Sanyinjiao Point (SP-6 / Three Yin Intersection, also known as Chengming, Taiyin, Xiazhi Sanli)
Benefits qi and harmonizes blood, strengthens the spleen and resolves dampness, nourishes the liver and kidney. Due to its properties, it has a wide range of applications, clinically used for male and female reproductive system disorders, urinary system diseases, skin conditions, and chronic consumptive diseases.
Indications
Infertility, impotence, enuresis, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, borborygmus with abdominal distension, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and stomach pain. (1) Spleen-stomach disorders: Abdominal distension, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, undigested food. (2) Urinary disorders: Difficult urination, urinary incontinence, hernia. (3) Male disorders: Impotence, premature ejaculation, spermatorrhea. (4) Gynecological disorders: Irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, metrorrhagia, leukorrhea, infertility. (5) Kidney yin deficiency patterns: Insomnia, vertigo, lumbar and knee weakness. (6) Skin disorders: Urticaria, eczema, neurodermatitis. (7) Throat disorders: Sore throat, cough, globus hystericus, aphonia. (8) Lower limb disorders: Flaccidity, bi-syndrome, numbness. (9) Mental disorders: Manic-depressive disorders, inappropriate laughter, neurasthenia. (10) Others: Hypertension, hemorrhoids, childhood chorea, childhood convulsions, etc.
Precise Location
Located on the Spleen Meridian, on the medial side of the lower leg, four finger-widths above the medial malleolus, in the depression at the posterior border of the tibia directly above the medial malleolus tip.
Location Method
Sit upright and place the foot on the opposite thigh. With the opposite hand, bring the four fingers (excluding the thumb) together and place the little finger on the upper edge of the medial malleolus – the point is in the depression at the posterior border of the tibia directly above the medial malleolus tip, below the index finger.
Massage Method
① Massage: Press and knead Sanyinjiao with the thumb 200 times. ② Scraping therapy: Scrape from top to bottom for 3–5 minutes. Bend the thumb and press vertically with the fingertip at the posterior border of the tibia – a strong sore sensation will occur. Apply once each morning and evening, for 1–3 minutes per session. Therapeutic actions: Strengthens the spleen and benefits the stomach, regulates the liver and tonifies the kidney, regulates menstruation and leukorrhea.
Compatibility
Acute myocardial infarction: Combine with Neiguan (PC-6), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), Juque (RN-14), Xinping (Extra), Zusanli (ST-36), and Tanzhong (RN-17). Disease overview: Acute myocardial infarction is ischemic necrosis of the myocardium caused by acute occlusion of a coronary artery with interrupted blood flow. Clinical manifestations include persistent substernal pain, shock, arrhythmias, and heart failure, with elevated serum cardiac enzymes and ECG changes. Massage sequence: Press Neiguan, Sanyinjiao, Juque, Xinping, Zusanli, and Tanzhong – 30 seconds each, repeat as needed. Nephritis: Combine with Shenshu (BL-23), Ganshu (BL-18), Shuidao (ST-28), Jingmen (GB-25), Yinlingquan (SP-9), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), Yanggu (SI-5), and Qihai (RN-6). Irregular menstruation: Combine with Huaroumen (ST-24), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), Mingmen (GV-4), and Shenshu (BL-23). Spleen-stomach disorders: Combine with Zusanli (ST-36). Insomnia due to heart-spleen deficiency: Combine with Shenmen (HT-7). Sinew and bone pain: Combine with Yanglingquan (GB-34). Aphasia: Combine with Tongli (HT-5). Heart-kidney disharmony: Combine with Neiguan (PC-6). Gynecological disorders: Combine with Xuehai (SP-10). Thromboangiitis obliterans: Combine with Zhongwan (RN-12), Neiguan (PC-6), and Zusanli (ST-36). Urinary retention: Combine with Yinlingquan (SP-9), Pangguangshu (BL-28), and Zhongji (RN-3). Hernia with deviation: Combine with Guilai (ST-29) and Taichong (LR-3).
