Kidney Meridian Acupuncture Points
The following chart outlines traditional Chinese medicine based acupuncture and acupressure points along the Kidney meridian.
KI1 point, Yong quan (Gushing Spring)
Location: On the sole, in the depression when the foot is in plantar flexion, approximately at the anterior third and the posterior two thirds of the line from the web between the 2nd and 3rd toes to the back of the heel.
Health Issues Supported: Pain and swelling of the throat, inhibited urination, constipation, clouding inversion, headache, visual dizziness, withdrawal
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Descends excess above, resuscitates, clears heat, calms the Shen, tonifies Yin, clears Empty-Heat.
KI2 point, Ran gu (Blazing Valley)
Location: On the medial aspect of the foot, below the tuberosity of the navicular bone, at the junction of the red and white skin.
Health Issues Supported: Menstrual disorders, seminal emission, coughing of blood
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Clears deficiency Heat, regulates the Lower Jiao.
KI3 point, Tai xi (Great Ravine)
Location: On the medial aspect of the foot, posterior to the medial malleolus, in the depression between the tip of the medial malleolus and tendo calcaneus.
Health Issues Supported: Pain and swelling of the throat, coughing of blood, menstrual disorders, toothache, tinnitus, insomnia
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Tonifies the Kidneys (Yin and Yang), strengthens the lower back, relieves heel/ankle pain.
KI4 point, Da zhong (Large Goblet)
Location: On the medial aspect of the foot, posterior and inferior to the medial malleolus, in the depression anterior to the medial side of the attachment of tendo calcaneus.
Health Issues Supported: Urinary blood, constipation, heel pain
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Benefits the Kidneys, local point for heel/ankle pain, strengthens the will.
KI5 point, Shui quan (Water Spring)
Location: On the medial aspect of the foot, posterior and inferior to the medial malleolus, 1 cun directly below KID 3, in the depression of the medial side of the tuberosity of the calcaneum.
Health Issues Supported: Menstrual disorders, menstrual pain, inhibited urination
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Regulates menstruation, benefits urination.
KI6 point, Zhao hai (Shining Sea)
Location: On the medial aspect of the foot, in the depression below the tip of the medial malleolus.
Health Issues Supported: Pain and dryness of the throat, menstrual disorders, constipation, insomnia
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Nourishes the Kidneys, clears deficiency-Heat, regulates the Yin Qiao vessel, benefits the throat, benefits the eyes, calms the Shen.
KI7 point, Fu liu (Recover Flow)
Location: On the medial aspect of the lower leg, 2 cun directly above KID 3, anterior to tendo calcaneus.
Health Issues Supported: Abdominal distention, diarrhea, water swelling, night sweats
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Strengthens the Kidneys, resolves Dampness, regulates sweating, treats edema, strengthens the low back.
KI8 point, Jian xin (Intersection Reach)
Location: On the medial aspect of the lower leg, 2 cun directly above KID 3, .5 cun anterior to KID 7, posterior to the medial border of the tibia.
Health Issues Supported: Menstrual disorders, prolapse of the uterus
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Regulates the Conception and Chong meridians, regulates menstruation.
KI9 point, Zhu bin (Guest House)
Location: On the medial aspect of the lower leg, 5 cun directly above KID 3, on the line connecting KID 3 and KID 10, at the medial and inferior end of the belly of m. gastrocnemius.
Health Issues Supported: Hernia, vomiting, pain in the lower leg, withdrawal
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Calms the Shen, clears the Heart, relieves pain
KI10 point, Yin gu (Yin Valley)
Location: When the knee is flexed, the point is on the medial side of the popliteal fossa, between the tendons of m. semitendinosus and semimembranosus.
Health Issues Supported: Impotence, metrorrhagia, inhibited urination
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Resolves Dampness and Damp-Heat from Lower Jiao, benefits the Kidneys, relieves pain.
KI11 point, Heng gu (Pubic Bone)
Location: On the lower abdomen, 5 cun below the center of the umbilicus, .5 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Health Issues Supported: Seminal emission, vaginal discharge
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Regulates the Lower Jiao, resolves Dampness.
