Kidney Meridian
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KI-7
Metal-Jin
River-Jing Point
Needle Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Body Area
Lower Leg — Medial, Ankle
Location
2 cun directly above Taixi KID-3, on the anterior border of Achilles tendon.
Main Actions
- Resolves Dampness
- Tonifies Kidneys
- Regulates sweating
- Opens water passages and resolves Oedema
- Strengthens the lower back
Indications
Commentary
Fuliu KID-7 is a very important point with various functions.
One of the most important one is to resolve Dampness in the Lower Burner characterized by urinary or intestinal disorders. It also opens the Water Passage and resolves Oedema. Typical symptoms include leg oedema, diarrhoea, abdominal fullness, mucus and blood in the stools, borborygmi, heavy feeling in the rectum, painful and difficult urination, retention of urine, turbid urine as well as blood in the urine.
This point can be stimulated to control sweating. When used together with Hegu LI-4 with Reducing Needling Method, it promotes sweating in order to expel Wind-Cold from the Exterior during Pernicious Evils attack. When used together with Yinxi HE-6 with Tonifying Needling Method, it stops sweating to tonify Kidney Yin.
Like Taixi KID-3, KID-7 is also able to tonify all aspects of Kidney Deficiency, especially Kidney Yang. Typical symptoms are back pain, dizziness, tinnitus, weak knees and fatigue. It is recommended to use moxa for Kidney Yang Deficiency, while simply needling for Yin Deficiency.
Finally it also strengthens the lower back, so as to treat back pain as well as pain and coldness in knees.
Classical Sources
Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot), Chapter 2 - Ben Shu: First mentions this point as "Fuliu" (復溜), describing it as located "two cun above the medial malleolus, where the pulse is continuous."
Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture): Records alternative names Changyang (昌陽), Fubai (伏白), and Waiming (外命). Notes its location along the Changyang meridian branch.
Zhen Jiu Da Cheng (Great Compendium of Acupuncture): States "two cun above the inner ankle, in the depression between sinew and bone—the front beside the bone is Fuliu, the rear beside the sinew is Jiaoxin, separated by only one sinew."
Nan Jing Zheng Yi (Clarification of the Classic of Difficulties): Describes the Five Transporting points of the Kidney: "The well-Wood emerges at Yongquan on the foot sole, flows to Rangu as the spring, pools at Taixi as the stream, travels to Fuliu as the river, and enters at Yingu as the sea."
How to Locate
First identify Taixi KID-3 in a depression between the medial malleolus and Achilles tendon, level with the tip of the medial malleolus. From there, measure 2 cun towards the knee and locate Fuliu KID-7 in a depression at the anterior border of the Achilles tendon.
Caution
Use caution during pregnancy—while not strictly contraindicated, reduced stimulation is advised as this point strongly influences fluid metabolism and Kidney function. Avoid strong stimulation in patients with severe Kidney Yang deficiency until the body is warmed with moxa first. The posterior tibial artery and vein run in this area, so angle the needle carefully.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Depth Category
Medium
Standard Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needling Directions
Vertically 0.5–1 cun.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distention and soreness at the point, with possible numbness or electrical sensation radiating toward the sole of the foot. Some patients may feel the sensation ascending along the medial leg.
Moxibustion
Particularly Recommended
Duration: 10–20 minutes
Cupping
Questionable
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Recommended
Five Element & Transporting Classification
Five Phase
Metal-Jin
Transporting Type
River-Jing Point
Mother-Child Role
Mother (Tonifying)
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