Kidney 3 (KI 3) Tai Xi — Great Ravine

This is the Yuan-Source and Shu-Stream point of the Kidney channel and the single most important point for tonifying the Kidney, nourishing both Kidney yin and yang.

Kidney 3 (KI 3) Tai Xi 太谿 — Great Ravine

Location

On the medial aspect of the ankle, in the depression between the prominence of the medial malleolus and the Achilles tendon.

Anatomy

Anterior to the Achilles tendon; the posterior tibial artery and vein; the medial crural cutaneous nerve and the tibial nerve.

Actions & Functions

  • Tonifies the Kidney and nourishes Kidney yin and yang
  • Benefits essence (jing) and strengthens the lower back and knees
  • Anchors the qi and benefits the Lung
  • Regulates the uterus

Indications

Chronic lower back pain, weak knees, tinnitus and deafness, dizziness, nocturnal emission and impotence, irregular menstruation and infertility, chronic asthma, insomnia, and chronic sore throat.

Needling

0.3-0.5 cun, perpendicular insertion, avoiding the posterior tibial artery.

Moxibustion Suitability

Suitable for moxibustion to tonify and warm the Kidney.

Point Combinations

With BL-23 to tonify the Kidney; with KI-7 and LU-7 for chronic asthma; with SP-6 for the lower burner.

Classical Text References

The Yuan-Source, Shu-Stream (Earth) point of the Kidney, the chief tonification point of the Kidney.

Cautions & Contraindications

Avoid the posterior tibial artery.

Latest Research

Latest peer-reviewed research on this point will be summarised here, with citations linked to PubMed, via our research integration.

About Attilio

Doctor of Chinese medicine, acupuncture expert and author of My Fertility Guide and My Pregnancy Guide.

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PubMed research

Online Mindfulness and Baduanjin Programme Shows Benefits as Add-On to Medication for Generalised Anxiety Disorder

Research summary (Qi Gong): Self-Guided Internet-Based Mindfulness-Informed Stress Management for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial With Longitu - Journal of medical Internet research, 2026.