Gushing Spring

Dear Patient,

Kidney 1 is a point that I love to treat with acupressure. But I absolutely dread having it needled. Located on the sole of the foot, it’s a universally tender point. I flinch every time.

But acupressure at Kidney 1 feels marvelous. You can press it with your thumb, or roll your foot around on a ball to stimulate it, or just rub your feet together (scroll down for location notes).

The Chinese name for Kidney 1, Yong Quan, means Gushing Spring. Imagine water flowing through an aquifer deep underground, then bubbling up to the surface at a spring. The same happens at Kidney 1 - qi from the earth emerges, flooding the body with grounding yin energy to subdue excess yang. It’s a great point for dizziness, headaches, anxiety, insomnia, or anytime you’re just up in your head and want to feel more rooted.

In fact, take a minute right now to sit with both feet on the floor. Imagine roots growing out of the soles of your feet, reaching down through Kidney 1 into the earth, anchoring you firmly in place as the world around you spins. The Kidneys house your Essence, the source of your constitutional strength. All that you bring with you into this life, passed down from your ancestors, is contained within the Kidneys. Through Kidney 1 you stake your claim on this earth. You belong here. Feel your roots reaching down to connect with those who came before you, and all of creation.

Love and gratitude,

Your Acupuncturist

P.S. Every Wednesday I write about a different acupuncture point. Are there any you’re interested in? Let me know!

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Location Notes:

Kidney 1 is located on the sole of the foot, in the depression posterior to the ball of the foot. It’s not quite in the dead center of the sole. It’s approximately one third of the distance between the base of the second toe and the heel. Check out this illustration for a visual.