Jing-River points

The Jing-River points: voice, bones and the Lung connection

The Jing-River points are the fourth of the five Shu Antique points on each meridian. The character "Jing" here refers to a river — the Qi that began as a small spring near the nails has now grown into a powerful current. Jing-River points are located around the ankle and wrist joints: deeper than the previous points, closer to the interior of the body, but still at the periphery of the limbs.

Location and element

The Jing-River points are found at the ankle on the leg meridians and at the wrist on the arm meridians. On the Yin meridians, the Jing-River point corresponds to the Metal element; on the Yang meridians, it corresponds to Fire. The Metal element on the Yin meridians gives these points their special affinity with the Lung — the organ associated with Metal in TCM.

Lung problems through the Metal points

The most specific application of Jing-River points on the Yin meridians is the treatment of Lung problems. Because every Yin-meridian Jing-River point represents the Metal element, and Metal is the element of the Lung, all these points have a direct influence on Lung function. This makes it possible to treat Lung disorders through meridians that at first sight appear unrelated to the Lung — an application of the Five Elements principle in acupuncture practice.

Voice and speech complaints

A second important application is the treatment of disorders that manifest through the voice and speech. Hoarseness, abnormal laughter, a weak or extinguished voice, stiffness of the tongue and loss of voice — all these complaints respond to Jing-River points. The connection between Jing-River points and the voice is not arbitrary: in TCM the Lung governs the voice, and through the Metal element of the Jing-River points, Lung-Qi that carries the voice is directly influenced.

Bones and nerves

The third category of disorders for which Jing-River points are used consists of diseases of the bones and nerves. Their deeper location — around the joints, where bones and tendons meet — gives them a therapeutic influence on the musculoskeletal system at this level. In chronic bone pain, nerve pain along the meridian and joint complaints around the ankle and wrist, Jing-River points are worth considering.

Clinical examples

Lung 8 (Jingqu), the Jing-River point of the Lung meridian, is used for respiratory problems and voice complaints. Heart 4 (Lingdao), the Jing-River point of the Heart meridian, is a Metal point on the Heart meridian — useful for Lung problems through the Five Elements. Liver 4 (Zhongfeng), the Jing-River/Metal point of the Liver meridian, is used for urogenital complaints and groin pain — but also for Lung support through the Metal quality of the point.