TB4 (Yángchí, “Yang Pool”) is the Yuan-Source Point point of the Triple Burner Meridian. It is located on the dorsum of the wrist, in the distinct depression located at the center of the transverse wrist crease, between the tendons of the extensor digitorum communis and the extensor digiti minimi. It clears heat, relaxes the sinews, activates the channel, alleviates pain, benefits the wrist joint.
On the dorsum of the wrist, in the distinct depression located at the center of the transverse wrist crease, between the tendons of the extensor digitorum communis and the extensor digiti minimi.
Perpendicular insertion 0.3-0.5 cun.
Clears heat, relaxes the sinews, activates the channel, alleviates pain, benefits the wrist joint.
Malaria with alternating fever and chills, heat disease with absence of sweating, vexation and fullness in the chest, thirst, dry mouth, shoulder and arm pain making it difficult to lift the arm, inability to grasp objects due to wrist injury, deafness, tinnitus, hand numbness, cold hands, hand tremors,wind stroke, hemiplegia, neck pain, shoulder pain that prevents one from getting dressed.
As the Yuan-Source point of the San Jiao channel, Yangchi is pivotal for regulating the source Qi and clearing heat from the three jiaos. It is a primary local point for wrist pain, weakness, and impaired mobility, especially following injury. Its ability to treat malaria and fever without sweating highlights its function in regulating the body's exterior and fluid metabolism, consistent with the role of the San Jiao.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《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 ↗
阳池穴也。 用长针，于口中温之，先以左手按穴，刺三分，留三呼，进一分，留一呼，徐徐出针，以手扪The text describes needling TB4 with a long needle warmed in the mouth: the point is first pressed with the left hand, the needle inserted 0.3 cun and retained for 3 breaths, advanced 0.1 cun and retained for 1 breath, then withdrawn slowly while pressing with the hand.
《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 ↗
手少陽三焦經病，可刺本經表之原穴，即陽池穴也The text records that for disorders of the hand shaoyang san jiao channel one may needle the yuan-source point of this channel, namely TB4 (Yangchi).
《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 ↗
陽池為原腕表中，寒熱如瘧積心胸，
臂痛身沉難舉步，一針當面有神功The verse records that TB4, the yuan-source point on the back of the wrist, was used for chills and fever like malaria, accumulations in the heart and chest, and arm pain with a heavy body and difficulty walking, claiming that a single needle had a marvellous effect.
TB4 is one of 23 points on the Triple Burner Meridian. Nearby points:
TB4 (Yángchí) is located on the dorsum of the wrist, in the distinct depression located at the center of the transverse wrist crease, between the tendons of the extensor digitorum communis and the extensor digiti minimi.
TB4 clears heat, relaxes the sinews, activates the channel, alleviates pain, benefits the wrist joint. Common clinical indications include malaria with alternating fever and chills, heat disease with absence of sweating, vexation and fullness in the chest, thirst, dry mouth, shoulder and arm pain making it difficult to lift the arm, inability to grasp objects due to wrist injury, deafness, tinnitus, hand numbness, cold hands, hand tremors,wind stroke, hemiplegia, neck pain, shoulder pain that prevents one from getting dressed.
Perpendicular insertion 0.3-0.5 cun. Caution: The Zhen Jiu Ju Ying lists Yangchi as a point where moxibustion is forbidden. Another source warns not to move the hand after needling to prevent the needle from bending.
TB4 is a point on the Triple Burner Meridian (Sān Jiāo).