Kidney Meridian
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KI-8
Xi-Cleft Point
Needle Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Body Area
Lower Leg — Medial, Ankle
Location
2 cun above Taixi KID-3, 0.5 cun anterior to Fuliu KID-7, posterior to the medial border of tibia.
Main Actions
- Removes Obstructions from the Channel and Vessel
- Regulates menstruation
- Resolves Dampness
Indications
Commentary
Jiaoxin KID-8 is the Accumulation-Xi point of the Yin Stepping Vessel (Yin Qiao Mai), which means it can be stimulated in acute Excess patterns to stop pain.
It is particularly useful in removing obstructions from the Yin Stepping Vessel by invigorating Qi, thus it eliminates abdominal masses and pain, especially for women.
Furthermore, it regulates the menstruation, especially if the disharmony is caused by Blood Stagnation in the Uterus.
Finally, it resolves Dampness so that it treats various urinary or genitalia disorders.
Classical Sources
《针灸甲乙经》 (Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing): "气癃痛疝，阴急，股枢腨内廉痛，交信主之。" (Qi strangury, painful hernia, genital tension, pain in the hip pivot and inner calf - Jiaoxin governs these.)
《针灸大成》 (Zhenjiu Dacheng): "交信……女子漏血不止，阴挺出，月水不来。" (Jiaoxin... for women with incessant uterine bleeding, uterine prolapse, and amenorrhea.)
《备急千金要方》 (Beiji Qianjin Yaofang): "交信，主泻痢赤白漏血；主气淋。" (Jiaoxin governs dysentery with blood and pus, uterine bleeding; governs Qi strangury.)
《百症赋》 (Bai Zheng Fu): "女子少气漏血，不无交信、合阳。" (For women with Qi deficiency and uterine bleeding, do not omit Jiaoxin and Heyang.)
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. Then identify Fuliu KID-7 by measuring 2 cun towards the knee, in a depression at the anterior border of the Achilles tendon. Jiaoxin KID-8 is at the same level as KID-7, approximately 0.5 cun closer to the border of the tibia.
Caution
The posterior tibial artery and vein run in the deep layer at this location. Use proper needling depth and angle to avoid these vessels. The tibial nerve trunk is also located posteriorly in the deep layer. Caution is advised during pregnancy due to the point's strong effect on regulating menstruation and the uterus.
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 distending sensation at the needling site, often radiating downward along the medial aspect of the lower leg toward the big toe. Some patients may experience a mild aching or soreness spreading toward the ankle or up the medial leg.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5–10 minutes with moxa stick, or 3–5 cones
Cupping
Questionable
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Questionable
Special Point Classifications
Xi-Cleft Point
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