Kidney 1 (KI 1) Yong Quan — Gushing Spring

This is the Jing-Well and Wood point of the Kidney channel and the only point on the sole. It descends excess from the head, calms the spirit, restores consciousness and subdues wind.

Kidney 1 (KI 1) Yong Quan 湧泉 — Gushing Spring

Location

On the sole of the foot, in the depression formed when the foot is plantarflexed, at the junction of the anterior third and posterior two-thirds of the line from the base of the second/third toes to the heel.

Anatomy

Between the second and third metatarsals, in the plantar aponeurosis and flexor digitorum brevis; the plantar arterial arch; the second common plantar digital nerve.

Actions & Functions

  • Descends excess and subdues rising yang and wind
  • Restores consciousness and opens the orifices
  • Calms the spirit and clears heat
  • Roots the qi and benefits the Kidney

Indications

Loss of consciousness, shock, headache and dizziness, hypertension, insomnia and mania, childhood convulsions, and heat or pain at the vertex; a grounding point in anxiety.

Needling

0.3-0.5 cun, perpendicular insertion (can be sensitive).

Moxibustion Suitability

Suitable for moxibustion; moxa or warming here is used to descend and root yang.

Point Combinations

With DU-20 for rising yang; with the Jing-well points and DU-26 to restore consciousness.

Classical Text References

The Jing-Well (Wood) point of the Kidney, classically used to descend excess from above and restore consciousness.

Cautions & Contraindications

Needling is often painful; warn the patient.

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.

Check Also

PubMed research

Acupuncture Shows Sustained Benefits for Chronic Daily Headache Prevention in Adults, Meta-Analysis Finds

Research summary (Acupuncture): Utility of Acupuncture Therapy for Adult Chronic Daily Headache Prophylaxis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. - Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research, 2026.