KI12 point, Da he (Great Manifestation)
Location: On the lower abdomen, 4 cun below the center of the umbilicus, .5 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Health Issues Supported: Seminal emission, vaginal discharge
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Tonifies Kidney Qi, binds Essence, regulates the Conception and Chong Vessels.
KI13 point, Qi zue (Qi Hole)
Location: On the lower abdomen, 3 cun below the center of the umbilicus, .5 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Health Issues Supported: Menstrual disorders, diarrhea
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Tonifies Kidney Qi, regulates the Lower Jiao, regulates the Conception and Chong Vessels.
KI14 point, Si man (Fourfold Fullness)
Location: On the lower abdomen, 2 cun below the center of the umbilicus, .5 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Health Issues Supported: Menstrual disorders, hernia, diarrhea
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Tonifies Kidney Qi, regulates the water passageways, regulates the Lower Jiao, moves Blood stagnation, regulates the Ren and Chong Vessels.
KI15 point, Zhong zu (Central Flow)
Location: On the lower abdomen, 1 cun below the center of the umbilicus, .5 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Health Issues Supported: Menstrual disorders, constipation
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Regulates the Lower Jiao and intestines, regulates the Conception and Chong Vessels.
KI16 point, Huang shu
Location: On the middle of the abdomen, .5 cun lateral to the center of the umbilicus.
Health Issues Supported: Abdominal pain, constipation
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Regulates Qi, removes meridian obstructions, regulates the intestines.
KI17 point, Shang qu (Shang Bend)
Location: On the upper abdomen, 2 cun above the center of the umbilicus, .5 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Health Issues Supported: Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Removes accumulations, relieves pain.
KI18 point, Shi guan (Stone Pass)
Location: On the upper abdomen, 3 cun above the center of the umbilicus, .5 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Health Issues Supported: Vomiting, abdominal pain
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Harmonizes the Stomach, regulates the Lower Jiao, relieves pain, regulates the Conception and Chong Vessels.
KI19 point, Yin du (Yin Metropolis)
Location: On the upper abdomen, 4 cun above the center of the umbilicus, .5 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Health Issues Supported: Abdominal distention and pain
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Harmonizes the Stomach, alleviates pain, regulates the Conception and Chong Vessels.
KI20 point, Tong gu (Open Valley)
Location: On the upper abdomen, 5 cun above the center of the umbilicus, .5 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Health Issues Supported: Vomiting, abdominal pain
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Harmonizes the Middle Jiao, opens the chest.
KI21 point, You men (Dark Gate)
Location: On the upper abdomen, 6 cun above the center of the umbilicus, .5 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Health Issues Supported: Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Harmonizes the Middle Jiao, descends rebellious Qi, smoothes Liver Qi.
KI22 point, Bu lang (Corridor Walk)
Location: On the chest, in the 5th intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Health Issues Supported: Cough, dyspnea, distention and fullness of the chest and lateral costal region
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Opens the chest, descends rebellious Lung and Stomach Qi, stops cough.
KI23 point, Shen feng (Spirit Seal)
Location: On the chest, in the 4th intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Health Issues Supported: Cough, dyspnea, distention and fullness of the chest and lateral costal region
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Opens the chest, descends rebellious Lung and Stomach Qi, stops cough, benefits the breasts.
KI24 point, Ling xu (Spirit Ruins)
Location: On the chest, in the 3rd intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Health Issues Supported: Cough, dyspnea, distention and fullness of the chest and lateral costal region
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Opens the chest, descends rebellious Lung and Stomach Qi, stops cough, benefits the breasts.
KI25 point, Shen cang (Spirit Storehouse)
Location: On the chest, in the 2nd intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Health Issues Supported: Cough, dyspnea, chest pain
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Opens the chest, descends rebellious Lung and Stomach Qi, stops cough.
KI26 point, Yu zhong (Lively Center)
Location: On the chest, in the 1st intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Health Issues Supported: Cough, dyspnea, distention and fullness of the chest and lateral costal region
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Opens the chest, descends rebellious Lung and Stomach Qi, stops cough.
KI27 point, Shu fu (Shu Mansion)
Location: On the chest, on the lower border of the clavicle, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Health Issues Supported: Cough, dyspnea, chest pain
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Opens the chest, descends rebellious Lung and Stomach Qi, stops cough.