The kidney yin and the bladder yang are the foot yin/yang meridian partners and are each energetically linked to their named organ. Both are classified under the water element in Five Element theory.

FUNCTIONS OF THE KIDNEY YIN ORGAN

CONTROLS THE RESERVES OF JING AND QI FUNCTION Weak kidney jing function reduces resistance to disease, can cause impotence, infertility and lack of sexual desire, and increases the likelihood of old age marred by health problems.

CONTROLS THE PRODUCTION OF ‘MARROW’ FOR HEALTHY BONES AND BRAIN Chronic kidney weakness causes achy back and knees, osteoporosis, dental problems, memory loss and ultimately Alzheimer’s and dementia.

REGULATES WATER BALANCE Failure of the kidney to remove excess water leads to oedema (swelling of the tissues, with excess fluid in the ankles and feet) and fluid congestion of the lung.

THE KIDNEY RECEIVES AND HOLDS QI FROM THE LUNG Weak kidney function prevents the efficient retention of qi from the lungs, causing asthma, breathing problems and reduced resistance to external pathogens.

HAS ITS CONNECTION WITH THE EXTERIOR THROUGH THE EARS Weak kidney qi can cause poor hearing and tinnitus.

CONTROLS THE LOWER ORIFICES Kidney qi weakness leads to bladder and anal incontinence, premature ejaculation, seminal emission and vaginal discharge.

MAINTAINS HEALTHY HAIR GROWTH Weak kidney jing results in early greying and thinning hair.

KIDNEY IS LINKED TO THE FEAR EMOTION Weak kidney function results in an inability to handle situations that involve fear.

FUNCTIONS OF THE BLADDER YANG ORGAN

STORES AND EXPELS WASTE FLUID Weak kidney qi or invasion by external pathogens, such as cold and damp, disturbs normal bladder function to cause frequent and profuse urination.

KIDNEY YIN AND BLADDER YANG MERIDIANS

KIDNEY YIN MERIDIAN

Recommended qi-points for treatment:

• lower back pain K 1, K 3, K 13, GB 25
• insomnia K 1, K 3
• tranquillizing the mind K 1
• poor hearing K 3, K 6
• coughs K 25, K 27
• oedema K 7
• back of the knee pain K 10
• medial ankle pain K 3
• cold hands and feet K 1, K 3
• urinary problems K 3, K 7, K 10, BL 28, K 13

BLADDER YANG MERIDIAN

Recommended qi-points for treatment:

• lower back pain BL 22, BL 23, BL 24, BL 25, BL 26, BL 54, BL 37, BL 40, BL 57, BL 60, GB 25
• sacroiliac pain BL 26, BL 27, BL 28
• hamstring pain BL 36, BL 37
• calf muscle pain BL 57
• back of the knee pain BL 40
• outer ankle pain BL 60
• neck pain BL 10
• eye problems BL 1, BL 2
• fertility issues BL 32, BL 23
• urinary problems BL 23, BL 28, R 3
• problems with internal organs – use the back shu points on the bladder meridian (BL 13, BL 14, BL 15, BL 18, BL 19, BL 20, BL 21, BL 23, BL 25, BL 27, BL 28) and front mu qi-points (see here)

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 BL23 and BL 28, and front mu points GB 25 and R 3.

KIDNEY yin meridian

The kidney meridian starts at K 1 on the sole of the foot and ends on K 27 just under the collarbone, 2 cun from the midline. Opposite are the main Tui Na qi-points, listed from top to bottom.

K 27 SHUFU

Just under the collarbone, 2 cun from the midline. Improves kidney/lung interaction for effective breathing; treats chronic coughs, coughs with phlegm and chest congestion.

K 25 SHENCANG

Between the second and third ribs, 2 cun out from the midline. Treats coughs, asthma and chest congestion.

K 13 QIXUE

2 cun above the pubic bone and 0.5 cun lateral to the midline. Treats lower back pain and supplements R 4 to strengthen the lower back.

K 10 YINGU

On the inner end of the crease, behind the knee. Maintains knee flexibility to prevent arthritis; treats medial knee swelling and pain, lower back pain and urination problems.

K 7 FULIU

2 cun directly above K 3. Maintains fluid balance between lymph and blood to prevent and treat oedema and daytime sweating.

K 6 ZHAOHAI

In a small depression directly below the centre of the inner ankle bone. Treats the same conditions as K 3, as well as a dry cough and night sweating.

