SI3 (Houxi, “Houxi”) is the Shu-Stream point point of the Small Intestine Channel Meridian. It is located on the ulnar side of the hand, in the depression just proximal to the head of the fifth metacarpal bone. This point is found at the apex of the skin crease when a loose fist is made. It clears heat, calms the spirit, relaxes the sinews, opens the orifices, benefits the eyes, ears, and throat, and activates the channel to alleviate pain.
On the ulnar side of the hand, in the depression just proximal to the head of the fifth metacarpal bone. This point is found at the apex of the skin crease when a loose fist is made.
Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 cun toward the center of the palm (Laogong PC8), or obliquely 1.0-1.5 cun proximally along the channel. When making a fist, the point is at the end of the distal palmar crease.
Clears heat, calms the spirit, relaxes the sinews, opens the orifices, benefits the eyes, ears, and throat, and activates the channel to alleviate pain.
Elbow, arm, and wrist heaviness, difficulty with flexion and extension, pain in all five fingers, inability to grasp, mania, epilepsy that occurs frequently, ear ringing, eye redness, eye pain, eye tearing with fright, nosebleed, nasal congestion with difficult breathing, chills and fever, headache, stiff neck that prevents turning the head, heat disease without sweat, malarial disorders, jaundice, neck and submandibular swelling.
As the Shu-Stream and Wood point of the Small Intestine channel, Houxi is a primary point for stiffness and pain along the entire channel, from the fingers to the neck and head. Its connection to the Du Mai makes it exceptionally effective for treating stiffness and pain of the spine, occiput, and neck. Classically, it was also a key point for calming the spirit in cases of mania and epilepsy, and for clearing heat from the head, treating conditions of the eyes, ears, and throat.
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 ↗
後谿為俞節陷中，寒熱氣瘧目生筋，
耳聾鼻衄並喉痹，肘臂筋攣同用針The text, in verse, records SI3 as the shu-stream point in the depression at the joint, used for cold-heat qi malaria, sinews growing in the eye, deafness, nosebleed, throat bi and sinew spasm of elbow and arm.
《針經指南》 Zhēnjīng Zhǐnán — Guide to the Needling Classic, Dou Hanqing, 1295 · 定八穴所在 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
後谿二穴，手太陽小腸之經，在手小指外側本節後陷中。 令病人穩坐，覆手取之According to this text, SI3 on the hand Taiyang small intestine channel lies on the outer side of the little finger, in the depression behind the joint; the patient sits steadily and it is located with the hand turned palm down.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷03 · Source: Wikisource ↗
後溪者，木也。 在手小指外側，本節後陷者中，手太陽脈之所注也，為俞。 刺入二分，留二呼，灸一壯According to this text, SI3 is the wood point, in the depression behind the joint on the outer side of the little finger, where the hand Taiyang pours as the shu-stream; needle 0.2 cun, retain two breaths, moxibustion 1 cone.
《類經圖翼》 Lèijīng Túyì — Illustrated Wings to the Classified Canon, Zhang Jiebin, 1624 · 卷六 · 經絡（四） · 手太陰肺經穴 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
後谿並列缺，治胸項有痛The text records that SI3, together with Lieque (LU7), was used for pain of the chest and nape.
SI3 is one of 19 points on the Small Intestine Channel Meridian. Nearby points:
SI3 (Houxi) is located on the ulnar side of the hand, in the depression just proximal to the head of the fifth metacarpal bone. This point is found at the apex of the skin crease when a loose fist is made.
SI3 clears heat, calms the spirit, relaxes the sinews, opens the orifices, benefits the eyes, ears, and throat, and activates the channel to alleviate pain. Common clinical indications include elbow, arm, and wrist heaviness, difficulty with flexion and extension, pain in all five fingers, inability to grasp, mania, epilepsy that occurs frequently, ear ringing, eye redness, eye pain, eye tearing with fright, nosebleed, nasal congestion with difficult breathing, chills and fever, headache, stiff neck that prevents turning the head, heat disease without sweat, malarial disorders, jaundice, neck and submandibular swelling.
Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 cun toward the center of the palm (Laogong PC8), or obliquely 1.0-1.5 cun proximally along the channel. When making a fist, the point is at the end of the distal palmar crease.
SI3 is a point on the Small Intestine Channel Meridian (Shǒu Tài Yáng Xiǎo Cháng Jīng).