Eight Confluent Points of the Extra Meridians

The Eight Confluent Points are those in the extremities connecting the eight extra meridians. Gongsun ( Sp 4 ) of the Spleen Meridian connects with the Chong Meridian ; and Neiguan ( P 6 ) of the Pericardium Meridian links with the Yinwei Meridian. These two meridians are confluent in the chest, heart and stomach. Zulinqi ( G 41 ) of the Gallbladder Meridian connects with the Dai Meridian, and Waiguan ( Sj 5 ) of the Sanjiao ( Triple Energizer ) Meridian connects with the Yangqiao Meridian. These two meridians are confluent at the outer canthus, retroauricle, cheek, shoulder and diaphragm. Houxi ( Si3 ) of the Small Intestine Meridian leads to the Du ( Governor Vessel ) Meridian, and Shenmai ( B 62 ) of the Bladder Meridian connects with the Yangqiao Meridian. The two meridians are confluent at the inner canthus, nape, ear, shoulder and back. Lieque ( L 7 ) of the Lung Meridian leads to the Ren ( Conception Vessel ) Meridian, and Zhaohai ( K 6 ) of the Kidney Meridian connects with the Yinqiao Meridian. The two meridians are confluent in the lung system, throat and diaphragm.

The Eight Confluent Points are indicated in diseases of the extra meridians and their related regular meridians according to their connections. Introduction to Medicine says that " among the 360 points on the whole body, 66 points located at the four extremities are important, and among these 66 points, the Eight Confluent points are considered the most important. " In practice, the Eight Confluent points may be used independently. For instance, problems of the Du Meridian are treated by Houxi ( Si 3 ) , disorders of the Chong Meridian are treated by Gongsun ( Sp 4 ) or the Confluent Point on the upper limb can be combined with the Confluent Point on the lower limb. For example, Neiguan ( P 6 ) is combined with Gongsun ( Sp 4 ) to treat diseases of the heart, chest and stomach. Houxi ( Si3 ) is combined with Shenmai ( B 62 ) for diseases of the neck, shoulder, back and inner canthus.

Confluent Point Regulate Meridian Extra Meridian Indications

• Neiguan ( P 6 ) Pericardium Yinwei Heart, chest,stomach

• Gongsun ( Sp 4 ) Spleen Chong Heart, chest,stomach

• Houxi ( Si3 ) Small Intestine Neck, shoulder, back inner canthus

• Shenmai ( V 62 ) Bladder Yangqiao Du Neck, shoulder, back inner canthus

• Waiguan ( Sj5 ) Yangwei Sanjiao Retroauricle, cheek,outer canthus

• Zulinqi ( G 41 ) Dai Gallbladder Retroauricle, cheek,outer canthus

• Lieque ( L 7 ) Lung Ren Throat, chest, lung

• Zhaohai ( K 6 ) Kidney Yinqiao Throat, chest, lung