Taixi (KI3)
Taixi (KI3), an acupuncture point, was first recorded in Spiritual Pivot · Fundamental Acupoints (Lingshu · Benshu). Its aliases are Lüxi, Neikunlun, and Daxi. It belongs to the Kidney Meridian of Foot-Shaoyin. Location: In the ankle region, in the depression between the tip of the medial malleolus and the Achilles tendon. Anatomy: It is traversed by the posterior tibial artery and vein, and supplied by the medial sural cutaneous nerve (medial cutaneous nerve of the calf) and the tibial nerve. Indications: Headache, vertigo (dizziness), insomnia, poor memory, spermatorrhea, impotence, sore throat, toothache, tinnitus, deafness, cough, wheezing (dyspnea), among others. Needling method: Perpendicular insertion to a depth of 0.5–1 cun.
Indications
1. Headache, vertigo (dizziness), insomnia, poor memory, spermatorrhea, impotence, and other patterns of Kidney deficiency. 2. Sore throat, toothache, tinnitus, deafness, and other disorders of the five sense organs due to Yin deficiency. 3. Cough, wheezing (dyspnea), hemoptysis, chest pain, and other disorders of the Lung system. 4. Wasting thirst disorder (Xiaoke), frequent urination, and constipation. 5. Irregular menstruation. 6. Pain of the lower back and spine, coldness of the lower limbs, and swelling and pain of the medial malleolus.
Precise Location
Located in the ankle region, in the depression between the tip of the medial malleolus and the Achilles tendon.
Location Method
Sit upright or lie supine. Locate the point midway between the posterior border of the medial malleolus and the anterior border of the Achilles tendon, level with the tip of the medial malleolus. Perpendicularly insert the needle to a depth of 0.5–1 cun. Moxibustion: 3–5 moxa cones, or 5–10 minutes of moxa stick.
Massage Method
In modern practice, Taixi (KI3) is commonly used for the treatment of nephritis, cystitis, irregular menstruation, spermatorrhea, enuresis, toothache, chronic laryngitis, stomatitis, tinnitus, pulmonary emphysema, cough, wheezing (asthma/dyspnea), neurasthenia, low back pain, paraplegia (lower limb paralysis), heel pain, emergency (resuscitation), coldness of the four limbs after febrile diseases, endocarditis, pleurisy, mastitis, hiccup (diaphragmatic spasm), vomiting, constipation, among other conditions.
Compatibility
1. Combined with Ciliao (BL32) and Pangguangshu (BL28) for coldness and numbness of the feet (lower limbs). 2. Combined with Zhaohai (KI6), Baihuanshu (BL30), and Guanyuan (CV4) for spermatorrhea, cloudy urine (white turbid urine), and frequent/strangury urination. 3. Combined with Yinggu (KI10), Shenshu (BL23), Qihai (CV6), and Pangguangshu (BL28) for reddish-yellow urine. 4. Combined with Shenshu (BL23), Houxi (SI3), and Taiyuan (LU9) for kidney‑related headache (headache due to kidney deficiency). 5. Combined with Baihui (GV20), Tinggong (SI19), Ermen (TE21), Luoque (BL8), and Yemen (TE2) for tinnitus. 6. Combined with Feishu (BL13), Danzhong (CV17), and Chize (LU5) for cough with heat phlegm. 7. Combined with Jianshi (PC5), Neiguan (PC6), and Zhigou (TE6) for chest pain.
Efficacy & Actions
Tonify the Liver and Kidney, nourish Yin and descend fire, relieve cough and wheezing.