SI 6 — Yǎng Lǎo (养老) — Nursing the Aged
SI 6 (Yang Lao, “Nursing the Aged”) is the Xi-cleft point of the Small Intestine channel. The name reflects its classical use for the complaints of the elderly — failing eyesight, stiff neck, shoulder and back pain. Located in a depression on the dorsal ulna near the styloid process, it is one of the most useful single points for acute torticollis and visual symptoms.
On this page
1. About SI 6 (Yang Lao)
SI 6 — Yǎng Lǎo — is the Xi-cleft point of the Small Intestine channel. As a Xi-cleft point it is reserved for acute conditions; its functional reach covers the classic complaints of ageing — visual decline, joint stiffness, especially of the neck and shoulder.
2. SI 6 location
In a small depression on the radial side of the styloid process of the ulna, located by placing the palm on the chest — the depression appears at the ulnar styloid.
3. Actions
- Benefits the sinews and joints
- Brightens the eyes
- Unblocks the Small Intestine channel
4. Indications
- Acute neck pain and torticollis — the principal use
- Shoulder pain and frozen shoulder
- Hip pain
- Lumbar pain (acute)
- Blurred vision and visual decline
- General joint pain in the elderly
5. Needling
Oblique insertion towards the elbow 0.5–0.8 cun. Strong De Qi often radiates up the forearm.
6. Clinical notes
SI 6 is the classical “distal point” for acute torticollis — with patient turning the neck through full range while the needle is retained and gently manipulated, dramatic improvement is often observed in minutes. The point is often combined with GB 20 (Feng Chi), local Ashi tender points and the Luo-Yue Lao point.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I use SI 6 within tailored acupuncture prescriptions for acute torticollis, neck pain, shoulder stiffness and visual complaints in the elderly. I see patients at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
Return to the acupuncture points directory.