K 3 TAIXI

Midway between the tip of the inner ankle bone and the Achilles tendon. Strengthens all kidney functions for strong lower back, good hearing and high fertility; treats frequency of urination and insomnia.

K 1 YONGQUAN

On the midline of the sole, two-thirds along from the back of the heel. Calms the mind for good sleep and lowers blood pressure; cools hot feet and treats painful soles, fainting and epilepsy.

BLADDER yang meridian

This is the longest meridian. BL 1 is on the inner eye corner and ends at BL 67 on the outer edge of the little toe, just behind the nail. Below are the main Tui Na qi-points, listed from top to bottom. The back shu points are on this meridian (see here). The outer bladder meridian runs 3 cun lateral to the midline between BL 41 and BL 54.

BL 2 ZANZHU

On the inner tip of the eyebrow. Maintains eye health; treats nasal congestion and frontal headache.

BL 10 TIANZHU

1.3 cun to the side of the midline, just below the base of the skull. Deep kneading relaxes tense neck muscles, easing pain and headaches; treats inability to turn the head.

BL 11 DASHU

1.5 cun from the midline, level with the lower border of the spinous process of thoracic vertebra one. Influential point for bones. Helps clear qi blockages in the neck, shoulder and upper back.

BL 13 FEISHU Lung back shu

1.5 cun from the midline, level with the lower border of the spinous process of thoracic vertebra three. Promotes healthy lungs for resistance to airborne infections; treats coughs, colds, nasal congestion and asthma.

BL 14 JUEYINSHU Pericardium back shu

1.5 cun from the midline, level with the lower margin of thoracic vertebra four. Complements the effects of BL 15 to improve the functions of the heart organ to slow the onset of cardiac disease.

BL 15 XINSHU Heart back shu

1.5 cun from the midline, level with the lower border of the spinous process of thoracic vertebra five. Promotes heart function for a calm relaxed mind, good memory and a healthy, physical heart; treats insomnia, palpitations and heart conditions such as angina; treats shoulder pain and tension headaches.

BL 17 GESHU

1.5 cun from the midline, level with the lower border of the spinous process of thoracic vertebra seven. Influential point for blood. Nourishes blood function; treats all kinds of blood problems involving bleeding and itchy skin conditions.

BL 18 GANSHU Liver back shu

1.5 cun from the midline, level with the lower border of the spinous process of thoracic vertebra nine. Regulates liver qi and blood to remove stagnation; maintains flexibility of joints, calms the emotions, relieves upper abdominal pain, benefits eye health and lowers blood pressure.

BL 19 DANSHU Gall bladder back shu

1.5 cun from the midline, level with the lower margin of thoracic vertebra ten. Complements the effects of BL 18, and together they promote healthy tendons and ligaments to maintain healthy spinal mobility.

BL 20 PISHU Spleen back shu

1.5 cun from the midline, level with the lower border of the spinous process of thoracic vertebra eleven. Promotes the healthy digestion and assimilation of food to improve energy and muscle tone; relieves tiredness and indigestion; improves fluid balance to treat diarrhoea and oedema.

BL 21 WEISHU Stomach back shu

1.5 cun from the midline, level with the lower border of thoracic vertebra twelve. Complements the effects of BL 20.

BL 22 SANJIAOSHU Sanjiao back shu

1.5 cun from the midline, level with the lower margin of lumbar vertebra one. Strengthens the lower back; maintains fluid balance to reduce dampness.

BL 23 SHENSHU Kidney back shu

1.5 cun from the midline, level with the lower margin of lumbar vertebra two. Nourishes the bones, spinal cord and brain; strengthens the lower back and knees; improves hearing and memory.

BL 24 QIHAISHU Sea of qi

1.5 cun from the midline, level with the lower margin of lumbar vertebra three. Strengthens qi for a healthy lower back.

BL 25 DACHANGSHU Large intestine back shu

1.5 cun from the midline, level with the lower margin of lumbar vertebra four. Strengthens and treats the lower back; relieves sciatica; regulates the function of the colon; treats diarrhoea and constipation.

BL 26 GANYUANSHU Gate of yuan qi

1.5 cun from the midline, level with the lower margin of lumbar vertebra five. Strengthens and treats the lumbar and sacral regions to maintain a flexible spine; treats sciatica.

BL 27 XIAOCHANGSHU Small intestine point

1.5 cun from the midline, level with the first sacral foramen (hole). Treats sacroiliac pain and sciatica; improves digestion.

