Clear Heat with San Jiao 5
San Jiao 5 is famous for clearing heat
San Jiao 5 (SJ 5) is almost always included in sessions aimed at clearing heat.
Let’s locate San Jiao 5:
SJ 5 is on the back-side (posterior surface) of the forearm. The San Jiao meridian runs down the center of the back of the forearm and ends on the 4th finger. SJ 5 is 2 cun (“tsoon”) closer to the elbow (proximal) from the center of the wrist crease.
See the image below:
The acupoints that clear heat act like removing lids on hot pots.
In the same way that you take the lid off a hot pot to reduce the heat of the contents, we can use certain acupoints to reduce the heat in our body-mind. When contacting acupoints to reduce heat, I usually add a little circular motion and/or jiggling. I do this because I want to stimulate the point to open up and release the heat from the meridian system.
Clockwise or counter clockwise?
A common question I hear is: “Which way should I make the circles in order to open a point rather than close a point?” There are many theories about this. Some say that clockwise motion opens a point and counterclockwise will close a point.
As a person who has a hard time following rules, I follow my instinct in the moment with each particular person I work with. I find that my ability to stay focused on the Qi and follow the guidance of the Qi is the most important skill of my work with acupoints. Whether I am using hands-on contact or acupuncture needles to activate a point, it is my focused attention that makes the difference.
Acupoints are most often used in combination with other points. To clear heat, it is common practice to use San Jiao 5 and Large Intestine 11.
To continue learning, check out the “All About the San Jiao Meridian” video on demand.
Can you please tutor me for exchange of me doing marketing for you please. I am an acupuncture student. Help. Thank you
Hi Beverly,
Let’s talk! Please get in touch via the Contact form at the bottom of this page
Thanks!
🙂
Cindy
What is mean ,,cun,,?
Hi,
Cun (pronounced “tsoon”) is a way to measure on the body – here is more info http://bigtreehealing.com/cun-measurements/
I received your new book, Meridian Massage and I could not be more pleased. So much information to dwell upon. Thank you for writing such a great learning tool, now if I can get this 63 year old brain of mine to still remember what I read. I am retired now so my massage practice is not an everyday thing but I do like to keep my knowledge and experience ready for when I need it.
Sincerely,
Delline
Delline,
Thank you for writing, I am so happy to hear that you are enjoying the book! One benefit of a great reference is that as long as we can remember to “look it up”, we can relax on remembering all the details ourselves! 🙂
I’m not sure that Massage Therapists ever really retire, there is so much to keep exploring and wondering about. Thank you for all of your years of service to others. Wishing you joy, relaxation, plentiful, and flowing Qi.