Shaoze SI-1 location
SI-1

Shaoze SI-1

Lesser Marsh · 少泽 · Shǎo Zé
Small Intestine Meridian
Metal-Jin Well-Jing Point Entry Point

Safety Warnings

  • Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only

Needle Depth

0.1–0.2 cun

Needle Angle

90° (Perpendicular), 45° (Oblique)

Body Area

Fingers

Location

On the ulnar side of the little finger, about 0.1 cun posterior to the corner of the nail.

Next on channel

Qiangu SI-2

Main Actions

  • Expels Wind-Heat
  • Restores consciousness
  • Opens the Channel
  • Promotes lactation

Commentary

As the Well-Jing point of the Small Intestine Channel, Shaoze SI-1 is often used to treat Exterior Wind-Heat invasion to the other end of the Channel (eg: neck and head). The typical symptoms are neck stiffness, headache, febrile diseases, fever, aversion to cold and tonsillitis. 

In additional to that, it is also able to expel Interior Wind and restore consciousness when the patients get a sudden Wind-Stroke. 

Another important function of SI-1 is to open the Channel by removing the Obstructions. Therefore, it can ease a wide range of pain or stiffness in areas like the chest, Heart, neck, back, shoulder, arm, elbow or ribs. 

Shaoze SI-1 clears Heat. Thus it treats red eyes, nosebleed, thirst and mouth ulcers. It also subdues Rebellious Qi so as to ease headache, dizziness, deafness, tinnitus and stiff tongue. 

This is an important point to treat postpartum low milk supply as well, especially if the symptom is caused by Excess pattern such as invasion of some pathogenic factors or Liver Qi Stagnation. 

Finally, Shaoze SI-1 connects to the Heart Channel via a branch from Shaochong HE-9 of the little finger. It is indicated for some disorders in the Heart or epigastrium such as pain, distension and cold sensation around these area. 

Actually for all the Channels that originates at the fingertip or toes, this principle applies. Their first point (Well-Jing) receive Qi and impact from the related Channels which terminate at the finger or toes.

For example, for all the Channels of the Hand (Yang starts while Yin ends):

  • The Large Intestine Channel of Hand Yang-Ming starts where the Lung Channel of Hand Tai-Yin ends. 
  • Triple Burner Channel of Hand Shao-Yang starts where the Pericardium Channel of Hand Jue-Yin ends.
  • The Small Intestine Channel of Hand Tai-Yang starts where the Heart Channel of Hand Shao-Yin ends. 

For all the Channels of the Foot (Yin starts while Yang ends):  

  • The Kidney Channel of Foot Shao-Yin starts where the Bladder Channel of Foot Tai-Yang ends.
  • The Spleen Channel of Foot Tai-Yin starts where the Stomach Channel of Foot Yang-Ming ends.
  • The Liver Channel of Foot Jue-Yin starts where the Gall Bladder Channel of Foot Shao-Yang ends.

Classical Sources

Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): "Shivering with cold, inability to use the little finger, sweating that does not come out with fever and chills, headache, throat obstruction (pharyngitis), curled tongue, heat between the little fingers, heat in the mouth, vexation of the heart, heart pain, pain in the inner arm and lateral costal region, deafness, cough, convulsions, dry mouth, headache with inability to turn the head—Shaoze governs these."

Yu Long Ge (Ode of the Jade Dragon): "For women with breast distension and pain difficult to resolve, spitting blood with wind-phlegm thick like glue, at Shaoze clearly apply tonification and draining, and timely divine effects will regulate the Qi."

Yu Long Fu (Jade Dragon Ode): "For women's breast swelling, Shaoze and Taiyang can be recommended."

How to Locate

Shaoze SI-1 is located at the junction of the lines drawn along the ulnar and bottom border of the nail, about 0.1 cun from the corner of the nail. Shaochong HE-9 is located on the other corner of the nail.

Caution

Use with caution during pregnancy as it can strongly move Qi and blood. As a Well-Jing point on a fingertip, the area is highly sensitive with thin skin over bone—use gentle needling technique. When bloodletting, ensure proper sterilization and apply pressure afterward to stop bleeding. Avoid aggressive manipulation.

Needle Angle

90° (Perpendicular) / 45° (Oblique)

Depth Category

Shallow

Standard Depth

0.1–0.2 cun

Needling Directions

0.1–0.2 cun vertically or obliquely in a proximal direction or prick to bleed with a needle, lancet or three-edged needle.

Expected Deqi Sensation

Sharp pricking sensation locally with possible mild aching or distension at the fingertip. As a Well-Jing point with shallow qi, the sensation is typically brief and localized. When pricked to bleed, the sensation is primarily sharp and momentary.

Moxibustion

Recommended

Duration: 5–10 minutes

Cupping

Contraindicated

Bloodletting

Particularly Recommended

Gua Sha

Contraindicated

Five Element & Transporting Classification

Five Phase

Metal-Jin

Transporting Type

Well-Jing Point

Mother-Child Role

Child (Reducing)

Special Point Classifications

Entry Point

Related Resources

Small Intestine Meridian

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