Koryo Hand Therapy (KHT)
고려수지침 · 高麗手指鍼 — Dr. Tae-Woo Yoo's microsystem (Seoul, 1971) maps the entire body onto the hand via 14 micro-meridians and ~345 points. Treatments use press-tack needles, gold/silver pellets, or hand moxa, making it especially well suited to needle-shy patients and self-care between sessions.
The 14 KHT Micro-Meridians
Letters mark where each micro-meridian runs on the hand. Yin lines (jade) on the palmar surface, Yang lines (gold) on the dorsum, extraordinary spine/midline (bamboo) on the middle finger.
How KHT works in clinic
- Locate the body region you want to treat on the correspondence map below.
- Palpate the hand zone for an ahshi tender point — KHT relies on local tenderness as much as classical landmarks.
- Stimulate with a press-tack needle, gold pellet (yang/warming), silver pellet (yin/cooling), or fingernail pressure.
- Retain press-tacks 6–24 hours; pellets up to 3 days. Re-treat the opposite hand to balance.
Body-to-Hand Correspondences
Head & face
Tip and distal phalanx of the middle finger
A1–A8 / B1–B7 — needle for headaches, sinus, TMJ
Neck & cervical spine
Distal interphalangeal crease of the middle finger
A12 region — primary point for cervical pain
Thoracic spine & chest
Middle phalanx of the middle finger (dorsum = spine, palm = chest)
A16–A22 / B14–B19 — respiratory and cardiac referrals
Lumbar spine & lower back
Proximal phalanx of the middle finger
A26–A30 — lumbago, sciatica trigger zone
Pelvis & pelvic organs
Base of the middle finger / mid-palm
B24–B28 — menstrual, urinary, reproductive complaints
Shoulders & arms
Index finger and little finger
Lung/LI lines (C, D) and Heart/SI lines (G, H)
Hips & legs
Thumb and ring finger
GB/Liver lines (M, N) for lateral; Bladder/Kidney lines (I, J) for posterior
Internal organs
Palmar centre, mapped along lines E, F, K
Use ahshi tenderness to confirm the active reflex zone
Governor Line (Spinal)
A선 · 督脉 hand correspondence
Hand path
Midline of the dorsum of the middle finger, from tip (A1) to the wrist crease (A33).
Body correspondence: Du Mai (Governor Vessel)
Common indications
- Spinal pain at any level
- Headaches and occipital tension
- Autonomic imbalance
Conception Line (Anterior Midline)
B선 · 任脉 hand correspondence
Hand path
Midline of the palmar surface of the middle finger, from tip (B1) to the wrist crease (B28).
Body correspondence: Ren Mai (Conception Vessel)
Common indications
- Digestive complaints
- Reproductive and pelvic issues
- Anxiety, palpitations, chest tightness
Lung Line
C선 · 肺
Hand path
Radial side of the index finger, palmar aspect, fingertip to base.
Body correspondence: Lung
Common indications
- Cough, asthma, weak voice
- Skin disorders
- Spontaneous sweating, frequent colds
Large Intestine Line
D선 · 大腸
Hand path
Radial side of the index finger, dorsal aspect, fingertip to base.
Body correspondence: Large Intestine
Common indications
- Constipation, IBS
- Toothache and facial pain
- Shoulder/arm tension
Stomach Line
E선 · 胃
Hand path
Dorsal side of the middle finger, paralleling line A laterally.
Body correspondence: Stomach
Common indications
- Epigastric pain, nausea
- Headache (frontal)
- Knee pain
Spleen Line
F선 · 脾
Hand path
Palmar side of the middle finger, paralleling line B laterally.
Body correspondence: Spleen
Common indications
- Bloating, loose stools, fatigue
- Dampness, heaviness
- Excess worry
Heart Line
G선 · 心
Hand path
Ulnar side of the little finger, palmar aspect.
Body correspondence: Heart
Common indications
- Palpitations, anxiety
- Insomnia
- Chest oppression
Small Intestine Line
H선 · 小腸
Hand path
Ulnar side of the little finger, dorsal aspect.
Body correspondence: Small Intestine
Common indications
- Shoulder and scapular pain
- Ear and lower-jaw discomfort
- Loose stools with scanty urine
Bladder Line
I선 · 膀胱
Hand path
Dorsal aspect of the ring finger, fingertip to base.
