Extraordinary Vessel YinQiao

Yin Stepping Vessel

阴跷脉 | Yīn Qiāo Mài

Yin Stepping Vessel

Yin Stepping Vessel pathway diagram

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Quick Facts

Associated Organ

Kidneys

Acupuncture Points

3 points

Flow Direction

Centripetal (toward torso)

Extraordinary Vessel Details

Master Point: Zhaohai KI-6
Coupled Point: Lieque LU-7
Paired Vessel: Yang Stepping Vessel

Overview

The Yin Stepping Vessel (Yin Qiao Mai) is one of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels that originates at the heel and travels up the medial (inner) aspect of the leg and body to the eyes. Its name comes from 'Qiao' meaning 'stepping' or 'heel,' referring to its origin and its role in lower limb movement. This vessel is particularly important for regulating sleep and wakefulness, controlling eye closure, and maintaining muscle tone in the inner leg. It absorbs excess Yin Qi from the primary channels in the abdomen and transports Yin energy to the eyes, making it essential for treating sleep disorders, eye problems, and gynecological conditions. The Yin Qiao Mai is a branch of the Kidney channel and works in partnership with the Yang Qiao Mai to balance Yin and Yang energies throughout the body.

Channel Pathways

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

Pathway Description

  • Yin Stepping Vessel originates from the medial side of the heel. It then runs to Rangu KID-2, anterior and inferior to the medial malleolus, in the depression on the lower border of the navicular bone.
  • It then ascends to Zhaohai KID-6 and Jiaoxin KID-8 around the medial side of the malleolus. 
  • Afterwards, it rises all the way to Quepen ST-12 in the supraclavicular fossa of the shoulder, passing the medial lower leg and thigh, genitals, abdomen as well as chest on the way. 
  • It continues ascending to Renying ST-9 on the throat and terminates at Jingming BL-1 which is 0.1 cun superior to the inner canthus. 

Acupuncture Points

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

Related Points from Other Channels

Rangu KI-2

Beginning point of Yin Qiao Mai according to classical texts

Zhaohai KI-6

Opening/Master Confluent Point - key point for activating the vessel

Jiaoxin KI-8

Xi-Cleft (Accumulation) point of Yin Qiao Mai - treats acute conditions

Jingming BL-1

Meeting point where Yin and Yang Qiao vessels connect at the inner eye

Lieque LU-7

Coupled Confluent Point - paired with KI-6 for treating Yin Qiao conditions

Detailed Information

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

Overview

The Yin Stepping Vessel (Yin Qiao Mai, 阴跷脉) is one of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels (Qi Jing Ba Mai) in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The character 'Qiao' (跷) means 'stepping' or 'heel,' describing both its origin point at the heel and its function in regulating lower limb movement. As a branch vessel of the Kidney meridian, it carries Yin energy upward from the feet to nourish the eyes and regulate sleep.

Pathway and Trajectory

The Yin Qiao Mai originates at KI-2 (Rangu) on the inner aspect of the foot, then travels to its opening point KI-6 (Zhaohai) below the medial malleolus (inner ankle bone). It continues upward to KI-8 (Jiaoxin), its Xi-cleft (accumulation) point. From here, it ascends along the medial aspect of the thigh, enters the genital region, then travels up through the abdomen and chest to ST-12 (Quepen) at the supraclavicular fossa. The pathway continues up the throat, passing anterior to ST-9 (Renying), reaches the nose, and terminates at BL-1 (Jingming) at the inner corner of the eye, where it connects with the Yang Qiao Mai, Bladder meridian, and Governing Vessel.

Key Functions

Sleep Regulation: The Yin Qiao Mai governs the closure of the eyes and promotes sleep. When in excess, it causes excessive drowsiness and hypersomnia (the eyes want to close). When deficient relative to Yang Qiao, insomnia results. The point BL-1 (Jingming) allows both Qiao vessels to communicate and balance Yin-Yang energy in the eyes.

Lower Limb Movement and Muscle Tone: This vessel controls the tone of the inner leg muscles. When the Yin Qiao Mai is in excess, the inner leg muscles become tight while the outer muscles become loose, potentially causing foot inversion (feet turning inward) and difficulty walking.

Yin Absorption and Distribution: The vessel absorbs excess Yin Qi from the primary channels in the lower abdomen and transports this Yin energy upward to nourish the eyes and brain.

Clinical Applications

Sleep Disorders: For insomnia, KI-6 is tonified while BL-62 (on Yang Qiao) is reduced. For hypersomnia or drowsiness, KI-6 is reduced while BL-62 is tonified. BL-1 can be added to balance both vessels.

Gynecological Conditions: The Yin Qiao Mai treats conditions including difficult labor, placenta retention, postpartum abdominal pain, excessive vaginal discharge, and uterine bleeding.

Abdominal Masses: When there is unilateral abdominal pain or masses caused by Qi stagnation, Blood stasis, or Phlegm accumulation, the Yin Qiao Mai can be used. Treatment involves needling the opening point (KI-6) on the affected side with the coupled point (LU-7) on the opposite side.

Urogenital Disorders: Including urinary incontinence, genital swelling, and genital itching.

Eye Conditions: Eye diseases, ptosis (drooping eyelids), and disorders of eye opening and closing.

Atrophy Syndrome: For conditions affecting leg muscle tone, such as post-polio sequelae, where the inner leg muscles are tight and outer muscles loose, causing difficulty walking.

Pulse Diagnosis

According to Li Shi Zhen's 'Study of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels,' the pulse of the Yin Qiao Mai is wiry on both rear (kidney) positions. A full pulse at the middle or deep level, reflecting accumulation or stagnation of Yin in the abdomen, also indicates Yin Qiao Mai pathology.

Paired Point Protocol

The Yin Qiao Mai is clinically paired with the Conception Vessel (Ren Mai) using the master-coupled point combination: KI-6 (Zhaohai) paired with LU-7 (Lieque). This pairing treats internal conditions affecting the heart, abdomen, chest, and throat.

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