手三里 (Shǒusānlǐ) — Arm Three Li
Large Intestine channel · point 10
Traditionally used for
- Digestion
- Bowel health
- Nerves & recovery
- Pain & joints
Location
On the posterolateral aspect of the forearm, on the line connecting LI5 and LI11, 2 cun distal to the cubital crease.
How to locate: Find LI11 in the depression at the lateral end of the cubital crease, then, with the elbow flexed and the forearm in mid-position, measure 2 cun distally along the line toward LI5. The point is usually tender on pressure.
Distances are in cun, a proportional unit — how to measure.
3D view
3D view not available for this point: its position can't be carried onto the 3D model reliably (it failed a placement check). The 2D maps above show it.
Needling
Cited needling
Techniques — the source gives these as alternatives:
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Perpendicular insertionDepth 0.5–1.5 cunskindeeper
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Oblique insertionDepth 0.5–1.5 cunskindeeper
Depths describe average adult habitus in the cited population, never a single safe number for the patient in front of you. Palpate and adjust.
Sources (1)
- Deadman P, Al-Khafaji M, Baker K. A Manual of Acupuncture. Hove: Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications; 1998 — p. 111 Supports: techniques (names this point)
Site notes · not cited
Functions
- Regulates qi and blood in the channel
- Strengthens the arm and relieves pain
- Regulates the intestines and stomach
Indications
Balance Method partners
Under Dr. Tan's six systems, LI10 at the forearm balances these channels at the regions its segment images.
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1. Same Chinese nameStomach channelLower leg, Calf · Mirror (arm ↔ leg)Thigh · Reversed mirrorChest, Upper back · Image, head at the hand/footUpper abdomen, Lower back · Image, head toward the elbow/kneeSolve for the Stomach channel →
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2. Branching (Bie Jing / Zang Fu Bie Tong)Liver channelLower leg, Calf · Mirror (arm ↔ leg)Thigh · Reversed mirrorChest, Upper back · Image, head at the hand/footUpper abdomen, Lower back · Image, head toward the elbow/kneeSolve for the Liver channel →
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3. Interior–exterior pairLung channelForearm · Same segment, opposite sideChest, Upper back · Image, head at the hand/footUpper abdomen, Lower back · Image, head toward the elbow/kneeSolve for the Lung channel →
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4. Chinese clock oppositeKidney channelLower leg, Calf · Mirror (arm ↔ leg)Thigh · Reversed mirrorChest, Upper back · Image, head at the hand/footUpper abdomen, Lower back · Image, head toward the elbow/kneeSolve for the Kidney channel →
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5. Chinese clock neighbourStomach channelLower leg, Calf · Mirror (arm ↔ leg)Thigh · Reversed mirrorChest, Upper back · Image, head at the hand/footUpper abdomen, Lower back · Image, head toward the elbow/kneeSolve for the Stomach channel →
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6. Same channelLarge Intestine channelForearm · Same segment, opposite sideChest, Upper back · Image, head at the hand/footUpper abdomen, Lower back · Image, head toward the elbow/kneeSolve for the Large Intestine channel →
Clinical Notes
Similar Points
Ranked by shared patterns and conditions
Sources
- World Health Organization. WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region. Manila: WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, 2008. (Location.)
- Focks C, ed. Atlas of Acupuncture. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2008. (Locating method and actions.)
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