Body correspondence: Bladder
Common indications
- Lower back pain
- Sciatica, leg pain
- Urinary frequency
Kidney Line
J선 · 腎
Hand path
Palmar aspect of the ring finger, fingertip to base.
Body correspondence: Kidney
Common indications
- Lumbar weakness, cold feet
- Tinnitus, low libido
- Fatigue, slow recovery
Pericardium Line
K선 · 心包
Hand path
Palmar aspect of the index finger, midline.
Body correspondence: Pericardium
Common indications
- Chest tightness from emotion
- Anxiety with cold extremities
- Nausea (e.g. travel sickness)
Triple Burner Line
L선 · 三焦
Hand path
Dorsal aspect of the index finger, midline.
Body correspondence: Triple Burner (Sanjiao)
Common indications
- Temperature dysregulation
- Lateral head/ear ache
- Fluid metabolism issues
Gallbladder Line
M선 · 膽
Hand path
Dorsal side of the thumb.
Body correspondence: Gallbladder
Common indications
- Lateral headache, migraines
- Hip and lateral leg pain
- Decisional fatigue
Liver Line
N선 · 肝
Hand path
Palmar side of the thumb.
Body correspondence: Liver
Common indications
- PMS, irregular menses
- Stress and irritability
- Eye strain, weak tendons
Searchable Point Database
Search by code, name, body region, or indication. Tap any point in a formula card below to jump straight here.
Advanced filters
Meridian polarity
Corresponds to body region
Indication tags
Filters combine with AND across groups, OR within a group. Combine with the meridian tabs and search box above to drill into a specific clinical scenario.
Tip of the middle finger, dorsum
Reflects to: Vertex / Bai Hui zone
- Vertex headache
- Mental fog
- Insomnia (calms Shen)
Distal phalanx of the middle finger, dorsum
Reflects to: Forehead / frontal sinus
- Frontal headache
- Sinus congestion
Distal phalanx of middle finger, dorsum (just above DIP)
Reflects to: Occiput / posterior head
- Occipital headache
- Stiff neck on waking
- Eye strain headache
DIP crease of the middle finger, dorsum
Reflects to: Cervical spine (C1–C7)
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Cervicogenic headache
- Whiplash recovery
Mid-middle finger, dorsum (between DIP and PIP)
Reflects to: Upper thoracic spine (T1–T6)
- Upper back tension
- Inter-scapular pain
- Asthma support
Just proximal to PIP crease, middle finger dorsum
Reflects to: Diaphragm / mid-thoracic
- Hiccups
- Mid-back tension
- Epigastric pressure
Mid proximal phalanx, middle finger dorsum
Reflects to: Lower thoracic / TL junction
- Mid-back ache
- Epigastric reflux
Proximal middle finger, dorsum
Reflects to: Lumbar spine (L1–L5)
- Acute low back pain
- Lumbago
- Sciatica root
Base of the middle finger, dorsum
Reflects to: Sacrum / coccyx
- Sacroiliac pain
- Coccydynia
- Sciatica down the leg
Hand-dorsum below base of middle finger, midline
Reflects to: Perineum / base of spine
- Pelvic floor weakness
- Haemorrhoids
Tip of middle finger, palmar
Reflects to: Mouth / chin
- TMJ tension
- Mouth ulcers
- Jaw clenching
Distal phalanx middle finger, palmar
Reflects to: Throat / hyoid
- Sore throat
- Globus sensation
- Dry cough
Mid-middle finger, palmar
Reflects to: Sternum / chest centre
- Chest tightness
- Anxiety with palpitations
- Asthma support
Just distal to PIP, middle finger palmar
Reflects to: Solar plexus / epigastrium
- Epigastric pain
- Stress-related stomach upset
- Insomnia from busy mind
Proximal phalanx, middle finger palmar
Reflects to: Lower abdomen / Dan Tian
- Lower-Jiao cold
- Bloating
- Fatigue after meals
Base of middle finger, palmar
Reflects to: Pelvic bowl / uterus / bladder
- Menstrual cramps
- Urinary urgency
- Pelvic congestion
Avoid strong stimulation in confirmed pregnancy.
