San Jiao / Triple Burner (SJ/TB)

🔶

San Jiao / Triple Burner Meridian (Hand Shao Yang) – Summary

The San Jiao (SJ), also known as the Triple Burner, Triple Energizer, or Triple Warmer, is unique in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Unlike other organs, it does not have a physical structure in Western medicine—it refers to three functional “burners” that regulate metabolism, fluids, and energy throughout the body.

🔹 Basic Info

Chinese Name: 手少阳三焦经 (Shǒu Shàoyáng Sānjiāo Jīng)
Element: Fire 🔥
Yin-Yang Pair: Pericardium Meridian
Time of Peak Activity: 9 PM – 11 PM
Number of Points: 23 acupuncture points (SJ-1 to SJ-23)

🔹 The Three “Burners” (Jiao)

Upper Burner – Heart & Lungs (chest)
– Controls breathing, circulation, and fluid dispersion
Middle Burner – Spleen & Stomach (abdomen)
– Digestion and transformation of food
Lower Burner – Liver, Kidneys, Intestines (pelvis)
– Elimination, reproduction, and water metabolism

🔹 Functions of the San Jiao

Regulates the movement of fluids and Qi between the 3 burners
Affects body temperature, lymphatic flow, immune response
Distributes nutrients and energy from digestion
Facilitates emotional balance, especially related to stress or overwhelm

🔹 Meridian Pathway

Begins at the ring finger (SJ-1)
Runs up the back of the arm, around the shoulder, along the side of the neck and ear
Ends at the outer corner of the eyebrow (SJ-23)

🔹 Common San Jiao Points

Point	Name (Pinyin)	Location	Use
SJ-3	Zhongzhu	Back of hand	Earache, headache, finger stiffness
SJ-5	Waiguan	Forearm	Immunity, fevers, colds, pain
SJ-6	Zhigou	Forearm	Constipation, rib-side pain
SJ-17	Yifeng	Behind ear	Tinnitus, jaw pain, ear infection
SJ-23	Sizhukong	Eyebrow corner	Eye pain, headaches, facial paralysis