PATHWAY

The Spleen meridian originates at the medial side of the tip of the big toe, at SP 1 (Yinbai). It travels at
the junction of the red and white skin, just below the first metatarsal, then passes in front of the
malleolus at SP 5. It travels up the medial side of the leg, along the posterior border of the tibia to SP
9 (Yinlingquan), which is located inferior to the medial condyle of the tibia, then continues along the
medial aspect of the knee to SP 10 which is medial to the superior border of the patella, before going
up the anteromedial aspect of the thigh to the inguinal region, between the femoral artery and nerve,
at SP 12, 3.5 cun from midline, in line with CV 2.

The meridian enters the lower abdomen and internally connects with CV2, CV 3 and CV 4, before
resurfacing at SP 13, SP 14 and SP 15, 4 cun lateral to the midline. It then goes internally to CV 10
(Xiawan) and connects with the SP and HT. From CV 10 (Xiawan), the meridian ascend to resurface at
SP 16 to meet gallbladder meridian at GB 24, in the region of the the 7th intercostal space, 4 cun
from the midline Then continues one intercostal space up, in the region of 6th intercostal space, to SP
17 to meet the liver meridian at LR 14, before diverting 6 cun from the midline to go up to the
second intercostal space at SP 20.

It then travels back down to the 7th intercostal space at the mid axillary line, where SP 21 (Dabao)
the last point of the meridian is located. From here, the meridian runs back up internally, towards
the oesophagus, passing through LU 1, terminates at the root of the tongue.
MEASUREMENTS

SP 6 – to find SP 6 first we need to locate SP 9. The distance between the medial malleolus and SP 9
is 13 cun. To find 3 cun from the medial malleolus divide 13 cun in half to get 6.5 cun, then half again
to get 3.5 cun. Slightly inferior to that is where SP 6 is located, posterior to the medial border of the
tibia.

SP 10 – the distance between the superior border of the patella and the superior border of the pubic
synthesis is 18 cun; divide this into thirds to get 6 cun, then again into thirds to get 2 cun. SP 10 is 2
cun from the superior border of the patella, on a 40-degree angle, in line with SP 9.

Note: Place the heel of your right palm on the inferior border of the patient's left patella, with the
fingers and thumb fully extended and the thumb at 45° to the index finger. This point is found
beneath the tip of the thumb, directly above SP-9; or, measure the patella's height (2 cun) and then
take the same measurement form the superior border of the patella, SP 10 is in the tender
depression directly above SP-9.

Starred: 9 points (most used) - SP 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 15, 21

SP 1

 Location: on the medial side of the great toe, at the junction of lines drawn along the medial
border of the nail and the base of the nail, 0.1 cun posterior to the corner of the nail
 Needling method: perpendicular and superficial
 Moxa: yes

ACTIONS:
 Controls blood flow, stops bleeding
 Tonifies the SP Qi
 Clear HT Heat and calms the mind
 Revives concousness

INDICATONS:
 Menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, bloody stools, hematuria
 Abdominal distention
Manic psychosis, nightmares, convulsions

SP 3

 Location: on the medial side of the foot in the depression proximal and posterior to the head
of the first metatarsal bone, at the junction of the red and white skin
 Needling method: perpendicular
 Moxa: yes
 ACTIONS:
 Tonifies the SP and harmonise the Middle Jiao (SP/ST)
 Activates Yang
 Regulates Qi flow

INDICATIONS:
 Gastric pain, abdominal distention and pain, diarrhea
 Lassitude and heaviness of the extremities, overweight due to dampness

NOTE: Yuan-Source points are of great significance in treating diseases of the internal organs. Yuan-
Source points are the sites where the Yuan (Primary) qi of the Zang-Fu organs passes and stays.
Puncturing the Yuan-Source points stimulates the vital energy of the regular meridians, regulates the
functional activities of the internal organs, reinforces antipathogenic factors and eliminates
pathogenic factors. This method of treating diseases deals principally with the root causes. The Yuan
(source) point from the affected meridian is often combined with the Luo (Connecting) point of the
internally-externally related meridians in use. Shu-Stream points are where the qi starts to pour
down the meridian. They are known to alleviate heaviness and pain in the joints. On Yin Meridians,
Shu-Stream points are identical to the actions of Yuan-Source points.

