character: Rules the right side of the body. The translation of "qiao" as "motility" suggests flexibility and free movement. Yin qiao is the entire name because the right side of the body is Yin. As the emperor turned to his right at the end of the day, the sun lowered over the horizon and the eyes of the people became heavier as the hour of sleep approached. This is the ascent of Yin. The right side of the body is considered Yin for this reason, thus it is the Yin Qiao Mai, drawing Yin from its parent channel, the Kidney, that facilitates this transition from activity to quiescence. This channel regulates the Yin aspect of the movement of Qi and fluids, as indicated by its name. The alternate translation of "heel" for "qiao" merely indicates the location of the Bladder channel from which Yang Qiao originates. A Shi (Excess) condition of this channel implies a Xu (Deficiency) condition of the Yang Qiao Mai, and vice versa.
Master point: Kd-6
Couple point: Lu-7
Xi Cleft Accumulation point: Kd-8
paired channel: Ren Mai (Conception Vessel)
functions: controls the opening and closing of the eyes; controls the ascent of fluids and descent of Qi; regulates muscular activity and fluid metabolism; moistens eyes; transports Yin
general symptoms: somnolence; pharyngeal pain; flaccidity of the muscles of the lateral aspect of the lower extremity and spasm of the medial aspect
Shi (Excess) symptoms: Xu (Deficiency) of Yang organs with Shi (Excess) of the Yin organs; complaints worse during the day; night epilepsy; unable to keep the eyes open; hypersomnia; narcolepsy; migraines; throat pain; difficulty breathing; Lower Warmer Shi (Excess); gynecological problems; waist pain; tightness of the medial leg; Bi syndromes of the joints
Xu (Deficiency) symptoms: Shi (Excess) of the Yang channels; fever; headache with heat; symptoms worse during thunderstorms and weather changes; mumps [note: these are the same as the Shi (Excess) symptoms of the Yang Qiao Mai]
pathway: from Kd-6, up the medial calf, into the genital area, internally up the abdomen and chest, externalizing at St-12, up anteriorly to St-9, past the medial cheek, terminating at UB-1
key points:
Kd-6
Kd-8
UB-1
footnotes