SP3 (Tàibái, “Tàibái”) is the Shu-Stream point point of the Spleen Channel Meridian. It is located on the medial aspect of the foot, in the depression proximal to the first metatarsophalangeal joint, at the junction of the red and white skin. It tonifies the Spleen, resolves dampness, harmonizes the middle jiao, regulates qi, and clears heat.
On the medial aspect of the foot, in the depression proximal to the first metatarsophalangeal joint, at the junction of the red and white skin.
Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1.0 cun.
Tonifies the Spleen, resolves dampness, harmonizes the middle jiao, regulates qi, and clears heat.
Abdominal fullness, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, body heaviness, bone pain, joint pain, borborygmus, constipation, diarrhea with undigested food, dysentery with pus and blood, facial pain, fever, heat in the body, heat sensation in the chest, heaviness of the body with bone soreness, inability to lie down, indigestion, lumbar pain, mental restlessness, nausea, poor appetite, rebellious qi, vomiting, choleraic disorders, heat disease, headache, heaviness of the head, lassitude, sluggishness, desire to lie down, thigh and calf muscle spasms, tightness in the chest, heart pain, slow pulse.
As the Yuan-Source and Shu-Stream point of the Spleen channel, Taibai is a primary point for diagnosing and treating Spleen deficiency. It addresses both digestive symptoms like abdominal fullness, pain, and diarrhea, and systemic issues arising from dampness, such as body heaviness and joint pain. Its dual role makes it effective for tonifying the Spleen's transport and transformation functions while also resolving the pathological product of dampness.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《醫宗金鑑·刺灸心法要訣》 Yīzōng Jīnjiàn · Cìjiǔ Xīnfǎ Yàojué — Golden Mirror of Medicine: Essential Teachings on Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Wu Qian et al., 1742 · 卷一 · 十二經表裡原絡總歌 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
足太陰脾經病，可刺本經里之原穴，即太白穴也The text records that for disorders of the foot Taiyin spleen channel one may needle the yuan-source point of this interior channel, namely SP3.
《神應經》 Shényìng Jīng — Classic of Divine Response, Chen Hui, 1425 · 巳足太阴脾经 · Source: Wikisource ↗
太白 在足大指内侧，大都后一寸、下一寸。 针三分，灸三壮According to this text, SP3 lies on the inner side of the big toe, 1 cun behind and 1 cun below Dadu (SP2); needle 0.3 cun, moxibustion 3 cones.
《類經》 Lèijīng — Classified Canon, Zhang Jiebin, 1624 · 二十八卷·运气类 · 四十三、十二脏神失守位邪鬼外干之刺 · Source: Wikisource ↗
（太白穴也。 用长针，口内温之，先以
左手按穴，刺入二分，留五呼，进至三分，留五呼，徐徐出针，以手扪之The text describes the needling of SP3: a long needle is warmed in the mouth, the point is pressed with the left hand, the needle is inserted 0.2 cun and held for five breaths, advanced to 0.3 cun and held for five breaths, then withdrawn slowly and the point pressed by hand.
《普濟方·針灸門》 Pǔjì Fāng · Zhēnjiǔ Mén — Formulas for Universal Relief: Acupuncture & Moxibustion Section, Zhu Su, 1406 · 卷四百十三 · 針灸門 · 脾 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
太白（在足內側核骨下陷者中。 灸三壯。 主病先頭重頰痛According to this text, SP3 lies on the inner side of the foot, in the depression below the protruding bone, with 3 moxa cones; it was used for illness beginning with heaviness of the head and pain of the cheeks.
SP3 is one of 21 points on the Spleen Channel Meridian. Nearby points:
SP3 (Tàibái) is located on the medial aspect of the foot, in the depression proximal to the first metatarsophalangeal joint, at the junction of the red and white skin.
SP3 tonifies the Spleen, resolves dampness, harmonizes the middle jiao, regulates qi, and clears heat. Common clinical indications include abdominal fullness, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, body heaviness, bone pain, joint pain, borborygmus, constipation, diarrhea with undigested food, dysentery with pus and blood, facial pain, fever, heat in the body, heat sensation in the chest, heaviness of the body with bone soreness, inability to lie down, indigestion, lumbar pain, mental restlessness, nausea, poor appetite, rebellious qi, vomiting, choleraic disorders, heat disease, headache, heaviness of the head, lassitude, sluggishness, desire to lie down, thigh and calf muscle spasms, tightness in the chest, heart pain, slow pulse.
Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1.0 cun.
SP3 is a point on the Spleen Channel Meridian (Zú Tài Yīn Pí Jīng).