LI3 (Sān Jiān, “Third Space”) is the Shu-Stream point of the Large Intestine Meridian. It is located on the dorsum of the hand, in the depression on the radial side of the index finger, proximal to the head of the second metacarpal bone. This is just posterior to the metacarpophalangeal joint. It clears heat, benefits the throat and teeth, dispels wind, and opens the channel.
On the dorsum of the hand, in the depression on the radial side of the index finger, proximal to the head of the second metacarpal bone. This is just posterior to the metacarpophalangeal joint.
Perpendicular insertion 0.5-1.0 cun, or oblique insertion toward the metacarpal bone.
Clears heat, benefits the throat and teeth, dispels wind, and opens the channel.
Toothache, especially caries, toothache with aversion to cold, eye pain, throat obstruction, difficulty eating, tongue thrusting, stiff neck, excessive saliva, sudden fright, asthma, body heat, chills and fever, chest fullness, intestinal rumbling, shoulder and back pain, floating wind and pain, hand and arm pain, finger contracture, red and swollen fingers.
San Jian is a key distal point for clearing heat and alleviating pain, particularly in the head and face. Its classical indications strongly support its use for toothache, eye pain, and throat conditions. As the Shu-Stream and Wood point of the channel, it is also indicated for heaviness of the body and joint pain, reflected in its use for shoulder, back, and finger issues.
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 ↗
三間為俞本節後，喉痹咽哽齒齲痛，
胸滿腸鳴洞泄頻，唇焦氣喘針時定This verse records that LI3, the shu (stream) point behind the base joint, was used for throat obstruction, choking, toothache from caries, chest fullness, borborygmus, frequent watery diarrhoea, parched lips and panting, and says these settle when it is needled.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷08 · Source: Wikisource ↗
寒熱，唇口乾，喘息，目急痛，善驚，三間主之The text records that LI3 was used for chills and fever, dry lips and mouth, panting, acute eye pain and being easily startled.
《針灸大全》 Zhēnjiǔ Dàquán — Complete Compendium of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Xu Feng, 1439 · 卷之一 · 治病十一證歌 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
頭風頭痛與牙疼，合谷三間兩穴尋This verse records that for head wind, headache and toothache one should seek the two points LI4 and LI3.
LI3 is one of 20 points on the Large Intestine Meridian. Nearby points:
LI3 (Sān Jiān) is located on the dorsum of the hand, in the depression on the radial side of the index finger, proximal to the head of the second metacarpal bone. This is just posterior to the metacarpophalangeal joint.
LI3 clears heat, benefits the throat and teeth, dispels wind, and opens the channel. Common clinical indications include toothache, especially caries, toothache with aversion to cold, eye pain, throat obstruction, difficulty eating, tongue thrusting, stiff neck, excessive saliva, sudden fright, asthma, body heat, chills and fever, chest fullness, intestinal rumbling, shoulder and back pain, floating wind and pain, hand and arm pain, finger contracture, red and swollen fingers.
Perpendicular insertion 0.5-1.0 cun, or oblique insertion toward the metacarpal bone.
LI3 is a point on the Large Intestine Meridian (Shǒu Yángmíng Dàcháng Jīng).