In life, massage is commonly used to treat various diseases. Let's take a look at the efficacy of the Zhi Yin acupoint and how to massage it to correct fetal position.
Introduction to Zhi Yin Acupoint
1. Location of Zhi Yin Acupoint: The Zhi Yin acupoint is located on the outer side of the tip of the little toe, 0.1 cun (a measurement in traditional Chinese medicine) from the angle of the toenail.
2. Method of locating Zhi Yin Acupoint: Sit upright with the feet on the ground or lie prone. Locate the acupoint on the outer side of the little toe, 0.1 cun from the angle of the toenail.
3. Anatomy of the acupoint: The Zhi Yin acupoint is composed of the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and periosteum. The subcutaneous fascia is dense and formed by fibrous bundles and adipose tissue. It is supplied by the dorsal arteries of the toes and the plantar arteries forming a vascular network. It is also innervated by the plantar nerves and the lateral cutaneous nerve of the dorsum of the foot. The arteries supplying the tip of the little toe come from the dorsal artery of the fourth metatarsal near the metatarsophalangeal joint, the plantar arteries branching from the plantar metatarsal artery at the bottom of the metatarsophalangeal joint, and the dorsal artery of the little toe originating from the arch-shaped artery. These arteries anastomose with the corresponding arteries on the opposite side, forming a rich and dense vascular network.
Efficacy and Function of Zhi Yin Acupoint
1. Efficacy of Zhi Yin Acupoint
The Zhi Yin acupoint has the effects of dispersing heat and nourishing vitality, inducing labor, regulating Qi and promoting blood circulation, clearing the head and brightening the eyes. It is commonly used to treat gynecological and obstetric diseases, especially for correcting fetal position. It is also used in modern times to treat fetal malposition, difficult labor, retained placenta, cerebral hemorrhage, post-stroke sequelae, urinary retention, nocturnal emission, conjunctival congestion, corneal leukoplakia, nasal congestion, and other conditions.
2. Function of Zhi Yin Acupoint
1. Correcting Fetal Malposition: The Zhi Yin acupoint is commonly used with moxibustion to correct fetal malposition. The success rate is highest for transverse position, followed by breech position, and poorest for foot position. The best results are achieved in multiparous women at 8 months of pregnancy with moderate abdominal wall tension and active fetal movements after moxibustion.
2. Treating Dysmenorrhea: Moxibustion on the Zhi Yin acupoint is used to treat cold-type dysmenorrhea. Moxibustion is applied for 15-20 minutes on both sides of the Zhi Yin acupoint 3 days before the onset of menstruation, once daily, for one menstrual cycle.
3. Treating Difficult Labor: In the case of pregnant women with rheumatic heart disease who have poor response to oxytocin, moxibustion is applied to the Zhi Yin acupoint with a moxa stick the size of a soap nut. First, the left side is moxibusted, then after 7 strong moxibustions, uterine contractions begin, the fetal position descends by three fingers, and then 7 more strong moxibustions are applied to facilitate delivery, resulting in a smooth delivery and the safety of mother and child.
4. Treating Retained Placenta: Acupuncture on the Zhi Yin acupoint is used to treat retained placenta in 30 cases. The needle is quickly inserted into the Zhi Yin acupoint 0.1-0.2 cun, with gradually increasing stimulation. The needle is left in place for 5-10 minutes, with faster cases taking 3 minutes and slower cases taking 10 minutes, with an average of 6-7 minutes for the placenta to be delivered.
5. Treating Urinary Retention after Hemorrhoidectomy: Acupuncture on the Zhi Yin acupoint is used to treat urinary retention after hemorrhoidectomy in 630 cases. A 1-inch fine needle is quickly inserted into the subcutaneous tissue, and strong stimulation is applied with twisting and rotating techniques to guide the needle sensation from the Zhi Yin acupoint along the Taiyang bladder meridian, leaving the needle in place for 20 minutes. If there is no urination after the first needle insertion, a second needle insertion can be performed after an interval of about 2 hours.
Massage Techniques for Zhi Yin Acupoint
The massage technique for the Zhi Yin acupoint is to deeply penetrate the point for cold conditions and quickly withdraw the needle, while for hot conditions, shallow penetration is used to release the qi.
The Zhi Yin acupoint is mainly used to treat diseases of the head, face, waist, knees, and childbirth. It is commonly used to treat headaches, nasal congestion, nosebleeds, eye pain, retained fetal membranes, fetal malposition, difficult labor, and modern conditions such as neurogenic headaches.
