One of the eight confluent points, connecting to yang heel vessel. Suwen-Qixue Lun Wang Bing's note: "Originating from yang heel vessel".

bubble_chart Etymology

"Shen" (申), to stretch or extend; "mai" (脈), sinews or vessels. The point treats issues related to inability to flex or extend sinews, hence the name. Additionally, the point belongs to foot taiyang bladder meridian, which corresponds to the "Shen" position in the earthly branches, hence the name.

bubble_chart Location

Shenmai (BL62) acupoint
(adapted from "Meridians and Acupoints")

On the lateral side of foot, in the depression directly below outer ankle.

• Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing: "In the depression below outer ankle, about the width of a fingernail";
• Tongren Shuxue Zhenjiu Tujing adds: "At the junction of red and white skin";
• Suwen-Ciyaotong PianWang Bing's note: "0.5 cun below outer ankle";
• Zhenjiu Dacheng: "Between tendons in front and behind, above ankle bone and below soft bone, the point lies in the center." That is, in the depression at midpoint of lower edge of outer ankle.
• Zhenjiu Daquan: "Slightly in front of lower edge of outer ankle, at the junction of red and white skin";
• Zhenfang Liuji: "Another method states: 2 cun below the tip of outer ankle, at the junction of red and white skin." That is, on lateral side of heel, below calcaneal trochlear process.

bubble_chart Anatomy

• Muscles: peroneus longus tendon, peroneus brevis tendon.
• Nerve: sural nerve.
• Vessel: lateral malleolar artery network.

bubble_chart Manipulation

perpendicular or upward oblique insertion 0.3~0.5 cun. Moxibustion with moxa cone 3 to 5 times, moxibustion with moxa stick for 10 to 15 minutes.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Fortify waist and legs, clear head and eyes.

• Classical: lumbago, shin cold, head wind, headache, palpitations, tinnitus, epistaxis, chest fullness, spontaneous sweating, red eyes, numbness in hands and feet, acute mastitis, deafness, manic and depressive psychosis, epilepsy, retained placenta, vertigo, beriberi with redness and swelling, stroke with aphasia, hemiplegia, crooked mouth and eyes.
• Modern: meningitis, Meniere's syndrome, schizophrenia, ankle arthralgia.

bubble_chart Combinations

• Depressive psychosis: Houxi (SI3), Qiangu (SI2), Shenmai (BL62).
• Lumbago with inability to lift: Shenmai (BL62), Taichong (LR3).
• vertigo: Wangu (GB12), Shenmai (BL62), Taichong (LR3).