Sundance Acupuncture

Herb & Acupuncture Database

(This is my own personal database of teachers, teachings and notes that I use in my practice. I’ve decided to share it freely with anyone who would like to reference it.)

SI-12 Bingfeng - Grasping the Wind

More Spirit Names: Holds Wind, Watching Wind, Clutching at Straws

English: Grasping the Wind
Also Known As: Natural Wind
Holds Wind
Watching Wind
Holding Wind

Location

  • In the center of the suprascapular fossa, directly above SI-11 Tianzong. When the arm is lifted, the point is at the site of the depression.
  • In the middle of the suprascapular fossa, between SI-13 Quyuan and LI-16 Jugu.

Needling

  • Puncture perpendicularly 0.5 to 0.7 cun.
  • Moxibustion is applicable.
  • Oblique medial insertion towards the spine, 0.5 to 1 cun.
  • Caution: deep perpendicular insertion, especially in thin patients carries a substantial risk of causing a pneumothorax.
  • Straight insertion 0.5 to 1 cun.

Command Functions

  • Meeting point of the Gall Bladder, Large Intestine and San Jiao channels

Actions

  • Expels Wind
  • Benefits the shoulder and scapula

Indications

  • Inability to lift the arms
  • Chest problems
  • Confusion from thinking too fast
  • All shoulder and scapular problems
  • Shoulder and arm neuralgia and numbness
  • Cough with stubborn Phlegm
  • Soreness and pain of the back of the shoulder
  • Pain in the scapular region
  • Numbness and aching of the upper extremities
  • Motor impairment of the shoulder and arm
  • Stiff neck with inability to turn the head
  • Inflammation of the supraspinatus tendon.

Combinations

LU-2
Yunmen

Or

SI-17
Tianrong

Pain of the shoulder with inability to raise the arm

Contraindications

Notes

  • This is a Wind control point.

Five Elements Spirit Perspective

Spirit of the Point

Grasping the Wind is also translated as Clutching at Straws. It is a wonderful point when a patient has no idea which way to turn, grasping at straws, trying one thing and then another, with a racing mind, stuck and confused, unable to sort things out and see what really matters. As the wind clears away debris and cleanses, this point brings fresh air to the Official, cuts through the fog and muddle, and lets the patient take a firm hold of things and see from a good, wholesome, stable place. Because meridians reunite here, it is an amazing point, bringing warmth and pliability.

Worsley

Location: On the back, roughly 1 ACI above the upper edge of the scapular spine at its midpoint.
Needle depth: 5 fen
Moxa: 7 cones

When to Consider
  • When someone can't see which way to turn, can't get going and is stuck, muddled and confused
  • When the patient is grasping at straws, trying this and that, with the mind racing
  • When the person cannot sort things out and see what really matters
  • For confusion that comes from thoughts moving too fast
  • When the person has just got going and needs a firmer hold
  • When the person needs revitalizing or extra support to keep going
  • For sorting on the mental level when a person cannot say anything definite or take a position either way
  • When the patient needs a firm grip or a clear handle on things because the wind is blowing everything about
Notes
  • Where the Small Intestine, Large Intestine, Triple Heater and Gall Bladder meet
  • Acts on both the physical and the mental level; use plenty of moxa to bring warmth to the Small Intestine Official
  • Lets the person raise their arms and reach up for the Heavens
  • Can help integrate body and mind

From Class

  • SI-9 / SI-10 / SI-12 area gua sha: Gua sha the shoulder (large intestine, some stomach and small intestine areas) to release the pure yang of the stomach. (Yuen)
  • SI-12 / Du-16 / GB-12: Options for wind with floating pulses: SI-12, Du-16, GB-12 at the mastoid. (Yuen)
  • SJ-17 Yifeng (Wind Screen) & SI-12 Bingfeng (Grasping the Wind): Feng second in the name means sensation felt on the opposite side: SJ-17 may be felt on the tongue, SI-12 opposite and rising; SJ-17 mediates boundaries. (Gioioso)
  • Six Feng (wind) points of a classical master: Du-16 Fengfu, GB-20 Fengchi, BL-12 Fengmen, GB-31 Fengshi, SJ-17 Yifeng, SI-12 Bingfeng dispel wind with oils or needles; watch for wind exiting a sensory orifice.

Mentioned in 32 other entries

Conditions (21)

AphasiaArthritis, Osteoarthritis, Degenerative Joint DiseaseCoughElbow PainFacial ParalysisFeverFibromyalgiaGoutLow Back Pain, LumbagoMigraine HeadacheNeck Pain, Stiffness and TensionPain, JointPainful Obstruction, Bi SyndromePanarthralgiaParalysisPost-Stroke Paralysis, Post-Stroke HemiplegiaPostpartum Body PainRheumatoid ArthritisScapulohumeral Periarthritis, Periarthritis of the ShoulderStrokeUpper and Middle Back Pain

Points (11)

DU-16 FengfuGB-12 WanguGB-20 FengchiGB-31 FengshiLU-2 YunmenSI-10 NaoshuSI-13 QuyuanSI-17 TianrongSI-9 JianzhenSJ-17 YifengUB-12 Fengmen

For educational reference only; not a substitute for care from a qualified practitioner.