Middle Jiao Points

Question 1

Ren 8: SHENQUE Shen Palace Gate

Answer 1

In the middle of the umbilicus.

Question 2

Ren 9: SHUIFEN Water Separation

Answer 2

1 cun directly above the centre of the umbilicus.

Question 3

Ren 10: XIAWAN Lower Epigastrium

Answer 3

2 cun directly above the centre of the umbilicus.

Question 4

Ren 11: JIANLI Establish Mile

Answer 4

3 cun directly above the centre of the umbilicus.

Question 5

Ren 12: ZHONGWAN Middle of the Epigastrium

Answer 5

4 cun directly above the centre of the umbilicus.

Question 6

Ren 13: SHANGWAN Upper Epigastrium

Answer 6

5 cun directly above the centre of the umbilicus.

Question 7

Ren 14: JUQUE Greatest Palace Gate

Answer 7

6 cun directly above the centre of the umbilicus.

Question 8

Ren 15: JIUWEI Dove Tail

Answer 8

7 cun directly above the centre of the umbilicus.
Generally this will coincide with the tip of the xiphoid process, but the length of the xiphoid process can vary enormously.
The point is called ‘Dove Tail’ and refers to the image of the sternum as the body of a dove with its ribs as outstretched wings. The xiphoid process is the tail of the dove.
On some people the xiphoid process may be very deep in and impossible to palpate. In this case find the point at 7 cun.
If the xiphoid process is very long and superficial, you will need to palpate the energy in this area, and decide whether Ren 15 arises where the Qi energy of the Channel meets the tip of the cartilage, or whether the energy flows up over the cartilage with Ren 15 sitting above its surface.
If the point is found not to be at 7 cun, then this will affect the levels of Ren 13 and 14. Ren 12 is always fixed at 4 cun in the most visible and palpable of the depressions of the Middle Jiao Ren points. Ren 13 and 14 will need to be adjusted and moved down a little, and the Kidney and Stomach points will need to follow suit in order to stay on a horizontal level with the Ren points.

Question 9

Ren 16: ZHONGTING Middle Hall 8 cun

Answer 9

8 cun directly above the centre of the umbilicus, at the inferior edge of the sternum (at the xiphisternal joint), on a level with the 5th intercostal space. To find this point, with one hand on each side follow up the two sides of the ribcage. As they converge you will find that the space becomes so small that you can only fit in one finger, and maybe only your little finger. This finger will then butt up against the inferior edge of the sternum.
If the base of the sternum is still unclear, stand back and get an overall picture of the ribcage to assess visually the place where the sides of the ribcage converge. Ask the person to raise her arms and try rolling your finger downward off the bottom of the ribcage and the sternum to find the xiphisternal joint. When you have found it, ask the person to bring her arms back down in order to relax her body.
Finally, check that the point is on a level with, or just a little below, the 5th intercostal space.

Question 10

Kid 16: HUANGSHU Vitals Shu Point

Answer 10

1/2 cun lateral to the centre of the umbilicus.

Question 11

Kid 17: SHANGQU Metal Bend

Answer 11

2 cun superior to Kid 16, 1/2 cun lateral to the mid-line, on a level with Ren 10.

Question 12

Kid 18: SHIGUAN Stone Pass

Answer 12

3 cun superior to Kid 16, 1/2 cun lateral to the mid-line, on a level with Ren 11.

Question 13

Kid 19: YINDU Yin Capital

Answer 13

4 cun superior to Kid 16, 1/2 cun lateral to the mid-line, on a level with Ren 12.

Question 14

Kid 20: TONGGU Through the Valley

Answer 14

5 cun superior to Kid 16, 1/2 cun lateral to the mid-line, on a level with Ren 13.

Question 15

Kid 21: YOUMEN Dark Gate

Answer 15

6 cun superior to Kid 16, 1/2 cun lateral to the mid-line, on a level with
Ren 14.

Question 16

St 25: TIANSHU Heavenly Pivot

Answer 16

2 cun lateral to the centre of the umbilicus, at the edge of the sheath of the rectus abdominis muscle. See ‘Marking cun’ above.

Question 17

St 23: TAIYI Great Unity

Answer 17

2 cun superior to St 25, 2 cun lateral to the mid-line, on a level with
Ren 10.

Question 17

St 24: HUAROUMEN Smooth Flesh Gate

Answer 17

1 cun superior to St 25, 2 cun lateral to the mid-line, on a level with Ren 9.

