Houxi Point (SI-3 / Back Stream)
Unblocks the Governor Vessel and calms the spirit, relieves spasm and pain, dispels pathogens and stops malaria, releases the exterior and clears heat. Based on its properties, it is clinically used for cervical spondylosis, frozen shoulder, lumbar and back pain, and epilepsy.
Indications
Malaria, jaundice, stiff painful neck, lumbar and back pain, and finger and elbow-arm contracture with pain. (1) Cervical, shoulder, lumbar and leg pain: Stiff neck, cervical spondylosis, shoulder pain, lumbar and back pain, sciatica, acute lumbar sprain, finger and elbow-arm contracture. (2) Head, face and orificial disorders: Headache, trigeminal neuralgia, facial spasm, deafness, red and painful eyes, stye, keratitis, epistaxis, tonsillitis. (3) Calming the spirit: Manic-depressive disorders, hysteria. (4) Others: Night sweats, malaria, scabies, urticaria, hemorrhoids, and various other conditions.
Precise Location
Located on the Small Intestine Meridian, on the ulnar side of the palm, with the fist slightly clenched, distal and posterior to the 5th metacarpophalangeal joint, at the junction of the red and white skin at the end of the palmar crease.
Location Method
Extend the arm with the elbow flexed toward the head at approximately 45°, lightly clench the fist – the point is in the protrusion at the end of the palmar crease on the lower side of the little finger, resembling a volcano crater.
Massage Method
Pinch and press Houxi with the thumbnail – a distending and sore sensation will occur. Apply for 1–3 minutes per session. Therapeutic actions: Clears the heart and calms the spirit, unblocks the meridians and collaterals.
Compatibility
Stiff neck: Combine with Jianjing (GB-21), Jianyu (LI-15), and Houxi (SI-3). Disease overview: Stiff neck is a common condition affecting young adults, often occurring in winter and spring. No symptoms before sleep – upon waking, there is marked soreness in the neck and back with limited neck movement – related to pillow and sleeping position. Massage sequence: Stand behind the patient, find the most tender point with one finger, then massage from the upper neck to the shoulder and back, focusing on the tender point until obvious soreness is felt – repeat 2–4 times; tap lightly with a hollow fist 2–4 times; then press Houxi for 3 minutes. Repeating this sequence quickly relaxes the spasmodic neck muscles and relieves pain. Acute lumbar sprain: Combine with Shuigou (GV-26) and Houxi (SI-3). Deafness: Combine with Tinggong (SI-19), Xiaguan (ST-7), Taichong (LR-3), and Houxi (SI-3). Acute lumbar sprain: Combine with Shuigou (GV-26). Stiff painful neck: Combine with Lieque (LU-7). Frozen shoulder: Combine with Tianzhu (BL-10), Jianyu (LI-15), and Quchi (LI-11). Lumbar pain: Combine with Yanglingquan (GB-34). Malaria: Combine with Dazhui (GV-14) and Jianshi (PC-5). Lower limb flaccidity/bi-syndrome: Combine with Huantiao (GB-30) and Yanglingquan (GB-34). Manic-depressive disorders: Combine with Shenmen (HT-7), Dazhui (GV-14), and Jiuwei (RN-15). Stiff painful neck: Combine with Tianzhu (BL-10) and Dazhu (BL-11). Night sweats: Combine with Yinxi (HT-6). Calm the spirit: Combine with Laogong (PC-8).
Efficacy & Actions
Houxi belongs to the Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian and is the Shu-Stream point where the meridian qi flows, corresponding to the Wood element in the five-element theory. It is also one of the Eight Confluent Points, connecting to the Governor Vessel (Du Mai). It relaxes the sinews and unblocks the collaterals, clears heat and stops malaria, unblocks the Governor Vessel and calms the spirit. It is used for stiff painful neck, lumbar and back pain, spastic disorders, convulsive disorders, and malaria. First documented in Lingshu · Benshu. “Hou” means behind the base of the little finger; “Xi” means small stream or gully. Located on the lateral side of the little finger in the depression behind the metacarpophalangeal joint – when the fist is clenched, the flesh rises like a mountain peak, and pressing feels like a small stream channel – hence the name Houxi (Back Stream). The Jinjian states: “For night sweats, Houxi should be bled first.” Houxi is a very useful point on the Small Intestine Meridian, connecting to the Eight Extraordinary Vessels and communicating with the Governor Vessel. It drains heart fire, strengthens yang qi, regulates the cervical spine, benefits the eyes, and straightens the spine. In TCM clinical practice, whether for cervical spine problems, lumbar issues, or eye disorders, this point is often used. (1) Unblocks the Governor Vessel and Calms the Spirit: As one of the Eight Confluent Points connecting to the Governor Vessel – which “ascends to the forehead, meets at the vertex, and enters the brain” – it has a strong calming effect. The Lanjiang Fu states: “Houxi treats Governor Vessel disorders.” It treats mental disorders such as depression, hysteria, mania, epilepsy, malaria, opisthotonos, convulsions, and spasms – a key point for treating mental and spastic disorders. Clinically, it is needled toward Laogong (PC-8) to enhance its calming effect. (2) Key Point for Cervical, Shoulder, Lumbar and Leg Pain: As the Shu-Stream point of the Small Intestine Meridian – “Shu points treat heaviness and joint pain” – the Small Intestine Meridian widely circulates in the shoulder and back region, “emerging from the shoulder joint, circling the scapula, and crossing the shoulder.” In ancient times, this meridian was called the “shoulder meridian” – a key point for cervical and shoulder pain. This is summarized as “for head and neck conditions, use Houxi.” As the Hand and Foot Taiyang are meridians of the same name, and Houxi connects to the Governor Vessel – which circulates in the lumbar and back region – it treats all lumbar and back disorders. It is especially effective for acute lumbar sprain – when needling, the patient should move the affected area for immediate results. (3) Treats Head, Face and Orificial Disorders: The Small Intestine Meridian is widely distributed on the face – “ascending to the cheek, reaching the outer canthus, entering the ear. Its branch separates from the cheek, ascends to the zygomatic region, reaches the nose, and goes to the inner canthus.” It effectively treats facial paralysis, trigeminal neuralgia, and facial spasm. As the Shu-Stream point, it treats pain; connecting to the Governor Vessel, it calms the spirit – giving it analgesic and antispasmodic effects, especially when needled toward Laogong. (4) Clears Damp-Heat: As a Small Intestine point – the Small Intestine is the organ that separates fluids – it clears Small Intestine damp-heat, treating jaundice, dark and scanty urine, and scabies. (5) Releases the Exterior and Clears Heat: The Taiyang governs the exterior and opening – Houxi clears heat, disperses yang, and releases the exterior, clinically used for tonsillitis, epistaxis, keratitis, stye, tinnitus, deafness, and night sweats.
Contraindications
When locating Houxi, the fist should be slightly clenched. The needling position should be maintained as much as possible during needle retention, and the same posture should be maintained when withdrawing the needle to avoid pain. Generally, avoid oblique needling outward.
