内庭为荥穴，荥穴宜泻之，根据子母补泻法也应泻之，故不宜用补法。虽然本穴可灸，但根据穴性，临床一般不用灸法。
Clears stomach heat and drains fire, unblocks the meridians and relieves pain. Based on its properties, it is clinically used for oral ulcers, gingival bleeding, toothache, hyperphagia (excessive appetite), stomach pain, and gastric distension.
Indications
Cold limbs, epistaxis (nosebleeds), facial deviation, sore throat, insomnia with excessive dreaming, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and diarrhea. (1) Gastrointestinal disorders: Abdominal pain, abdominal distension, acid regurgitation, constipation, diarrhea, dysentery, acute and chronic gastroenteritis. (2) Head, face and orificial disorders: Toothache, gingival bleeding, tonsillitis, sore throat, oral ulcers, epistaxis, facial pain, facial paralysis. (3) Lower limb conditions: Shin pain, dorsum foot swelling and pain, metatarsophalangeal joint pain. (4) Others: Diabetes, obesity, urticaria, dysmenorrhea, etc.
Precise Location
Located on the Stomach Meridian, between the 2nd and 3rd toes, in the depression at the end of the toe web.
Location Method
Sit upright with the knee flexed, place the foot on the opposite knee. Use the opposite hand with four fingers supporting the sole and the thumb on the dorsum – place the thumb between the 2nd and 3rd toes in the depression at the end of the toe web.
Massage Method
Bend the thumb and press down with the fingertip into the point. Apply once each morning and evening – left first, then right – for 1–3 minutes per side. Therapeutic actions: Clears stomach heat and drains fire, regulates qi and relieves pain.
Compatibility
Epistaxis (nosebleeds): Combine with Shenting (GV-24), Yingxiang (LI-20), and Neiting (ST-44). Disease overview: Epistaxis is caused by nasal cavity lesions or systemic diseases. It may be unilateral or bilateral, intermittent or continuous. Massage sequence: When nosebleeding occurs, raise the head immediately and gently pat the forehead with the palm a dozen times; press Shenting with the middle finger for about 1 minute; then press Yingxiang with both index fingers for 1–3 minutes; finally press Neiting for 3 minutes. Swollen and painful gums: Combine with Tianchong (GB-9), Daying (ST-5), Hegu (LI-4), and Neiting (ST-44). Stomach pain: Combine with Zhongwan (RN-12), Huangshu (KI-16), Tianshu (ST-25), Zusanli (ST-36), and Neiting (ST-44). Toothache and sore throat: Combine with Hegu (LI-4). Oral ulcers: Combine with Laogong (PC-8). Epistaxis and gingival bleeding: Combine with Shangxing (GV-23). Shin pain with inability to flex/extend: Combine with Huantiao (GB-30). Dorsum foot swelling and pain: Combine with Bafeng (EX-LE10). Dysmenorrhea: Combine with Xiangu (ST-43). Stomach pain, abdominal distension, vomiting and diarrhea: Combine with Zusanli (ST-36). Damp-heat diarrhea: Combine with Neiguan (PC-6), Quchi (LI-11), and Tianshu (ST-25). Facial deviation: Combine with Dicang (ST-4), Jiache (ST-6), Quanliao (SI-18), and Cuanzhu (BL-2).
Efficacy & Actions
Neiting belongs to the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian and is the Ying-Spring point where the meridian qi flows, corresponding to the Water element in the five-element theory. It clears stomach heat and drains fire, unblocks the meridians and regulates qi. It is a key point for treating disorders caused by exuberant stomach fire, with reducing technique commonly used. First documented in Lingshu · Benshu. "Nei" means inner or person; "Ting" means open space in front of the hall. Located at the end of the toe web, where the toes are like a gate and the area is flat like an open space – hence the name. The disorders it treats are often not locally near the point but in the head, abdomen, and heart – its function relates to the interior. Thus it is named Neiting (Inner Court). Do you often have cold hands and feet? Do you feel that your qi and blood circulation is stagnant? Are you irritated by noisy environments? If so, massage Neiting immediately – it brings immediate results. The song says: "Neiting, at the side of the second toe, belongs to the Stomach Meridian. It treats cold limbs, likes quiet and dislikes noise, treats rash, sore throat, frequent yawning, and toothache." This describes the functions of Neiting. (1) Clears Stomach Heat and Drains Fire: As the Ying-Spring (Water) point of the Stomach Meridian, Ying-Spring points primarily treat body heat and excel at clearing heat. Neiting has a strong effect on clearing stomach fire, effectively treating toothache with swollen gums, sore throat, oral ulcers, oral heat, and epistaxis caused by stomach fire ascending along the meridian. According to the five-element tonifying-reducing method, for excess patterns of the Stomach Meridian, Lidui (ST-45) should be used – but since Lidui is the Jing-Well point with weak qi, the principle "when draining the well, drain the Ying" applies. Thus Neiting is used to treat all conditions of exuberant stomach fire. Dietary adjustments – reducing spicy, greasy, and sweet foods, avoiding late nights, and eating more vegetables and fruits – should be combined to effectively clear stomach fire. (2) Excels at Treating Gastrointestinal Disorders: Used for abdominal pain, abdominal distension, diarrhea, constipation, and dysentery. The Yulong Ge states: "For lower abdominal distension with qi attacking the heart, Neiting should be needled first." The Qianjin Yaofang states: "Zusanli and Neiting are wonderful for abdominal disorders." It is particularly effective for controlling hyperphagia due to stomach fire. The Lingshu · Jingmai states: "When qi is excessive, the front of the body is hot; when the stomach has excess, it digests food quickly and causes hunger." Neiting is the ideal point for clearing stomach fire. (3) Other Therapeutic Effects: Clinically also used for diabetes, facial deviation, facial pain, urticaria, dysmenorrhea, dorsum foot swelling and pain, and obesity. Proper syndrome differentiation enables these complex conditions to be improved or resolved.
Contraindications
Neiting is a Ying-Spring point, which should be drained – according to the mother-child tonifying-reducing method, it should be reduced rather than reinforced. Although moxibustion is permissible, due to its point nature, moxibustion is rarely used clinically.
