Tongli HE-5
Chinese: 通里
Pinyin: Tōng Lǐ
Location
On the radial side of the tendon of flexor carpi ulnaris muscle, 1 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist when the palm faces upward.
How to locate
The flexor carpi radialis muscle has a distinct tendon which can be easily palpated ulnar and proximal to the wrist crease. It attaches to the pisiform bone.
Tongli HE-5 is located directly on the radial side of the tendon, 1 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist when the palm faces upward.
Shenmen He-7, Yinxi HE-6, Tongli HE-5 and Lingdao HE-4 are all located on a line on the radial aspect of the tendon at 0.5 cun intervals.
Main actions
- Calms the Mind
- Tonifies and regulates Heart Qi
- Benefits tongue, eyes and head
- Benefits the Bladder
- Benefits the Uterus
Needling
Vertically 0.3–0.5 cun or obliquely 0.5–1 cun in a proximal or distal direction.
Caution: Needling may be painful.
Commentary for Tongli HE-5
One of Tongli HE-5's main functions is to tonify Heart Qi. It is the major point for treating any symptoms of Heart Qi Deficiency and many disharmonies that related to the Heart Channel and its connecting Channels.
For example, as the Luo-Connecting point, the Heart Luo Vessel connects to the Small Intestine Channel and further influences the Bladder Channel through Greater Yang. Thus it is able to treat enuresis, burning sensation on urination or bloody urination.
Similarly, it can also treat heavy menstruation by clearing excessive Heart Heat in the Uterus through Uterus Vessel.
Tongli HE-5 is able to calms the Mind as well, so that it treats mental issues such as sadness, mental restlessness, anger, fright, depression and agitation.
Since the Heart Luo Connecting Channel runs up to the Head, mouth and eyes. Stimulating Tongli HE-5 clears Heart Heat and benefits these areas. Therefore, it treats symptoms such as loss of voice, aphasia, stuttering, stiff tongue, eye pain, red face, headache and dizziness.