SP 4

 Location: On the medial side of the foot, in the depression distal and inferior to the base of
the first metatarsal bone
 Needling method: perpendicular
 Moxa: yes
 ACTIONS:
 Tonify the Spleen, harmonise the Stomach
 Regulate Qi and blood
 Transform dampness

INDICATIONS:
 Acute gastric pain, gastric distention, poor appetite, diarrhea

NOTE: Luo-Connecting points of one meridian can communicate with two meridians. They treat
diseases of the collaterals and can be used to treat chronic diseases, especially chronic diseases of
the Zang-Fu organs. Clinically, Luo-Connecting points are often combined with Yuan-Source points in
the treatment of diseases.

SP 6

 Location: 3 cun directly above the tip of the medial malleolus, on the posterior border of the
medial aspect of the tibia, in a depression close to the medial crest of the tibia.
 Needling method: perpendicular
 Moxa: yes
 Precaution:
 ACTIONS:
 Strengthens the SP and ST, resolves Dampness
 Harmonizes the LR, strengthens the KI
 Regulate the storage of LR Blood and Kidney Jing
 Nourishes KI Yin, moistens dryness, promotes urination
 Dispel Wind-Damp from the meridian
 Calms the mind

INDICATIONS:
 Borborygmus, abdominal distension, diarrhoea
 Irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, metrorrhagia, leukorrhea, amenorrhea, mass
and gathering in the abdomen, prolapse of uterus, infertility, nocturnal emission,
spermatorrhea, impotence, premature ejaculation, hernia, testicular atrophy
 Enuresis, anuria, oedema, dysuria
 Diseases of the skin, urticaria
 Insomnia, headache, dizziness, bilateral hypochondriac pain

SP 8

 Location: 6 cun directly above the tip of the medial malleolus, on the posterior border of the
medial aspect of the tibia or 3 cun inferior to SP 9
 Needling method: perpendicular
 Moxa: yes
 ACTIONS:
 Harmonises SP and ST
 Regulates menstruation
 Regulates Kidney Qi

INDICATIONS:
 Abdominal pain, diarrhoea
 dysuria, oedema,
 irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhoea, Infertility, urinary incontinence and seminal
emission

SP 9

 Location: On the medial aspect of the lower leg, in the depression of the lower border of the
medial condyle of the tibia. Feel along the medial border of the tibia and the point is
locatedd just as it starts to curve at the medial condyle
 Needling method: perpendicular
 Moxa: yes
 ACTIONS:

 Regulates water metabolism, promotes urination

 Removes damp heat in the LJ
 Dispel wind cold
 Regulate the Middle Jiao

INDICATIONS:

 Dysuria, incontinence of urine, oedema in the legs and the abdominal region
 Abdominal distention, diarrhea, jaundice
 Swollen and painful medial aspect of the knee, pain in the penis, dysmenorrhea, pain in
the vulva
 Acute and chronic indigestion

NOTE: SP 9 is the point for resolving dampness (Cold-Damp of Damp-Heat) in the lower jiao. He-Sea
points are where the qi of the meridian collects and goes deep into the body. He-sea points are
known to indicated treat rebellious qi and diarrhea.

SP 10

 Location: 2 cun proximal to the medial and superior border of the patella when the knee
flexed, on the vastus medialis muscle, in the depression that is often clearly palpable,
directly above SP 9
 Needling method: perpendicular or oblique
 Moxa: yes
ACTIONS:

 Regulates the Blood

 Invigorates and moves the Blood
 Regulates menstruation
 Clears the skin
 Clears Heat in the Blood
  Harmonizes the LJ

INDICATIONS:

 For disorders related to the Blood: Blood Stasis, Heat in the Blood
 Irregular menstruation, amenorrhoea, uterine bleeding, uterine bleeding containing
clots, post-partum qi and blood deficiency
 Dermatitis, acne, eczema, herpes zoster
 Leucorrhoea, painful urinary dysfunction

NOTE: As the name implies, SP 10 is the point for treating disorders relating to the Blood (Blood
stasis, Heat in the Blood).

