The spleen yin and the stomach yang meridians are the foot yin/yang meridian partners and are each energetically linked to their named organ. Both are classified under the earth element in Five Element theory.

FUNCTIONS OF THE SPLEEN YIN ORGAN

CONTROLS PRODUCTION OF QI AND BLOOD FROM FOOD Weak spleen qi can result in extreme tiredness, abdominal bloating and loose stools.

DIRECTS QI AND FLUIDS UPWARDS TO THE LUNG Impaired spleen function results in oedema, heavy feeling in the limbs and mental lethargy due to excess dampness.

CONTROLS THE INTEGRITY OF THE BLOOD VESSELS Weak spleen qi function can cause heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, a tendency to bruise easily, varicose veins and oedema.

CONTROLS MUSCLES Weak spleen qi function causes weak, achy muscles.

HAS ITS CONNECTION WITH THE EXTERIOR THROUGH THE MOUTH AND LIPS Weak spleen qi can cause mouth ulcers and sore lips.

FUNCTION IS LINKED TO WORRY Spleen qi malfunction can cause obsessive thinking and affect the ability to concentrate, study and be creative.

SPLEEN YIN (SP) AND STOMACH YANG (ST) MERIDIANS

SPLEEN YIN MERIDIAN

Recommended qi-points for treatment:

• digestive problems SP 6, SP 4, SP 3, BL 20, LIV 13
• abdominal bloating SP 4, SP 3, SP 6, SP 15,BL 20, LIV 13
• oedema in the legs and ankles SP 9, SP 6, SP 3, BL 20
• big toe joint pain SP 3
• menstrual problems, infertility SP 6, SP 8, SP 10,BL 20, LIV 13
• poor sleep, worry SP 6, SP 4
• aching muscles throughout the body, fibromyalgia SP 21, LIV 13, BL 20

STOMACH YANG MERIDIAN

Recommended qi-points for treatment:

• headache ST 41, ST 8
• toothache ST 44, ST 7, ST 6
• jaw pain ST 7
• bloating, diarrhoea, constipation ST 36, ST 25,ST 21, BL 21, R 12
• pain in the knee ST 35
• front leg pain and hip pain ST 36, ST 31, ST 34
• difficulty conceiving ST 29, ST 25, ST 36
• boosting the immune system ST 36, BL 21, R 12
• obesity ST 36, ST 40, ST 25, ST 21

NOTE: problems on these foot meridians should be treated with Tui Na massage applied along them, with focused kneading of appropriate qi-points and related back shu points BL 20 and BL 21, and front mu points LIV 13 and R 12.

FUNCTIONS OF THE STOMACH YANG ORGAN

DIGESTS FOOD Any disturbance of stomach qi will adversely affect stomach function to cause stomach ache, nausea and maybe vomiting or hiccups.

SPLEEN yin meridian

The spleen meridian starts at SP 1, on the outer margin of the big toe just behind the nail, and ends at SP 21, 6 cun below the armpit, between the sixth and seventh ribs. Opposite are the main Tui Na qi-points, listed from top to bottom.

SP 21 DABAO

Sits 6 cun below the armpit between the sixth and seventh ribs. Boosts blood function to remove stagnation.

SP 15 DAHENG

On the abdomen, level with, and 4 cun to the side of, the navel. Improves bowel action.

SP 10 XUEHAI

2 cun above the top edge of the kneecap on a vertical line drawn from the inner border of the kneecap. Improves blood function; regulates bleeding in the menstrual cycle and spasming quadriceps muscle, and can relieve itchiness.

SP 9 YINLINGQUAN

On the inside edge of the tibia, where the bone flares. Treats local knee pain; reduces dampness in the tissues to prevent swelling; treats oedema and loose stools.

SP 8 DIJI

5 cun below the medial knee eye. Treats all menstrual problems.

SP 6 SANYINJIAO

Just under the inside edge of the tibia, 3 cun above the tip of the inner ankle bone. Stabilizes digestion; tonifies the three foot yin organs to improve sleep, boost energy, regulate menstruation, improve fertility and reduce dampness.

SP 4 KUNGSUN

In the middle of the arch of the foot, just beneath the upper end of the first metatarsal. Strengthens digestion, treats abdominal pain and insomnia, and regulates menstruation.

SP 3 TAIBAI

In the arch of the foot, just beneath the lower end of the first metatarsal. Strengthens spleen functions to improve digestion, tones muscle and clears the mind. Treats joint pain at the base of the big toe.

STOMACH yang meridian

The stomach meridian starts at ST 1, just on the lower edge of the eye socket, in line with the pupil, and ends at ST 45 on the outside of the second toe, just behind the nail. Opposite are the main Tui Na qi-points, listed from top to bottom. For front mu points, see here.

ST 3 JULIAO

Below ST 1, level with the nostril. Maintains clear sinuses, benefits the eyes and treats facial paralysis.

ST 6 JIACHE

In the middle of the jaw muscle, just above and in front of the angle of the lower jaw bone. Treats toothache in the lower jaw and improves blood flow to the gums.

ST 7 XIAGUAN

Directly above ST 6 in the notch between the jaw bone and cheekbone; easy to find if the mouth is opened and closed. Improves blood flow to the gums of the lower jaw; treats jaw pain, upper jaw toothache, poor hearing and facial paralysis.

ST 8 TOUWEI

4.5 cun from the midline of the forehead and 0.5 cun above the corner of the hairline. Enhances blood flow to the head and treats eye disorders.

ST 21 LIANGMEN

4 cun above the centre of the navel and 2 cun to the side of the midline. Improves the stomach’s digestive functions; treats abdominal muscle spasm, bloated abdomen and loose stools.

ST 25 TIANSHU Large intestine mu

2 cun to the side of the centre of the navel. Maintains healthy, normal bowel function; treats pain and bloating in the abdomen, diarrhoea, constipation and irregular menstruation.

ST 29 GUILAI

4 cun below the centre of the navel and 2 cun to the side of the midline. Improves fertility and regulates the menstrual cycle; treats prolapse of the uterus and hernia.

ST 31 BIGUAN

On the thigh below the iliac crest, level with the lower border of the pubic bone. Maintains tone in the rectus femoris; treats pain in the thigh.

ST 34 LIANGQIU

2 cun above the intersection of two lines – one across the top edge of the kneecap and the other along its outer edge. Relaxes the quadriceps muscles; treats knee and stomach pain.

ST 35 DUBI

In a depression (lateral knee eye) below the outer edge of the kneecap. Improves knee flexibility; treats knee pain.

ST 36 ZUSANLI

3 cun below ST 35 and 1 cun lateral to the crest of the tibia. Strengthens the whole body’s qi and immune system to boost vitality. Improves digestion and treats stomach pain, diarrhoea and constipation, irregular menstruation and knee pain; strengthens the legs for easier walking.

ST 40 FENGLONG

2 cun outside the crest of the tibia, halfway between the knee crease and the tip of the outer ankle bone. Reduces the formation of phlegm in the tissues to aid weight loss; relieves mucus congestion in the lung.

ST 41 JIEXI

In the middle of the front ankle crease. Keeps ankle joints flexible; treats ankle joint pain, frontal headaches and abdominal bloating.

ST 44 NEITING

Between the second and third toes just above the web. Improves blood flow to the toes; treats toothache and aids weight loss.