ACUPUNCTURE
San Yang Luo: TCM Acupoint Guide
Name
San Yang Luo (Sanyangluo)
Location
On the dorsal surface of the forearm, 4 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist, between the radius and the ulna, on the radial side of the extensor digitorum communis muscle. Note: divide the distance between SJ-4 Yangchi and the lateral epicondyle into three equal parts; this point is located at the junction of the distal and middle thirds.
Needling
- Slanted insertion, join to PC-4 Ximen, about 2 to 3 cun. Sensation: distention and numbness, possibly extending to the fingertips or elbow.
- Straight insertion, 1 to 1.5 cun. Sensation: distention and soreness extending towards the elbow.
- Slightly oblique insertion towards the ulnar side, or oblique proximal or distal insertion towards the elbow or wrist respectively.
- Puncture perpendicularly, 0.5 to 1 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Command Functions
- Meeting point of the three Yang channels of the arm
Actions
- Clears Heat
- Removes obstructions from the channel
- Activates the channel
- Alleviates pain
- Clears the sensory orifices
Indications
- Bi syndrome of the arm, neck, shoulders and occiput
- Hand and arm pain
- Pain in the forearm limiting movement
- Brachial neuralgia
- Upper arm and forearm neuralgia
- Post-operative pain associated with pneumonectomy
- Fever
- Lumbar pain due to traumatic injury
- Lack of coordination
- Pain in the chest and hypochondriac regions
- Vertigo
- Pain and motor impairment of the hand and forearm
- Sudden loss of voice
- Deafness
- Sudden muteness
- Muteness
- Aphasia
- Toothache
- Lassitude
- Somnolence
- Does not want to budge the four limbs
- Sudden deafness
- Arm pain
- Inability to move the arm
- Difficult to wake up
- Some eye diseases
- Upper body atrophy syndrome
- Severe headache from Wind-Heat
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| DU-15 Yamen or SJ-6 Zhigou, UB-66 Tonggu | Sudden loss of voice |
| SJ-2 Yemen | Sudden deafness |
| SJ-10 Tianjing, LIV-10 Zuwuli, ST-45 Lidui, LI-3 Sanjian | Somnolence with no desire to move the four limbs |
| SP-21 Dabao, PC-4 Ximen, GB-38 Yangfu, GB-41 Zulinqi | Pain of the chest and lateral costal region |
| PC-4 Ximen | Join for pain associated with pneumonectomy |
| GB-20 Fengchi | Headache |
Contraindications
Traditionally this point should not be needled.
Notes
Mostly used for Bi syndrome of the arm, neck, shoulders and occiput. Particularly effective when the area of pain involves more than one Yang channel of the arm. It is needled through to PC-4 Ximen for pulmonary lobectomy.
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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