Taixi Point (KI-3 / Great Stream, also known as Lüxi)
Tonifies the kidney and supplements deficiency, nourishes yin and descends fire, regulates menstruation and drains dampness. Based on its properties, it is clinically used for lumbar soreness and pain, tinnitus and deafness, spermatorrhea, premature ejaculation, infertility, insomnia, and kidney-related disorders.
Indications
Irregular menstruation, nephritis, cystitis, enuresis, spermatorrhea, and impotence. (1) Gynecological disorders: Irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, metrorrhagia, infertility. (2) Male disorders: Impotence, premature ejaculation, spermatorrhea, sterility. (3) Urinary disorders: Frequent urination, prostate disorders, enuresis, constipation. (4) Respiratory disorders: Cough, hemoptysis, wheezing, sore throat. (5) Mental disorders: Insomnia, forgetfulness, excessive dreaming, poor concentration. (6) ENT disorders: Tinnitus, deafness, toothache, dry throat, epistaxis. (7) Motor system disorders: Heel pain, ankle swelling and pain, cold limbs, hand-foot weakness, lumbar soreness, lumbar pain.
Precise Location
Located on the Kidney Meridian, on the medial side of the foot, in the depression between the posterior medial malleolus and the Achilles tendon.
Location Method
Place one foot on the opposite knee. Lightly hold the foot with the other hand, four fingers on the dorsum, bend the thumb and press into the depression between the posterior medial malleolus and the Achilles tendon.
Massage Method
Place four fingers on the dorsum, bend the thumb, and scrape from top to bottom. Apply to both feet once each morning and evening for 1–3 minutes. Therapeutic actions: Clears heat and nourishes yin, benefits the kidney and strengthens the lumbar region, regulates menstruation and drains dampness.
Compatibility
Urethritis: Combine with Huangshu (KI-16), Fuliu (KI-7), and Taixi (KI-3). Disease overview: Urethritis is a common condition, more frequent in women – classified as acute/chronic and non-specific/gonococcal urethritis, differentiated by history and bacteriological examination. Massage sequence: First massage Huangshu for 3 minutes, then massage Fuliu and Taixi for 3 minutes each. Childhood enuresis: Combine with Qihai (RN-6), Guanyuan (RN-4), Shaofu (HT-8), Taixi (KI-3), and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). Ankle pain: Combine with Jiexi (ST-41), Kunlun (BL-60), and Taixi (KI-3). Insomnia due to heart-kidney disharmony: Combine with Shenmen (HT-7), Xinshu (BL-15), and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). Hemoptysis: Combine with Chize (LU-5) and Kongzui (LU-6). Spermatorrhea and premature ejaculation: Combine with Qihai (RN-6), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), and Zhishi (BL-52). Heel pain: Combine with Kunlun (BL-60). Chronic wheezing: Combine with Zhongfu (LU-1), Feishu (BL-13), and Guanyuan (RN-4). Senile deafness and tinnitus: Combine with Shenshu (BL-23). Spermatorrhea, impotence, kidney-deficiency lumbar pain: Combine with Shenshu (BL-23) and Zhishi (BL-52). Pharyngitis and toothache: Combine with Shaoze (SI-1). Cough with hemoptysis: Combine with Fuliu (KI-7), Lieque (LU-7), and Hegu (LI-4).
Efficacy & Actions
Taixi belongs to the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian and is the Yuan-Source point where kidney qi and primordial qi pass and lodge, as well as the Shu-Stream point where Kidney Meridian qi flows, corresponding to the Earth element in the five-element theory. It tonifies the kidney and regulates menstruation, nourishes yin and descends fire, regulates menstruation and drains dampness, calms the spirit and opens the orifices. It is a commonly used key point for treating all disorders caused by kidney deficiency and essence depletion. First documented in Lingshu · Benshu. "Tai" means great; "Xi" means stream or flowing water. This point is named because Kidney Meridian fluid forms a large stream here. Kidney water emerges from Yongquan (KI-1), passes through Rangu (KI-2), and gathers into a great stream at this point – hence the name Taixi (Great Stream). It is also known as "Lüxi." Taixi is an important point with the function of "determining life and death and treating all diseases." The Jingxue Jie states: "The point is named Taixi because the kidney is the water of the body, originating from Yongquan – its movement is not yet visible; it flows through Rangu, still not visible; here, an artery becomes visible. A stream is where water flows; when there is an artery, the form of water is seen – hence the name Taixi." (1) Common Point for Male and Female Reproductive Disorders: As the Yuan-Source point of the Kidney Meridian, where kidney primordial qi is infused – the kidney is the "root of prenatal constitution" and the source of reproduction and development. Thus it treats kidney-related conditions such as spermatorrhea, impotence, premature ejaculation, leukorrhea, metrorrhagia, amenorrhea, infertility, and sterility. (2) First Choice Point for Regulating Kidney Qi Deficiency: As the Yuan-Source point where kidney primordial qi passes and lodges, and where kidney meridian qi gathers, it can both tonify yang and nourish yin – whether kidney yin depletion or kidney yang decline. It treats all conditions caused by kidney qi deficiency, including dizziness, tinnitus, toothache, lumbar soreness, lumbar pain, and heel pain. The Jingyue Quanshu states: "When the kidney declines, teeth loosen; when essence is firm, teeth are strong. Kidney-deficiency toothache can be treated by supplementing Taixi." The Tongxuan Zhiyao Fu states: "Toothache – Lüxi (Taixi) can treat it." (3) Treats Mental Disorders: Belonging to the Kidney Meridian – the kidney governs water, while the heart governs the spirit and belongs to fire – it treats mental disorders due to heart-kidney disharmony, used for insomnia, memory loss, and poor concentration. (4) Key Point for Asthma: The lung is the master of qi; the kidney is the root of qi. Kidney deficiency impairs qi reception; lung deficiency impairs qi control. Taixi treats asthma due to both lung and kidney deficiency. The kidney governs qi reception and regulates respiration. As the kidney is the root of yin and yang and the source of life, treating asthma at this point addresses the root cause – kidney-deficiency cough, asthma, and bronchitis are all treatable. (5) Other Therapeutic Effects: Also used for diabetes, night sweats, hemoptysis, difficult defecation, frequent urination, and many other conditions caused by the kidney's failure to store essence. The Suwen · Liujie Zangxiang Lun states: "The kidney is the foundation of storing essence." When kidney qi declines, storing function weakens. As the Yuan-Source point of the kidney, Taixi effectively regulates these conditions. Its scope is vast – all disorders caused by kidney qi deficiency can be treated.
Contraindications
The tibial nerve lies beneath Taixi – needling should avoid it with slow insertion to prevent nerve injury.
