Houxi (SI3)
Houxi (SI3), “Back Stream”, is a point on the Small Intestine meridian. It is point 3 of the 19 on the channel. Opening point of Du Mai vessel.
Location
At the proximal end of the 5th metacarpal, at the junction of the dorsal and palmar skin.
Functions according to tradition
Opening point of Du Mai vessel. Activates Du Mai and spine, calms the mind, expels Wind, treats cervical pain.
Traditional indications
- Cervical and lumbar pain
- Neck contracture
- Insomnia
- Epilepsy
- Malaria
- Spinal rigidity
Indications described by tradition; they do not amount to proven clinical effectiveness for each one.
What its classification means
Third of the transport points: the Qi “flows”. It is associated with heaviness of the body and joint pain; in the yin channels it coincides with the Source point.
At this point the channel crosses the Governing Vessel (Du Mai, 督脉), one of the eight extraordinary vessels.
Precautions
No specific contraindications. Perpendicular needling at the ulnar border of the hand.
Points on other channels with similar indications
They share several traditional indications with this point. Comparing them helps understand why one or the other is chosen.
- DU14 Dazhui (Du Mai (Governing Vessel)): Epilepsy, Malaria
- GB13 Benshen (Gallbladder): Epilepsy, Insomnia
- GV19 Houding (Du Mai (Governing Vessel)): Epilepsy, Insomnia
- BL62 Shenmai (Bladder): Epilepsy, Insomnia
- GV15 Yamen (Du Mai (Governing Vessel)): Epilepsy
- BL64 Jinggu (Bladder): Epilepsy
Point profile
- Code
- SI3
- Pinyin name
- Hòu Xī
- Characters
- 后溪
- Translation
- Back Stream
- Meridian
- Small Intestine
- Element
- Fire
- Classification
- Shu-Stream, Du Mai
- Topics
- Spine, Neck, Mental
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