Radial tip of index finger
Reflects to: Lung jing-well analogue
- Acute sore throat
- Onset cough
- Heat with sweating
Mid index finger, palmar-radial
Reflects to: Lung tonification zone
- Wei Qi deficiency
- Frequent colds
- Allergic rhinitis
Base of index finger, palmar-radial
Reflects to: Chest / Lung organ
- Chronic cough
- Asthma maintenance
- Skin disorders
Radial tip of index finger, dorsum
Reflects to: LI jing-well analogue
- Toothache (lower jaw)
- Acute facial pain
Distal index finger, dorsum-radial
Reflects to: Releases the exterior
- Onset cold
- Headache with chills
- Sinus pressure
Base of index finger, dorsum-radial
Reflects to: Shoulder / arm
- Shoulder tension
- Tennis elbow referral
- Constipation (sluggish)
Caution in pregnancy — strong descending action.
Distal middle finger, dorsum-lateral to A line
Reflects to: Eye and cheek
- Eye strain
- Sinusitis
Mid middle finger, dorsum-lateral
Reflects to: Stomach / frontal head
- Frontal headache
- Nausea
- Acid reflux
Base of middle finger, dorsum-lateral
Reflects to: Stomach organ / knee referral
- Bloating after meals
- Knee pain (anterior)
- Postprandial fatigue
Distal middle finger, palmar-lateral to B
Reflects to: Mouth / digestive opening
- Loss of appetite
- Cracked lips
Mid middle finger, palmar-lateral
Reflects to: Spleen Blood mover
- Menstrual irregularity
- Easy bruising
- Fatigue with worry
Base of middle finger, palmar-lateral
Reflects to: Spleen organ
- Loose stools
- Damp heaviness
- Low energy after meals
Ulnar tip of little finger, palmar
Reflects to: Heart jing-well
- Acute anxiety
- Palpitations
- Settles the Shen
Distal phalanx, little finger, palmar-ulnar
Reflects to: Heart channel
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Tongue ulcers
Base of little finger, palmar-ulnar
Reflects to: Heart organ / chest
- Chest oppression
- Mild bradycardia support
- Emotional shock recovery
Ulnar tip of little finger, dorsum
Reflects to: SI jing-well
- Acute neck stiffness
- Ear pain
Mid little finger, dorsum-ulnar
Reflects to: Shoulder blade / SI channel
- Scapular pain
- Shoulder mobility
- Lower-jaw pain
Base of little finger, dorsum-ulnar
Reflects to: SI organ / clear-turbid separation
- Loose stools with scanty urine
- Mental fog after eating
Distal ring finger, dorsum
Reflects to: BL meridian along the head
- Occipital headache
- Eye strain
Mid ring finger, dorsum
Reflects to: Mid-back / Bladder line
- Mid-back tension
- Inter-scapular ache
Proximal ring finger, dorsum
Reflects to: Lumbar paraspinals
- Lumbar muscle spasm
- Low back stiffness
- Sciatica down the leg
Distal ring finger, palmar (centre of fingertip)
Reflects to: Kidney jing-well / sole reflex
- Acute fright
- Cold feet
- Resuscitation point
Mid ring finger, palmar
Reflects to: Kidney channel / Lower Jiao
- Cold-type cramps
- Lumbar weakness
- Low libido
Base of ring finger, palmar
Reflects to: Kidney organ / Ming Men
- Chronic fatigue
- Tinnitus (deficient)
- Slow recovery from illness
Distal index finger, palmar centre
Reflects to: PC jing-well
- Acute chest tightness from emotion
- Nausea (motion sickness)
Mid index finger, palmar centre
Reflects to: Calms Shen / opens chest
- Anxiety with cold hands
- Insomnia from emotional stress
Base of index finger, palmar centre
Reflects to: PC organ / chest
- Chest oppression
- Palpitations from grief or shock
Distal index finger, dorsum centre
Reflects to: TB jing-well
- Lateral headache
- Acute ear pain
Mid index finger, dorsum centre
Reflects to: Temperature regulation
- Heat intolerance
- Cold intolerance
- Post-viral autonomic instability
Base of index finger, dorsum centre
Reflects to: TB / fluid metabolism
- Oedema (mild)
- Immune support
- Ear fullness
Distal thumb, dorsum
Reflects to: GB head / temple
- Migraines
- Temporal headache
- Dry mouth (heat)
Mid thumb, dorsum
Reflects to: GB lateral body
- Hip and ITB pain
- Lateral leg ache
- Decisional fatigue
Base of thumb, dorsum
Reflects to: GB organ / chest-side
- Wakings 11pm–1am
- Bitter taste in mouth
- PMS irritability
Distal thumb, palmar
Reflects to: LV jing-well
- Acute eye pain
- Fainting (with shock)
Mid thumb, palmar
Reflects to: LV channel / Qi mover
- PMS cramps
- Stress sighing
- Hypochondriac discomfort
Base of thumb, palmar
Reflects to: LV organ / Blood store
- Brittle nails / dry eyes
- Irregular menses
- Tendon weakness
Ready-to-use Clinical Formulas
Each formula uses 3–5 KHT points. They work well as standalone treatments, between body-acupuncture sessions, or as patient self-care with pellets. Tap any point code to open it in the database above.