SP 15

 Location: on the abdomen, in the depression at the lateral border of the rectus abdominis
muscle level with the umbilicus, 4 cun from the midline
 Needling method: perpendicular or oblique
 Moxa: yes
 Precaution: deep needling at this point may penetrate a substantially enlarged spleen or
liver

ACTIONS:
  Regulate Qi
 Regulates and moistens the intestines
 Regulate water metabolism
 Remove dampness (strengthens the SP)
 Remove parasites

INDICATIONS:

• Diarrhoea (due to Damp and Cold), dysenteric disorders, constipation and abdominal pain

SP 21

 Location: on the mid-axillary line, in the sixth intercostal space. Note: some sources locate
this point in the sixth intercostal space; often sensitive to pressure; or on the midaxillary
line, midway between the axilla and the end of the 11th rib
 Needling method: obliquely or posterior-transversely
 Moxa: yes
 Precaution: perpendicular insertion can cause pneumothorax

ACTIONS:

 Regulate Qi and blood

 Benefits the tendons and bones
 Expands and relaxes the chest

INDICATIONS:

 Asthmatic breathing, pain in the chest

 General aching and weakness of the limbs
 Pain in the chest and hypochondrium

The Jing-well point.

Regulates and controls blood flow

 Tonify Spleen Qi and warms Spleen Yang

Clears heat in the Heart and calms the mind

Revives and resuscitates and calms the spirit.

Point Location Function Indication

SP 1 On the medial side of the great toe, at the  Controls blood flow, stops  Me
junction of lines drawn along the medial bleeding hem
border of the nail and the base of the nail,  Tonifies the SP Qi  Abd
0.1 cun posterior to the corner of the nail  Clear HT Heat and calms the mind  Ma
 Revives consciousness

SP 3 On the medial side of the foot in the  Tonifies the SP and harmonise the  Gas
depression proximal and posterior to the Middle Jiao (SP/ST) diar
head of the first metatarsal bone, at the  Activates Yang  Las
junction of the red and white skin  Regulates Qi flow ove

SP 4 On the medial side of the foot, in the  Tonifies the Spleen, harmonise  Acu
depression distal and inferior to the base the Stomach app
of the first metatarsal bone, at the junction  Regulate Qi and blood
of the red and white skin  Transform dampness

SP 6 3 cun directly above the tip of the medial  Strengthens the SP and ST,  Bor
malleolus, on the posterior border of the resolves Dampness diar
medial aspect of the tibia, in a depression  Harmonizes the LR, strengthens  Irre
close to the medial crest of the tibia the KI me
 Regulate the storage of LR Blood mas
and Kidney Jing pro
 Nourishes KI Yin, moistens em
dryness, promotes urination pre
 Dispel Wind-Damp from the atro
meridian  Enu
 Calms the mind  Dise
 Inso
hyp

SP 8 6 cun directly above the tip of the medial  Harmonises SP and ST  Abd
malleolus, on the posterior border of the  Regulates menstruation  dys
medial aspect of the tibia or 3 cun inferior  Regulates Kidney Qi  irre
to SP 9 Infe
em

SP 9 On the medial aspect of the lower leg, in  Regulates water metabolism,  Dys
the depression of the lower border of the promotes urination the
medial condyle of the tibia. Feel along the  Removes damp in the LJ  Abd
medial border of the tibia and the point is  Regulate the Middle Jiao
(strengthens the SP)
 locatedd just as it starts to curve at the  Dispel wind cold  Swo
medial condyle kne
in t
 Acu
SP 10 2 cun proximal to the medial and superior  Regulates the Blood  For
border of the patella when the knee is  Invigorates and moves the Blood Stas
flexed, in the depression that is often  Clears Heat in the Blood  Irre
clearly palpable, directly above SP 9  Harmonizes the LJ ute
 Regulates menstruation con
 Clears the skin def
 Der
 Leu
SP 15 On the abdomen, in the depression at the  Regulates Qi  Dia
lateral border of the rectus abdominis  Regulates the intestines dys
muscle level with the umbilicus, 4 cun from  Regulate water metabolism abd
the midline  Remove dampness (strengthens
the SP)
 Remove parasites
SP 21 On the mid-axillary line, in the sixth  Regulate Qi and blood  Ast
intercostal space.  Benefits the tendons and bones  Gen
 Expands and relaxes the chest  Pain