BL 28 PANGGUANGSHU Bladder point

1.5 cun from the midline, level with the second sacral foramen. Treats sacroiliac pain, sciatica and urination problems.

BL 32 CILIAO

In the second of the four pairs of foramina (holes) on the sacrum. Relaxes the sacral muscles, eases lumbago and promotes fertility.

BL 36 CHENGFU

In the middle of the crease below the buttock. Relaxes and treats the hamstrings; relieves sciatica.

BL 37 YINMEN

On the midline of the back of the thigh, 6 cun below BL 36. Strengthens and treats the lower back; treats sciatica and hamstring pain.

BL 40 WEIZHONG

At the midpoint of the crease behind the knee joint. Maintains healthy knees and lower back; treats knee and lumbar pain.

BL 52 ZHI SHI

3 cun to the side of the midline and level with BL 23. Reinforces functions of BL 23.

BL 54 ZHIBIAN

3 cun to the side of the midline and level with the fourth pair of foramina (holes) on the sacrum. Essential for the health and treatment of the lower back and sciatica.

BL 57 CHENGSHAN

In the centre of the calf, halfway between BL 40 and the outer ankle bone. Relaxes and treats the calf muscles; treats lower back pain and relieves haemorrhoids.

BL 60 KUNLUN

In the depression between the outer ankle bone and the Achilles tendon. Treats lateral ankle pain, and heel and Achilles problems; relieves occipital headaches and lower back pain.

 

REN yin meridian

Starts at R 1, midway between the anus and the genitals, and runs up the front of the body to end at R 24, on the midline below the lower lip. Below are the main Tui Na qi-points, listed from top to bottom. For front mu points, see here. The REN and DU meridians are the two single, extraordinary meridians that together encircle the head and trunk along the midline.

R 22 TIANTU

On the lower edge of the large depression at the top of the sternum. Five minutes of strong finger kneading stops coughing and eases sore throats.

R 17 TANZHONG Pericardium front mu

On the sternum, level with the space between the fourth and fifth ribs (in men, level with the nipples). Reinforces the pericardium to maintain physical heart health; treats cardiac pain, asthma and coughing and has a calming effect.

R 14 JUQUE Heart front mu

6 cun above the navel. Regulates heart function to prevent blood stagnation and promotes good sleep; treats angina and palpitations.

R 12 ZHONGWAN Stomach front mu

4 cun above the navel. Promotes healthy digestion; treats gastric pain, vomiting and hiccups.

R 10 XIAWAN

2 cun above the navel. Strengthens stomach qi for good digestion.

R 6 QIHAI

1.5 cun below the navel. Translates as ‘sea of qi’; intensifies all the body’s qi functions.

R 5 SHIMEN Sanjiao front mu

2 cun below the navel. Regulates fluid balance for normal urination and colon function.

R 4 GUANYUAN Small intestine front mu

2 cun above the pubic bone. Promotes absorption and assimilation of food to tonify qi in the kidney, spleen and liver organs to improve overall energy, drive and fertility.

R 3 ZHONGJI Bladder front mu

1 cun above the pubic bone. Strengthens the urinary system; treats frequency and retention; boosts fertility, treats reproductive system problems and impotence.

Caution: do not use R 3 and R 4 during pregnancy.

DU yang meridian

DU 1 is midway between the tip of the coccyx and the anus. The meridian ends at DU 28, inside the mouth at the junction of the gum and upper lip. Below are the main Tui Na qi-points, listed from top to bottom.

DU 26 RENZHONG

Two-thirds of the way up the furrow between the nose and lip. Restores consciousness.

DU 20 BAIHUI

At the top of the head, in a tiny depression, midway between the ears. Calms the mind and promotes brain function; treats local headaches and dizziness.

DU 14 DAZHUI

In the midline between cervical vertebra seven and thoracic vertebra one. Balances the six yang meridians that meet here to strengthen qi and yang energies; treats fever and epilepsy.

DU 4 MINGMEN

In the midline between lumbar vertebrae two and three. ‘Mingmen’ means ‘gate of life’ and strengthens the kidney to tonify the lower back.

DU 3 YAOYANGGUAN

In the midline between lumbar vertebrae four and five. Strengthens the base of the spine and legs.

DU 1 CHANGQIANG

In the midline between coccyx tip and anus. Treats haemorrhoids, difficult defecation and urination and anal pain.