Kidney meridian pathway
The Kidney meridian, foot Shaoyin, begins at the little toe at the point Zhiyin.
It then runs under the arch of the foot and passes through its hollow at the point Yongquan.
It continues to the inner edge of the foot, below the tuberosity of the scaphoid (navicular bone), and then passes behind the medial malleolus.
It descends again, making a loop below the medial malleolus, then rises along the inner side of the leg, posterior part, then the knee and the thigh.
It enters internally through the point Changqiang, runs along the front of the spine to couple with the Bladder and connect with the Kidney. Along the way, it crosses the Liver (hence the direct relationship between the Liver and the Kidney), then the diaphragm and the rib cage.
Here it is said to enter the Lung (link with the Lung), then it passes through the throat.
It ends on each side of the root of the tongue (relationship between salivation and the Kidneys).
From the Lung, internally, a connecting branch leaves the pathway to reach the Pericardium and the Heart.
From Changqiang, a branch that does not go internally rises at the front along the abdomen and chest. This external branch crosses the abdomen 0.5 cun from the midline and runs along the chest 2 cun from the midline. This line rises until it stops below the clavicle, between the 1st rib and the clavicle, at the point Shufu (the infraclavicular fossa).
Kidney meridian acupuncture points
The Kidney meridian has 27 acupuncture points; here are the main ones
Kidney meridian description
The Kidney corresponds to Water. It is the Yin within the Yin.
Its season is winter, its emotion is fear, its direction is north, its color is black and its flavor is salty.
In the Neijing, it is the builder official, in charge of construction.
Its main functions are to store the Essence, to govern Water and fluids, and to govern the reception of Qi.
It is the root of the Yin and Yang of the organs and viscera, the root of Pre-Heaven.
Its physiological characteristics: it is the root of the organs and viscera. It stores true Yin and true Yang, which are the roots of Yin and Yang.
True or original Yin, Mingmen of the Kidney is the root of the body's Yin energy; it moistens and nourishes all parts of the body.
Kidney Yang is the root of the body's Yang energy; it drives movement and warms the whole body. It is also called the true Fire or Fire of Mingmen.
Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang generate each other, control each other and support each other, which maintains the vital activities of the body.
The Essence must always be preserved; it is too precious.
The Fire must remain hidden, smouldering. It must always be present without ever being excessive. If organs lack Yang, this Fire can come to help and support them.
➔ This is why, in clinical practice, the Kidney is never dispersed.