The Power of the Jing-Well Points
By Amy Snow & Nancy Zidonis, Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute
Jing Not Ting Points
As Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was edging into the western world, the soft, fricative sound of the “J” was translated as a hard “T” sound. That’s why you will often see the Jing-Well Points translated as Ting Points in older texts. Most schools have shifted to calling the acupoints located around the coronary band on horses and at the nail beds on dogs and cats (except for Kidney 1) Jing-Well points.
Jing-Well Points
All of the Jing-Well points on each of the 12 channels are powerful Shu Points or Transporting Points. The Jing-Well points are the most superficial
Canine Jing-Well point
of the Five Transporting Points*. These points are where the yin and yang chi bubble up and transform to the opposite polarity. The chi of these points is highly accessible and easily influenced because the energy is so dynamic.
Energy of the Jing-Well Points
In the Classic of Difficulties, Chapter 68, the energy of the Jing-Well Points is characterized as being centrifugal, or outward, in nature. Hence, these points are known to:
• Quickly expel pathogenic factors such as Wind and Heat
• Resolve yin organ diseases especially those related to Heat, and
• Benefit shen disturbances (mental issues) related to Heat – irritability, restlessness, anxiety, or confusion.
Specific Functions of the Jing-Well Points
Because the Jing-Well points readily eliminate pathogenic factors they can be used for acute and even traumatic conditions. For instance, all 12 Jing-Well points can be used for heat stroke. Other examples of when best to work with the Jing-Well points are:
• Heart 9 and Kidney 1 for anxiety and shen disturbances
• Pericardium 9 for calming irritability and restlessness
• Stomach 45 for confusion
• Triple Heater 1 helps with laminitis for horses
• Lung 11 to expel Heat in the chest
• Gall Bladder 44 and Bladder 67 for hip and hock pain
• Large Intestine 1 for respiratory problems and thoracic limb issues
Five-Element Theory and the Jing-Well Points
The power of the Jing-Well points is reflected in the Five-Element Theory also. The yin Jing-Well points are Wood Command points while the yang points are Metal Command points.
Yin Jing-Well Wood Command Points: Lung 11, Heart 9, Pericardium 9, Spleen 1, Liver 1, Kidney 1
Yang Jing-Well Metal Command Points: Large Intestine 1, Triple Heater 1, Small Intestine 1, Stomach 45, Gall Bladder 44, Bladder 67
Acupressure-Massage
The Jing-Well Points can be used to supports the harmonious flow of chi throughout the animal’s body because they have the attribute of balancing the entire meridian thus balancing the entire body.
Equine: To stimulate the Jing-Well points gently press and lightly massage the point with the soft tip of your thumb. Count slowly to 15before moving on around the coronary band to the next point. Kidney 1 is located on the back of the heel bulb.
Canine & Feline: Gently massage around the dog or cat’s nail beds to stimulate the Jing-Well Points. When you have complete the points located on the digits, press the soft tip of your thumb on the back of the back pad. As you massage each point slowly count to 15 before moving to the next point.
*NOTE: The five Shu, or Transporting, Points are located between the coronary band and elbow on a horse, and the nail beds and the elbow on dogs and cats. The five categories of Shu Points in ascending order from the coronary band on the horse or nail beds of the dog or cat are: Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, Shu-Stream, Jing-River, and He-Sea.
Meridian Charts showing major acupoints and Jing-Well points are available by clicking on Animal Meridian Charts.
