Small Intestine Meridian
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SI-4
Yuan-Source Point
Needle Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Body Area
Wrist, Hand — Dorsum
Location
On the ulnar side of the palm, in the depression between the base of the 5th metacarpal bone and the carpal bone.
Main Actions
- Opens the Channel and eases pain
- Clears Damp-Heat
Indications
Commentary
Wanggu SI-4 is mostly used to remove Channel obstruction along the Small Intestine Channel, especially around the wrist, elbow and neck. In fact, it is often stimulated to treat the pattern of Painful Obstruction Syndrome and ease stiffness and pain in the fingers, wrist, arm, elbow, neck, shoulder, head as well as lateral costal region.
Another function is to remove Damp-Heat. Thus it treats jaundice and febrile diseases.
Classical Sources
Zhēn Jiǔ Jiǎ Yǐ Jīng (《针灸甲乙经》 - Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): First recorded the point location as the Yuan-Source point of the Small Intestine channel, located in the depression between the fifth metacarpal and hamate bone at the junction of red and white skin.
Yī Zōng Jīn Jiàn (《医宗金鉴》 - Golden Mirror of Medical Tradition): States that Wangu "mainly treats pain of the arm, wrist, and five fingers."
Zhēn Jiǔ Dà Chéng (《针灸大成》 - Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): Documents the point for treating contracture, stiffness, and pain along the entire Small Intestine channel pathway, with particular efficacy for gallbladder disorders and Yang-type jaundice.
How to Locate
On the ulnar border of the hand, palpate along the shaft of the 5th metacarpal bone in a proximal direction, until the finger glides over the curvature of the base and into the depression between the metacarpal and carpal bone. Locate Wangu SI-4 in the depression.
Caution
Located near the ulnar nerve hand dorsal branch and dorsal carpal arterial network. Exercise care to avoid the ulnar nerve. Needle perpendicular at moderate depth. No major precautions required for this relatively safe point location.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needling Directions
Vertically 0.3–0.5 cun.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distention and soreness at the point, possibly extending to the palm. Sensation may radiate along the ulnar aspect of the hand.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5–15 minutes
Cupping
Questionable
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Questionable
Special Point Classifications
Yuan-Source Point
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