San Jiao

SJ5

外关 · Waiguan

Outer Pass

Outer forearm point opposite PC6, for the side of the head.

Luo-connecting · Opens the Yang Wei vessel

System

Channel: San Jiao (SJ)
Element: Fire
Yin or yang: yang
Organ system: San Jiao
Region: Shoulder and arm
Limb rule: Hand Shaoyang

Open the San Jiao page

Where it is

On the back of the forearm, two thumb-widths above the wrist crease, between the radius and ulna. Opposite PC6.

Nearby: The bones of the forearm. Press between them, not on a sharp edge.

Traditionally said to

Luo point of San Jiao and opening point of the Yang Wei vessel. Taught for the side of the head, feverish surface patterns, and wrist pain. Often paired with PC6 in vessel study.

What people look up

Headache Immunity and colds Pain relief Local muscle tension

Acupressure

Press between the bones for 45–60 seconds. You can hold PC6 and SJ5 together between finger and thumb if that is comfortable.

When not to press: Stop if the hand tingles.

About 30–90 seconds is the usual window, unless the step above is shorter. Stop if pain, dizziness, or anything unusual shows up.

Licensed practice only

Needle depth, angle, electroacupuncture

Textbook language for students. Not instructions. A cun is a body-inch on that person, not a ruler inch. Do not needle yourself.

Depth

Common textbook range: about 0.5–1 cun perpendicular, sometimes through toward PC6 in clinic texts. That through-needle is not a self-care idea.

Angle

Perpendicular, between radius and ulna.

Electroacupuncture

Introductory charts rarely assign a standard electroacupuncture setting here. Clinics that use current choose frequency and intensity for that person. No milliamp figure is given, because copying one would be misleading.