Shu-stream (earth) point. Yuan-source point.

bubble_chart Etymology

The source points of yin meridians are all named "Tai" (太), meaning great. "Chong" (衝) refers to a vital passage, named for its abundant qi and blood.

bubble_chart Location

Taichong (LR3) acupoint
(adapted from "Meridians and Acupoints")

In the depression posterior to first and second metatarsal bones on dorsum of foot, 2 cun posterior to Xingjian (LR2) is two cun behind.

Lingshu-Benshu: "In the depression 2 cun aboveXingjian (LR2)";
• Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing: "2 cun posterior to the joint of big toe, or 1.5 cun in the depression".

bubble_chart Anatomy

• Muscles: outer edge of extensor pollicis longus tendon, first dorsal interosseous muscle, oblique head of adductor pollicis muscle.
• Nerve: dorsal metatarsal nerve of deep peroneal nerve; deep layer, medial plantar nerve of tibial nerve.
• Vessel: dorsal venous network of the foot, first dorsal metatarsus artery.

bubble_chart Manipulation

Insert perpendicularly 0.5 to 1 cun, or penetrate toward Yongquan (KI1). Moxibustion with moxa cone 3 to 5 times, moxibustion with moxa stick for 5 to 10 minutes.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Pacify liver and extinguish wind, clear heat and benefit gallbladder, improve vision.

• Classical: headache, vertigo, dizziness, itchy eyes, red and painful eyes, tearing upon wind, crooked lips, sore throat, dry throat, qi obstruction in throat, hypochondriac pain, abdominal pain, hernia pain, genital pain, retracted genitals, ischuria, enuresis, gonorrhea, fright convulsions, rumbling in abdomen, vomiting and inability to eat, lienteric diarrhea, fullness below ribs, lower abdominal fullness, difficulty defecating, jaundice, lumbago, beriberi pain due to cold-dampness, swollen and painful thighs and knees, difficulty walking, postpartum excessive sweating, metrostaxis, amenorrhea, acute mastitis.
• Modern: hepatitis, hypertension, neurasthenia, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, prolonged labor, irregular menstruation, mastitis, mammary gland hyperplasia, intercostal neuralgia, myopia, decreased vision, glaucoma, conjunctivitis, thrombocytopenia, facial muscle spasms, finger tremor, tremor paralysis, hysteria.

bubble_chart Combinations

• Mastitis: Fuliu (KI7), Taichong (LR3).
• Metrostaxis: Taichong (LR3), Rangu (KI2).
• Sloppy diarrhea: Shenque (CV8), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Taichong (LR3).
• Difficulty walking: Taichong (LR3), Qiuxu (GB40).
• Acute viral hepatitis: Zusanli (ST36), Taichong (LR3) and Yongquan (KI1).
• Tough walking: Taichong (LR3), Zusanli (ST36), Zhongfeng (LR4).
• Edema due to deficiency: Shenshu (BL23) (moxibustion), Taichong (LR3) (moxibustion).
• Persistent metrostaxis: Sanyinjiao (SP6), Taichong (LR3).
• Red eyes: Yingxiang (LI20), Linqi, Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3).
• Cold and heat Bi-syndrome pain: Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3).