KI1 Yǒngquán

Reviewed by · Licensed Acupuncturist & TCM Physician · Last reviewed June 2026

KI1 (Yǒngquán, “Yǒngquán”) is the Jing-Well Point point of the Kidney Channel Meridian. It is located on the sole of the foot, in the depression that appears in the anterior third when the toes are curled plantarward, approximately at the junction of the anterior one-third and posterior two-thirds of the line connecting the base of the second and third toes to the heel. It descends excess from the head, clears deficiency heat, calms the spirit, restores consciousness, and treats disorders of the throat and tongue.

Location

On the sole of the foot, in the depression that appears in the anterior third when the toes are curled plantarward, approximately at the junction of the anterior one-third and posterior two-thirds of the line connecting the base of the second and third toes to the heel.

Needling

Perpendicular insertion, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. This point is known for being particularly sensitive.

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TCM functions

Descends excess from the head, clears deficiency heat, calms the spirit, restores consciousness, and treats disorders of the throat and tongue..

Indications

Headache, vertex headache, dizziness, shoulder and back pain, neck pain, sore throat, dry tongue, loss of voice, difficulty speaking, foot pain, heat in the soles of the feet, inability to stand, wind rash, generalized body pain with sweating (Li Jie Feng), infantile convulsions, infertility in women, abdominal pain with chest and flank fullness, heat disease, body and lumbar spine feeling disjointed, poor appetite, mania, agitation, fainting from heatstroke, foot cramps, fever with chills, bone pain, aversion to wind, cough with shortness of breath..

Jing-Well PointWood Point

Clinical notes

As the lowest point on the body and the origin of the Kidney channel, Yongquan has a powerful ability to draw down excess Qi and fire that has flared up to the head, making it a primary point for severe headache, dizziness, hypertension, and loss of consciousness. It is also used to anchor the Qi and nourish Yin, treating deficiency heat symptoms like night sweats, hot flashes, and anxiety. Its location on the sole makes it effective for reviving consciousness and calming extreme agitation.

On the Kidney Channel channel

KI1 is one of 27 points on the Kidney Channel Meridian. Nearby points:

Frequently asked questions

Where is KI1 located?

KI1 (Yǒngquán) is located on the sole of the foot, in the depression that appears in the anterior third when the toes are curled plantarward, approximately at the junction of the anterior one-third and posterior two-thirds of the line connecting the base of the second and third toes to the heel.

What is KI1 used for?

KI1 descends excess from the head, clears deficiency heat, calms the spirit, restores consciousness, and treats disorders of the throat and tongue. Common clinical indications include headache, vertex headache, dizziness, shoulder and back pain, neck pain, sore throat, dry tongue, loss of voice, difficulty speaking, foot pain, heat in the soles of the feet, inability to stand, wind rash, generalized body pain with sweating (Li Jie Feng), infantile convulsions, infertility in women, abdominal pain with chest and flank fullness, heat disease, body and lumbar spine feeling disjointed, poor appetite, mania, agitation, fainting from heatstroke, foot cramps, fever with chills, bone pain, aversion to wind, cough with shortness of breath.

How is KI1 needled?

Perpendicular insertion, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. This point is known for being particularly sensitive. Caution: The Zi Sheng Jing warns that moxibustion on this point may impair the ability to walk. Needling is considered superior. The point is very sensitive to stimulation.

Which meridian is KI1 on?

KI1 is a point on the Kidney Channel Meridian (Zú Shàoyīn Shènjīng).

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⚠️ This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Acupuncture is a traditional practice; evidence varies by condition and study quality, and individual results differ. It does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a licensed professional. Always consult a qualified acupuncturist or physician.