Small Intestine Meridian: Discern, Separate, Integrate (Fire • 13:00–15:00)
Table of contents
Why the Small Intestine matters
Common signs of Small Intestine imbalance
7–10 minute Small Intestine Qi Gong (daily)
Targeted acupressure (2–4 minutes)
Emotional clarity: deciding with kindness
Lifestyle & seasonal tips (Fire/Summer)
How Small Intestine connects to other meridians
The Small Intestine meridian is your inner sorter. In TCM it “separates the clear from the turbid” — physically (digestion and fluids) and mentally (discernment and decision-making). When SI Qi flows, the belly feels light, the shoulders/neck relax, and choices feel clear. When it’s stuck, the gut is unsettled, the jaw/shoulders tighten, and thoughts tangle. This guide gives you a practical way to restore ease and clarity.
See the big picture in the cluster: Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide
At-a-glance
Peak time: 13:00–15:00 (sorting, clarity, post-lunch integration)
Element: Fire
Yin/Yang pair: Heart Meridian (houses the Shen, calm joy)
Opens to: Ears (hearing, balance)
Manifests in: Lower abdomen, shoulders/neck, jaw
Emotion: Discernment vs. confusion
Season: Summer (heat, expansion)
Core functions: Separate clear/turbid (digestion/fluids), support clarity in thought and speech, release shoulder/neck tension
Why the Small Intestine matters
After the Stomach “receives”, the Small Intestine refines — sending the pure onward and the impure away. Energetically, it helps you sift signals, feelings and options so you can respond rather than react. If you want fewer gut flares and more confident choices, train the body to sort with ease: soften the shoulders/jaw, breathe steadily, and move the midline.
For the wider map, read Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide and its pair channel, Heart Meridian.
Pathway (plain-language)
The Small Intestine channel begins at the little finger (SI-1), travels up the ulnar side of the hand/forearm, crosses the elbow, runs along the back of the upper arm to the shoulder blade (SI-11), then to the neck, cheek and ear (SI-19). Internally it connects with the Heart Meridian and the small intestine organ. It’s brilliant for shoulder, scapula, neck and jaw patterns — and for “sorting” mentally.
Daily rhythm: 13:00–15:00
Mid-afternoon is prime time to integrate food and information. Keep it simple:
Short walk or gentle shoulder fans.
Two minutes of 4-4-6 breathing through the nose.
If jaw is tight, practise three slow “soft jaw” yawns.
Want timing context through the day? See Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide.
Common signs of Small Intestine imbalance
Physical
Bloating or cramping after meals
Variable stools; sensitivity to greasy or very cold foods
Shoulder/scapula tension, neck stiffness, jaw/TMJ pain
Ear symptoms (fullness, occasional ringing)
Urinary clarity issues (cloudy urine) when heat/damp are present
Emotional & mental
Indecision, second-guessing, mental over-sorting
Feeling “cluttered” after conversations
Sharp self-criticism or, conversely, avoidance of choices
If several apply, explore the routine below and cross-reference with Heart Meridian and Spleen Meridian (for damp/phlegm patterns).
Quick self-check (1 minute)
Belly: Light and warm, or gassy and unsettled?
Shoulders/jaw: Easy and mobile, or grippy and loud?
Clarity: After lunch, do choices feel simpler — or more tangled?
If two or more are off, focus on Small Intestine support for seven days. Add Heart Meridian if agitation or poor sleep sits alongside gut signs.
7–10 minute Small Intestine Qi Gong (daily)
Set your intention: “I separate the clear from the turbid with ease.”
Opening bounce (60 sec): Gentle bounce; loosen wrists, jaw and shoulders.
Shoulder fans (60 sec): Inhale shoulders up; exhale soften and release.
Scapula circles (2 rounds): Slow circles, feeling SI-11 region wake up.
Spinal twist (60–90 sec): Soft standing twists; belly stays easy, breath quiet.
SI-3 self-press (60 sec): On the ulnar edge of the hand (just proximal to the little-finger knuckle). Press-circle each side; great for neck/upper back via the Du link.
Jaw release (60 sec): Tongue up, lips closed; gentle “mmm” hum on exhale.
Close (30 sec): Hands on lower belly. Inhale clarity; exhale clutter.
Pair with a mindful chew at lunch. For complementary flow, add Heart Meridian or late-evening calm with Kidney Meridian.
