Spleen Meridian
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SP-1
Wood-Mu
Well-Jing Point
Sun Si Miao Ghost 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
Toes
Location
On the medial side of the big toe, about 0.1 cun posterior to the corner of the nail.
Main Actions
- Stops bleeding
- Regulates the Spleen
- Calms the Mind
- Restore consciousness
Indications
Commentary
Yinbai SP-1 is widely used to stop bleeding in all parts of the body, especially the Uterus bleeding. Other places of bleeding include the nose, Bladder, Intestines and Stomach.
It achieves this function, thanks to its ability to regulate the Spleen which, as a result, is able to hold the Blood firmly in the vessels. In this case, direct moxa is recommended.
Furthermore, Yinbai SP-1 calms the Heart and the Mind. It also restores consciousness. This is often caused by Blood Stagnation with typical symptoms such as agitations, sighing, sadness, manic depression, excessive dreaming and insomnia.
Finally, Yinbai SP-1 connects to the Stomach Channel via a branch from Lidui ST-45 of the second toe. It has influence from the Stomach Channel.
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
Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot): SP-1 is identified as the Well-Jing point where qi emerges from the Spleen channel.
Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing (A-B Classic of Acupuncture): "Dyspnea, heat diseases, incessant nosebleed, vexation of the heart with tendency to sadness, abdominal distension, counterflow breathing with heat, cold in the lower leg, inability to sleep, fullness in the chest with heat, sudden diarrhea, sighing breath, cold in the soles of the feet, stuffiness in the diaphragm, vomiting, no desire for food or drink—Yinbai governs these."
Zha Bing Xue Fa Ge (Song of Points for Various Diseases): "For corpse-like syncope, Baihui alone is excellent; adding Yinbai makes the effect remarkably clear."
Qian Jin Yao Fang (Essential Formulas Worth a Thousand Gold): SP-1 is listed as the third Ghost Point (Gui Lei 鬼壘) in Sun Si-Miao's 13 Ghost Points protocol for treating mental disorders.
How to Locate
SP-1 is located at the junction of two tangents drawn along the medial and proximal border of the nail of the big toe, approximately 0.1 cun from the margin of the nail.
Caution
This point is located at the toenail corner and can be quite painful to needle. Use caution in patients with bleeding disorders when pricking to bleed. Avoid excessive stimulation during pregnancy as it strongly moves blood. The point is very superficial—deep needling is unnecessary and contraindicated. When using moxibustion for bleeding conditions, direct moxa is most effective but monitor closely to prevent burns on the thin skin.
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
Local distension and slight pain at the point. Due to the superficial location near the nail, sensation is typically sharp and localized. Pricking to bleed produces immediate relief for acute conditions.
Moxibustion
Particularly Recommended
Duration: 5–20 minutes; 3–7 cones for direct moxa
Cupping
Contraindicated
Bloodletting
Particularly Recommended
Gua Sha
Contraindicated
Five Element & Transporting Classification
Five Phase
Wood-Mu
Transporting Type
Well-Jing Point
Mother-Child Role
Child (Reducing)
Special Point Classifications
Sun Si Miao Ghost Point
Entry Point
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