HT-3 - Lesser Sea

少海 - Shào hǎi

Point Region: Elbow

HT

Heart Meridian

手少阴心经 - Shǒu Shàoyīn Xīn Jīng

Location & How to Find

Anatomical Location: At the front and inner side of the elbow, level with the elbow crease, just in front of the bony bump on the inner elbow (the medial epicondyle of the humerus). With the elbow bent, it is midway between the inner end of the crease and that bump.

How to Locate:

  1. Bend your elbow
  2. Find the inner end of the elbow crease and the bony bump on the inside of the elbow
  3. The point is halfway between the two
HT-3 (Lesser Sea) acupressure point location: At the front and inner side of the elbow, level with the elbow crease, just in front of the bony bump on the inner elbow (the medial epicondyle of the humerus).

How to Apply Pressure

Bend the elbow and press lightly into the inner end of the elbow crease, just in front of the bony bump on the inner elbow. The nerve that causes the funny-bone feeling runs close by, so stop if you feel tingling. Skip it with a recent elbow injury.

Traditional Indications

In TCM, this point is traditionally used for:

  • Dizziness
  • Elbow pain
  • Tremors
  • Vomiting
  • Emotional agitation
  • Mental restlessness
  • Neurosis
  • Ulnar nerve pain
  • Tennis elbow

Related Health Concerns

Feeling FaintNausea and VomitingAnxiety

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

Important Precautions

Avoid this point with:

  • Use gentle pressure only
  • Avoid if acute elbow injury present
  • Caution with ulnar nerve sensitivity

Take care:

  • Start with light pressure
  • May cause temporary dizziness if overstimulated
  • Ulnar nerve runs close - stop if tingling occurs