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Channel: SI, hand greater yáng (tài yáng) small intestine channel

Modern location: An acupoint located at the elbow, in the shallow depression on the flat area that appears between the olecranon and the medial epicondyle of the humerus when the elbow is bent.

Classical location: On the inner side of the elbow, on the outer [side of the] big bone, in the depression five fēn from the tip of the elbow. Fin the point with the elbow flexed. From The Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (针灸大成 zhēn jiǔ dà chéng)

Local anatomy: The superior and inferior ulnar collateral arteries and veins, the ulnar recurrent artery and vein. The branches of the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve, the ulnar nerve.

Action: Disperses greater yáng (tài yáng) channel evils; frees small intestinal heat bind; dispels wind qì; clears the spirit-mind.

Modern indications: Elbow and arm pain; epilepsy.

Classical indications: Withdrawal disease; febrile disease with absence of sweating; aversion to cold; tooth decay; dizziness; neck pain; smaller abdominal pain; heart vexation.

Needle stimulus: Needling: 0.3‒0.8 cùn oblique insertion. Moxa: 5‒7 cones; pole 5‒20 min.

Point groups: Uniting (hé) (earth) point.

Point name meaning:

• 小 xiǎo: small
• 海 hǎi: sea

The character 小 (xiǎo), small, is a reference to the small intestine. SI-8 is the uniting (hé) point of the small intestine channel, where the qì flows deep and enters the small intestine much like a river flowing into the sea; thus the point is called Small Sea. Note that this point is directly opposite Lesser Sea (HT-3), and that both are uniting (hé) points.

Because it is the earth point of the small intestine channel, SI-8 is related to the earth bowel, the stomach, which is the sea of grain. It nourishes the five organs, which, in turn, are the sea of the channels and network vessels. The name Small Sea brings to mind the sea of grain and the sea of the channels and thus highlights SI-8‘s association with earth among the five phases. See acupoint names: origins, meanings, and translations.

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