Fuliu Point (KI-7 / Returning Flow, also known as Funei, Fuliu, Changyang, Waiming, Waishu)
Strengthens the lumbar region and benefits the kidney, moves qi and transforms water. Based on its properties, it is clinically used for lumbar pain, edema, hyperhidrosis, and anhidrosis.
Indications
Night sweats, abdominal distension, urethritis, urinary tract infection, and menopausal syndrome. (1) Edema and sweating disorders: Night sweats, febrile disease with anhidrosis, menopausal hot flashes with sweating, persistent sweating, edema, nephritis. (2) Lumbar pain and lower limb flaccidity: Lumbar soreness, lumbar pain, lower limb weakness. (3) Others: Borborygmus, abdominal distension, diarrhea, urinary retention, enuresis, malaria, etc.
Precise Location
Located on the Kidney Meridian, on the medial side of the lower leg, two finger-widths above the center of the medial malleolus, between the tibia and the Achilles tendon.
Location Method
With the foot resting, place one foot on the opposite knee. Lightly hold with the other hand, four fingers on the dorsum – the point is where the thumb pad presses.
Massage Method
Push and knead from bottom to top with the thumb pad – a sore sensation will occur. Apply to both feet once each morning and evening for 1–3 minutes. Therapeutic actions: Tonifies the kidney and benefits yin, warms yang and promotes diuresis, moves qi and transforms water.
Compatibility
Pulmonary tuberculosis: Combine with Zhongfu (LU-1). Disease overview: A chronic consumptive infectious disease characterized by cough, hemoptysis, tidal fever, night sweats, and emaciation – corresponding to tuberculosis. Massage sequence: Massage Fuliu for 3 minutes, then massage Zhongfu for 3 minutes – twice daily. Menopausal syndrome: Combine with Zhiyin (BL-67), Shenshu (BL-23), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), Shenmen (HT-7), Zusanli (ST-36), and Fuliu (KI-7). Hyperhidrosis: Reinforce Fuliu, reduce Hegu (LI-4). Anhidrosis or hypohidrosis: Reduce Fuliu, reinforce Hegu (LI-4). Edema: Combine with Shuifen (RN-9), Yinlingquan (SP-9), and Zusanli (ST-36). Diarrhea: Combine with Tianshu (ST-25), Zusanli (ST-36), and Guanyuan (RN-4). Urinary retention: Combine with Zhongji (RN-3), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), and Shuidao (ST-28). Pulseless disease: Combine with Taiyuan (LU-9). Edema of the four limbs: Combine with Fenglong (ST-40) and Dadu (SP-2). Kidney-deficiency lumbar pain: Combine with Shenshu (BL-23).
Efficacy & Actions
Fuliu belongs to the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian and is the Jing-River point where the meridian qi flows, corresponding to the Metal element in the five-element theory. It is the mother point of the Kidney Meridian. It moves qi and transforms water, regulates the water passages, and warms and tonifies the kidney. It is a key point for treating disorders caused by abnormal fluid metabolism. First documented in Lingshu · Benshu. "Fu" means to return; "Liu" means to flow. Kidney Meridian qi flows from Yongquan through Rangu and Taixi, descends to Dazhong and Shuiquan, circles to Zhaohai, then returns upward through Taixi to flow to this point – hence the name Fuliu (Returning Flow). It is also known as "Funei," "Fuliu," "Changyang," "Waiming," and "Waishu." Lumbar discomfort is extremely unpleasant – sometimes with distension and dull pain; unable to sit or stand for long; slight movement aggravates the pain. Pressing Fuliu provides good therapeutic results. Fuliu is an important point for nourishing kidney yin and treating various other conditions. (1) Key Point for Sweating Disorders: This point regulates sweating with bidirectional effects – it can both strengthen defensive qi to stop sweating and stimulate defensive qi to open the pores and induce sweating. The principle is summarized as "needle Fuliu for both hyperhidrosis and anhidrosis." The Yulong Ge states: "For cold with anhidrosis, reduce Fuliu." The Great Compendium states: "For hyperhidrosis, first reduce Hegu then reinforce Fuliu; for hypohidrosis, first reinforce Hegu then reduce Fuliu." The Yixue Gangmu states: "For cold with no sweating, needle Hegu and Fuliu with reducing technique." The Fourteen Meridians Key Points Song states: "Fuliu treats cold with anhidrosis – reduce it immediately." It is a key point for sweating disorders throughout history, often combined with Hegu (LI-4). (2) Common Point for Edema: It unblocks Kidney Meridian qi, moves qi and transforms water, regulates the water passages – thus effectively regulating fluid metabolism for both edema/urinary retention and enuresis (bidirectional regulation). The Lingguang Fu states: "Fuliu treats swelling like a divine healer." The Beiji Qianjin Yaofang states: "Fuliu and Fenglong treat wind reversal with swelling of the four limbs." The Miscellaneous Diseases Point Method Song states: "For edema, use Shuifen and Fuliu." The Bronze Figure Manual states: "For edema and qi distension, use Fuliu and Shenque." These records confirm Fuliu as a proven point for edema, urinary retention, diarrhea, enuresis, and other fluid metabolism disorders. (3) Common Point for Kidney Deficiency Lumbar Pain and Lower Limb Flaccidity: As the Jing-River point (Metal) – the Kidney corresponds to Water, and Metal generates Water – Fuliu is the mother point of the Kidney Meridian. According to "for deficiency, supplement the mother point," it treats acute and chronic lumbar pain, lower limb flaccidity, and hand numbness caused by kidney qi deficiency. The Bronze Figure Manual states: "It treats spinal pain with inability to bend and straighten." The Taiyi Ge states: "Needle it for lumbar and spinal sprain pain." Clinically, it is regularly used for lumbar soreness and pain due to aging and kidney qi deficiency, with significant results.
