TE6 Zhigou: Three B-cun above the dorsal wrist crease, locate the centre of the gap between the radius and ulna on the back of the forearm. Landmark schematic; not to scale.

TE6 (Zhigou / Branch Ditch) Acupuncture Point Guide

October 18, 2026

Practitioner Guide from The Acupuncture Supply Co.

TE6 Zhigou belongs to the Triple Energizer channel. This Project Lotus guide focuses on reliable surface landmarks, nearby-point distinctions and safe professional assessment.

Quick reference

Point	TE6 — Zhigou
Channel	Triple Energizer — Hand Shaoyang
Traditional classification	Jing-River; Fire
Region	Posterior forearm
Laterality	Bilateral

Location and landmark sequence

Three B-cun above the dorsal wrist crease, locate the centre of the gap between the radius and ulna on the back of the forearm.

Support the limb so the illustrated surface is accessible. Confirm the thumb or little-finger side for hand and forearm points, or the inner or outer ankle for foot points.
Palpate the named joint, bone or tendon landmarks before estimating a position.
Three B-cun above the dorsal wrist crease, locate the centre of the gap between the radius and ulna on the back of the forearm.
Check the relationship to nearby points and reassess on the individual patient.

Use the patient’s proportional B-cun measurement. For these forearm locations, the wrist-to-elbow reference interval is twelve B-cun. A centimetre ruler or a universal finger-width estimate cannot replace that assessment.

Distinguishing nearby points

TE7 shares the same height but sits towards the ulna. TE5 is one unit closer to the wrist. Also called SJ6 or TB6.

Traditional context

Jing-River; Fire is the traditional classification used here. Classification helps organise channel theory; it is not evidence that an individual point treats a particular disease. Selection depends on a complete assessment and a coherent treatment principle.

Traditional functions and applications

Within traditional East Asian medicine, this point is described in terms of qi regulation; heat clearing; intestinal movement.

Traditional discussions include constipation-pattern presentations and discomfort of the chest or lateral costal region. These are historical treatment concepts, not proven disease-specific effects of this point alone. Select points from the full assessment rather than a symptom list.

Moxibustion

Moxa is not an automatic addition. Assess the treatment principle, skin condition and sensation; use appropriate training, supervision and burn prevention if heat is considered.

Anatomy and essential safety

Forearm tendons, cutaneous nerves and vessels vary between patients. Assess the tissue rather than transferring a fixed image distance. Avoid provoking electric pain, numbness or a sharp neurological sensation.

Inspect skin, circulation and sensation; avoid infected, ulcerated or otherwise unsuitable tissue.
Review relevant medication, bleeding risk, pregnancy, surgery and previous reactions.
Use sterile single-use needles, appropriate infection control and safe sharps disposal.
Choose depth, angle and stimulation through accredited training and patient-specific anatomical assessment.

When assessment takes priority

A hot swollen limb with fever, new weakness, persistent numbness, significant trauma or an infected wound needs medical assessment. Acute chest pain, collapse or severe breathlessness requires emergency care; a traditional channel association must never delay referral.