A quiet but purposeful point on the inner arm. Qingling (HT-2) moves stagnant Qi and Blood (Xue) along the Heart channel, eases pain in the shoulder and arm, and — true to its meridian — brings a measure of calm to a troubled heart.
Name & story
The name 青灵 Qingling carries a beautiful poetic weight. 青 (Qing) means blue-green — the colour of the sky at dawn, of spring, of something clean and luminous. 靈 (Ling) means spirit, numinous, divine — the living spark. Together the name evokes something like "Azure Spirit" or "Blue-Green Spirit". It sits on the Heart channel, the home of the Shen, and the name seems to whisper that where the Heart is clear and bright, the spirit can be serene and luminous too — like a still sky after rain.
Point family & character
Qingling (HT-2) belongs to the Heart Meridian (HT). It is the third point on the channel, positioned on the inner upper arm. It does not hold a special category title such as Yuan Source or Xi Cleft, but as a point of the Heart channel it participates in the channel's overall work of moving Qi and Blood (Xue) and calming the Shen.
Location
On the medial aspect of the upper arm, 3 Cun above the medial end of the elbow crease (above Shaohai HT-3), in the groove just to the inside of the biceps brachii muscle. When the elbow is flexed, this groove is easy to feel.
Anatomy & fascia
The point lies on the medial side of the upper arm, in the groove medial to the biceps brachii muscle.
Needling
The needle is inserted perpendicularly.
Functions
Moves Qi and Blood (Xue) in the channel; Alleviates pain along the Heart channel in the shoulder and arm; Calms the Shen.
Indications
Pain in the shoulder and upper arm; pain along the medial aspect of the arm; difficulty raising the arm. Headache; flank and costal pain. As a point of the Heart Meridian (HT), it is used to support the calming of the spirit alongside more primary Heart channel points.
Mind & spirit (Shen)
Because every point on the Heart Meridian (HT) touches the Shen in some way, Qingling (HT-2) carries a subtle calming quality. The Heart is the home of the Shen — when Qi and Blood (Xue) move freely through the channel, the spirit housed in the Heart can rest more quietly. Think of it as clearing the path so that peace can settle in.
Clinical spotlight
Qingling (HT-2) is not among the most frequently prescribed points in a TCM clinic — its more famous neighbours Tongli HT-5 and Shenmen HT-7 tend to take centre stage for Heart and Shen conditions. Yet HT-2 has its own clear role: it is a reliable local and channel point for pain and stiffness along the inner arm and shoulder, and it keeps the Qi and Blood (Xue) moving freely through the Heart Meridian (HT) so that the channel's deeper functions can unfold unobstructed.
The golden tip
To find the point, sit with your arm slightly bent and locate the inner upper arm — about three finger-widths above the elbow crease, in the soft groove beside the biceps muscle. Gentle pressure or massage here for a minute or two can help ease tension and tightness in the upper arm and shoulder. Because it sits on the Heart channel, a moment of quiet, slow breathing while you press can add a small calming effect too.
For education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.