This point, on the inside lower leg, has one of those helpfully descriptive and practical names, because it is indeed where the three yin meridians–spleen, liver and kidney–intersect.
This point can help address reproductive disorders, including menstrual cycle irregularity, pre-menstrual discomfort, and menstruation pain. Since it’s on the leg, it can be used for pain in the lower leg and ankle. Helpful also for digestive problems and pain in lower abdomen, for “restless” fatigue and insomnia.
To hold: There are several ways you can do this. It’s important that you are comfortable in your shoulders, arm and hand, and also your legs, so experiment with different ways to hold the point to see what is most comfortable.
You can take the thumb of one hand, and gently hold the point on the opposite leg, as in the photo above (right hand thumb holding left leg). Sitting in a chair, you can put one foot flat on the floor and cross the other leg with the shin over your knee, so you can reach the point easily.
Lying on the floor or your bed, you can take the same position as if you were on a chair, with one foot flat on the floor, and the other leg crossed over so you can reach the point with the opposite hand.
To try it sitting on the floor, on a bed or a couch, bend your knees and bring your feet toward each other so your legs form a diamond or omega shape. Using the same hand as the leg, hold one point or both hands; one hand on each leg. Depending on your flexibility, this may or may not be easy and comfortable. Try putting a bolster or cushion under you knees for support.
Experiment to see what is most comfortable, and what is reasonable based on where you find yourself.
How much pressure? Spleen 6 can be a very sensitive point, and may be tender even with just a light touch, especially for women pre- and during menstruation. Just rest your finger on the point, there’s no need to apply pressure. If it’s too tender, release gently.
On the other hand, you may feel nothing, and pushing harder won’t change that. At such times, it may be impossible to find the point because you don’t feel anything. Try holding the palm of your hand over the general area; this can be effective even though you don’t feel it directly.
How long? Some women feel immediate relief from pain and discomfort when they hold this point. You can start out by holding for 15 to 30 seconds, if that feels comfortable. If you are dealing with a chronic issue, daily holding of this point can be helpful. Hold the point longer every day or so until you work up to one minute. Repeat a couple of times on each leg.
Warning: Do not use this point on pregnant women.
You are encouraged you to seek the advice of a qualified health care provider for questions about a medical condition.
5 comments
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June 19, 2008 at 5:07 pm
PMS cravings? « WakoWa Salon: Everyday Wellness
[…] of butter. I happened to be sitting cross-legged on the floor, so I put my index finger on the Three Yin Intersection acu-point, on my lower leg. And immediately, I took a nice deep long breath. Like a sigh of relief. […]
August 3, 2009 at 3:34 pm
sunandmoonandstars
I love your blog! I recently started a health and wellness blog with a focus on Chinese medicine! Check it out sometime.
http://www.sunandmoonandstars.wordpress.com
May 21, 2011 at 3:29 pm
Gina
SP-6 is also a good point for Yin Deficiency.
April 30, 2012 at 2:03 am
fertilitydoll
Reblogged this on fertilitydoll and commented:
I noticed how sensitive this point during my last acupuncture session so I had to google it to work out what it’s for. After applying pressure today, I found it wasn’t so sensitive anymore. Going to try working on it for this cycle.
This point can help address reproductive disorders, including menstrual cycle irregularity, pre-menstrual discomfort, and menstruation pain.
December 14, 2013 at 5:22 am
S.
Hi, I hope i didnt mess myself up, but an chine lady did my reflexology and pressed this point and another one 4 fingers down the knee and said i needed to massage it daily for 10 minutes, it felt good at first, but I can’t do it for 10 minutes, i dont know if she meant to say seconds, cz i repeated to confirm it was 10 minutes and said yes, I used a better pulse machine on the area, as i couldn’t hold it for 10 minutes and i had my feet soaked in hot water, now and for the first time, im feeling pain in my left middle back, and i noticed some uncommon between cycle spotting .. and I freaked out, it happens that I am also taking an Iron supplement for the past 2 months, as the blood test came out to having my ferritin as low as 8, so after 40 days of supplement, it went up to 18 and i kept going.
Could you please respond to this message and not via email, i would appreciate of someone can assure me that this situation is reversible and if the patches are safe, I think I forgot them longer than 10 min as i was relaxed it was on level 3, but today i felt the point on the left leg more sensitive, i should have stopped as i felt a bit of pinch but i thought it was for the best, my body has been feeling better lately with her suggested area massage, but I am not sure if im doing it the wrong way and that it caused this issue. :((