Pericardium Meridian
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PC-3
Water-Shui
Sea-He Point
Safety Warnings
- Dangerous point - requires extra caution
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
Needle Depth
0.8–1.0 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Body Area
Elbow
Location
On the transverse cubital crease, at the ulnar side of the tendon of biceps brachii muscle.
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and cools Blood
- Subdues Rebellious Stomach Qi
- Invigorates Blood and Qi in the chest
- Calms the Mind
Indications
Commentary
Quze P-3 is effective in clearing Heat and cooling the Blood during febrile diseases. Especially if the disharmony is at the Nutritive Qi or Blood Levels of the Four Levels Theory. Therefore, it is able to treat anxiety, mental restlessness, delirium, cold hands, fever at night, dry mouth, coughing or vomiting of blood or skin macular rash.
It can also subdue Rebellious Stomach Qi, so as to ease nausea, vomiting and epigastric pain.
It regulates Qi and Blood in the chest as well. Thus it is useful in removing Qi or Blood Stagnation due to condensed and Heated Blood. The typical symptoms are Heart pain, palpitations and feeling of tightness below the Heart.
Finally it calms the Mind and eases the symptoms of fright, anxiety and mental restlessness.
Classical Sources
Tong Ren Shu Xue Zhen Jiu Tu Jing (《铜人腧穴针灸图经》 Bronze Man): "Treats heart pain, tendency to fright, body heat, vexation and thirst with dry mouth, counterflow Qi with vomiting blood, wind rash, and trembling of the elbow, arm, hand, and wrist."
Ling Shu (《灵枢》): Records Quze as the He-Sea point of the Pericardium channel where the channel Qi deeply enters.
Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing (《针灸甲乙经》): Lists indications for heart pain, palpitations, heat diseases, and arm tremors.
How to Locate
First bend the elbow and flex the biceps with palm facing upwards. The tendon and elbow crease is more visible this way. Quze P-3 is located on the cubital crease, on the ulnar aspect of the tendon. Chize LU-5 is on the radial side of the tendon.
Caution
The brachial artery and vein pass directly through this area. The median nerve trunk lies deep to the point. Palpate carefully to identify the pulse before needling and insert the needle to the ulnar side of the biceps tendon, avoiding the artery. Deep perpendicular needling requires caution due to proximity of major neurovascular structures. This point is commonly used for bloodletting with a three-edged needle, which should only be performed by trained practitioners.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Depth Category
Medium
Standard Depth
0.8–1.0 cun
Needling Directions
0.5–1 cun vertically or prick to cause bleeding of the vein. Palpate for the pulse before needling. Caution: Brachial artery/vein.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local sensation of soreness and distension at the elbow. The needle sensation (deqi) typically radiates distally toward the middle finger along the Pericardium channel pathway. Some patients may feel a spreading warmth or electrical sensation in the forearm.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 10–15 minutes
Cupping
Questionable
Bloodletting
Particularly Recommended
Gua Sha
Questionable
Five Element & Transporting Classification
Five Phase
Water-Shui
Transporting Type
Sea-He Point
Mother-Child Role
Child (Reducing)
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