2.1.3.1 Cyclical flowing and distribution The heart meridian orginates from the heart. It emerges and spreads over the heart system. It passes through the diaphragm to connect with the small intestine. The exteriorly running part runs from the heart system to the lung. Then it turns downward and emerges from the axilla. From there it goes along the posterior border of the medial aspect of the upper arm and down to the cubital fossa. Then it descends along the posterior border of the medial aspect of the forearm to the pisiform region proximal to the palm and enters the palm. There it follows the medial aspect of the little finger to its tip and links with the small intestine meridian. The branch from the heart system runs alongside the esophagus to connect with the eye system. (see Fig. 15)
Fig. 15 Flowing route of the heart meridian of hand-shaoyin
Associated viscera: Heart, small intestine and lung. Associated organs: Eye system, tongue, throat and larynx.
2.1.3.2 Indications Disorders of the heart and chest and mental problems as well as diseases involving the regions covered by the meridian in cyclical flowing.
2.1.3.3 Commonly used acupoints 2.1,3.3.1 Jiquan (HT 1) Location: The patient sits down or lies in supination with the arm stretched out. The acupoint is located in the center of the axilla, on the pulsation point of the axillary artery (see Fig. 16).
Fig. 16 Upper arm acupionts on the heart meridian of hand-shaoyin
Indications: Angina pectoris, chest distress, hypo-chondriac and costal pain, dry mouth, terrible thirst, yellowish eyes, cold pain in the arm and scrofula.
2.1.3.3,2 Shaohai (HT3) Location: When the elbow is bent, the acupoint is in the depression between the medial end of the transverse and cubital crease and the medial epicondyle of the humerus (see Fig. 16). Or when the elbow is flexed as close as possible, the acupoint is located at the medial end of the transverse crease of the elbow. Indications: Angina pectoris, amnesia, susceptibility to laugh, mania, epilepsy, spasmodic pain of the elbow and arm, numbness of arm, tremor of hand, scrofula, headache, dizziness, toothache and pain in the axilla. Note: He-Sea acupoint of the heart meridian of hand-shaoyin.
2.1.3.3.3 Lingdao (HT 4) Location: When the palm is turned up, the acupoint is on the radial side of the tendon of the m. flexor carpiulnaris, 1.5 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist(see Fig. 17).
Fig. 17 Forearm acupionts on the heart meridian of hand-shaoyin
Indications: Angina pectoris, palpitation, susceptibility to laugh, sorrow and fright, sudden aphonia, aphasia due to stiff tongue and spasmodic pain of the elbow and ann.
2.1.3.3.4 Tongli (HI5) Location: When the palm is turned upward, the acupoint is on the radial side of the tendon of m. flexor carpi ulnaris, 1 cam above the transverse crease of the wrist (see Fig. 17). Indications: Palpitation, severe palpitation, sudden aphonia, aphasia due to stiff tongue, pain in the wrist and arm. Note: Luo-Connecting acupoint of the heart meridian of hand-shaoyin.
2.1.3.3.5 Yinxi (HT6) Location: When the palm is turned upward, the acupoint is on the radial side of the tendon of m. flexor carpiulnaris, 0.5 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist(see Fig. 17). Indications: Angina pectoris, palpitation due to fright, hematemesis, epistaxis, sudden loss of voice, bone-steaming and night sweating. Note: Xi-Cleft acupoint of the heart meridian of hand-shaoyin. 2.1.3.3.6 Shenmen (HT 7) Location: When the palm is turned upward, the acupoint is at the ulnar end of the transverse crease of the wrist, in the depression on the radial side of the tendon of m. flexor carpi ulnaris (see Fig. 17). Indications: Angina pectoris, dysphoria, palpitation, severe palpitations, amnesia, insomnia, mania, epilepsy, hypochondriac pain, wrist pain and finger numbness. Note: Shu-Stream and Yuan-Source acupoints of the heart meridian of hand-shaoyin. 2.1.3.3.7 Shaofu (HT 8) Location: When the palm is turns upward, the acupoint is located between the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones (see Fig. 18). When a fist is formed, this acupoint is where the tip of the little finger touches.
Fig. 18 Hand scupionts on the heart meridian of hand-shaoyin
Indications: Palpitation, chest pain, spasmodic pain of the little finger, furuncle, ulcer, pruritus of the external genitalia, pudendal pain, dysuria and enuresis. Note. Ying-Spring acupoint of the heart meridian of hand-shaoyin. 2.1.3.3.8 Shaochong (HT 9) Location: The acupoint is on the radial side of the little finger, about 0.1 cun latero-posterior to the corner of the nail (see Fig. 18). Indications: Palpitation, angina pectoris, mania, coma, hypochondriac pain and febrile disease. Note: Jing-Well acupoint of the heart meridian of hand-shaoyin.
