ACUPUNCTURE
Shou San Li: TCM Acupoint Guide
Name
Shou San Li (Shousanli)
Location
On the radial side of the forearm, 2 cun distal to LI-11 Quchi, on the line connecting LI-11 Quchi with LI-5 Yangxi. Locate with the elbow flexed and the radial side of the arm upward. This point is significantly tender to palpation.
Needling
- Perpendicular or oblique insertion, 0.5 to 1.5 cun.
- Puncture perpendicularly 0.8 to 1.2 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
- Straight insertion 1 to 2 cun. Sensation: local distention and soreness, sometimes extending along the forearm.
Actions
- Regulates Qi and Blood
- Activates the channel
- Alleviates pain
- Harmonizes the Intestines and Stomach
- Tonifies Qi
Indications
- Pain and immobility of the arm and shoulder
- Windstroke
- Paralysis of the arm
- Numbness of the arm
- Atrophy disorder
- Hemiplegia
- Contraction and inflexibility of the elbow
- Lumbar pain with inability to lie down
- Tennis elbow
- Facial paralysis
- Arm cramps
- Post-stroke hemiplegia
- Arm edema
- Swollen jaw
- Abdominal distention
- Stomach ache
- Indigestion
- Fecal incontinence
- Loss of voice
- Pain of the shoulder and back
- Swelling of the chin and cheek
- Motor impairment of the upper extremities
- Spitting Blood
- Cholera
- Pain in the shoulder and arm
- Apoplexy with deviation of the mouth and eyes
- Cerebral hemorrhage
- Neurasthenia
- Head Wind
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Periodic sensations of Cold in the Intestines
- Sudden turmoil disorder
- Toothache with swelling of the cheek
- Deviation of the mouth
- Scrofula
- Goiter
- Breast abscess
- Swelling in the submandibular region
- Atrophy of the wrist extensor muscles
- Muscle spasms causing inability to extend the elbow
- Bi syndrome in the arm
- Aphonia
- Deviation of the mouth due to Wind
- Rheumatism
- Arthritis
- Tonsillitis
- Ulcer
- Upper limb paralysis
- Insensitivity of the upper limbs
- Pain radiating from the shoulder to the navel
- Laryngitis
- Mastitis
- Elbow cannot be extended
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| HT-3 Shaohai | Stubborn numbness of both forearms |
| LI-11 Quchi, SI-3 Houxi | Pain of the forearm |
| LI-6 Pianli | Soreness and pain of the elbow and forearm with difficulty extending and flexing |
| GB-44 Zuqianyin | Contraction and inability to extend the arm and elbow |
| UB-62 Shenmai, UB-63 Jinmen | Head Wind and visual dizziness |
| HT-3 Shaohai, PC-1 Tianchi, LIV-13 Zhangmen, GB-41 Zulinqi, SJ-6 Zhigou, GB-38 Yangfu, GB-21 Jianjing | Stiffness of the nape of the neck and scrofula |
| ST-36 Zusanli | General tonification |
| REN-12 Zhongwan, ST-36 Zusanli | Food Stagnation with gastric lumps or ulcer |
Contraindications
Forbidden during the ninth month of pregnancy.
Notes
The main function of this point is to invigorate and regulate the circulation of Qi and Blood in the upper limb. It is an important and widely used point for all Large Intestine channel problems. This point stimulates leukocyte production. This is a good point for intellectual exhaustion. This point lowers nervous excitement and stimulates Blood flow to the seat of illness.
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.
Spotted an error or a better source? Tell us — corrections are logged on our editorial policy page.
Did this article help you?
Your answer shapes what gets rewritten next.
Keep readingRelated entries
Something this article did not cover?
Ask us directly. We reply within two days, and good questions become public articles.
Ask a question →