Kidney Channel

Yin polarity, with 27 points, connects to the Ub at K3, Yuan source point and K4, Luo connecting point.  It starts on the sole of the foot, travels on the medial side of the ankle where it makes a loop.  It passes along the medial side of the popliteal fossa, and up the posteromedial aspect of the thigh, reaches the front of the abdomen close to the midline to end in the upper part of the chest.

Clinical uses:

• Genitourinary disorders.  In TCM, the kidney controls the genital functions, which includes the adrenal glands, and particularly the stress mechanisms.
• Low back pain, pain and paralysis of the lower extremities
• Excess Lung disorders, Water (K) is the son of Metal (Lu)
• Edema, excessive sweating (disorders of elemental water)
• Convulsions and other acute emergencies (at K1)
• Bone, cartilage and nail disorders, ear disorders, alopecia.  The Kidney is connected to each of these tissues and controls the head hair and ears.

Common points

K1, Yongquan, Jing Well point.  On the sole of the foot, this point is the most effective of all the Jing Wells, and is your first choice for needling in the case of fainting, coma, shock, hysteria, eplieptic attack, infantile convulsions, cyclical vomiting, hyperemesis gravidarum and other acute emergencies.  It is a local point for plantair fascitis, plantar warts and excessive sweating of the sole of the foot.

K3, Taixi, Yuan Source point.  Genital and urinary disorders, impotence, low back ache, disorders of the ankle.  In acute asthma or in cases of frequent asthma attacks (excess of the lung) mild stimulation here or at K7 has good effect.

K5, Xi-Cleft point, 1 cun below K3  Indicated for renal colic.  Use strong stimulation at this point

K6, Zhaohai, 1.0 cun south of the tip of the medial malleolus.  Good for genito-urinary disorders, edema of the ankle.

K7, Fuliu.  2 cun proximal to K3 on the medial boarder of the calcaneus tendon.  Good for excessive sweating and acute bronchial asthma.  Note, for excessive sweating, use this point with Li4 and H6, plus the local points where there is excessive sweating, Palm Lu10, P8, H8, Axilla, H1, Sole, K1.  The specific points for edema and ascites may also be used.

K10, Yingu.  At the popliteal crease on the medial boarder of the semitendinosus.  Good for knee problems, impotence, baldness or alopecia.

Specific points not already listed:

K1, Yongquan, Jing Well point, Wood point
K2, Fire point
K3, Yuan Source point, Earth point
K4, Luo connecting point
K5, Xi-cleft point
K7, Metal point
K10, Water point.

From the last point K27 the energy flows to P1.

The Kidney and Urinary bladder are related to bone, cartilage and to head hair.  The kidney is also connected to the sense organs and the ears.

The deep circulation branches to communicate to Du1 and then enters the kidney organ, and then the urinary bladder.  A branch ascends from the kidney to reach the pharynx and then terminates at the root of the tongue.

Kidney Syndromes

A On the Channel:  Feverish sensation of the soles, weakness of the lower limbs, irregular menstruation, impotence, nocturnal emissions, sore throat

B  The Organ:  Two main Syndromes:

1: Weakness of the Qi of the Kidney.  This is due to asthenia (exhaustion) after a long illness.  Insufficiency of the kidney yin occurs, measured by urinary disorders, nocturnal eneuresis, infertility and asthmatic breathing.  A thready pulse may occur.  Alopecia often occurs.

2:  Insufficiency of the Yang of the Kidney.  This may be to excessive sexual activity.  Symptoms include low backache, joint disorders, impotence and edema of the legs.  Chronic pharyngitis, bone and cartilage  and joint disorders may occur.  Loss of hearing, tinnitus, vertigo and chronic ear infections may also often occur.  A pale tongue with a deep thready pulse may occur.

In clinic the kidney channel may be used in treating:

1. Disorders of the Kidney
2. Other genitourinary disorders
3. Urinary bladder disorders
4. Disorders along the urinary bladder channel (coupled channel)
5. Excess lung disorders, such as asthma, Kidney is the son of Metal.
6. Excess disorders of the Heart and Brain and Small intestine disorders (water controls fire)
7. Disorders of the liver and gall bladder diseases along their channels (wood is the son of water)
8. Ear disorders (Kidney opens to the ears)
9. Disorders affecting bone and head hair (related tissues)

This is an example of how one channel has a multiplicity of functions.  This wide spectrum of therapeutic latitude shows why no two acupuncturists in the world will use the same combination of points to treat any one disorder.  Ulitmately, it is up the the acupuncturist's experience and the response of the patient that dictates treatment and point selection.

On to the Pericardium!