ACUPUNCTURE
San Jian: TCM Acupoint Guide
Name
San Jian (Sanjian)
Location
In the substantial depression proximal to the head of the second metacarpal bone, at the radial side of the index finger. This point is easier to locate when a loose fist is made.
Needling
- Straight insertion, 0.3 cun.
- Puncture perpendicularly 0.5 to 0.8 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
- Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 2 cun, directed towards SI-3 Houxi. Note: needle with the hand in a loose fist, with the metacarpal bones lying in the same plane. This is especially important when needling deeply towards the opposite side of the hand.
Command Functions
- Shu-Stream (Transporting) point
- Wood point
- Secondary Sedation point
Actions
- Dispels Exterior Wind
- Clears Heat
- Expels Wind and Heat
- Brightens the eyes
- Benefits the throat and teeth
- Dispels fullness
- Treats diarrhea
Indications
- Toothache
- Sore throat
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Eyes painful
- Malaria
- Inflammation of the dorsum of the hand
- Tonsillitis
- Children's complaints
- Somnolence
- Abdominal distention
- Dyspnea
- Throat Bi with excessive mucus
- Cold or damp diarrhea
- Injury by Cold with water binding the chest and lateral costal region
- Fright
- Fullness of the chest
- Acute stiff neck
- Difficulty flexing and extending the fingers
- Ophthalmalgia
- Redness and swelling of the fingers
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Sore and cracked lips
- Desire to stretch
- Nose problems
- Conjunctivitis
- Red eyes
- Swollen eyes
- Borborygmus
- Obstruction of the throat
- Toothache of the lower jaw
- Pain from decaying teeth
- Tongue thrusting
- Acute eye pain
- Dry scorched lips and mouth
- Epistaxis
- Rhinitis
- Tinnitus
- Chills and fever
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| ST-5 Daying, GB-17 Zhengying | Pain from tooth decay |
| PC-8 Laogong, SI-1 Shaoze, LIV-3 Taichong | Erosion, Heat and Dryness of the mouth |
| PC-5 Jianshi | Obstruction of the throat |
| LI-2 Erjian | Somnolence |
| SJ-8 Sanyangluo, SJ-10 Tianjing, LIV-10 Zuwuli, ST-45 Lidui | Somnolence with no desire to move the four limbs |
| REN-8 Shenque, REN-9 Shuifen | Borborygmus and diarrhea |
| UB-23 Shenshu | Pain of the shoulder and back; Wind-taxation (chronic Bi leading to exhaustion of Qi and Blood) |
Notes
This point is rarely used as a sedation point. It has a tremendous effect on children, especially for throat disorders, constipation and diarrhea. This point is good for those who are hyper emotional. This is a good point for eye problems. This is a widely used point for Bi syndrome of the hand.
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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