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POINT: LI-3 (LARGE INTESTINE-3)

NAME: SANJIAN

English: Third Space
Also Known As: Between Three
Third Interval
Third Section
Third Instance

LOCATION:

  • In the depression, behind the capitulum of the second metacarpal bone, at the radial side of the index finger.
  • When a loose fist is made, the point is on the radial side of the index finger, in the depression proximal to the head of the second metacarpal bone.
  • On the radial side of the index finger, in the substantial depression proximal to the head of the second metacarpal bone.
    Note: this point is easier to locate when a loose fist is made.

NEEDLING:

  • Straight insertion, 0.3 cun.
  • Puncture perpendicularly 0.5 to 0.8 cun.
  • Moxibustion is applicable.
  • Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 2 cun, directed towards SI-3 Houxi.
    Note: needle with the hand in a loose fist, with the metacarpal bones lying in the same plane. This is especially important when needling deeply towards the opposite side of the hand.

COMMAND FUNCTIONS:

  • Shu -Stream (Transporting) point
  • Wood point
  • Secondary Sedation point

ACTIONS:

  • Dispels Exterior Wind
  • Clears Heat
  • Expels Wind and Heat
  • Brightens the eyes
  • Benefits the throat and teeth
  • Dispels fullness
  • Treats diarrhea

INDICATIONS:

  • Toothache
  • Sore throat
  • Trigeminal neuralgia
  • Eyes painful
  • Malaria
  • Inflammation of the dorsum of the hand
  • Tonsillitis
  • Children's complaints
  • Somnolence
  • Abdominal distention
  • Dyspnea
  • Throat Bi with excessive mucus
  • Cold or damp diarrhea
  • Injury by Cold with water binding the chest and lateral costal region
  • Fright
  • Fullness of the chest
  • Acute stiff neck
  • Difficulty flexing and extending the fingers
  • Ophthalmalgia
  • Redness and swelling of the fingers
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Sore and cracked lips
  • Desire to stretch
  • Nose problems
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Red eyes
  • Swollen eyes
  • Borborygmus
  • Obstruction of the throat
  • Toothache of the lower jaw
  • Pain from decaying teeth
  • Tongue thrusting
  • Acute eye pain
  • Dry scorched lips and mouth
  • Epistaxis
  • Rhinitis
  • Tinnitus
  • Chills and fever

COMBINATIONS:

ST-5
Daying
GB-17
Zhengying

PC-8
Laogong
SI-1
Shaoze
LIV-3
Taichong

PC-5
Jianshi

Pain from tooth decay

Erosion, Heat and Dryness of the mouth

Obstruction of the throat

LI-2
Erjian

SJ-8
Sanyangluo
SJ-10
Tianjing
LIV-10
Zuwuli
ST-45
Lidui

REN-8
Shenque
REN-9
Shuifen

Somnolence

Somnolence with no desire to move the four limbs

Borborygmus and diarrhea

UB-23
Shenshu

 

 

Pain of the shoulder and back

Wind-taxation (chronic Bi leading to exhaustion of Qi and Blood)

 

 

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

NOTES:

  • This point is rarely used as a sedation point.
  • It has a tremendous effect on children, especially for throat disorders, constipation and diarrhea.
  • This point is good for those who are hyper emotional.
  • This is a good point for eye problems.
  • This is a widely used point for Bi syndrome of the hand.