Location

on the dorsal aspect of the little toe, at the junction of lines drawn along the lateral border of the nail and the base of the nail, aproximately 0.1 cun from the corner of the nail. A cun is the distance between the 2nd and 3rd knuckles, or the distance at the widest part of the thumb.

Needling

perpendicular insertion, 0.1 inch, or prick to bleed.

Moxa is OK

Actions

Expels wind
Clears the eyes and head
Turns the foetus
Facilitates labour

Signs and Symptoms

headache, nasal obstruction, epistaxis, opthalmalgia, malposition of the foetus, difficult labour, retention of placenta, heat in the soles of the feet.

Commentary:

Zhiyin is the pre-eminanent point of choice for birth difficulties and particularly for breech birth, where the baby is wrongly positioned for delivery.

In China, young mothers-to-be are given Moxa sticks, and instructed to apply heat to Zhiyin, each day to help turn the foetus and to facilitate birth. Best results occur when this treatment is begun in the 34th week.

It is important to note that once the foetus has turned to stop the treatment lest the foetus continues to turn.

Zhiyin as well, has the effect of inducing labour if it is delayed, hastening it once it has begun and in expelling the placenta to complete the birth.