SI-3 - Back Stream

后溪 - Hòu xī

Point Region: Hand

SI

Small Intestine Meridian

手太阳小肠经 - Shǒu Tàiyáng Xiǎochángjīng

SI-3 Houxi, meaning 'Back Stream,' flows like a hidden river along the outer edge of the hand, carrying the Small Intestine's essential wisdom about discernment and clear thinking. Located on the pinky side of the hand below the knuckle, this point governs our capacity to separate the useful from the useless—not just in digestion, but in every aspect of mental and emotional processing.

As a master point that opens the Governing Vessel, Houxi holds the keys to spinal health and the free flow of Yang energy throughout the back body. This dual role makes it invaluable for both physical issues like neck and back pain and mental-emotional challenges that require better discrimination and clearer boundaries.

In the realm of mental clarity and decision-making, SI-3 serves as an internal advisor, helping us sort through the overwhelming amount of information and stimulation that modern life provides. When this point is balanced, we can trust our ability to know what deserves our attention and what should be released, creating space for what truly matters to flourish.

Location & How to Find

Anatomical Location: In the depression at the junction of red and white skin, just proximal to the fifth metacarpophalangeal joint.

How to Locate:

  1. Make a loose fist
  2. Find the crease that forms on the outer edge of your hand
  3. This is behind your little finger knuckle
  4. The point is in this crease where skin color changes
Location illustration for In the depression at the junction of red and white skin, just proximal to the fifth metacarpophalangeal joint.

Primary Functions

Nervous System

  • Relieves severe headaches and migraines
  • Calms the mind and reduces anxiety
  • Treats epilepsy and seizures
  • Reduces mental restlessness
  • Alleviates neck and occipital pain

Musculoskeletal System

  • Relieves back pain and stiffness
  • Treats shoulder and arm pain
  • Reduces wrist and hand pain
  • Improves spinal flexibility
  • Alleviates carpal tunnel syndrome

Eye & Vision System

  • Treats eye disorders and vision problems
  • Reduces eye inflammation
  • Relieves dry eyes
  • Improves night vision

Emotional & Mental

  • Enhances mental clarity and focus
  • Reduces emotional turbulence
  • Promotes spiritual insight
  • Calms excessive worry

Clinical Applications

Primary Indications

  • Neck stiffness
  • Headache
  • Epilepsy
  • Back pain
  • Cervical pain
  • Occipital headache
  • Seizures
  • Spine pain

Related Health Concerns

Common Conditions:

Headache - OccipitalNeck/Shoulder Pain

Select a point to learn about its location, primary functions, clinical applications, and protocols.

Combined Applications:

SI-3 + BL-62
Opens the Du Mai and treats neck stiffness, spine disorders, and mental agitation
SI-3 + GV-20
Calms the spirit and clears the brain in cases of insomnia, anxiety, or headache

SI-3 Protocols

Neck Stiffness & Spine Support (4 minutes)

  1. Sit comfortably with hand relaxed
  2. Locate SI-3 (on the ulnar side of the hand, at the end of the crease when making a loose fist)
  3. Apply firm pressure with thumb for 30 seconds
  4. Massage in circular motions for 1 minute to release neck tension and support spinal alignment
  5. Repeat pressure while gently rotating the neck

Important Precautions

  • Active seizure disorder without medical supervision
  • Recent hand surgery
  • Severe neck injuries