Yanglao (SI6)
Yanglao (SI6), “Nursing the Aged”, is a point on the Small Intestine meridian. It is point 6 of the 19 on the channel. Xi-Cleft of the Small Intestine: brightens the eyes and frees the channel at the shoulder and back.
Location
On the posteromedial aspect of the forearm, in the depression radial to the head of the ulna, 1 cun above the dorsal wrist crease.
Functions according to tradition
Xi-Cleft of the Small Intestine: brightens the eyes and frees the channel at the shoulder and back.
Traditional indications
- Blurred vision
- Shoulder pain
- Acute lower back pain
- Neck stiffness
Indications described by tradition; they do not amount to proven clinical effectiveness for each one.
What its classification means
Where Qi and Blood accumulate deep down. It is associated with acute and painful conditions; in the yin channels, also with bleeding.
Precautions
No specific precautions are described beyond the general ones for acupuncture. Needling must always be performed by a trained professional.
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.
- TE15 Tianliao (San Jiao (Triple Burner)): Neck stiffness, Shoulder pain
- BL41 Fufen (Bladder): Neck stiffness, Shoulder pain
- GV17 Naohu (Du Mai (Governing Vessel)): Blurred vision, Neck stiffness
- TE16 Tianyou (San Jiao (Triple Burner)): Blurred vision, Neck stiffness
- LI14 Binao (Large Intestine): Neck stiffness
- LI16 Jugu (Large Intestine): Shoulder pain
Point profile
- Code
- SI6
- Pinyin name
- Yǎng Lǎo
- Characters
- 养老
- Translation
- Nursing the Aged
- Meridian
- Small Intestine
- Element
- Fire
- Classification
- Xi-Cleft
- Topics
- Eyes, Shoulder, Pain
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.
