Triple Burner Meridian
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SJ-12
Needle Depth
0.5–1.2 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Body Area
Upper Arm
Location
On the line joining the olecranon and Jianliao TB-14, midway between Qinglengyuan TB-11 and Naohui TB-13, 5 cun proximal to the olecranon. It is just on the lower end of bulge of the lateral head of triceps brachii when the forearm is in pronation.
Main Actions
- Removes Obstruction from the Channel
Indications
Commentary
Xiaoluo ST-12 is not a major point. Its main function is to open the Channel by removing the Obstruction caused by Wind invasion. The main effective areas are arm, shoulder, back and neck.
The Wind Evil may cause other symptoms such as headache, alternation of hot and cold feeling, dizziness or even manic behavior.
Classical Sources
Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (针灸甲乙经 - Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): This foundational text by Huangfu Mi first documented Xiaoluo as a point on the Hand Shaoyang San Jiao channel, establishing its location and primary indications for headache, neck rigidity, and arm pain.
Classical Point Combination Records: Historical texts record the combination of Xiaoluo with Qiaoyin (GB-44) for treating neck pain (项痛), and with Fengchi (GB-20) and Tianzhu (BL-10) for severe neck stiffness (颈项强痛).
How to Locate
Abduct the arm and locate two depressions below the acromion. Locate Jianliao TB-14 at the posterior depression, below the posterior aspect of the lateral extremity of the acromion. Then locate Tianjing TB-10 in a depression 1 cun above the olecranon. Draw an imaginary line between TB-14 and the olecranon. Measure TB-12 on this line and 4 cun above TB-10. Or use the 'spreading hand technique': Place the little fingers on TB-14 and TB-10 respectively and determine the midpoint of this distance with the thumbs. From the midpoint, measure 1 cun in a distal direction and locate TB-12 there.
Caution
When needling deeply, be mindful of the radial nerve and deep brachial vessels that run through the radial nerve groove on the posterior aspect of the humerus. The radial nerve lies in close proximity to the bone at the mid-upper arm level, making it vulnerable to injury with improper technique. Needle carefully through the triceps muscle, avoiding the neurovascular bundle. Patients with numbness or weakness in the hand following needling should be evaluated for nerve involvement.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Depth Category
Medium
Standard Depth
0.5–1.2 cun
Needling Directions
Vertically or obliquely up to 2 cun.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local soreness and distension (酸胀) at the needling site, often radiating along the upper arm. Some patients may experience a sensation extending toward the shoulder or elbow along the San Jiao channel pathway.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5–10 minutes
Cupping
Questionable
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Recommended
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