Yin Wei Mai – Yin Linking Vessel
Chinese: 陰維脈 English: Yin Linking Vessel
Confluent (master) point: PC-6 Couple point: SP-4
Pathway
- Begins at KI-9 and rises along the medial leg to the abdomen.
- Meets SP-12, SP-13, SP-15, SP-16 and LIV-14.
- Rises to the throat to join the Conception Vessel at REN-22 and REN-23.
Points on the Vessel
KI-9, SP-12, SP-13, SP-15, SP-16, LIV-14, REN-22, REN-23
Indications
- Heart pain
- Chest pain
- Fullness and pain of the lateral costal region
- Lumbar pain
Notes
- Pairing: PC-6 (Yin Wei, hand) with SP-4 (Chong, foot); both marked Yin (-) in the pairing table.
- KI-9 is the Xi-Cleft of the Yin Wei; it calms the Mind and opens its orifices when the Heart (guest) and Kidney (host) are not harmonized, with a sense of oppression in the chest. Combination: PC-6 + SP-4 + KI-9.
- SP-12 is a crossing point of the Liver and Yin Wei, used for pain extending to the groin; the femoral artery lies medial to it and the femoral nerve lateral.
- SP-13 can also be located 4.3 cun below SP-15.
- SP-15 regulates Qi in the abdomen, supports ST-25, strengthens the Spleen, benefits the Spleen and Large Intestine, and benefits the limbs. Umbilicus line: REN-8, KI-16, ST-25, SP-15, GB-26.
- SP-16: in patients with a narrow subcostal angle it may fall on the costal margin; then locate it more medially, needle transversely along the margin, or choose another point.
- LIV-14 is the Front-Mu of the Liver and a basic point for hypochondriac pain in both Excess and Deficiency patterns. LIV-13 vs LIV-14: LIV-13 for Liver overacting on the Spleen, LIV-14 for Liver overacting on the Stomach. Clinically, the upper location treats channel problems and the lower treats organ problems.
- REN-22 is a Window of Sky point; it promotes the descent of Lung Qi (Lung Phlegm, cough, asthma) and benefits the throat and voice. Needling: CAM 0.2 cun perpendicular then 0.5-1 cun downward; manual 0.3 cun perpendicular, or 0.2-0.3 cun perpendicular then 0.5-1 cun downward along the posterior border of the manubrium.
- REN-23 benefits the tongue and speech (aphasia, slurred speech, sudden hoarseness); combine REN-23 + HT-5.