Four meridians are classified under thefire element in Five Element theory. The heart yin and the small intestine yang, and the pericardium yin and the sanjiao yang, are the hand yin/yang meridian partners, which are each energetically linked to their named organs.

FUNCTIONS OF THE HEART YIN ORGAN

REGULATES BLOOD AND QI PRODUCTION Overworking or lack of sleep can deplete heart qi and blood to cause tiredness, breathlessness, pallor and palpitations.

POWERS BLOOD FLOW IN THE BLOOD VESSELS Heart qi maintains healthy blood pressure to prevent the onset of palpitations and cardiac pain.

COMPLEXION REFLECTS HEART FUNCTION Weak blood flow results in a purplish or bluish tinge to the lips, tongue and facial skin.

CONTROLS THE SHEN Impaired heart qi results in weak or disturbed shen, which can cause insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep and depression.

HAS ITS CONNECTION WITH THE EXTERIOR THROUGH THE TONGUE Disturbed heart qi can cause tongue ulcers, stiff tongue and speech defects.

LINKS TO THE JOY EMOTION Heart qi and blood malfunction can cause anxiety, joylessness and a tendency to get overexcited.

FUNCTIONS OF THE SMALL INTESTINE YANG ORGAN

CONTRIBUTES TO THE FORMATION OF BLOOD THROUGH DIGESTION

Abnormal absorption of fluids can result in constipation or loose stools and scanty or profuse urination.

FUNCTIONS OF THE PERICARDIUM YIN ORGAN

THE PERICARDIUM IS THE HEART PROTECTOR In TCM, the pericardium assists heart organ functions to strengthen the physical heart and balance the shen. Weak pericardium function often causes angina, palpitations and emotional agitation.

FUNCTIONS OF THE SANJIAO YANG ORGAN

REGULATES AND BALANCES QI BETWEEN THE THREE JIAO The sanjiao coordinates organ qi functions between the three jiao (see here ). Sanjiao malfunction can disturb all the interactions between the lung, spleen and kidney.

HEART YIN (H), SMALL INTESTINE YANG (SI), PERICARDIUM YIN (P), SANJIAO HAND YANG (SJ) MERIDIANS

HEART YIN MERIDIAN

Recommended qi-points for treatment:

• heart problems, palpitations H 3, H 7, BL 15, R 14
• depression, heartbreak, panic, insomnia H 7, BL 15
• wrist pain H 7
• golfer’s elbow H 3

SMALL INTESTINE YANG MERIDIAN

Recommended qi-points for treatment:

• shoulder blade pain SI 11, SI 12
• upper shoulder pain SI 13, SI 14, SI 15
• centre back and neck pain SI 3
• back of arm pain SI 9, SI 10
• ear pain or deafness SI 19
• painful urination R 3
• elbow pain SI 8

PERICARDIUM YIN MERIDIAN

Recommended qi-points for treatment:

• vomiting and nausea P 6
• heart problems, angina, palpitations P 6, P 3, BL 14, R 17
• emotional upsets P 6, P7, P 8, R 17
• carpal tunnel syndrome P 7, P 6, P 8, P 3

SANJIAO HAND YANG MERIDIAN

Recommended qi-points for treatment:

• ear problems SJ 17, SJ 21, SJ 3, SJ 5
• eye problems SJ 23
• migraine SJ 5
• neck pain SJ 3, SJ 5, SJ 15
• arm and shoulder joint pain SJ 14, SJ 15, SJ 5
• elbow pain SJ 10
• lower abdominal pain R 5 (contraindicated in pregnancy)

NOTE: problems on these hand meridians should be treated with Tui Na massage applied along them, with focused kneading of appropriate qi-points and related back shu points BL 15, BL 28, BL 14 and BL 22 and front mu points R14, R 3, R17 and R 5 energetically linked to their named organs.

HEART yin meridian

H 1 is in the centre of the armpit, and the heart meridian ends at H 9 , at the base of the little fingernail on the inside edge.Below are the main Tui Na qi-points, listed from top to bottom.

H 3 SHAOHAI

At the inner end of the crease formed when the arm is flexed at the elbow. Reduces potential for repetitive strain injury in the elbow; treats local elbow pain, such as golfer’s elbow, and cardiac pain.

