Yinlingquan Point (SP-9 / Yin Mound Spring, also known as Yinling, Yinzhilingquan)
Strengthens the spleen and resolves dampness, unblocks the Triple Burner, benefits qi and nourishes blood. Based on its properties, it is mainly used for edema and urinary abnormalities.
Indications
Difficult urination, abdominal distension, diarrhea, edema, jaundice, and enuresis. (1) Limb disorders: Frozen shoulder, knee pain, lower limb flaccidity, bi-syndrome. (2) Water-damp patterns: Edema, diarrhea, abdominal distension, difficult urination, urinary incontinence. (3) Digestive disorders: Abdominal distension, diarrhea, jaundice. (4) Urogenital disorders: Leukorrhea, uterine prolapse, vaginal itching, pelvic inflammatory disease, spermatorrhea, premature ejaculation, strangury.
Precise Location
Located on the Spleen Meridian, on the medial side of the lower leg, in the depression at the medial side of the tibia below the knee, opposite Yanglingquan (GB-34).
Location Method
Sit upright, place one foot on the opposite knee. Lightly hold the lower leg below the knee with the other hand – the point is in the medial depression below the knee where the thumb tip rests.
Massage Method
① Massage: Press and knead with the thumb. ② Scraping therapy: Scrape from top to bottom. Bend the thumb and knead firmly from bottom to top with the fingertip – a stinging and slight sore sensation will occur. Apply once each morning and evening, for 1–3 minutes per session. Therapeutic actions: Clears damp-heat, benefits the kidney and regulates menstruation, strengthens the spleen and regulates qi, unblocks the meridians and collaterals.
Compatibility
Difficult urination: Combine with Zhongji (RN-3), Yinlingquan (SP-9), Pangguangshu (BL-28), and Qixue (KI-13). Disease overview: Reduced urine volume, difficulty urinating, or complete urinary retention – caused by yin deficiency, fever, profuse sweating, vomiting/diarrhea, or blood loss leading to insufficient fluid production – treated by nourishing yin and blood, not by diuresis. Massage sequence: First massage Zhongji (4 cun below the umbilicus) for 3 minutes; then press Yinlingquan and Pangguangshu for 3 minutes each; finally massage Qixue for 3 minutes. Nephritis: Combine with Shenshu (BL-23), Ganshu (BL-18), Shuidao (ST-28), Jingmen (GB-25), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), Yanggu (SI-5), and Qixue (KI-13). Urinary retention: Combine with Sanyinjiao (SP-6), Yinlingquan (SP-9), Guanyuan (RN-4), and Zhongji (RN-3). Edema: Combine with Shuifen (RN-9). Abdominal cold deficiency and digestive disorders: Combine with Sanyinjiao (SP-6) and Zusanli (ST-36). Jaundice: Combine with Zhiyang (GV-9), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), Danshu (BL-19), and Yanggang (BL-48). Reduce edema and promote diuresis: Combine with Shuifen (RN-9). Promote diuresis and relieve strangury: Combine with Guanyuan (RN-4) and Zhongji (RN-3). Peritonitis, abdominal gas pain, lower abdominal hardness: Combine with Yongquan (KI-1). Knee pain: Combine with Yanglingquan (GB-34). Drooling: Combine with Dicang (ST-4) and Chengjiang (RN-24). Acute diarrhea: Combine with Shuifen (RN-9), Tianshu (ST-25), and Shangjuxu (ST-37).
Efficacy & Actions
Yinlingquan belongs to the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian and is the He-Sea point where the meridian qi enters, corresponding to the Water element in the five-element theory. It strengthens the spleen and drains dampness, benefits qi and consolidates the root, reduces swelling and relieves pain. Clinically used for abdominal distension, edema, chest and heart fullness, as well as knee joint disorders. First documented in Lingshu · Benshu. The medial side of the knee is Yin; the medial condyle of the femur is prominent like a mound, with a depression below it like a spring. As the He-Sea point of the Spleen Meridian corresponding to Water, it is compared to a deep spring below the mound on the yin side – hence the name Yinlingquan (Yin Mound Spring). It is also known as "Yinling" and "Yinzhi Lingquan." When experiencing urinary retention or difficulty with abdominal distension – causing great discomfort, possibly leading to edema below the umbilicus, and even damaging the kidney and bladder in severe cases – prompt medical attention combined with pressing Yinlingquan can aid treatment and regulation. (1) Strengthens the Spleen and Drains Dampness: As the He-Sea point of the Spleen Meridian, the Spleen governs the transportation of water-damp. Corresponding to Water in the five-element theory, needling strengthens the spleen and tonifies the kidney, drains water and resolves dampness – earning the title "First Point for Strengthening the Spleen and Draining Dampness." Used for various edema, jaundice, chest and heart fullness, and difficult urination, often combined with Shuifen (RN-9), Zusanli (ST-36), and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). The Baizheng Fu states: "Yinlingquan and Shuifen treat edema with umbilical fullness." It is also used for leukorrhea caused by dampness descending. (2) Treats Spleen-Stomach Disorders: As the He-Sea point of the Spleen Meridian, it strengthens the spleen and stomach. "He treats rebellious qi and diarrhea" – used for abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and diarrhea due to spleen dysfunction. The Lingshu · Jiuzhen Shier Yuan states: "For diseases of the upper part with internal origin, use Yinlingquan" – meaning disorders manifesting in the upper body with internal zang origin are treated with Yinlingquan. (3) Treats Knee Disorders: Located at the knee, according to "where the point is located, there it treats," it treats knee joint and periarticular disorders – especially medial knee swelling and pain, knee joint effusion, and knee pain aggravated by rainy weather. Clinically often used with Yanglingquan (GB-34) in a penetrating technique. (4) Treats Male and Female Reproductive and Urinary Disorders: Used for various strangury patterns, urinary incontinence, penile pain, spermatorrhea, impotence, vaginitis, leukorrhea, and pelvic inflammatory disease. The Zhenjiu Jiayijing records: "Pain in the female genital region with lower abdominal hardness and urgent pain – Yinlingquan is the primary point." The Spleen Meridian sinew runs upward along the medial thigh, converging at the hip and gathering in the genital region – hence its use for reproductive disorders.
Contraindications
Needle perpendicularly from the Spleen Meridian toward the Gallbladder Meridian. Moxibustion is often used.
