KI3 (Taixi, “Taixi”) is the Shu-Stream point of the Kidney Channel Meridian. It is located in a depression on the superior aspect of the calcaneus, posterior to the medial malleolus, where the pulsation of the posterior tibial artery can be felt. It tonifies Kidney Yin and Yang, anchors the Qi, strengthens the lumbar spine and knees, clears deficiency heat, and regulates the lower jiao.
In a depression on the superior aspect of the calcaneus, posterior to the medial malleolus, where the pulsation of the posterior tibial artery can be felt.
Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1.0 cun. The posterior tibial artery and nerve are deep to this point, so care must be taken.
Tonifies Kidney Yin and Yang, anchors the Qi, strengthens the lumbar spine and knees, clears deficiency heat, and regulates the lower jiao.
Cholera with uncontrolled diarrhea, abdominal masses (pi), abdominal accumulations (zheng), hernia-like disorders (shan), malaria with more cold and less heat, vomiting, cough, heart pain like being pricked by a needle or awl, spleen-related heart pain, mouth heat, dry tongue, dry throat, difficult defecation, yellow urine, breast abscess, swelling and pain of the inner thigh, foot heat and pain, impotence, seminal emission, irregular menstruation, infertility, uterine bleeding, postpartum disorders, lumbar pain, pain in the spine and inner thigh, lassitude, somnolence, coldness of the lower body, swelling and pain of the ankle.
As the Yuan-Source and Shu-Stream point of the Kidney channel, Taixi is a primary point for diagnosing and treating any condition related to Kidney deficiency. It is exceptionally versatile, capable of tonifying both Kidney Yin and Yang, making it fundamental in treating chronic diseases, developmental issues, and problems of aging. Its ability to grasp Qi from the Lungs makes it essential for chronic asthma, while its influence on the lower jiao addresses a wide range of urinary, reproductive, and lumbar disorders.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《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 ↗
太谿腎俞內踝下，足厥心疼嘔吐涎，
咳嗽上氣並脈短，神針到後病伏潛This verse records that KI3, the shu point of the kidney channel below the inner ankle, was needled for cold feet, heart pain, vomiting of drool, cough with rising qi and a short pulse, and says the illness subsides after needling.
《黃帝明堂灸經》 Huángdì Míngtáng Jiǔjīng — The Yellow Emperor's Bright Hall Moxibustion Classic, Tang · 卷上 · 正人形第十六 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
太谿 二穴，在足內踝後跟骨上動脈中。 灸三壯。 主痎瘧咳逆，煩心不得臥，小便黃，足脛寒，唾血及鼻衄不止也According to this text, KI3 lies on the pulsing vessel above the heel bone behind the inner ankle, with 3 moxa cones; it was used for intermittent malaria with cough, vexation preventing sleep, yellow urine, cold shins, spitting blood and unceasing nosebleed.
《備急千金要方》 Bèijí Qiānjīn Yàofāng — Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies, c. 650 · 第二 · Source: Wikisource ↗
妊娠九月，足少陰脈養，不可針灸其經（如湧泉、然谷、太溪、交信、築賓、複溜等穴The text states that in the ninth month of pregnancy, when the foot shaoyin channel nourishes the fetus, its points, including KI3, must not be needled or moxibusted.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷03 · Source: Wikisource ↗
太溪者，土也。 在足內踝後跟骨上動脈陷者中，足少陰脈之所注也，為俞。 刺入三分，留七呼，灸三壯According to this text, KI3 is the earth point and the shu (stream) point where the foot shaoyin flows, located in the hollow on the pulsing vessel above the heel bone behind the inner ankle; needle 0.3 cun, retain for 7 breaths, 3 moxa cones.
KI3 is one of 27 points on the Kidney Channel Meridian. Nearby points:
KI3 (Taixi) is located in a depression on the superior aspect of the calcaneus, posterior to the medial malleolus, where the pulsation of the posterior tibial artery can be felt.
KI3 tonifies Kidney Yin and Yang, anchors the Qi, strengthens the lumbar spine and knees, clears deficiency heat, and regulates the lower jiao. Common clinical indications include cholera with uncontrolled diarrhea, abdominal masses (pi), abdominal accumulations (zheng), hernia-like disorders (shan), malaria with more cold and less heat, vomiting, cough, heart pain like being pricked by a needle or awl, spleen-related heart pain, mouth heat, dry tongue, dry throat, difficult defecation, yellow urine, breast abscess, swelling and pain of the inner thigh, foot heat and pain, impotence, seminal emission, irregular menstruation, infertility, uterine bleeding, postpartum disorders, lumbar pain, pain in the spine and inner thigh, lassitude, somnolence, coldness of the lower body, swelling and pain of the ankle.
Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1.0 cun. The posterior tibial artery and nerve are deep to this point, so care must be taken.
KI3 is a point on the Kidney Channel Meridian (Zú Shàoyīn Shènjīng).