Zhiyin Point (BL-67 / Reaching Yin, also known as Duyin)
Unblocks the collaterals and relieves pain, clears the head and brightens the eyes, regulates qi and corrects fetal position. Based on its properties, it is clinically used for headache, eye disorders, and malposition of the fetus.
Indications
Fetal malposition, irregular menstruation, urinary retention, spermatorrhea, epistaxis, and red painful eyes. (1) Head, face and orificial disorders: Eye disorders, nasal congestion, epistaxis. (2) Gynecological and obstetric disorders: Fetal malposition, difficult labor, prolonged labor, retained placenta. (3) Meridian pathway disorders: Headache, urinary retention, prostate disorders. (4) Others: Syncope, heat in the soles, neck pain, colds.
Precise Location
Located on the Bladder Meridian, on the lateral side of the distal phalanx of the little toe, approximately 0.1 cun from the nail corner.
Location Method
Sit upright with feet on the floor. Move the foot slightly backward and to the side, with the heel on the ground and the toes pointing outward and upward. Bend down, hold the sole with the same-side hand with four fingers, palm facing up – bend the thumb and place it beside the lateral nail corner of the little toe – that is the point.
Massage Method
Bend the thumb and press vertically with the thumbnail – apply to both sides simultaneously or separately for 1–3 minutes. Therapeutic actions: Regulates qi and activates blood, clears the head and brightens the eyes, unblocks the collaterals and relieves pain.
Compatibility
Menopausal syndrome: Combine with Zhiyin (BL-67), Shenshu (BL-23), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), Shenmen (HT-7), and Zusanli (ST-36). Disease overview: Menopausal syndrome is caused by declining estrogen levels – ovarian decline and pituitary hyperactivity lead to autonomic dysfunction, causing menstrual changes, flushing, palpitations, insomnia, fatigue, depression, anxiety, emotional instability, and poor concentration. Massage sequence: Add Taichong (LR-3) for irritability; Guanyuan (RN-4) for fatigue; Neiguan (PC-6) for palpitations and insomnia; Fengchi (GB-20) and Tinghui (GB-2) for dizziness and tinnitus; Taixi (KI-3) for five-heart heat; Hegu (LI-4) and Fuliu (KI-7) for sweating. Fetal malposition: Combine with Yinbai (SP-1), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), and Jingmen (GB-25). Headache: Combine with Taichong (LR-3), Baihui (GV-20), and Zhiyin (BL-67). Head and neck pain: Combine with Fengchi (GB-20), Tianzhu (BL-10), Taiyang (EX-HN5), and Taichong (LR-3). Occipital headache: Combine with Tianzhu (BL-10) and Houxi (SI-3). Difficult labor and retained placenta: Combine with Zhongji (RN-3), Kunlun (BL-60), and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). Eye disorders: Combine with Jingming (BL-1). Headache and eye pain: Combine with Fengchi (GB-20), Cuanzhu (BL-2), and Tongziliao (GB-1). Epistaxis: Combine with Yingxiang (LI-20), Shangxing (GV-23), and Hegu (LI-4). Difficult urination: Combine with Zhongji (RN-3), Ligou (LR-5), Lougu (SP-7), and Chengfu (BL-36). Nasal discharge: Combine with Yintang (EX-HN3), Yingxiang (LI-20), Fengmen (BL-12), and Hegu (LI-4).
Efficacy & Actions
Zhiyin belongs to the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian and is the Jing-Well point where meridian qi emerges, corresponding to the Metal element in the five-element theory. It supplements essence and blood, regulates qi and corrects fetal position, dispels wind and pathogens, unblocks the collaterals and relieves pain. It is a specific point for correcting fetal malposition. First documented in Lingshu · Benshu. "Zhi" means extreme, end, or to reach; "Yin" refers to the Foot Shaoyin (Kidney) Meridian. Located at the lateral end of the little toe, where Bladder Meridian qi reaches its extreme and then intersects with the Kidney Meridian – hence the name Zhiyin (Reaching Yin). It is also known as "Duyin." In gynecology, Zhiyin is an important point. Ancient physicians discovered that acupuncture at Zhiyin between the 29th and 40th weeks of pregnancy, with treatment lasting over four weeks, effectively corrects fetal position. Regular massage or moxibustion at Zhiyin also treats and improves irregular menstruation, metrorrhagia, leukorrhea, dysmenorrhea, menopausal syndrome, acute mastitis, and breast hyperplasia. (1) Effective Point for Correcting Fetal Malposition: This clinical application is derived from generations of experience. The Leijing Tuyi states: "When a retained fetus cannot be delivered, needling Zhiyin with a three-edged needle to bleed causes a transverse presentation to turn straight." The Taiping Shenghui Fang records: "For transverse or difficult labor in critical condition... moxibust the tip of the right little toe with three small wheat-grain-sized cones – immediate delivery is miraculous." As the Jing-Well point of the Bladder Meridian – the Bladder is internally-externally related to the Kidney and is the official of water storage – it can stimulate yang qi and promote smooth fetal movement. This is the most effective treatment for fetal malposition, with a correction rate over 85%, offering good results, minimal pain, safety, and economy. Generally 3–5 treatments achieve correction. The patient should empty the bladder, lie supine or sit in a chair, loosen the belt, relax, and receive 20 minutes of moxibustion at one Zhiyin point once daily – stop when fetal position is corrected. The optimal treatment period is 7–8 months of pregnancy. (2) Common Point for Head, Face and Orificial Disorders: As the Jing-Well point where Bladder Meridian qi emerges, with light and dispersing properties – the Bladder Meridian runs from the head to the foot – "for head disorders, treat the foot" – it treats headache, nasal congestion, epistaxis, and red painful eyes. The Bladder Meridian originates at the eye, distributes over the head, neck, and back, and its sinew "connects at the nose" – making it highly effective for head, face, and orificial disorders. The Zhouhou Ge summarizes: "For head and facial disorders, needling Zhiyin is effective."
Contraindications
This point has uterine-contracting and labor-inducing effects – needling is contraindicated in pregnant women; moxibustion is preferred.
