Small Intestine

"The Small Intestine is the official who receives the abundance from the Stomach and is concerned with transforming this matter" 
-Su Wen, circa 500 BC

This is a Yang organ with 19 points.  It connects superficially with the Heart channel at Si4 (Yuan Source) and Si7 (Luo Connecting).  It starts it's superficial course at the medial corner of the nail bed of the little finger, runs on the posterior and medial aspect of the arm, zig-zags over the back of the shoulder, and runs over the side of the neck and face to end in front of the ear.

Clinically, it is used for disorders along the channel, such is deafness, swelling of the cheek, stiff neck and sore throat.  It can be used for disorders of the small intestine, but usually the lower He-Sea point is used instead (St39).

Commonly used points

Si3  (used this one today).  Confluent point of the Du Meridian.  This is on the side of the hand at the crease that pops up when you clench your fist.  It's a very painful point, and should only be used in acute stiffness of the neck, acute low backache or severe occipital headache.  This needle is strongly stimulated.

Si6  Xi-Cleft point.  Yanglao  It's in the depression on the lateral aspect of the styloid process of the ulna.  This is indicated for pain in the wrist, stiff neck, cervical spondylosis.  An acute stiff neck can be relieved by strongly stimulating this point.  It can also help with failing eyesight in the elderly.

Si9  1 cun superior to the highest point of the posterior axillary fold.  Indicated for frozen shoulder (along with Li15, Sj14, Li4, Gb34), strains of the shoulder, paralysis of the upper limb.

Si17  Tianrong  Located on the anterior boarder of the sterno-cleiodmastoideus at the level of the angle of the jaw.  Excellent for Tonsillitis, sore throat and aphasia.  Warning, this is a dangerous point!  It must be needled towards the tonsils and NOT backwards as it may affect the carotid body.

Si18, Quanliao  Good local point for pain and the best analgesic point in the head and neck regions.  It is often used for tooth extractions, ear, nose, throat and brain surgery!  It can also treat trigeminal neuralgia, facial paralysis.  You have to be careful needling this point, only .3 to .5 cun deep.  Needling too deep can pierce into the mouth cavity and cause bleeding inside the mouth.

Si19, Tinggong  I use this point frequently with patients, also piercing Sj21 and Gb2 together using through and through needling.  It's excellent for any ear disorders, deafness tinnitus, vertigo, Meniere's disease and chronic ear infections.  If needled perpendicularly, there has been a reported case of puncturing the ear drum!

Names and functions

Si1 Shaoze, Jing Well point,  Metal point
Si2 Qiangu Water point
Si3 Houxi, Wood point, Confluent point of the Du meridian
Si4 Hand-Wangu, Yuan source point
Si5 Yanggu Fire point
Si6 Yanglao Xi-cleft point
Si7 Zhizheng Luo Connecting point
Si8 Xiaohai, Earth point
Si9 Jianzhen
Si10 Naoshu
Si11Tianzong  This point has recently been researched for intractable brachalgia. (referred pain down the arm)
Si12 Bingfeng
Si13 Quyuan
Si14 Jianwaishu
Si15 Jianzhongshu
Si16 Tianchuang
Si 17 Tianrong -dangerous point if inserted backwards.  Needle towards the tonsils
Si18 Quanliao  The best regional analgesic for head and neck
Si19 Tiangong, stitched with Sj21 and Gb2 for all things ear.

From Si19, the vital energy flows onto Jianming (UB1) across the eye.  Si6 can therefore, be used to open the eyes and brighten the vision of elderly people.

The heart and small intestine are related to the blood vessels.  These two organs are also connected to tongue and mouth.  The heart and pericardium together with the blood vessels are related to the brain.  The brain is one of the extraordinary organs.

How to treat ear disorders:
Local points: Sj21, Si19, Gb2
Distal: Sj3 or Sj5, Si6, Gb41, Kidney channel points are excellent too.

As the Si channel crosses the back, it communicates with Du14.  Then, at the supraclavicular fossa a deep branch begins which connects with the heart and then descends along the esophagus passing through the diaphragm and stomach to finally reach the Si itself. 

A second deep branch stems from the Si and connects to the inferior He-Sea point, St39.  This is the preferred point to treat any small intestine disorders.

Syndromes of the Small Intestine

A:  Disorders along the channel, pain, sore throat, swelling of the cheek, deafness and lower abdominal pain.

B:  The organ itself.  Symptoms of disorders are very similar to those of spleen disorders.  As a rule, generally treat the Yin organ first and then if not successful, treat the yang organ.

Ta da!  OMG, it's time for bed.  It's 9:30pm on a Saturday night, and all my partying was done last night, and it's time to deal some serious damage to the rack monster!


Si19