SPINAL REFLEXOLOGY

Whilst all act-points have profound effects on Qi flow, certain points on each meridian have the greatest effects on the flow.  The points that are particularly powerful are collectively known as the Command Points and of these the ones of most importance to Spinal Reflexology are the Great Points.  These Great Points tend to be found on the forearms, hands,shins and feet.

LARGE INTESTINE 4 (Yang meridian of the Metal Element) - LI4

This point is located on the dorsum (back surface) of the hand on the midpoint of the second metacarpal bone within the muscle adjacent to that bone.

One way to find this is to place the thumb of the patient against the side of the index finger of the patient. The muscle adjacent to the second metacarpal bone now domes upwards. The tip of the therapist’s finger is placed on the apex of this domed muscle. As the client then drops the thumb away from the index finger, the therapist presses their finger downwards and inwards towards the second metacarpal bone to find the point. 

LUNG 7 (Yin meridian of the Metal Element) - Lu7

This point is located on the radial side of the forearm, 1.5 cun proximal to the wrist crease in the depression immediately proximal to the styloid process of the radius. It is therefore the width of the index and middle finger combined above the wrist crease just proximal to the crest of the styloid process.  

BLADDER 62 (Yang meridian of Water Element) - B62

This point is located in the depression inferior to the apex of the lateral malleolus.  Start with your finger on the most prominent part of the outside ankle bone and then slide the finger downwards until the small depression is found just underneath the ankle bone.

KIDNEY 6 (Yin meridian of Water Element) - K6

This point is located in the depression inferior to the inferior border of the medial malleolus. Start with a finger on the tip of the inside ankle bone and slide the finger downwards; the depression is just below the edge of the ankle bone. 

GALL BLADDER 41 (Yang meridian of Wood Element) - GB41

This point is located on the top of the foot between the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones, in the depression just proximal to the joint between these two metatarsals. One way to find this is to place the tip of a finger in the space between the fourth and fifth toes near the base of the toes and then slide that finger along the space between the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones towards the ankle until the finger cannot slide any further. 

LIVER 3 (Yin meridian of Wood Element) - Lv3

This point is located on the top of the foot in the small depression immediately distal to the corner made between the first and second metatarsal bones. One way to find this is to place the tip of a finger in the space between thefirst and second toes near the base of the toes and then slide that finger along the space between the first and second metatarsal bones towards the ankle until the finger cannot slide any further.  

SMALL INTESTINE 3 (Yang meridian of Fire Element) - SI3

This point is located on the ulnar edge of the hand, adjacent to the metacarpal-phalangeal joint of the fifth digit. When a loose fist is made with the hand, SI3 lies at the end of the skin crease made by the palm at the junction of the red and white skin. 

HEART 7 (Yin meridian of Fire Element) - Ht7

This point is located on the palmar surface of the wrist crease between the ulna and the pisiform bone in the slight depression on the radial side of the tendon of flexor carpi ulnaris. One way to find this is to place the thumb against the medial end of the wrist crease and then slide the thumb over the crest of the pisiform bone and into the depression immediately adjacent to the pisiform bone. 

SANJIAO 5 (Yang meridian of Fire Element) -SJ5

This lies on the dorsal (back) surface of the forearm, 2 cun proximal to the wrist crease and in the groove between the ulna and radius. The easiest way to find this is to measure 3 cun proximal from the wrist crease by placing the little finger against the wrist crease and where the line of the index finger rests on the back of the forearm this marks the 3 cun point. Then measure one thumb width (1 cun) back down towards the wrist crease to reach SJ5. 

PERICARDIUM 6 (Yin meridian of Fire Element) - P6

This lies on the palmar surface of the forearm, 2 cun proximal to the wrist crease and in the groove between the ulna and radius. The easiest way to find this is to measure 3 cun proximal from the wrist crease by placing the little finger against the wrist crease and where the line of the index finger rests on the forearm this marks the 3 cun point. Then measure one thumb width (1 cun) back down towards the wrist crease to reach P6. 

STOMACH 36 (Yang meridian of Earth Element) - St36

This point is located 3 cun below the inferior margin of the patella and 1 finger width lateral to the crest of the tibia. The point can be felt in a small depression here just inferior to the joint between the tibia and fibula. 3 cun is taken as the length of the patella, so one way to find the level of Stomach 36 is to measure the length of the patella with the index finger and thumb and then measure this same distance down from the lower edge of the patella. This point on the tibia should feel roughened as it is the tibial tuberosity (the place where the patella tendon attaches to the bone). St36 lies the width of the index finger lateral to the crest of the tibia. 

SPLEEN 6 (Yin meridian of Earth Element) - Sp6

This point is located 3 cun superior to the apex of the medial malleolus on the medial side of the shin and just posterior to the margin of the tibia. This is therefore found by placing the edge of the little finger next to the most prominent part of the ankle bone and, with the four fingers pressed together, it lies where the index finger meets the edge of the tibia.