ACUPUNCTURE
Huan Tiao: TCM Acupoint Guide
HUANTIAO
Name
Huan Tiao (Huantiao)
Location
Located one-third of the distance between the prominence of the greater trochanter of the femur and the sacral hiatus, DU-2 Yaoshu. Note: when locating the point, put the patient in the lateral recumbent position with the thigh flexed.
Needling
- Straight insertion, for sciatica, pointed toward the genitals, 2.5 to 3 cun, causing local distention and soreness or an electric numb sensation extending down the leg.
- Straight insertion, or probe by inserting the needle on both sides of the point, 2 to 3 cun, for diseases of the hip joint or surrounding soft tissue. Sensation: distention and soreness, possibly extending to the hip joint.
- Perpendicular insertion directed toward the genitals, 2 to 3.5 cun.
- Note: a radiating or electric sensation may travel to the foot.
- Puncture perpendicularly, 1.5 to 2.5 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Command Functions
- Meeting point of the Bladder channel
- Ma Dan-yang Heavenly Star point
Actions
- Benefits the lower back and leg
- Clears the channels
- Activates the channel
- Alleviates pain
- Dispels Wind-Damp
- Tonifies the lower back, waist and knee
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
- Resolves Damp-Heat
Indications
- Neurasthenia
- Urticaria
- Eczema
- Hemiplegia
- Edema
- Lower extremity atrophy, Wei, syndrome
- Bi syndrome of the hip and lower extremities
- Hip joint inflammation and pain
- Numbness and paralysis of the lower extremity
- Pain or sprain of the hip and leg
- Wind-Cold-Damp Bi
- Inability to flex and extend the knee
- Sighing with pain when turning over
- Loss of consciousness
- Cold counterflow of the limbs
- Paresis
- Lumbago
- Rheumatism due to Dampness
- Edema of the leg due to Dampness
- Redness over the whole body due to Wind
- Aversion to Wind
- Itchy anus
- Itchy groin
- Pain and motor impairment of the hip and lower extremities
- Difficulty twisting the trunk
- Difficulty straightening the leg
- Lower back and groin pain
- Sciatica
- Leg qi
- Pain of the lumbar region and thigh
- Wind rash
- Pain in the buttock
- Contraction and pain of the thigh and knee
- Pain of the lumbar and lateral costal regions
- Pain of the lumbar region and leg
- Collapse of Yang
- Aversion to Cold
- Purple lips
- Stiff knee
- Wind-Damp rheumatism with insensitivity
- Knee and shin pain
- Beriberi
- Red inflammation of the skin of the legs
- Pain in the sides and Kidneys
- Vaginal discharge
- Urethritis
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| GB-34 Yanglingquan, GB-39 Xuanzhong | Paralysis of the lower limb |
| GB-39 Xuanzhong | Leg pain, drop foot |
| UB-67 Zhiyin | Pain in the chest that changes location with corresponding acute pain in the waist and legs |
| GB-34 Yanglingquan, LI-11 Quchi | One-sided Wind, hemiplegia |
| GB-34 Yanglingquan | Wind-Cold-Damp Bi, needle GB-30 Huantiao first |
| GB-39 Xuanzhong | Pain of the leg radiating to the lateral costal region |
| UB-65 Shugu, KI-8 Jiaoxin, SP-6 Sanyinjiao, KI-10 Yingu, or GB-34 Yanglingquan, GB-40 Qiuxu | Hip pain |
| GB-34 Yanglingquan, SI-6 Yanglao, UB-60 Kunlun, UB-62 Shenmai | Pain of the lumbar region and knee |
| UB-40 Weizhong, UB-60 Kunlun | Lumbar pain |
| LIV-2 Xingjian, GB-31 Fengshi | Lumbar pain that radiates down the leg |
| GB-31 Fengshi, UB-40 Weizhong, UB-60 Kunlun, ST-33 Yinshi, UB-57 Chengshan, UB-62 Shenmai | Pain of the legs and lumbar region |
| GB-29 Juliao, UB-40 Weizhong | Wind-Damp leg pain |
| DU-2 Yaoshu | Wind-Cold Bi that is difficult to cure |
| GB-32 Zhongdu, ST-36 Zusanli, UB-13 Feishu | Atrophy disorder |
| GB-33 Xiyangguan, UB-56 Chengjin | Numbness of the lower leg |
| SP-9 Yinlingquan, GB-38 Yangfu, KI-3 Taixi, UB-67 Zhiyin | Paralysis of the lower extremity |
| UB-67 Zhiyin | Pain of the chest and lateral costal region |
| ST-33 Yinshi | Moxa for disorders of the knee and region above the knee |
| KI-1 Yongquan | Wind rash |
| ST-31 Biguan, ST-36 Zusanli, ST-41 Jiexi | Pain radiating from the hip along the Stomach channel |
| GB-31 Fengshi, GB-34 Yanglingquan, GB-39 Xuanzhong | Pain radiating from the hip along the Gall Bladder channel |
| UB-37 Yinmen, UB-40 Weizhong, UB-60 Kunlun | Pain radiating from the hip along the Bladder channel |
| UB-58 Feiyang | Pain radiating from the hip along the Bladder and Gall Bladder channels |
| GB-29 Juliao, LIV-9 Yinbao | Pain radiating to the groin |
Notes
A common local point for painful arthritis of the hip, unrivaled in importance for treating disorders of the hip joint and buttock. It is considered to be the most important point for the treatment of sciatica.
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
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