Tension Headache
Frontal or whole-head tension headache, screen fatigue, mild dehydration headache.
- A8Distal middle finger, dorsum (occiput zone)Local correspondence to head
- A12DIP crease, dorsum of middle fingerCervical release
- E8Stomach line on the middle finger (frontal head reflex)Frontal pain relief
- M28Distal thumb, dorsumLateral head / GB channel
Technique: Press-tack needles 12–24 hours, or gold pellet (yang) over each point with light tape.
Acute Low Back Pain
Mechanical lumbago, post-lift strain, stiffness on rising.
- A26Proximal middle finger, dorsal midlineDirect lumbar correspondence
- A30Base of middle finger, dorsumSacral correspondence
- I22Proximal ring finger, dorsumBladder line — lumbar musculature
- J7Mid-palmar ring fingerKidney line — root tonification
Technique: Stimulate while patient slowly flexes/extends the lumbar spine for 60 seconds, then retain pellets.
Caution: Refer for imaging if red flags (fever, weight loss, neurological deficit, trauma).
Insomnia with a Busy Mind
Difficulty falling asleep, racing thoughts, mild anxiety at night.
- A1Tip of middle fingerCalms the Shen, head reset
- G1Ulnar tip of little fingerHeart line — settles the Shen
- K9Mid-palmar index fingerPericardium line — chest opening
- B19Mid-palmar middle fingerConception line — calms upper Jiao
Technique: Apply silver pellets (yin/sedating) 1 hour before bed; remove on waking.
Bloating & Sluggish Digestion
Postprandial bloating, mild epigastric heaviness, soft stools, low energy after meals.
- E22Base of middle finger, dorsum (Stomach line)Harmonises the Stomach
- F16Base of middle finger, palmar (Spleen line)Tonifies the Spleen
- B24Base of middle finger, palmar midlineLower Jiao support
- A18Mid-middle finger, dorsumDiaphragm zone — releases epigastric pressure
Technique: Press-tack 6–12 hours after meals, or gentle thumbnail pressure for 30 seconds at each point.
Menstrual Cramps
Primary dysmenorrhea: cramping, dull pelvic ache, lower back drag.
- B26Base of middle finger, palmar midlinePelvic correspondence
- F12Mid-palmar middle fingerSpleen line — moves Blood
- N5Mid-palmar thumbLiver line — regulates Qi flow
- J5Mid-palmar ring fingerKidney line — warms the Lower Jiao
Technique: Apply gold pellets (warming) at onset of cramps; gentle moxa stick 1 cm above each point if cold-type.
Caution: Avoid in confirmed pregnancy.
Common Cold (early stage)
First 24–48 hours of a wind invasion: runny nose, mild chills, scratchy throat.
- A8Distal middle finger, dorsumHead and sinus
- C5Radial side of index finger, palmarLung line — Wei Qi
- D2Radial side of index finger, dorsumLI line — releases the exterior
- L7Mid-dorsal index fingerTriple Burner — fluid balance and immunity
Technique: Brisk thumbnail pressure 1 minute per point, repeat every 2 hours; warm the hands while treating.