Targeted acupressure (2–4 minutes)
SI-3 (Hòuxī): Ulnar edge of the hand, just behind the little-finger knuckle.
Helps: Neck stiffness, upper-back tension, clears the head via the Governing Vessel link.SI-11 (Tiānzōng): Middle of the shoulder blade.
Helps: Scapula knots, “between the shoulder blades” ache, stress load.SI-19 (Tīnggōng): In front of the ear tragus, mouth slightly open.
Helps: Jaw/TMJ tightness, ear fullness; finish with soft hums.
Use light–moderate pressure; breathe out through sensations. Stop if pain or dizziness appears.
Breath that clears the head
4-4-6 is your baseline — longer exhales tidy the nervous system.
If over-amped, try 4-7-8 for only 3–5 rounds.
If foggy after lunch, take 3 rounds of sniff-in, long “haa” out with a gentle shoulder roll.
For bigger timing context, see Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide, then pair with Heart Meridian.
Emotional clarity: deciding with kindness
Discernment is choosing what’s true now. Practise:
Write one line: “Today I choose ___, and let go of ___.”
After a conversation, pause for three 4-4-6 breaths; then act.
If criticism spikes, place a palm on the chest, one on the belly, and soften your jaw.
If frustration tightens the ribs, add Liver Meridian. If worry/sluggishness linger, stabilise with Spleen Meridian.
Lifestyle & seasonal tips (Fire/Summer)
Lighter, warm meals: Easy-to-digest, not icy-cold.
Hydration: Steady sips; avoid chugging with meals.
Chew thoroughly: Aim for quiet, unhurried lunches.
Jaw care: Brief jaw stretches and hums; reduce all-day clenching.
Posture habit: “Chest soft, crown tall.” Unhook shoulder tension.
If heat signs flare (red face, ulcers), calm the Heart Meridian and consider Pericardium Meridian for stress buffering.
How Small Intestine connects to other meridians
Heart Meridian: Pair channel — calm Shen for clear sorting.
Stomach Meridian & Spleen Meridian: Upstream receive/transform; key in IBS-style patterns.
Liver Meridian: Smoothes tension that locks jaw/shoulders.
Kidney Meridian & Bladder Meridian: Fluid regulation and back-line ease (SI-3 ↔ Du).
Pericardium Meridian & Triple Burner Meridian: Heat/pressure and fluid coordination.
Dive deeper via Heart Meridian, Spleen Meridian and Liver Meridian.
When to seek medical advice
Severe or worsening abdominal pain
Persistent diarrhoea/constipation, or blood in stool/urine
Unexplained fever with gut symptoms
Jaw pain with chest pressure, breathlessness or dizziness
Qi Gong complements, not replaces, medical care. If in doubt, contact your GP or 111.
7-day Small Intestine reset (simple plan)
Daily: 7–10 minutes of the SI sequence above. Sprinkle 4-4-6 breaths before/after lunch.
Day 1: Shoulder fans + SI-3 press.
Day 2: Scapula circles + lunch chew practice.
Day 3: Jaw release + three “soft-jaw” yawns.
Day 4: 3–5 rounds of 4-7-8 before bed.
Day 5: Add SI-11 press; short walk post-meal.
Day 6: Pair with Heart Meridian routine.
Day 7: Reflect: What changed in clarity, shoulders or digestion?
Repeat or progress with Pericardium Meridian for stress buffering.
FAQs on small intestine meridian
Why do my shoulders/jaw flare after meals?
The SI pathway runs shoulder–scapula–neck–jaw. Add SI-3/SI-11 work and slow chewing; reduce very cold/greasy foods.
Can this help IBS-type patterns?
Gentle routines can soothe the system. Combine with Spleen Meridian and Stomach Meridian, and follow medical guidance.
What if decision fatigue hits daily?
Do two minutes of 4-4-6, write one line of intention, then one small action. Pair with Heart Meridian to settle agitation.
Which point is best for neck stiffness?
SI-3 is a go-to. Combine with shoulder fans and slow twists.
Best time to practise?
13:00–15:00 is classic, but consistency matters more. Pick a calm, repeatable slot.
Related guides in the cluster
Next steps
If this guide helped, deepen your practice with our live sessions and full routines: Bright Beings Academy Memberships. To integrate emotional healing with movement, start at Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide and then practise the paired Heart Meridian.
I look forward to connecting with you in my next post.
Until then, be well and keep shining.
Peter. :)
