TCM Acupuncture Theory - Xi Cleft Points

Xi Cleft
Traditional Chinese Medicine utilizies a number of theories which group acupuncture points together
based on theirfunctions and/or other relationships. Many of these theories are important in a clinical
setting and are used, along with other theory and diagnostic information, to decide which acupuncture
points will be used for a given condition.
Below you find information regarding the xi cleft points. See our Acupuncture Point Categories section for
a complete list of point categories.
For complete information about a single point, click on it within the chart.

Xi Cleft Points Details

Xi Cleft Points Chart

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Xi Cleft Points Theory and Applications

The Xi Cleft points, also called the accumulation points, are where the Qi and Blood of a meridian
pool. They are primarily at or near the joints of the body.

In treatment they are used primarily for acute conditions, especially pain, that involve their
related organs/channels.

LU 6 - acute asthma, wind heat

LI 7 - sore throat, face pain/swelling

SP 8 - blood stagnation in the uterus a/or lower abdomen

ST 34 - breast issues, epigastric pain

HT 6 - heart pain, reckless bleeding due to heat

SI 6 - severe pain along the SI channel

KD 5 - menstrual problems due to deficiency a/or blood stagnation

UB 63 - acute cystitis

PC 4 - severe chest pain, reckless bleeding due to heat

TH 7 - not used often clinically

LV 6 - acute cystitis, blood stagnation in the uterus a/or lower abdomen

GB 36 - painful obstruction a/or atrophy of the lower limbs

UB 59 - yang qiao mai, not used often clinically

KD 8 - yin qiao mai, menstrual irregularities

KD 9 - yin wei mai, severe and acute mental disorders

GB 35 - yang wei mai, not used often clinically

Xi Cleft Points Chart

Lung

LU 6

Urinary Bladder

UB 63

Yin Qiao Vessel

KD 8

Large Intestine

LI 7

Kidney

KD 5

Yang Qiao Vessel

UB 59

Stomach

ST 34

Pericardium

PC 4

Yin Wei Vessel

KD 9

Spleen

SP 8

Triple Heater

TH 7

Yang Wei Vessel

GB 35

Heart

HT 6

Gall Bladder

GB 36

Small Intestine

SI 6

Liver

LV 6

All Categories

There Are (16) Xi Cleft Acupuncture Points

LU 6

LU 6 Collection Hole
Xi Cleft Point - for Acute attacks of OPI's, usually wind-heat or wind-dry - cough,
wheezing, asthma, sore throat.

Dry hacking cough, especially at night.

Local point for pain along the meridian, especially at the joints.

PC 4

PC 4 Xi Cleft Gate

Acute palpitations, angina.

Acute heat in the Blood, coughing or vomiting of Blood, bleeding hemorrhoids.

Spirit disorders typically due to Blood stasis, yin spirit problems, depression, fear of
people, grief.

HT 6

HT 6 Yin Cleft

Night sweats, Steaming Bone Disorders, tonify Yin and Blood. Often used with SI 3for
nightsweats.
Acute chest and/or heart pain from Blood stasis. Palpitations, although HT 5 may be

o
better.
o

Acute emotional disturbances - mania, anxiety, shock, sudden loss of voice.

Counterflow qi - panic attacks, vomiting blood, nosebleeds.

SI 6

SI 6 Nursing the Aged

Acute and Severe Pain, in the neck, shoulder a/or arms.

Useful point for treating elderly patients, deafness, tinnitus, failing vision, upper body/limb
stiffness.

Overwork a/or overstrain, fatigue in the extremities.

TH 7

LI 7

TH 7 Convergence and Gathering

Local Point.


LI 7 Warm Dwelling
o

Xi Cleft Point useful for pain due to stagnation along the meridian in the shoulders,
elbows and wrist.
Classically noted with LI 5 for "seeing ghosts," may be useful in manic conditions.

SP 8

SP 8 Earth's Crux
o

Xi Cleft Point - acute and painful menstrual issues due to Blood stagnation - clotting, fibroids,
dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation.
Male infertility - seminal emission, depleted essence.

LV 6

LV 6 Central Metropolis

Acute hepatitis.

Pain along the channel, genital region or medial knee.

KD 5

KD 5 Water Spring

Generally nourishes Yin and Blood and moves the uterus.

o
o

KD related menstrual issues, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea (pain/cramps), delayed

menstruation, sensations of oppression below the heart (possibly at onset of menstruation).
Uterine prolapse.

KD 8

KD 8 Intersection Reach
Issues of movement and mobility of the medial aspect of the lower limbs, ankle, heel sprains, pain

KD 9

KD 9 Guest House

Strong spirit disorders - anger, cursing, mania.

Deficient yang, cold, in the abdomen - shan disorder, hernia, pain a/or retraction of the
scrotum.

Useful in a detox prescription to assist the cleansing, especially with respect to

emotional outbreaks

UB 59

UB 59 Instep Yang

Acute pain a/or spasm of the Bladder a/or Yang Qiao meridians.

Lateral ankle sprai.

UB 63

UB 63 Metal Gate
Local Point.

ST 34

ST 34 Beam Hill

Lateral knee issues, swelling, pain, difficult movement.

Pain, motor control, circulation issues of the knee and/or lower leg.

Excess & Acute issues of the Stomach and chest - acute Stomach pain, GERD, vomiting,
acute breast pain.

GB 35

GB 35 Yang Intersection
Local Point.

GB 36

GB 36 Outer Hill
Mentioned in the Bronze Man for treating rabies w/rage, fever, convulsions - moxa 3
cones after bite.

Acute cholecystitis.

Acute painful skin conditions