ACUPUNCTURE
Shao Fu: TCM Acupoint Guide
Name
Shao Fu (Shaofu)
Location
On the palm, in the depression between the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones, where the tip of the little finger rests when a fist is made. This point generally lies between the two palmar creases.
Needling
- Perpendicular insertion 0.5 cun.
- Straight insertion 0.5 cun, causing local distention and pain.
- Puncture perpendicularly 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Command Functions
- Ying-Spring point
- Fire point
- Horary point
Actions
- Clears Heat from the Heart and Small Intestine
- Clears Deficient Heat from the Heart
- Clears Phlegm-Fire from the Heart
- Calms the Shen
- Regulates Heart Qi
- Activates the channel
- Alleviates pain
Indications
- Palpitations
- Fright palpitations
- Sadness and worry with diminished Qi
- Fear
- Fear of people
- Excessive sighing
- Plumpit Qi Stagnation (globus hystericus)
- Chest pain, agitation and fullness
- Epilepsy
- Contraction of the little finger or hand
- Heat of the palms
- Premature ventricular contractions
- Heart pain
- Fullness and malaise in the chest
- Angina pectoris
- Pruritis
- Rheumatic Heart disease
- Painful knees due to Wind
- One side of the scrotum larger than the other
- Somnolence
- Fatigue
- Mania with frequent laughing
- Grief
- Intermittent fevers
- Great shyness
- Nervousness about public speaking
- Insomnia
- Thirst
- Dark urine
- Mental restlessness
- Itching of the genitals
- Pain of the genitals
- Difficult urination
- Enuresis
- Prolapse of the uterus
- Chronic malaria
- Cold shivering
- Throat pain
- Stiffness of the tongue
- Pain of the arms
- Contraction of the elbow and axilla
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Spasms of the little finger
- Contracture of the little finger
- Inability to extend the hand
- Vaginal pain
- Pain in the arm
- Urinary incontinence
- Pruritis of the external genitalia
- Carbuncle and boils
- Trembling
- Impotence
- Dyspnea
- Chronic aphonia
- Vivid dreams
- A bitter taste in the mouth
- Hypomania
- Tongue ulcers
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| ST-36 Zusanli | Difficult urination and retention of urine |
| LIV-3 Taichong, KI-6 Zhaohai, LIV-8 Ququan | Uterine prolapse |
| LIV-5 Ligou | Qi Stagnation in the throat as if obstructed by a polyp |
| UB-28 Pangguangshu, HT-9 Shaochong, KI-22 Bulang, LIV-2 Xingjian, KI-5 Dazhong | Diminished Qi |
| HT-5 Tongli, PC-6 Neiguan, PC-7 Daling | Cardiac arrhythmia |
| PC-3 Quze, PC-4 Ximen, PC-5 Jianshi | Rheumatic Heart disease |
Notes
This is a major point for clearing Heart Fire which transmits to the small Intestine channel and then the Bladder channel giving rise to a variety of urinary problems. Its major action is to clear Lower Jiao Heat. It is used for a variety of emotional problems due to Heart Qi Deficiency.
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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