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The acupuncture point Spleen 10 (SP 10), also known as “Xuehai” in Pinyin or “Sea of Blood” in English, is primarily associated with treating conditions related to blood in TCM. This includes being able to enhance blood “invigorating”, or circulation through a bio-medical perspective.
Blood pathologies are also related to many skin disorders in TCM and many times the primary basis. So this point can be used as the practitioner may see fit.
Stats on Spleen 10 (Sp10) XueHai
Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Spleen 10 – SP10 – Sp-10 – SP 10 |
| TCM Name | Xuehai (Sea of Blood) |
| Location | On the inner thigh, about two cun above the knee, in the bulge of the medial portion of the quadriceps femoris muscle. |
| Functions | – Regulates blood to treat skin diseases like eczema and urticaria. – Invigorates blood and dispels stasis, useful for menstrual issues like amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and irregular menstruation. – Helps in the treatment of blood disorders and alleviates pain. |
When To Avoid Use Of Spleen 10
There are contraindications to using the acupuncture point Spleen 10 (SP 10). These include:
- Pregnancy: Acupuncture at SP 10 should be avoided during pregnancy because it is a potent point for moving and invigorating blood, which can potentially stimulate uterine contractions or lead to other complications.
- Bleeding Disorders: Individuals with bleeding disorders or those on anticoagulant therapy should use caution, as SP 10’s blood-invigorating properties might increase the risk of bleeding.
- Skin Infections or Lesions: As with any acupuncture point, if there is an infection, wound, or other skin lesions at or near the SP 10 location, acupuncture should not be performed there to avoid further irritation or infection.
- Severe Weakness or Debilitation: In cases of severe weakness or debilitation, acupuncture, in general, should be used with caution, and potent points like SP 10 might need to be avoided or used very gently.
Research on Spleen 10 (Sp10)
Research highlights its role in enhancing blood circulation, cooling blood, and alleviating pain, especially in primary dysmenorrhea. The research is still on going.
Acupuncture for Diabetic Gastroparesis
This study is an overview of ten systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRs/MAs) published between 2010 and 2021, comprising 126 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 9,270 participants. The research evaluated the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture as a treatment for diabetic gastroparesis (DGP). The primary outcome indicators showed that acupuncture, including techniques like electroacupuncture and acupoint injection, was more effective than controls (like gastroprokinetic agents and sham acupuncture) and exhibited fewer side effects. However, the overall methodological quality of the SRs/MAs was rated as low, with only 4 of 20 results being of moderate quality. The study concluded that while acupuncture appears beneficial for DGP symptoms, these findings need validation through more rigorous and larger-scale studies.1
Acupuncture Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea
In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 72 patients with primary dysmenorrhea (PD) were divided into two groups. One group received acupuncture at tender points around Spleen 6 (SP 6), Spleen 8 (SP 8), and Spleen 9 (SP 9), while the control group received acupuncture at the regular acupoints SP 6, SP 8, and SP 9. The treatment involved needle manipulation and was conducted once daily for three days during each menstrual cycle, for three months. Results indicated that acupuncture stimulation of the tender points around SP 6, SP 8, and SP 9 had a stronger analgesic effect than needling the regular acupoints in PD patients.2
It’s important to consult with a qualified acupuncture practitioner who can assess individual conditions and determine the appropriateness of using SP 10 or any other acupuncture points.
References
- Wang, Y., Xie, C., Lu, L., Fu, D. L., He, Y., Zhu, L., … & Zhao, J. (2021). An overview of systematic reviews of acupuncture for diabetic gastroparesis. Frontiers in Medicine, 8, 630. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2021.631830 ↩︎
- Zhu, J., Arsovska, B., Kozovska, K., & Xue, S. (2018). Acupuncture treatment of primary dysmenorrhea by needling acupoints of the spleen meridian with positive reactions: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu, 38(4), 369-372. DOI: 10.13702/j.1000-0607.170989 ↩︎
Carlo St. Juste II, MAOM has a background in acupuncture with over 10 years of clinical experience, published author, and over 16 years in the Martial Arts. He has worked with various organizations to implement employee wellness programs and workshops including The City of West Covina, The City of Brea, Broadcom, University of Southern California (USC), American Suzuki, and Pomona College. He is dedicated to promoting integrative health and has seen the benefits of knowledge and implementation first hand.