"Xiao" (消), water receding; "luo" (濼), water pool. Yiqie Jing Yinyi (by Xuan Ying of the Tang Dynasty) volume 1 states: "'Luo' is a large pool." thus refers to a shallow depression left after water recedes. The point is located in the depression on extensor aspect of upper arm, hence its name. In addition, "Xiao" (消) means to eliminate, and "Luo" (濼) refers to soreness and weakness, named for its therapeutic effects.

bubble_chart Location

Xiaoluo (TE12) acupoints
(adapted from "Meridians and Acupoints")

On extensor aspect of upper arm, at the midpoint of the line connecting Qinglengyuan (TE11) and Naohui (TE13), in the depression formed when triceps brachii muscle contracts.

• Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing: "On outer side of arm below shoulder, diagonally toward elbow";
• Huangdi Suwen Zhijie Gao Shizong's note: "3 cun below Jianzhen (SI9)";
• Xunjing Kaoxue Bian: "Approximately 6 cun from the tip of elbow... between the outer bone and inner part of arm, in the diagonal division."

bubble_chart Anatomy

• Muscle: belly of triceps.
• Nerve: posterior brachial cutaneous nerve, radial nerve.
• Vessels: middle and accessory arteries and veins.

bubble_chart Manipulation

Perpendicular insertion 0.5~1.5 cun. Moxibustion with moxa cone for 3~7 times, moxibustion with moxa stick for 5~15 minutes.

bubble_chart Efficacy

• Classical: headache, dizziness, depressive psychosis, toothache, stiff neck, shoulder and back pain, swelling and pain on outer side of arm, soreness and weakness, wind-Bi syndrome.
• Modern: occipital neuralgia.

bubble_chart Combinations

• Nape pain: Xiaoluo (TE12), Qiaoyin.
• Stiffness and pain in neck and nape : Fengchi (GB20), Tianzhu (BL10), Xiaoluo (TE12).