Overall trajectory of the Small Intestine channel:
The Small Intestine Channel starts on the ulnar side of the pinky finger. It travels along the outside edge of the hand to the wrist. It continues to travel up the arm to the shoulder joint. Then it goes around the shoulder blade, up the neck, and enters the ear.
Small Intestine 3 and Small Intestine 11 are the most common areas of stagnation in the Small Intestine channel.
Working on the Small Intestine channel can potentially help with:
Neck pain
Shoulder pain
Indigestion
Cold constitution
Small Intestine 3 后溪 Back Stream
This point is located proximal to the head of the 5th metacarpal bone. With the hand in a loose fist, one can use the opposite thumb to press and massage the point towards the center of the palm.
SI 3 might be sore and active if one experiences neck and shoulder pain, as well as cold in the Small Intestine. SI 3 is also the Confluent Point for the Governing Vessel 督脉. Therefore, stimulating this point can protect Yang Qi and may augment the immune system.
Small Intestine 11 天宗 Heavenly Gathering
This point is located in the center of the shoulder blade. To access this point, we can sit up straight and ask a friend to use the palm of the hand to press and massage the center of the shoulder blade. If one has neck and shoulder pain, one may feel intense soreness spreading from the point outwards.
Stagnation can feel like tenderness, soreness or pain. Or it might just feel slightly different from areas around it. You can work on the congested areas for 5 to 10 minutes daily. It's common to experience redness, swelling, soreness and pain in the area as you massage it with your hands. In fact, the stronger and healthier you are, the more intensity of soreness you will feel. Keep working through the discomfort. This is the key! The blockage usually goes away in 3-5 days, as well as a reduction in the related symptoms.
The animal representing the Small Intestine are the goats, who can rotate their necks 360 degrees.
The best time to work on the Small Intestine channel is 1-3 PM. However, the actual best time to work on any channel is whenever you have time. What matters most is to do it consistently and daily.
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