HT-1 - Highest Spring

极泉 - Jí quán

Point Region: Armpit

HT

Heart Meridian

手少阴心经 - Shǒu Shàoyīn Xīn Jīng

Location & How to Find

Anatomical Location: In the armpit, at the centre of the hollow, over the axillary artery.

How to Locate:

  1. Raise your arm out to the side
  2. Find the centre of the hollow of your armpit
  3. The point is there, where you can feel the pulse of the artery
HT-1 (Highest Spring) acupressure point location: In the armpit, at the centre of the hollow, over the axillary artery.

How to Apply Pressure

Once you have located HT-1, use only a feather-light touch; do not press deeply over the artery. Avoid the area if the skin is infected or lymph nodes are swollen, and stop if you notice numbness or increased swelling.

Traditional Indications

In TCM, this point is traditionally used for:

  • Shoulder pain
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Sadness
  • Cold limbs
  • Intercostal neuralgia
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Chest tightness

Related Health Concerns

Neck and Shoulder PainCold and Flu OnsetNeuralgiaLow Mood and DepressionAnxiety

Select a point to see its location, how to find it, and its traditional uses.

Important Precautions

Avoid this point with:

  • Avoid deep pressure on axillary artery
  • Use caution with lymph node swelling
  • Avoid if skin infection present

Take care:

  • Major arterial location - always use gentle pressure
  • Lymphatic drainage area - may cause temporary swelling
  • Sensitive area - discontinue if numbness occurs