Location

in the depression between the medial malleolus and the achilles tendon, level with the prominence of the medial malleolus

Needling

perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1.0 inch

Moxa is OK

Actions

Nourishes Kidney yin
Clears deficient heat
Tonifies Kidney yang
Anchors Qi and benefits lungs
Strengthens the lumbar spine

Signs and Symptoms

sore throat, toothache, deafness, tinnitus, dizziness, spitting blood, asthma, thirst, irregular menstruation, insomnia, nocturnal emission, impotence, lumbar pain.

Commentary

Taixi is the Yuan Source point of the Kidneys. A Yuan Source point is where Yuan Qi, (Original Qi, that one is born with) of a specific organ is accessed. The Kidneys are said to house one's Original or Source Qi and as such controls the Yin and Yang of the whole body. Since one is said to begin life with a full compliment of Qi which depletes over the course of lifetime, the Kidneys are unique in that there are only deficiency patterns. As well, since Yin and Yang are inextricably linked, both are affected simulataneously to varying degrees by any treatment. It is said, one cannot tonify Yin without tonifying Yang at the same time.

Thus, Taixi has the effect of tonifying both Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang. In turn, the Kidney channel reaches the Liver, the Heart and the Lung and these organs are as well benefitted.

The main action of Taixi is to nourish Yin. Yin deficiency manifests in 2 ways; 1. lack of nourishment and moisture and 2. the development of heat (fire). Taixi is the point of choice to treat symptoms of Kidney Yin deficiency like, low grade sore throat that worsens with fatigue, difficult defecation due to insufficient moisture to moisten the log, headache and dizziness due to lack of nourishment to the brain, chronic tooth decay due to lack of nourishment to the bones, loosening teeth, tinnitus (a constant ringing or whining in the ears) or hearing loss.

There is a unique and intimate relationship between the Kidneys (water) and the Heart (fire). Balance between these two organs is essential. Balance is maintained as Kidney water cools Heart fire, and Heart fire warms Kidney water. If either of these organs becomes deficient disharmony in the body ensues. Kidney deficiency means that Heart fire fails to be cooled and rages out of control. It is said the Heart houses the Mind (Spirit) and the Kidneys house the Will. They support each other. When the Kidneys and the Heart are in disharmony the Spirit is disturbed giving rise to insomnia, excessive dreaming, and poor memory. Heart and Kidneys in harmony gives one the Will to follow and act on what the Heart desires.

The Kidneys also have an important relationship with the Lungs. The Lungs are the 'canopy' and the Kidneys are the anchor. It is the Lungs function to breath in Qi and channel downwards to the Spleen where it mixes with food and water, transformed into Qi by the Spleen and transported througout the body. It is the Kidney's function to grasp Lung Qi and guide it downwards. Kidney deficiency will give rise to breathlessness, coughing as Qi rebels upward, difficult breathing and Asthma.

It is a general principal of Acupuncture that both Yin and Yang will be nourished together regardless which one predominates. Taixi, then, while indicated main for Yin deficiency syndromes, will always tonify Yang as well, and can be used with equal effectiveness when deficiency syndromes are mostly Yang in nature.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, all sexual functions derive from the Kidneys. In men, seminal fluid is seen to contain one's essence. Excessive ejaculation leads to Kidney deficiency. In women the Kidneys connect directly with the Uterus and ovaries and is the source of a woman's essence which is lost through menstruation and childbirth.

Taixi is the point of choice for all manner of sexual dysfunction including, impotence, seminal emission, and sexual taxation (exhaustion and depletion due to excessive sexual activity).

Finally, cardinal signs of Kidney disharmony are chronic lumbar pain not associated with any physical trauma, weak and/or sore knees, dark circles under the eyes, propensity to fright and phobias. When these signs are apparent, Taixi is chosen.