Yongquan Point (KI-1 / Gushing Spring, also known as Dichong, Juexin)
Opens the orifices and awakens the spirit, nourishes yin and descends fire, unblocks the meridians and collaterals. Based on its properties, it is mainly used for emergency treatment of coma, shock, and epilepsy, as well as for dry throat, sore throat, and vertex headache.
Indications
Difficult urination, wheezing, headache, dizziness, vertigo, and heatstroke. (1) Emergency: Syncope, heatstroke, manic-depressive disorders. (2) ENT disorders: Sore throat, stiff tongue with inability to speak, throat obstruction. (3) Head disorders: Dizziness, insomnia, vertex headache. (4) Others: Difficult urination, constipation, anejaculation, trigeminal neuralgia, hot soles, insufficient lactation, hiccups, infantile failure to cry, etc.
Precise Location
Located on the Kidney Meridian, in the depression at the anterior sole, at the junction of the anterior 1/3 of the line connecting the web margin between the 2nd and 3rd toes and the heel.
Location Method
Sit upright, place one foot on the opposite knee with the sole facing up. Lightly hold the foot with the other hand, four fingers on the dorsum, bend the thumb and press – that is the point.
Massage Method
Lightly hold the foot with one hand, four fingers on the dorsum, push and press from bottom to top with the thumb pad – a painful sensation will occur. Apply to both soles once each morning and evening for 1–3 minutes. Therapeutic actions: Nourishes yin and benefits the kidney, calms the liver and extinguishes wind, opens the orifices and awakens the spirit.
Compatibility
Impotence: Combine with Guilai (ST-29). Disease overview: Impotence is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse. Massage sequence: Massage the right sole (Yongquan) 100 times with the left hand, and the left sole 100 times with the right hand; then massage Guilai for 3 minutes – best results after hot foot soaks. Schizophrenia: Combine with Houxi (SI-3), Taichong (LR-3), Yongquan (KI-1), and Touwei (ST-8). Cough: Combine with Zhongfu (LU-1), Dazhu (BL-11), Laogong (PC-8), Yongquan (KI-1), and Shenshu (BL-23). Emergency: Combine with Shuigou (GV-26) and Neiguan (PC-6). Hypertension (liver yang rising): Combine with Baihui (GV-20), Xingjian (LR-2), Taichong (LR-3), and Fengchi (GB-20). Dry, itchy, sore throat: Combine with Rangu (KI-2). Vertex headache: Combine with Taichong (LR-3). Hot soles: Combine with Shaofu (HT-8), Zhaohai (KI-6), and Shenmai (BL-62). Aphasia: Combine with Tongli (HT-5) and Yamen (GV-15). Tonify kidney and strengthen body: Combine with other health-preserving points. Dizziness and insomnia: Combine with Sishencong (EX-HN1) and Shenmen (HT-7). Sore throat: Combine with Shaoshang (LU-11) and Hegu (LI-4). Syncope, epilepsy, shock: Combine with Shuigou (GV-26) and Baihui (GV-20). Insufficient lactation: Combine with Shaoze (SI-1).
Efficacy & Actions
Yongquan belongs to the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian and is the Jing-Well point where the meridian qi emerges, corresponding to the Wood element in the five-element theory. It nourishes yin and descends fire, clears heat and drains fire, dispels wind and relieves spasms, opens the orifices and awakens the spirit, unblocks the meridians and collaterals. It is a commonly used point for throat and oral disorders, and a key emergency point for mental disorders. First documented in Lingshu · Benshu. This point is the Jing-Well point of the Kidney Meridian, corresponding to Kidney Water. Located on the sole of the foot, where Kidney Meridian qi emerges like a gushing spring – hence the name Yongquan (Gushing Spring). It is also known as "Dichong" and "Juexin." The Shouzhi Yanglao Xinshu states: "Rubbing Yongquan morning and evening strengthens the feet, preventing weakness, soreness, and pain." Regular massage also enhances the body's resistance. Su Dongpo once told a story: A military officer from Yangzhou who served in Guangdong and Guangxi for over ten years never contracted malaria, always had a rosy complexion, walked briskly, and never took medicine. When asked for his secret, he said he rose before dawn every day, sat with both feet together, and massaged the soles until he sweated. (1) Opens the Orifices and Awakens the Spirit – Used for Emergency: As the Jing-Well point of the Kidney Meridian – "diseases of the zang organs are treated at the well points" – it has emergency effects, especially for resuscitation. It is one of the "Nine Points for Returning Yang." Needling Yongquan opens the orifices, nourishes yin and subdues yang, guides fire downward, allowing yin and yang to reconnect and restore consciousness. Used for coma, shock, manic disorders, and other acute conditions, often combined with Shuigou (GV-26), Neiguan (PC-6), and Shixuan (EX-UE11). (2) Effective Point for Hypertension: As the Jing-Well point of the Kidney Meridian, needling Yongquan regulates Kidney Meridian qi, balances yin and yang, nourishes kidney yin to calm liver yang, and guides fire downward to subdue yang. Most effective for hypertension due to liver yang hyperactivity and wind-yang rising, often combined with Baihui (GV-20), Taichong (LR-3), Xingjian (LR-2), and Quchi (LI-11). (3) Common Point for ENT Disorders: The Kidney Meridian "courses along the throat and connects to the root of the tongue" – thus it treats sore throat, dry mouth, aphonia, and other conditions. The Beiji Qianjin Yaofang states: "Yongquan and Rangu treat throat obstruction, chills and fever, and pain in all five toes with inability to walk." (4) Key Point for Vertex Headache: Located on the sole, while the vertex is the highest point of the body – according to the principle "treat upper disorders from below, treat head disorders from the foot" – and with its descending and draining nature, it is especially effective for vertex headache due to qi counterflow. The Zhouhou Ge states: "For vertex headache with inability to open the eyes, needling Yongquan brings peace." (5) Other Therapeutic Effects: Also used for difficult urination, constipation, anejaculation, hot painful soles, intractable hiccups, intractable trigeminal neuralgia, insufficient lactation, infantile failure to cry, infantile convulsions, insomnia, and other conditions. The Shiji · Bian Que Cang Gong Liezhuan records a case: The mother of the Prince of Jibei complained of hot and stuffy soles – diagnosed as "heat syncope." Needling both soles at three points each without bleeding immediately resolved the condition, caused by excessive alcohol consumption. As a Jing-Well point, Yongquan effectively drains meridian heat – as the Baizheng Fu states: "Yongquan clears heat syncope."
Contraindications
Needling Yongquan is painful – insertion should be fast. When needling obliquely, avoid the plantar artery.
