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-6 Yanglao - Nourishing the Old

More Spirit Names: Nursing the Aged, Nourish the Elderly, Supporting the Old

English:	Support the Aged
Also Known As:	Nourish the Old Nourishing the Old Nursing the Aged

Location

With the palm facing the chest, this point can be found in a seam slightly above the head of the ulna in its radial side.
With the palm facing the chest, located in the bony cleft on the radial side of the styloid process of the ulna.
When the palm of the hand is placed on the chest, this point is located on the dorsal aspect of the head of the ulna, in a cleft level with the radial side of the highest point of the styloid process of the ulna.

Needling

Slanted insertion toward PC-6 Neiguan, 1 to 1.5 cun. Sensation: soreness and numbness in the hand and wrist, possibly extending to the wrist or elbow.
Puncture perpendicularly 0.3 to0.5 cun.
Moxibustion is applicable.
Oblique or transverse-oblique insertion distally or proximally, 0.5 to 1 cun.

Command Functions

Xi-Cleft point

Actions

Relaxes the sinews
Clears the channels
Clears the vision
Activates the channel
Alleviates pain
Benefits the shoulder and arm
Moderates acute conditions
Benefits the eyes

Indications

Arthritis of the upper limb
Pain in the shoulder and back
Hemiplegia
Stiff neck
Eye diseases
Low back pain
Hernia pain
Pain in the shoulder as if it were broken
Complete lethargy
Paralysis
Diminished vitality
Bloodshot eyes
Pain in the shoulder and arm which is very violent as if stabbed and the arm cannot be raised
Arthritis of the wrist joint
Brachial neuralgia

Pain in the shoulder and arm
Blurred vision
Restriction of movement in the lumbar area
Acute lower back pain
Dull eye pain
Sunken, heavy feeling of the eye
Pain in the elbow and forearm
Pain in the upper arm as if it were dislocated
Redness and swelling of the exterior aspect of the elbow
Heaviness and pain of the lumbar region
Difficulty sitting and rising
Contraction of the sinews
Bi syndrome of the foot with inability to extend and flex

Combinations

M-UE-30 Bizhong	PC-6 Neiguan	Joined to PC-6 Neiguan SI-9 joined to HT-1 Jianzhenjoined to Jiquan
Wrist drop	Belching	Perifocal inflammation of the shoulder joint
UB-10 Tianzhu	GB-30 Huantiao GB-34 Yanglingquan UB-60 Kunlun UB-62 Shenmai	LI-4 Hegu UB-4 Quchai
Pain of the shoulder as if it were broken Blurring of vision	Pain of the lumbar region and knee	Diseases of vision

Contraindications

Notes

This point is particularly used for pain of the shoulder, scapula and arm that is so severe that it feels as if they are broken or dislocated.
It is renowned for Deficiency-type eye disorders.

Five Elements Spirit Perspective

Spirit of the Point	Nourishing the Old is one of the best points on the Small Intestine meridian for nourishing spirit, mind and body. It is particularly good for older people, but not only for them; it used to be called Supporting the Old. It is about old traditions, revering traditions and what has gone before, and the patterns and issues that keep coming up and make us set. Have compassion for these patterns, and see them from another facet: what do they have to teach us? Through recognizing that we are human beings with patterns, we see that they don't have to control us, and we can choose differently. As we age we can also grow in wisdom and see our lives from a new, more detached, often humorous perspective, and this point can draw out such gifts, bringing a tremendous sense of vitality and relief. Think of it when you hear a complaint in the Sorter: it goes back to fill the places that were never filled in the past and asks how this void can begin to be filled. It reframes the past so that it becomes precious, deepens purity, nourishes memories and honors what has gone before. It draws out wisdom the person did not know they had, so the light of the Heart can shine clearly into the world, and returns them to a time of clarity that had been buried. Old is measured by the condition of body and spirit, not by the calendar: it also means lethargy, being worn down, an old injury, illness or habit that can't be sorted out and has slowed the person down, and this point helps the person get past such situations.
Worsley	Location: On the forearm's ulnar surface, just above the head of the ulna and 1 ACI proximal to SI-5, between the extensor carpi ulnaris and extensor digiti minimi tendons as they cross over the ulnar head. Needle depth: 3 fen Moxa: 3-5 cones
When to Consider	When the person dwells in the past, in old problems, illnesses or difficult times, and may not wish to deal with the present For an old problem: a life situation the person has struggled with for many years, or something they have carried since childhood and remain stuck with When the person is childlike and immature in coping with life, stuck in a rut and never solving problems When there is a Small Intestine type of cynicism When there is mental despair, depression or suicidal tendencies When the person is set in their ways and feels unable to cope any longer When there is long-term muddle and confusion When older patients don't seem to be getting the nourishment they need For the physical wear of aging, such as bone thinning (osteoporosis), dehydration, weakness, fatigue and failing memory When accretions of habit and bitterness from the past have smothered the fires of the Heart and the Ming Men, like clearing a furnace so it can burn off the ashes When the Small Intestine's stagnation has led to such lethargy that the person feels nearly unable to sort anything out
Combinations	SI-3 Back Ravine (the Wood point) after SI-6: so the patient can see the problem, realize they no longer need it, get rid of it and start to grow again
Notes	Accumulation (Xi Cleft) point of the Small Intestine: cleansing and strengthening, especially for long-term problems Can bring purity in at the level of spirit Nourishing and supporting an old complaint By helping the Small Intestine sort out the old and take in the new, bitterness and pain from past experience can be integrated and let go After this point patients sometimes dream of people and places they had long forgotten, or have memories and sensations, like smells, that recall past places and people

From Class

SI-6 Yanglao: Xi-cleft; acute shoulder pain. (Lewis)
Xi-cleft points for acute pain at end of life: Start locally with ashi points, find the channel, then use its xi-cleft point for acute pain; non-acupuncturists can anoint these points with the essential oils. (Lewis)

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