The Sanjiao Channel of Hand Shaoyang
Below is the pattern differentiation and acupuncture treatment prescription for the signs and symptoms we have learned in this video. There are still a few more things to learn before fully understanding this information. But I will leave these here for those who are interested in taking a peek of what’s coming later or for those who already have some knowledge about pattern differentiation and want to learn more. Until next time! :)
HEADACHE
Yangming: ST-8, Yintang, GB-14, LI-4, ST-44
Shaoyang: Taiyang, SJ-23, GB-8, GB-20, SJ-5, GB-41
Taiyang: BL-10, GV-19, GB-20, SI-3, BL-62
Jueyin: DU-20, Sishencong, LV-3, PC-9
Exterior invasion (+ GV-16, LU-7)
Live Yang (+ LV-2, KD-3)
Blood deficiency (+ SP-6, ST-36)
Phlegm (+ ST-40, CV-12)
Blood stasis (+ SP-10, BL-17)
FACIAL PARALYSIS
GB-14, ST-3, SI-18, ST-7, ST-4, SJ-17, Qianzheng, Taiyang, LI-4
Wind-Cold (+ GB-20, GV-16)
Wind-Heat (+ SJ-5, SJ-1)
Qi and Blood deficiency (+ ST-36, CV-6)
RED & PAINFUL EYES
Taiyang, BL-2, GB-20, LI-4, LV-3
Wind-Heat (+ SJ-5, LU-11)
LV-GB Fire (+ LV-2, GB-43)
TINNITUS & DEAFNESS
EXCESS: GB-2, SJ-17, SJ-3, GB-43
Exterior Wind (+ SJ-5, LI4)
LV-GB Fire (+ LV-3, GB-40)
DEFICIENCY: KD-3, BL-23, SI-19, SJ-17
The Sanjiao Channel of Hand Shaoyang
The Sanjiao channel is the Yin-Yang pair channel of the Pericardium Channel. It’s also the Hand channel of Shaoyang.
The Sanjiao Primary Channel
The Sanjiao primary channel starts at the ulnar side of the ring finger and goes between the 4th and 5th metarcarpal bones, passing SJ-3. It goes up the posterior aspect of the arm between the radius and ulna. It continues to go up the arm, goes around the shoulder, meeting with SI-12, and then goes to GV-14.
It goes to the top of the shoulder, meeting with GB-21, and goes to ST-12. It disperses in the chest at CV-17. It connects with the Pericardium, goes down through the diaphragm, and connects with CV-12, linking with its pathway of Upper, Middle, and Lower Jiao.
There is a branch at CV-17 that goes back to the supraclavicular fossa, and goes to the posterior aspect of the ear.
It circles the ear, meeting with Gall Bladder points, goes down to SI-18 on the cheek, and up to the inferior aspect of the eye.
There is a branch behind the ear that enters the ear. It comes out in front of the ear, intersecting with SI-19 and GB-3. It crosses the primary channel and ends at the outer canthus of the eye, linking with GB-1.
The Sanjiao Luo-connecting Channel
The Sanjiao luo-connecting comes out at SJ-5. It follows the posterior aspect of the arm and converges with the Pericardium channel in the chest.
The Sanjiao Divergent Channel
The Sanjiao divergent channel comes out on the head and goes to the vertex. It also goes down to the supraclavicular fossa, disperses in the chest, and then crosses Upper, Middle, and Lower Jiao.
The Sanjiao Sinew Channel
The Sanjiao sinew channel starts at the ulnar side of the ring finger and binds at the dorsum aspect of the wrist. It goes up the posterior aspect of the arm, and then binds at the tip of the elbow. It continues going up the arm and joins the Small Intestine channel at the neck.
There is a branch at the mandle that goes internally to the root of the tongue. Another branch in front of the ear goes to the outer canthus of the eye and then binds at the corner of the forehead.
Key Points
The primary channel circles around the ear and enters the ear
The primary channel crosses the Gall Bladder points on the head
The primary channel goes to the outer canthus of the eye and the inferior aspect of the eye; the sinew channel goes to the outer canthus of the eye
The primary and divergent channels go through the supraclavicular fossa
The divergent channel goes to the vertex and the sinew channel binds at the corner of the forehead
The luo-connecting and divergent channels disperse in the chest
The sinew channel connects with the root of the tongue
The primary channel connects with the Pericardium
The primary channel and divergent channel go through the Sanjiao
Signs and Symptoms of Primary Channel
Pain along the channel
Pain and discharge from the ear, deafness
Pain at the top of the shoulders
Alternating chills and fever
Signs and Symptoms of Luo-connecting Channel
Contraction of the elbow, pain of the outer aspect of the arm, inability to raise the arm, swollen, painful throat, dry mouth (excess)
Loosening of the elbow joint (deficiency)
Signs and Symptoms of Sinew Channel
Sprain and stiffness of the ring finger, wrist, elbow, upper arm, shoulder, and neck, curling of the tongue.
Major Acupuncture Points of the Sanjiao Channel
SJ-1, 2, 3, and 5 clear Heat in the Upper Jiao and alleviate pain along the channel. All of these points can treat disorders of the eyes, ears, and mouth, including the tongue.
SJ-1 is more effective for the tongue disorders, while SJ-3 is more effective for the ear disorders.
SJ-2 has additional action of calming the spirit.
SJ-5 can dispel the exterior pathogens, whether Wind-Heat or Wind-Cold. It can also treat all kinds of headaches.
SJ-6 clear Heat in the three jiao, Upper, Middle, and Lower, and it’s good at resolving stagnant Heat of the Liver and Gall Bladder. It also moves Qi of the Intestines, treating constipation. This point is also used for sudden loss of voice and channel disorders, such as wandering painful obstruction. SJ-20 is an interesting point that can treat not only ear disorders, but also disorders of teeth, gums, and lips.
So, that was the Sanjiao Channel. Next, we will learn about the Gall Bladder Channel of Foot Shaoyang. If you have any feedback or questions about the material covered, please don’t hesitate to contact at junhwa@tcmexplained.com.
* The content is provided only for education purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
References
1. Cheng, Xinnong, ed. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion. 3rd ed. Fifteenth Printing 2014. Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 2012.
2. Deadman, Peter, Mazin Al-Khafaji, Keven Baker. A Manual of Acupuncture. 2nd ed. East Sussex, England:Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications, 2007.
3. Kaptchuk, Ted J. The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2000.
4. Maciocia, Giovanni. The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Text for Acupuncturists and Herbalists. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone, 2015.