LI03 Sanjian (Third Space)

三間sān jiānSanjian

Large Intestine Meridian

Location of acupuncture point LI03 Sanjian (Third Space)
35
Indications
15
Protocols
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Location

When loose fist is made point is on the radial side of the index finger in the depression the proximal to the head of the 2nd metacarpal bone.

No specific contraindications.

Indications

Conditions for which LI03 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.

Benefit TeethBenefit ThroatStomach RumblingChillsCommon ColdDampDiarrheaDryness LipsDry MouthFeverFright FullnessChest FullnessHeatFinger StiffnessStiff NeckImmobility FingerImmobility NeckInjury ColdMalariaNosebleedObstruction ThroatEye PainTeeth Decay PainTeeth Toothache Inferior Jaw PainPharyngitisHand Dorsum RednessRhinitisExcessive SleepinessHand Dorsum SwellingTinnitusTongue ThrustingWater Binding ChestWater Binding Costal LateralWind

Protocols using LI03

  • Dental Pain, Anesthesia Teeth-extractionLI03, LI04, LI20, ST02, ST04, ST05, ST06, ST07, SI18, CV24, GV26 (doi:10.1093/ecam/nem056)
  • Globus Pharyngeus, Throat Sensation Of Lump, Gastrointestinal Functional DisorderLU11, LI03, ST36, CV22 (doi:10.3389/fmed.2020.00179)
  • Muscle Strength Shoulder, Athletic Performance Explosive ForceLU01, LU04, LI03, LI14, TB12, TB13, TB14 (doi:10.1155/2021/5585605)
  • Pruritus, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Atopic Dermatitis, Eczema SkinLI03, LI11, ST36, ST43, PC06, GB41 (doi:10.1155/2021/5584247)
  • Paralysis Upper Limb, Cerebral Palsy, Spasticity, Cerebral Palsy Spastic Hemiplegic, Hand Problems, Arm Problems, Upper Limb Weakness, Spastic HemiplegiaLI03, LI04, LI05, LI10, LI11, LI13, LI14, LI15, SI03, SI05, SI09, SI11, PC06, TB04, TB05, TB14, GB21 (doi:10.1177/2515690X251317438)
  • Spasm Facial, Blepharospasm, Twitching Facial, Meige Syndrome, Orofacial DystoniaLU11, LI03, ST02, TB17, GB20, GB41, LV01, XH04 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240918-k0004)
  • Paralysis Upper Limb, Cerebral Palsy Spastic HemiplegicLI03, LI04, LI05, LI10, LI11, LI13, LI14, LI15, SI03, SI05, SI09, SI11, PC06, TB04, TB05, TB14, GB21 (doi:10.1177/2515690X251317438)
  • Damp Large Intestine, Heat Large Intestine, Damp Large Intestine, Heat Large IntestineLI01, LI03, LI09, LI11, ST22, ST25, SP04, SP15, SP16, BL25, BL27, BL28, BL37, BL39 (Yang Yong-Xuan, clinical point-selection notes)
  • Trigeminal NeuralgiaLI03, LI04, ST02, ST03, ST06, ST07, ST44, SI18, BL02, GB14, CV24 (LU Liang. A Survey on Acupuncture Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2010, 30(1): 68)
  • Hemiplegia, Finger Pain, Shoulder Pain, Wrist Pain, Shoulder-hand SyndromeLI03, LI10, LI15, SI03, SI11, SI15, TB03, TB05, TB14 (Li N, Tian F, Wang C, Yu P, Zhou X, Wen Q, Qiao X, Huang L. Therapeutic effect of acupuncture and massage for shoulder-hand syndrome in hemiplegia patients: a clinical two-center randomized controlled trial. J Tradit Chin Med 2012; 32(3): 343-346)
  • Crohn's DiseaseLI03, ST25, ST36, ST37, SP04, SP06, SP09, LV03, CV12 (Acupuncture Treatment for Active Crohn's Disease. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02559037)
  • Muscle Hypertonia Post-stroke Upper LimbLI03, LI05, LI07, LI14, LI15, SI03, TB03, TB05, TB09, TB10, TB13 (Liu Xiafei, Bao Chunling, Dong Guirong. Using acupoint-to-acupoint penetrative needling to treat poststroke spastic paralysis: a clinical progress review. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2014 October 15; 34(5): 609-615.)
  • Fibromyalgia Pain Musculoskeletal DiffuseLI03, LI04, LI11, ST36, SP06, GB34, GV20 (Bai Y, Guo Y, Wang H, Chen B, Wang Z, Liu Y, Zhao X, Li Y. Efficacy of acupuncture on fibromyalgia syndrome: a Meta-analysis. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2014; 34(4): 381-391.)
  • Fibromyalgia Pain Musculoskeletal DiffuseLU09, LU11, LI01, LI03 (Bai Y, Guo Y, Wang H, Chen B, Wang Z, Liu Y, Zhao X, Li Y. Efficacy of acupuncture on fibromyalgia syndrome: a Meta-analysis. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2014; 34(4): 381-391.)
  • Bi Syndrome, Fever Rheumatic, Arthritis Rheumatoid, Fibrositis, Neuralgia, Gout, Numbness, Finger Pain, Bi Syndrome, Fever Rheumatic, Arthritis Rheumatoid, Finger PainLI03, SI03, XU09A, XU09B, XU09C, XU09D, XU09E, XU09F, XU09G, XU09H (sacredlotus.com)

Most often selected alongside LI03

How many sourced protocols in the index pair each point with LI03. Corpus frequency, not a combination to use.

  • LI04Junction Valley5 protocols
  • LI11Pond At The Bend5 protocols
  • SI03Back Stream5 protocols
  • LI14Upper Arm Prominence4 protocols
  • LI15Shoulder And Clavicle4 protocols
  • ST36Leg Three Miles4 protocols
  • TB05Outer Gate4 protocols
  • TB14Shoulder Bone Hole4 protocols
  • LI05Yang Stream3 protocols
  • LI10Arm Three Miles3 protocols
  • LU11Lesser Metal3 protocols
  • PC06Inner Gate3 protocols