Yang Stepping Vessel

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Quick Facts

Associated Organ

N/A

Flow Direction

Centripetal (toward torso)

Extraordinary Vessel Details

Master Point: Shenmai BL-62

Coupled Point: Houxi SI-3

Paired Vessel: Yin Stepping Vessel

Overview

The Yang Stepping Vessel (Yang Qiao Mai) is one of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels that originates at the heel and ascends along the lateral (outer) side of the body to the eyes and head. Its name 'Qiao' means 'stepping' or 'lifting the heel,' reflecting its function in controlling leg movement and posture. This vessel governs body movements during the day, regulates Yang energy flow from the heel to the eyes, and plays a crucial role in maintaining the sleep-wake cycle. When in excess, it causes insomnia by keeping the eyes open. The Yang Qiao Mai works in partnership with the Yin Qiao Mai to balance the tension between the inner and outer leg muscles, control eye opening and closing, and regulate consciousness states.

Channel Pathways

The Yang Stepping Vessel consists of multiple channel systems, each with its own pathway and clinical significance.

阳跷脉 | Yáng Qiāo Mài

Pathway Description

It originates from the lateral side of the heel, flowing to Shenmai BL-62 before the external malleolus.
After passing Pushe BL-61 and Fuyang BL-59 around the external malleolus, the pathway ascends, along the lateral side of lower leg and thigh, and reaches Juliao GB-29 at the hip.
It continues ascending the side of the body to Naoshu SI-10 of the shoulder, where it connects with the Small Intestine Channel and the Yang Linking Vessel.
Afterwards, it goes up the outside of the shoulder and crosses the Large Intestine Channel at Jianyu LI-15 and Jugu LI-16.
Passing Renying ST-9 of the throat, it continues ascending to Dicang ST-4 lateral to the corner of the mouth, which is also the meeting point for the Large Intestine, Stomach Channel as well as the Directing Vessel.
Then it ascends the cheek by passing Juliao ST-3 and Chengqi ST-1, it reaches Jingming BL-1 at the inner canthus, where it meets the Small Intestine, Bladder and Stomach Channels as well as the Yin Stepping Vessel.
Finally it flows over the skull, passing behind the ear and terminate at Fengchi GB-20 at the occiput area.

Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points along the Yang Stepping Vessel and related points from other channels.

Related Points from Other Channels

Shenmai BL-62

Master confluent point (opening point) of the Yang Qiao Mai; located below the external malleolus

Pucan BL-61

Crossing point on the heel; considered the root (ben) of Yang Qiao Mai

Fuyang BL-59

Xi-Cleft (accumulation) point of the Yang Qiao Mai; 3 cun above external malleolus

Juliao GB-29

Crossing point at the hip; affects both Bladder and Gallbladder channels

Naoshu SI-10

Crossing point at the shoulder; connects with Yang Wei Mai

Jianyu LI-15

Crossing point on the shoulder

Jugu LI-16

Crossing point on the shoulder

Dicang ST-4

Crossing point lateral to mouth corner; meeting point with LI, ST, and Ren Mai

Juliao ST-3

Crossing point on the cheek

Chengqi ST-1

Crossing point below the eye

Jingming BL-1

Key point where Yang Qiao meets Yin Qiao Mai at the inner canthus; essential for balancing sleep-wake cycle

Fengchi GB-20

Terminal point of the Yang Qiao Mai; meeting point with Foot Shaoyang

Houxi SI-3

Coupled confluent point; paired with BL-62 for treating spine and back conditions

Detailed Information

In-depth information about the Yang Stepping Vessel and its clinical significance.

Overview

The Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Stepping Vessel or Yang Motility Vessel) is one of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels (Qi Jing Ba Mai) in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The character 'Qiao' (跷) means 'stepping' or 'lifting the heel to walk,' indicating this vessel's important relationship with leg movement and agility. As a Yang vessel, it traverses the lateral (outer) aspect of the body and absorbs excess Yang Qi from the primary channels, particularly in the head region.

Pathway and Trajectory

The Yang Qiao Mai originates at the lateral side of the heel and emerges at BL-62 Shenmai (below the external malleolus). It passes behind the ankle to BL-61 Pushen, then rises 3 cun to BL-59 Fuyang, its Xi-Cleft (accumulation) point. The pathway continues ascending along the lateral aspect of the leg and thigh to GB-29 Juliao at the hip. It then rises along the side of the body to SI-10 Naoshu at the shoulder, where it connects with the Small Intestine Channel and Yang Wei Mai. Continuing upward, it crosses the Large Intestine Channel at LI-15 Jianyu and LI-16 Jugu. Passing ST-9 Renying at the throat, it ascends to ST-4 Dicang at the mouth corner, then continues up the cheek through ST-3 Juliao and ST-1 Chengqi. It reaches BL-1 Jingming at the inner canthus of the eye, where it meets the Yin Qiao Mai and several primary channels. From there, it travels over the skull, passes behind the ear, and terminates at GB-20 Fengchi.

Primary Functions

The Yang Qiao Mai serves several important physiological functions: (1) Regulating the sleep-wake cycle - It governs wakefulness and daytime activity by supplying Yang Qi to the eyes. When Yang Qiao is in excess, the eyes remain open and insomnia occurs. (2) Controlling muscle tone - It maintains balance between the medial and lateral leg muscles. In Yang Qiao excess, the outer muscles become tight while inner muscles become slack. (3) Governing body movements during the day - It supports balance, gait, and proper posture. (4) Connecting Yang channels - It links and regulates several Yang primary channels, facilitating the flow of defensive (Wei) Qi.

Clinical Applications

The Yang Qiao Mai is indicated for conditions including: insomnia (especially when unable to close eyes), eye disorders with pain starting from the inner canthus, unilateral back pain affecting the lateral aspect, sciatica involving Bladder, Gallbladder, and Stomach channels, hip pain, epilepsy (particularly daytime seizures), muscular tension on the lateral side of limbs, and manic behavior. The vessel is accessed through its master point BL-62 Shenmai, paired with SI-3 Houxi for treatment of spine-related conditions. BL-1 Jingming serves as the key point for balancing Yin and Yang Qiao vessels to treat sleep disorders. For insomnia treatment, KI-6 Zhaohai (Yin Qiao opening point) is tonified while BL-62 Shenmai is reduced.

Pulse Diagnosis

Pathology of the Yang Qiao Mai is indicated by a full and wiry pulse on both positions. A wry pulse that does not reflect Heart or Lung conditions may indicate Yang Qiao Mai pathology.

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