HT4 (Lingdao, “Spirit Path”) is the Jing-River Point point of the Heart Channel of Hand-Shaoyin Meridian. It is located on the palmar aspect of the forearm, 1.5 cun proximal to the transverse wrist crease (HT7), on the radial side of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle. It calms the Spirit (Shen), clears Heart fire, regulates Heart Qi, relaxes the sinews and invigorates the channel.
On the palmar aspect of the forearm, 1.5 cun proximal to the transverse wrist crease (HT7), on the radial side of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle.
Perpendicular insertion, 0.3 to 0.5 cun deep.
Calms the Spirit (Shen), clears Heart fire, regulates Heart Qi, relaxes the sinews and invigorates the channel.
Sudden loss of voice, elbow and arm contraction, sadness and fear, fright palpitations, heart pain, dry throat, hysteria, restless Zang disorder, spasmodic pain of the elbow and arm, sudden cardiac pain, inability to speak, forgetfulness, melancholy and weeping, fear of people, diminished qi with desire to laugh, chest and back pain, clenched jaw, sudden turmoil disorder.
As the Jing-River and Metal point of the Heart channel, Lingdao is a key point for addressing acute emotional and vocal issues. Its ability to regulate Heart qi makes it effective for sudden conditions like fright palpitations, anxiety, and especially sudden loss of voice (aphonia) due to emotional shock. It is also a valuable local point for pain and contraction along the Heart channel in the arm and elbow.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷03 · Source: Wikisource ↗
靈道者，金也。 在掌後一寸五分，或曰一寸，手少陰脈之所行也，為經。 刺入三分，灸三壯According to this text, HT4 is a metal point, lying 1.5 cun (some say 1 cun) behind the palm, where the hand Shaoyin runs; it is the river (jing) point. Needling is 3 fen, with 3 moxa cones.
《扁鵲神應針灸玉龍經》 Biǎn Què Shényìng Zhēnjiǔ Yùlóng Jīng — Bian Que's Jade Dragon Classic of Divinely Responsive Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 1329 · 丁手少阴心之经 · Source: Wikisource ↗
灵道 为经金。 在掌后一寸。 治心疼悲恐，暴喑难言According to this text, HT4 is the river (jing) metal point, 1 cun behind the palm; it records use for heart pain with sorrow and fear, and sudden loss of voice with difficulty speaking.
《子午流注針經》 Zǐwǔ Liúzhù Zhēnjīng — Needling Classic of the Midday-Midnight Flow, Yan Mingguang, c. 1153 · 卷下 · 針經井滎歌訣 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
靈道為經掌後真，心痛肘攣悲恐驚The text, in verse, describes HT4 as the river (jing) point behind the palm, used for heart pain, cramping of the elbow, sorrow, fear and fright.
HT4 is one of 9 points on the Heart Channel of Hand-Shaoyin Meridian. Nearby points:
HT4 (Lingdao) is located on the palmar aspect of the forearm, 1.5 cun proximal to the transverse wrist crease (HT7), on the radial side of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle.
HT4 calms the Spirit (Shen), clears Heart fire, regulates Heart Qi, relaxes the sinews and invigorates the channel. Common clinical indications include sudden loss of voice, elbow and arm contraction, sadness and fear, fright palpitations, heart pain, dry throat, hysteria, restless Zang disorder, spasmodic pain of the elbow and arm, sudden cardiac pain, inability to speak, forgetfulness, melancholy and weeping, fear of people, diminished qi with desire to laugh, chest and back pain, clenched jaw, sudden turmoil disorder.
Perpendicular insertion, 0.3 to 0.5 cun deep.
HT4 is a point on the Heart Channel of Hand-Shaoyin Meridian (Shǒu Shàoyīn Xīnjīng).