Kidney Channel

Yongquan KID-1

Chinese: 涌泉

Pinyin: Yǒng Quán

Location

In the depression between the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones on the sole when the foot is in plantar flexion, approximately at the junction of the anterior and middle third of the sole. 

 

How to locate

Palpate for a pressure sensitive point, on third from the anterior border of the foot sole, at the midpoint of the foot width, dorsal to the balls of the foot. 

Main actions

  1. Nourishes Yin and clears Empty-Heat
  2. Regulates Qi the Lower Burner
  3. Expels Interior Wind
  4. Calms the Mind
  5. Restores consciousness

Indications

Fear Vertigo Anxiety Tinnitus Epilepsy Insomnia Dizziness Impotence Headaches Hypomania Dry tongue Dry throat Night sweat Infertility Poor memory Wind-stroke Constipation Abdominal pain Umbilical pain Manic behavior Urinary retention Violent behaviour Urinary difficulty Abdominal fullness Defecation difficulty Impaired consciousness

Needling

Vertically 0.5-1 cun 

Commentary for Yongquan KID-1

Needling of Yongquan KID-1 is very painful and is therefore only recommended for severe disorders or in an emergency. Acupressure or moxibustion is more used instead. For treating collapse, unconsciousness, shock or a severe Excess condition, this point should be strongly stimulated. Cautions should be taken in just pronounced Deficiency conditions. 

One of its most important function is to tonify Yin and clear Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency, especially in the Heart. Typical manifestations are dry tongue and throat, insomnia, dizziness, tinnitus as well as night sweating. 

Furthermore, Yongquan KID-1 expels Interior Wind, characterized by epilepsy, headache, vertigo and loss of consciousness due to Wind-Stroke. In fact, it is often used in emergency to restore consciousness. 

It has a strong descending effect that drives Pernicious Evils such as Wind or Empty-Heat from the Head. It also descends Liver Yang or Liver Wind from the Head. 

It strongly calms the Mind as well. thus eases symptoms such as severe anxiety, poor memory, fear, manic behavior and violent behavior with desire to kill people. 

Finally, Yongquan KID-1 connects to the Bladder Channel via a branch from Zhiyin BL-67 of the little toe. 

It has a powerful effect on regulating Qi in the Lower Burner using Reducing Needling Method. Patients with Qi Stagnation in Lower Burner usually suffer from constipation, difficult defecation, difficult urination, abdominal fullness, umbilical pain, infertility and impotence as well as abdominal pain in pregnancy with urinary retention.

Actually for all the Channels that originates at the fingertip or toes, this principle applies. Their first point (Well-Jing) receive Qi and impact from the related Channels which terminate at the finger or toes.

For example, for all the Channels of the Hand (Yang starts while Yin ends):

For all the Channels of the Foot (Yin starts while Yang ends):