dazhong KID-4, on the posterior aspect of the medial malleolus.
It curves around the heel and enters internally to connect with the Bladder Channel.
It then follows the Kidney Primary Channel to Shanzhong REN-17 in the middle of the two nipples.
Then the pathway goes internally. It runs through the chest to the spine and spreads in the lumber vertebrae.

Five Element Correspondences

Traditional associations of the Kidneys and its meridian within the Five Element framework.

Emotion

Fear

Color

Black/Dark Blue

Taste

Salty

Climate

Cold

Sense Organ

Ears

Tissue

Bones

Manifests In

Hair (on the head)

Sound

Groaning

Body Fluid

Saliva (thick)

Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points along the Kidney Meridian and related points from other channels.

27 Points on this Channel

Yongquan

KI-1

Rangu

KI-2

Taixi

KI-3

Dazhong

KI-4

Shuiquan

KI-5

Zhaohai

KI-6

Fuliu

KI-7

Jiaoxin

KI-8

Zhubin

KI-9

Yingu

KI-10

Henggu

KI-11

Dahe

KI-12

Qixue

KI-13

Siman

KI-14

Zhongzhu

KI-15

Huangshu

KI-16

Shangqu

KI-17

Shiguan

KI-18

Yindu

KI-19

Futonggu

KI-20

Youmen

KI-21

Bulang

KI-22

Shenfeng

KI-23

Lingxu

KI-24

Shencang

KI-25

Yuzhong

KI-26

Shufu

KI-27

Related Points from Other Channels

Sanyinjiao SP-6

Meeting point of the three Yin leg meridians (Kidney, Spleen, Liver); commonly combined with Kidney points for gynecological and urogenital conditions

Guanyuan REN-4

Front-Mu point of the Small Intestine; intersection point with the Kidney channel; key point for tonifying Kidney Yang and treating reproductive issues

Zhongji REN-3

Front-Mu point of the Bladder; meeting point with the Kidney channel; used for urinary and reproductive disorders

Changqiang Du-1

Meeting point of the Governor Vessel with the Kidney channel at the coccyx region

Detailed Information

In-depth information about the Kidney Meridian and its clinical significance.

Overview

The Kidney Meridian, known as the Foot Shao Yin channel (足少阴肾经), is considered one of the most important energy pathways in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Kidneys are regarded as the 'foundation of life' and the 'root of pre-heaven Qi,' storing our vital essence (Jing) that we inherit from our parents and that determines our constitutional strength, growth patterns, and aging process.

Pathway and Trajectory

The channel begins at the inferior aspect of the small toe, runs obliquely across the sole of the foot to Yongquan (KI-1), emerges below the navicular tuberosity, circles behind the medial malleolus (inner ankle), enters the heel, then ascends along the medial aspect of the lower leg. It continues up the inner thigh, penetrates the spine to connect with its organ (the Kidney), and links with the Bladder. A direct branch ascends from the kidney through the liver and diaphragm to enter the lungs, follows the throat, and terminates at the root of the tongue. A secondary branch emerges from the lungs, connects with the Heart, and flows into the chest to link with the Pericardium Meridian.

Key Functions

In TCM, the Kidney system governs water metabolism, reproduction, bone health, and hearing. It stores essence (Jing) and houses willpower (Zhi). The meridian is used clinically to treat urogenital disorders (incontinence, impotence, infertility), gynecological conditions (menstrual irregularities), respiratory issues (chronic cough, asthma), lower back and knee weakness, bone problems, ear disorders (tinnitus, hearing loss), and mental-emotional issues especially related to fear and anxiety.

Important Points

Key acupuncture points include: KI-1 (Yongquan) - the 'Bubbling Spring' point on the sole, used for emergencies and calming the spirit; KI-3 (Taixi) - the Source point, a major point for tonifying Kidney energy; KI-6 (Zhaohai) - confluent point of the Yin Qiao Mai, used for insomnia and throat conditions; KI-7 (Fuliu) - the Metal point, excellent for sweating disorders and edema; and KI-27 (Shufu) - the final point below the clavicle, used for cough and respiratory issues.

Clinical Significance

The Kidney channel is particularly valuable for treating conditions of deficiency since in TCM there are no 'excess' Kidney patterns - only deficiency of Kidney Yin, Yang, or Essence. Common presentations include Kidney Yang deficiency (cold limbs, weak knees and back, frequent urination, edema) and Kidney Yin deficiency (night sweats, hot flashes, tinnitus, dry throat, insomnia). The channel's connection to the Heart via the chest points makes it useful for treating anxiety, palpitations, and insomnia caused by Heart-Kidney disharmony.

Related Resources

Explore All Meridians

Browse the complete collection of Principal Meridians and Extraordinary Vessels in our knowledge base.

View all meridians

Kidneys Patterns

Explore TCM patterns associated with the Kidneys to understand common imbalances and treatments.

View Kidneys patterns