Efficacy & Actions
Sanyinjiao belongs to the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian and is the meeting point of the three yin meridians of the foot. It strengthens the spleen, benefits the liver, and tonifies the kidney. It is a commonly used point for treating gynecological, andrological, blood disorders, and conditions related to the liver, spleen, and kidney – known as the "First Point for Gynecological Disorders." It is widely used for urinary, reproductive, digestive, nervous system, and skin diseases. First documented in Zhenjiu Jiayijing. "Jiao" means intersection or convergence; "Sanyin" refers to the three yin meridians – Taiyin (Spleen), Shaoyin (Kidney), and Jueyin (Liver) – hence the name Sanyinjiao (Three Yin Intersection). It is also known as "Chengming," "Taiyin," and "Xiazhi Sanli." The name "Sanyinjiao" first appeared in the Huangdi Mingtang Jing. As the intersection of the Liver, Spleen, and Kidney meridians – the Liver stores blood, the Spleen governs blood, and the Kidney stores essence. The Kidney is the foundation of prenatal constitution, and the Spleen is the foundation of postnatal constitution – the prenatal depends on the postnatal for nourishment, and the postnatal is driven by the prenatal. Therefore, regular massage of Sanyinjiao can regulate and tonify the qi and blood of the Liver, Spleen, and Kidney meridians, promoting health and longevity. (1) Common Point for Spleen-Stomach Disorders: As a Spleen Meridian point, the Spleen governs the transportation of food and fluids – spleen deficiency with impaired transportation is the root cause of spleen-stomach disorders. When the spleen and stomach are healthy, the source of transformation and generation is abundant, the postnatal foundation is strong, and spleen-stomach disorders naturally resolve. Sanyinjiao has a powerful effect in strengthening the spleen and benefiting the stomach, commonly used for spleen-stomach weakness, cold deficiency with distension, indigestion, loose stools, diarrhea, undigested food in stools, stomach pain, vomiting, and post-illness debility. (2) Key Point for Male and Female Reproductive and Urinary Disorders: As the meeting point of the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney meridians, it treats disorders of these three organs. The Spleen governs transportation and controls blood; the Liver governs free flow and stores blood; the Kidney governs water and stores essence. Thus it treats reproductive disorders related to essence and blood – especially gynecological conditions, earning the title "First Point for Gynecological Disorders." It is used for irregular menstruation, metrorrhagia, leukorrhea, uterine prolapse, amenorrhea, infertility, difficult labor, postpartum lochiorrhea, and dysmenorrhea. A famous historical case from the History of the Southern Dynasties describes the use of Sanyinjiao for difficult labor: Emperor Houfei of the Song Dynasty encountered a pregnant woman, diagnosed her with a female fetus. Physician Wen Bo examined her and said: "There are two children in the abdomen, one male and one female – the male is on the left, smaller than the female." The emperor wanted to perform a cesarean section. Wen Bo said: "Cutting may cause complications – let me use acupuncture for immediate delivery." He reduced the Spleen Meridian (Sanyinjiao) and reinforced the Large Intestine Meridian (Hegu) – the fetus was delivered immediately, with both children born sequentially as predicted. This is the case referred to in the Tongxuan Zhiyao Fu as "Wen Bo discharged a dead fetus at Yinjiao." Modern research shows that reducing Sanyinjiao while reinforcing Hegu causes uterine contractions, used for abortion, induction, difficult labor, and retained placenta. Sanyinjiao is also effective for acute and chronic nephritis – clinically combined with Zusanli (ST-36), Shenshu (BL-23), Mingmen (GV-4), Guanyuan (RN-4), and Taixi (KI-3) with both needling and moxibustion for acute and chronic kidney disorders. It is also used for spermatorrhea, impotence, premature ejaculation, penile pain, hernia, and other male conditions. A case from Wei Zhixiu's Xu Mingyi Leian: In the summer of the Jisi year, the wife of Minister Li developed postpartum blood syncope with coma and sudden painful swelling of both feet. Her pulse was empty, large, and irregular. Wei needled Sanyinjiao – within the time of a meal, she regained consciousness and the foot swelling disappeared. Another case from the Jianbian Zhenjiuxue: Mr. Wang, male, 46, suffered from nocturnal emissions for six months with dizziness, fatigue, poor appetite, and low spirits. After needling Sanyinjiao with 20-minute retention, he slept well without emissions the following night. After two more treatments, the emissions ceased and his health gradually recovered. (3) Treats Lower Limb Flaccidity/Bi-Syndrome: As the meeting point of the Liver, Spleen, and Kidney meridians – the Liver governs the sinews, the Kidney governs the bones, and the Spleen governs the muscles and limbs – it treats lower limb paralysis, numbness, and bi-pain. (4) Common Point for Skin Disorders: Clinically used for urticaria, eczema, neurodermatitis, and beriberi – especially effective for scrotal eczema, vulvar itching, and perianal eczema. Since the Spleen governs the transportation of water-damp, spleen deficiency causes dampness to descend, resulting in eczema, beriberi, and pruritus – needling Sanyinjiao strengthens the spleen and resolves dampness, treating the root cause. (5) Other Therapeutic Effects: Also effective for mental disorders – especially insomnia, excessive dreaming, and neurasthenia. It also treats sore throat – the Spleen Meridian "courses along the throat, connects to the root of the tongue, and spreads under the tongue," the Kidney Meridian "flanks the root of the tongue," and the Liver Meridian "courses along the throat" – making it especially effective for chronic pharyngitis and globus hystericus.
Contraindications
Needling Sanyinjiao should be performed slowly to avoid touching the tibial nerve. It should be used with caution or avoided in pregnant women, as it may cause miscarriage.
