The Five Transport Points are namely the well, spring, stream, river and sea. Each of the
twelve regular meridians has a group of these points, and the sixty points are located on the distal part of the limbs. Ancient people gave the names for the points because they viewed the meridian
qi flow in analogy as water flow of the nature, a way of illustrating the phenomenon of qi flow inside the body. These points are important for the meridians to communicate between the interior and exterior body, and stimulating them can effectively activate the qi inside the meridians and regulate the corresponding organs. They are often used in diseases of the internal organs or head region.
- Well point: denotes the source of meridian qi, which has the function of communicating the blood and qi as well as yin and yang elements of the body. These points are usually used in emergencies and in resuscitation. They are also used for alleviating pain and inflammation.
- Spring point: refers to a small flow, which can be used to lower temperature.
- Stream point: refers to the qi flowing from shallow to deeper region; the qi flow becomes more abundant inside the meridian. The points can be used to relieve painful joints and general heaviness due to dampness accumulation.
- River point: refers to the place where meridian qi flows smoothly. The points are for diseases caused by exogenous pathogens, or for conditions like cough and asthma.
- Sea point: refers to the place where there is confluence of meridian qi and where it begins to infuse into the organs. The acupoints are mostly for disorders of the six fu organs, when there is abnormal qi flow inside them and when symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness or a heavy sensation in the head.
Table of the Five Transport Points on the Twelve Regular Meridians
| Six Yin Meridians |
Well Points
(Wood) |
Spring Points
(Fire) |
Stream Points
(Earth) |
River Points
(Metal) |
Sea Points
(Water) |
| Lung Meridian (LU) |
shao shang
(Lu11) |
yu ji
(Lu10) |
tai yuan
(Lu9) |
jing qu
(Lu 8) |
chi ze
(Lu5) |
| Kidney Meridian (KI) |
yong quan
(Ki1) |
ran gu
(Ki 2) |
tai xi
(Ki 3) |
fu liu
(Ki 7) |
yin gu
(Ki10) |
| Liver Meridian (LR) |
da dun
(Lr 1) |
xing jian
(Lr 2) |
tai chong
(Lr3) |
zhong feng
(Lr 4) |
qu quan
(Lr 8) |
| Heart Meridian (HT) |
shao chong
(Ht 9) |
shao fu
(Ht 8) |
shen men
(Ht 7) |
ling dao
(Ht 4) |
shao hai
(Ht 3) |
| Spleen Meridian
(SP) |
yin bai
(Sp 1) |
da du
(Sp 2) |
tai bai
(Sp 3) |
shang qiu
(Sp 5) |
yin ling quan
(Sp 9) |
| Pericardium Meridian (PC) |
zhong chong
(Pc 9) |
lao gong
(Pc 8) |
da ling
(Pc 7) |
jian shi
(Pc 5) |
qu ze
(Pc 3) |
| Six Yang Meridians |
Well Points
(Metal) |
Spring Points
(Water) |
Stream Points
(Wood) |
River Points
(Fire) |
Sea Points
(Earth) |
| Large Intestine Meridian (LI) |
shang yang
(Li 1) |
er jian
(Li 2) |
san jian
(Li 3) |
yang xi
(Li 5) |
qu chi
(Li 11) |
| Bladder Meridian (BL) |
zhi yin
(Bl 67) |
zu tong gu
(Bl 66) |
shu gu
(Bl 65) |
kun lun
(Bl 60) |
wei zhong
(Bl 40) |
| Gallbladder Meridian (GB) |
zu qiao yin
(Gb 44) |
xia xi
(Gb 43) |
zu lin qi
(Gb 41) |
yang fu
(Gb 38) |
yang ling quan
(Gb 34) |
| Small Intestine Meridian (SI) |
shao ze
(Si 1) |
qian gu
(Si 2) |
hou xi
(Si 3) |
yang gu
(Si 5) |
xiao hai
(Si 8) |
| Stomach Meridian (ST) |
li dui
(St 45) |
nei ting
(St 44) |
xian gu
(St 43) |
jie xi
(St 41) |
zu san li
(St 36) |
| Triple Burner Meridian (SJ) |
guan chong
(Sj 1) |
ye men
(Sj 2) |
zhong zhu
(Sj 3) |
zhi gou
(Sj 6) |
tian jing
(Sj 10) |
Practically, acupuncturists also like to integrate the five elements theory when selecting the above points, which can achieve special reinforcing or reducing effects on the meridians.
Transport points on the arms
Transport points on the legs
