Pathway

It begins at the big toe, at its internal nail angle. It follows the first metatarsal projecting through the tendons, and inserts at the lower angle of the medial malleolus (SP-5). It ascends along the anterointernal border of the leg and inserts in the area of SP-9. It ascends along the inner surface of the thigh including part of the abductors (together with the Liver sinew channel). It reaches the middle of the inguinal crease below the hip joint (between ST-31 and SP-12).

It reaches CV-3, the meeting point of the Yin sinew channels of the leg. From there it divides:

• It connects with the external genitals.
• It follows the white line to the navel where it enters the interior and distributes along the entire inner abdominal wall, hypochondrium and thorax.
• From the area of 3 RM it enters the interior of the abdomen and projects to the spine at the level of BL-20.

Symptoms

Contractures, tightness, pain along the pathway.

Look for the Ashi points, sometimes CV-2 is more painful than CV-3.

Sites of interest:

• Big toe of the foot: gout, contracture
• Medial malleolus
• Inner part of the knee (condylopathies, ...)
• Periumbilical pain
• Pubic pain that radiates toward the navel
• Low back pain
• Pain at sternum level (not only Ren Mai)