H 7 SHENMEN

On the underside of the wrist, in line with the little finger, in a depression on the main wrist crease. Calms a restless mind for better sleep; treats insomnia, depression, cardiac pain, palpitations and tongue ulcers.

SMALL INTESTINE yang meridian

Starts at SI 1 on the outer edge of the little finger just behind the nail, and ends on SI 19 in front of the ear tragus. Below are the main Tui Na qi-points, listed from top to bottom.

SI 19 TIANGGONG

In front of the ear tragus in a depression, when the mouth is open. Promotes good hearing.

SI 15 JIANZHONSHU

2 cun from the midline, level with the lower border of cervical vertebra seven. Treats neck stiffness and pain.

SI 14 JIANWAISHU

Just off the upper medial angle of the scapula, 3 cun from the midline, level with the lower border of thoracic vertebra one. Treats pain and tension between the shoulder blades .

SI 13 QUYUAN

On the top of the medial angle of the scapula, level with the lower border of the thoracic vertebra two. Treats upper back stiffness and pain.

SI 12 BINGFENG

Vertically up from SI 11 just over the scapular spine. Treats upper shoulder and scapular pain.

SI 11 TIANZONG

One-third of the way down the scapula. Relaxes and treats pain in the scapular muscles.

SI 10 NAOSHU

Above SI 9, below the outer end of the scapula. Relaxes and treats pain in the shoulder.

SI 9 JIANZHEN

1 cun above back armpit crease. Relaxes and treats the shoulder muscles.

SI 8 XIAOHAI

At the end of the olecranon process of the ulna. Treats elbow pain.

SI 3 HOUXI

On the outer end of the main crease formed by the knuckles of the clenched fist. Treats localhand pain, and improves qi-flow to the spine to relieve neck and back pain.

PERICARDIUM yin meridian

P 1 is on the chest just beside the nipple in the space between the fourth and fifth ribs. The meridian ends at P 9 on the centre of the tip of the middle finger. Below are the main Tui Na qi-points, listed from top to bottom.

P 3 QUZE

On the elbow crease just inside the tendon of the biceps muscle. Maintains effective heart function to prevent cardiac pain and palpitations; treats golfer’s elbow.

P 6 NEIGUAN

On the underside of the forearm, 2 cun above the middle crease on the wrist, in the midline between the two large tendons. Regular stimulation for several minutes helps to prevent and treat cardiovascular problems to relieve palpitations and angina. Relieves nausea and stops vomiting; treats anxiety, emotional pain and insomnia.

P 7 DALING

In the middle of the crease on the underside of the wrist. Treats anxiety and palpitations, carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist pain, and numbness of third and fourth fingers.

P 8 LAOGONG

Where the nail touches the palm when the middle finger is flexed. Calmsa restless and disturbed mind; treats P 3 epilepsy, cardiac pain and hand pain.

SANJIAO yang meridian

The meridian starts at SJ 1 , on the outside of the fourth finger just behind the nail and ends at SJ 23 on the outside tip of the eyebrow. Below are the main Tui Naqi-points, listed from top to bottom.

SJ 23 SIZHUKON

GIn a depression at the outer tip of the eyebrow. Improves eyesight; treats lateral headaches, muscle twitchingin the eyelids and sore eyes.

SJ 17 YIFENG

In a depression behind the ear lobe. Treats tinnitus, deafness, facial paralysis and lower jaw neuralgia.

SJ 15 TIANLIAO

1 cun below GB 21 or midway between SI 13 and GB 21. Treats upper back and shoulder pain .

SJ 14 JIANLIAO

In a depression just below the outer tip of the acromion on the back of shoulder joint. Keeps the shoulder joint mobile; treats shoulder pain and immobility.

SJ 10 TIANJING

In the depression approximately 1 cun above the base of the humerus when the elbow is flexed. Treats elbow pain.

SJ 5 WAIGUAN

2 cun up from the crease on the back of the wrist between the radius and the ulna. Treats shoulder painand immobility, forearm and wrist pain, lateral headaches, ear problems and flu.

SJ 3 ZHONGZHU

In the depression between the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones just behind the knuckles. Treats poor hearing and tinnitus, lateral migraine, and lateral neck and back of hand pain.