Houxi SI3 : Nomenclature, Location, Function, Indication

Nomenclature:

Hou: Back Xi: Brook
This point lies in the brook-like depression at the back of the 5th metacarpophalangeal joint.

Point: SI-3
Chinese Name: 後溪
English Name/Meaning: Back Stream
Pinyin: hòu xī
Han Geul 한글: hu gye 후계
Romaji: go kei
Vietnamese: Hậu khê

Location:

When a loose fist is made, the point is on the ulnar side, proximal to the 5th metacarpophalangeal joint, at the end of the transverse crease and the junction of the red and white skin.

Indication:

• The point houxi is a shu stream point so it is used joint pain at places where the meridian passes like heaviness of the body and pain of the joints.
• Houxi is also an important distal point for all disorders of the neck as well as disorders of the shoulder, elbow, arm, lower back and knees.
• This point has strong influence on dispelling febrile disease, especially malaria and attack by exterior pathogenic wind cold or wind-heat which gives rise to chills and fever accompanied by severe neck pain or pain of the spine (Taiyang stage problems).
• This point enters to Du Channel (Governing vessel) so is used for various brain disorders like psychosis, epilepsy.

Method:

Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-0.8 cun or transversely towards Hegu.

Remarks:

Shu-Stream Point; One of the Eight Confluent Points associating with the Governor Vessel.

Significant combination:

SI 3 is an excellent point for neck and back problems when coupled with UB 62.

Read about other points of Small Intestine Meridian:

SI1-Shaoze-少泽      SI2-Qiangu-前谷     SI4-Wangu-腕骨     SI5-Yanggu-阳谷       SI6-Yanglao-养老         SI7-Zhizheng-支正      SI8-Xiaohai-小海    SI9-Jianzhen-肩贞        SI10-Naoshu-臑俞       SI11-Tianzhong-天宗 SI12-Bingfeng-秉風            SI13-Quyuan-曲垣        SI14-Jianwaishu-肩外俞           SI15-Jianzhongshu-肩中俞         SI16-Tianchuang-天窗         SI17-Tianrong-天容       SI18-Quanliao-颧髎         SI19-Tinggong-听宫