KI6 (Zhaohai, “Shining Sea”) is the Eight Confluent Point of the Yin Qiao Mai point of the Kidney Channel Meridian. It is located on the medial aspect of the foot, in a depression directly inferior to the tip of the medial malleolus. It nourishes Kidney Yin, clears deficiency heat, calms the Spirit, benefits the throat, regulates the Yin Qiao Mai, and regulates menstruation.
On the medial aspect of the foot, in a depression directly inferior to the tip of the medial malleolus.
Perpendicular insertion 0.3-0.5 cun.
Nourishes Kidney Yin, clears deficiency heat, calms the Spirit, benefits the throat, regulates the Yin Qiao Mai, and regulates menstruation.
Amenorrhea, irregular menstruation, uterine prolapse, genital itching, genital discharge, sudden genital jumping or twitching, difficult urination, urinary retention, constipation, abdominal pain, epilepsy, nocturnal epilepsy, fright, sadness, unhappiness, feeling as if falling, insomnia, somnolence, blurred vision, vision as if seeing stars, red and painful eyes starting from the inner canthus, throat obstruction, dry throat, lockjaw, infantile umbilical wind, limb paralysis, back arching with spasms (opisthotonos), foot weakness, difficulty walking, coldness and heat in the feet, deficiency-type convulsions, night sweats, thirst, lassitude of the four limbs, dark and dusty complexion.
As the master point of the Yin Motility Vessel (Yin Qiao Mai), Zhaohai is a primary point for nourishing Yin and clearing deficiency heat, making it essential for treating night sweats, chronic dry throat, and insomnia. Its strong connection to the throat, genitals, and mind allows it to address a wide range of issues from gynecological disorders and urinary problems to epilepsy and anxiety. The classical emphasis on its role in eye disorders and sleep regulation highlights its function in governing the opening and closing of the eyes via the Qiao vessels.
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07 · Source: Wikisource ↗
少腹偏痛，背（一作脊）傴瘈瘲，視昏嗜臥，照海主之The text records that KI6 was used for one-sided lower abdominal pain, a hunched back (another version: spine) with convulsions, blurred vision and somnolence.
《針灸大成》 Zhēnjiǔ Dàchéng — Great Compendium of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 1601 · 卷七 · Source: Wikisource ↗
照海二穴腎經，足內踝下陷中，令人穩坐，兩足底相合取之，針一寸二分，主臟腑病According to this text, KI6 on the kidney channel lies in the depression below the inner ankle, located with the patient seated steadily and the soles pressed together; it is needled 1.2 cun and was used for diseases of the organs.
《醫學綱目·刺灸》 Yīxué Gāngmù · Cìjiǔ — Outline of Medicine: Needling and Moxibustion, Lou Ying, 1565 · 卷之八·陰陽臟腑部 · 穴法下 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
照海二穴，陰蹺所生，在足內踝下，令患人穩坐，足底相對，赤白肉際陷中。 針入三分，灸三壯According to this text, KI6 is where the yinqiao vessel arises, below the inner ankle in the depression at the border of red and white skin, located seated with the soles facing each other; needle 0.3 cun, 3 moxa cones.
《類經》 Lèijīng — Classified Canon, Zhang Jiebin, 1624 · 二十二卷·针刺类 · 五十三、刺诸病诸痛 · Source: Wikisource ↗
小便不通曰癃，当取足少阴之照海穴，乃阴跷之所生也The text records that for urinary blockage, called long, one should use KI6 of the foot shaoyin, where the yinqiao vessel arises.
KI6 is one of 27 points on the Kidney Channel Meridian. Nearby points:
KI6 (Zhaohai) is located on the medial aspect of the foot, in a depression directly inferior to the tip of the medial malleolus.
KI6 nourishes Kidney Yin, clears deficiency heat, calms the Spirit, benefits the throat, regulates the Yin Qiao Mai, and regulates menstruation. Common clinical indications include amenorrhea, irregular menstruation, uterine prolapse, genital itching, genital discharge, sudden genital jumping or twitching, difficult urination, urinary retention, constipation, abdominal pain, epilepsy, nocturnal epilepsy, fright, sadness, unhappiness, feeling as if falling, insomnia, somnolence, blurred vision, vision as if seeing stars, red and painful eyes starting from the inner canthus, throat obstruction, dry throat, lockjaw, infantile umbilical wind, limb paralysis, back arching with spasms (opisthotonos), foot weakness, difficulty walking, coldness and heat in the feet, deficiency-type convulsions, night sweats, thirst, lassitude of the four limbs, dark and dusty complexion.
Perpendicular insertion 0.3-0.5 cun. Caution: The Zi Sheng Jing forbids moxibustion at this point, citing a fatal case. This is a significant classical warning.
KI6 is a point on the Kidney Channel Meridian (Zú Shàoyīn Shènjīng).