TB6 (Zhīgōu, “Zhīgōu”) is the Jing-River point of the Triple Burner Meridian. It is located on the dorsal aspect of the forearm, 3 cun proximal to the dorsal wrist crease, in the depression between the radius and the ulna. It clears heat from the three jiaos, moves the qi and unblocks the bowels, resolves stagnation in the channel, benefits the chest and hypochondrium, opens the orifices and benefits the voice.
On the dorsal aspect of the forearm, 3 cun proximal to the dorsal wrist crease, in the depression between the radius and the ulna.
Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1.2 cun. Can be needled obliquely towards the Pericardium channel for constipation.
Clears heat from the three jiaos, moves the qi and unblocks the bowels, resolves stagnation in the channel, benefits the chest and hypochondrium, opens the orifices and benefits the voice.
Vomiting, cholera, sudden turmoil disorder, sudden cardiac pain, chest and hypochondriac pain, scrofula, axillary swelling, horse-knife sores, neck leakage, arm pain, inability to raise the four limbs, lockjaw, sudden inability to speak, constipation, febrile disease without sweating, vexation and fullness, heart vexation, postpartum fainting, retained lochia, scabies, psoriasis, ghost strike, typhoid fever with chest bind, women's blocked menses.
Zhīgōu is a crucial point on the San Jiao channel, classified as the Jing-River and Fire point. Its classical indications highlight a strong ability to clear heat and move stagnation throughout the three jiaos. It is particularly noted for treating acute conditions like choleraic vomiting and sudden cardiac pain, as well as resolving constipation by moving qi in the lower jiao. Its action on the channel makes it effective for scrofula, axillary swelling, and pain or paralysis of the arm.
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 ↗
支溝為經腕後真，熱病臂肘腫兼疼，
霍亂吐時並口噤，下針得氣使醒醒The verse records that TB6, the jing-river point behind the wrist, was used for febrile disease with swelling and pain of the arm and elbow, and for cholera-like vomiting with lockjaw, saying that when the needle obtains qi the patient becomes clear-headed.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷03 · Source: Wikisource ↗
支溝者，火也。 在腕後三寸，兩骨之間陷者中，手少陽脈之所行也，為經。 刺入二分，留七呼，灸三壯According to this text, TB6 is the fire point in the depression between the two bones 3 cun behind the wrist, where the hand shaoyang vessel travels as its jing-river point; it is needled 0.2 cun, retained for 7 breaths, with 3 moxa cones.
《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 · 卷七 · 手部主病針灸要穴歌 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
支溝中惡卒心痛，大便不通脅肋疼，能瀉三焦相火盛，兼治血脫暈迷生The verse records that TB6 was used for sudden heart pain from evil-strike, constipation and pain of the flanks and ribs; it was said to drain an excess of san jiao ministerial fire and was also used for fainting and confusion after loss of blood.
TB6 is one of 23 points on the Triple Burner Meridian. Nearby points:
TB6 (Zhīgōu) is located on the dorsal aspect of the forearm, 3 cun proximal to the dorsal wrist crease, in the depression between the radius and the ulna.
TB6 clears heat from the three jiaos, moves the qi and unblocks the bowels, resolves stagnation in the channel, benefits the chest and hypochondrium, opens the orifices and benefits the voice. Common clinical indications include vomiting, cholera, sudden turmoil disorder, sudden cardiac pain, chest and hypochondriac pain, scrofula, axillary swelling, horse-knife sores, neck leakage, arm pain, inability to raise the four limbs, lockjaw, sudden inability to speak, constipation, febrile disease without sweating, vexation and fullness, heart vexation, postpartum fainting, retained lochia, scabies, psoriasis, ghost strike, typhoid fever with chest bind, women's blocked menses.
Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1.2 cun. Can be needled obliquely towards the Pericardium channel for constipation.
TB6 is a point on the Triple Burner Meridian (Sān Jiāo).