Question 18

St 22: GUANMEN Border Gate

Answer 18

3 cun superior to St 25, 2 cun lateral to the mid-line, on a level with Ren 11.

Question 19

St 21: LIANGMEN Beam Gate

Answer 19

4 cun superior to St 25, 2 cun lateral to the mid-line, on a level with Ren 12.

Question 20

St 20: CHENGMAN Receiving Fullness

Answer 20

5 cun superior to St 25, 2 cun lateral to the mid-line, on a level with Ren 13.

Question 21

St 19: BURONG Not Contained

Answer 21

6 cun superior to St 25, 2 cun lateral to the mid-line, on a level with Ren 14.
The point is found on the abdomen just below the ribcage.

Question 22

Sp 15: DAHENG Great Horizontal

Answer 22

4 cun lateral to the centre of the umbilicus.

Question 23

Sp 16: FUAI Abdomen Pity

Answer 23

3 cun superior to Sp 15, 4 cun lateral to the mid-line, on a level with
Ren 11. The point is found on the abdomen just below the ribcage.

Question 24

Liv 13: ZHANGMEN Chapter Gate

Answer 24

Just below the floating end of the 11th rib. Find the bottom of the person’s ribcage at her waist. Using your index finger, feel the base of the ribcage at the back of the person’s sides. Follow its bottom edge round towards the front of her side, passing over the free ends of the 12th and then the 11th ribs. Now feel with more care for the tip of the 11th rib. Mark the point immediately below the rib end.
To check that you have found the correct rib stand back and look at the position of your point. It should be somewhere on the anterio- lateral aspect of the patient’s side.

Question 25

Liv 14: QIMEN Gate of Hope (Exit Pt)

Answer 25

Find the 6th intercostal space. The point lies in the hollow of the 6th intercostal space on the mid-clavicular line. This is the imaginary line that runs with the contours of the chest and abdomen, from St 12, through the nipple, down to the Spleen line on the abdomen, passing just medial to the anterior superior iliac spine.
The point lies at somewhere between 4 – 31/2 cun lateral to the mid-line, according to the particular shape of the ribcage. It also lies approximately on a level with Ren 14.
If you are having difficulty identifying the hollow of the 6th intercostal space then ask the person to take a deep breath and to hold it in for a moment. This makes the shape of the ribcage stand out and you can see the intercostal spaces much more clearly. The intercostal spaces open up and it is much easier to feel them. When you are confident of the anatomical location of the 6th space then palpate the area to find the hollow of the point. Feel for the point at the widest part of the intercostal space.

Question 26

GB 24: RIYUE Sun and Moon

Answer 26

In the 7th intercostal space. The point lies at the medial extremity of the hollow of the 7th intercostal space, on the mid-clavicular line. This is the imaginary line that runs with the contours of the chest and abdomen, from St 12, through the nipple, down to the Spleen line on the abdomen, passing just medial to the anterior superior iliac spine.
The point lies at somewhere between 4 – 31/2 cun lateral to the mid-line, according to the particular shape of the ribcage. It lies approximately on a level between Ren 12 and 13.
If you are having difficulty identifying the hollow of the 7th intercostal space then ask the person to take a deep breath and to hold it in for a moment. This makes the shape of the ribcage stand out and you can see the intercostal spaces much more clearly. The intercostal spaces open up and it is much easier to feel them. When you are confident of the anatomical location of the 7th space then palpate the area to find the hollow of the point.

Question 27

GB 25: JINGMEN Capital Gate

Answer 27

At the person’s side, just below the floating end of the 12th rib. Stand in such a position that you can look at the person’s side head on. Notice how the waist is formed by the gap between the curve of the bottom of the ribcage and the curve of the top of the pelvis. GB 25 lies towards the back of the curve of the bottom of the ribcage, on the posterio-lateral aspect of the person’s side.
To find the 12th rib, feel the bottom of the person’s ribcage and, using your index finger to probe, slide slowly round the person’s side, forwards and back, until you can identify the free ends of the 11th and 12th ribs. These two ribs are roughly on the same horizontal level, sometimes one dipping down slightly further than the other, depending on individual anatomy. The 11th rib is towards the anterio- lateral aspect of her side and the 12th rib is found more at the posterio-lateral aspect of her side. Mark the point immediately below the free end of her 12th rib.