Small Intestine Meridian
View all acupuncture points on this meridian and explore the channel pathway.
View meridian
SI-3
Wood-Mu
Stream-Shu Point
Needle Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Body Area
Hand — Dorsum
Location
Proximal to the head of the 5th metacarpal bone on the ulnar side, in the depression at the junction of the red and white skin.
Main Actions
- Regulates Governing Vessels
- Expels Internal or Exterior Winds
- Benefits sinews
- Clears Heat and benefits the sensory orifices
Indications
Commentary
Houxi SI-3 is the confluent (opening) point of the Governing Vessel and it can be stimulated for a wide range of disorders related to this Extradentary Vessel.
First of all, it expels Interior Wind from the Governing Vessel, so that it treats manifestations like convulsions, tremors, epilepsy, giddiness, dizziness and headache.
It also expel Exterior Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat. The typical symptoms are pain and stiffness on neck, head, spine as well as back. Patients also suffer from malaria, aversion to cold, fever and various febrile diseases.
Another important function is its benefits on the muscles and sinews, especially in acute situation. It opens the Governing Vessel, Small Intestine and Bladder Channel and eases pain and stiffness there. It is particularly effective in the upper occipital region as well as upper and lower back along the spine. Typical symptoms are stiff neck on occiput, occipital headache, difficulty in turning neck, pain in the upper back and shoulder as well as lower back pain.
Finally, it clears Heat and benefits the sensory orifices such as the eyes, nose and ears. Therefore, it treats deafness, tinnitus, blurred vision, redness and pain of the eyes, swelling of eyes as well as nosebleed.
It is often used together with Shenmai BL-62, to tonify the Kidneys, clear the Mind and eases chronic back pain in men. As for the chronic backache in women, the combination of SI-3, Lieque LU-7 and Zhaohai KI-6 is more applied.
Classical Sources
Ling Shu (灵枢·本输): "在手外侧本节之后也" - "On the outer [ulnar] side of the hand, behind the base joint."
Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (针灸甲乙经): Lists Houxi for treating malaria, mania, deafness, eye redness, and neck stiffness.
Baizheng Fu (百症赋): "阴郄、后溪，治盗汗之多出也" - "Yinxi and Houxi treat profuse night sweating." Also: "后溪、环跳，腿疼刺而即轻" - "Houxi and Huantiao, needled for leg pain, bring immediate relief."
Tongxuan Zhiyao Fu (通玄指要赋): "头项痛，拟后溪以安然" - "For head and neck pain, consider Houxi for relief."
Yizong Jinjian (医宗金鉴): "寝汗等症，先砭后溪穴，开通脉道，无不愈矣" - "For night sweats and similar conditions, first prick Houxi to open the channels, and all will be cured."
How to Locate
When a loose fist is made, a small bulge forms at the end of the most distal transverse crease. Then locate Houxi SI-3 in a palpable depression slightly proximal and dorsal to the bulge. Another quick method: Slide from proximal (wrist) to distal (little finger) along the ulnar border of the hand, until the palpating finger comes to rest at the junction between the base and the head of the 5th metacarpal bone proximal to the metacarpophalangeal joint. Locate Houxi SI-3 there.
Caution
When needling deeply toward Hegu LI-4, maintain the patient's fist position throughout the treatment to avoid discomfort. Avoid outward oblique needling. The point lies near the ulnar nerve branch, so perpendicular insertion is preferred to avoid nerve irritation.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Depth Category
Medium
Standard Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needling Directions
0.5–1 cun horizontally below the bone vertically to the skin towards the palm or 0.2–0.3 cun obliquely in a distal direction.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local soreness and distension at the point, often radiating across the palm. Deep needling toward Hegu LI-4 may produce sensation extending through the hand. Some patients feel a drawing sensation along the arm toward the shoulder or up the spine when the Du Mai connection is activated.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5–10 minutes
Cupping
Questionable
Bloodletting
Recommended
Gua Sha
Questionable
Five Element & Transporting Classification
Five Phase
Wood-Mu
Transporting Type
Stream-Shu Point
Mother-Child Role
Mother (Tonifying)
Extraordinary Vessel Connection
Confluent Point opens to:
Du Mai (督脈)
Command Point
Commands region:
Back
Related Resources
Browse All Points
Explore the complete collection of acupuncture points across all meridians.
View all meridians