SP 9 — Yīn Líng Quán (阴陵泉) — Yin Mound Spring

On this page

1. Overview
2. Location
3. Actions
4. Indications
5. Needling
6. Clinical notes
7. Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

SP 9 — Yīn Líng Quán (阴陵泉) — is an acupuncture point on the Spleen meridian. Its English name, Yin Mound Spring, reflects the point’s classical character and location. It is one of the most clinically important points in acupuncture practice and is used regularly in the treatment of a range of conditions.

I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience. I use SP 9 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.

2. Location

On the medial aspect of the leg, in the depression in the angle between the medial condyle of the tibia and the posterior border of the tibia.

3. Actions

1. Resolves Dampness and benefits the Lower Jiao
2. Benefits the Spleen and harmonises the Middle Jiao
3. Promotes urination and opens the water passages
4. Clears Damp-Heat from the Lower Jiao

4. Indications

1. Oedema and fluid retention — primary point for draining Dampness
2. Urinary difficulty, urinary tract infections and urinary incontinence
3. Abdominal distension, diarrhoea and digestive Damp
4. Knee pain from Damp accumulation — the most important local point for medial knee pain
5. Vaginal discharge and leucorrhoea from Damp in the Lower Jiao
6. PCOS from Phlegm-Damp obstruction

5. Needling

Perpendicular insertion 1.0–2.0 cun.

Important: Acupuncture should only be performed by a fully qualified practitioner. Never attempt self-needling. All needles I use are sterile, single-use and disposed of immediately after treatment in a clinical sharps container.

6. Clinical notes

SP 9 is the He-Sea and Water point of the Spleen meridian and is the primary point for resolving Dampness throughout the body. In gynaecological practice it is essential for PCOS treatment where Phlegm-Damp obstruction prevents ovulation. For knee pain, SP 9 addresses the Damp accumulation that frequently contributes to medial knee pain, oedema around the joint and post-surgical knee swelling. It is regularly combined with ST 40 (Fenglong) to maximally resolve Phlegm-Damp.

7. Treatment at my clinic

I use SP 9 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions for conditions including PCOS, Knee pain, Urinary tract infections, Digestive disorders. Each treatment is individually designed following a full TCM assessment.

I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Visit the prices page for consultation fees. Return to the acupuncture points directory or the acupuncture main page.