Upper Jiao Points Flashcards
Ren 16: ZHONGTING Middle Hall
8 cun directly above the centre of the navel, 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 a little 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. On a few people the two sides of the ribcage do not completely fuse at Ren 16, in which case use these extra guides:
The point should be
i) on a level with, or just a little below, the 5th
intercostal space.
ii) at a distance of a minimum of 1 rib space, or 1.6
cun, below Ren 17.
Ren 17: SHANZHONG Middle of the Chest
On the mid-line of the sternum, on a level with the 4th intercostal space. On most men the nipples lie in the 4th intercostal space, and hence this point lies between the nipples. It may feel as if a small scoop has been taken out of the surface of the bone at this point and on many people it is unusually tender on pressure.
NB: On 9% of men and 4% of women there are congenital sternal foramina (the bones have not fused properly). Always be cautious with needle depth so as not to penetrate the sternum.
Ren 18: YUTANG Jade Hall
On the mid-line of the sternum, on a level with the 3rd intercostal space. About 1.6 cun above Ren 17.
Ren 19: ZIGONG Purple Palace
On the mid-line of the sternum, on a level with the 2nd intercostal space. About 1.6 cun above Ren 18.
Ren 20: HUAGAI Flower Covering
On the mid-line of the sternum, on the sternal angle, on a level with the 1st intercostal space. The second rib attaches to the sternum at the sternal angle, and here the bone rises up to form a ridge. The point is just superior to the crest of this ridge. About 1.6 cun above Ren 19.
Ren 21: XUANJI Jade Pivot
On the mid-line, in the centre of the sternal manubrium, on a level with the articulations of the first ribs with the sternum. 1 cun below Ren 22.
Ren 22: TIANTU Heavenly Chimney
In the centre of the hollow at the top of the sternum. About
1/2 cun superior to the supra-sternal notch.
Kid 27:
SHUFU Empty Treasury
Kid 27 is found in the small space under the inferior notch of the clavicle. It is 2 cun lateral to Ren 21. Starting at the supra-sternal notch, with your index finger on the superior edge of the clavicle and your thumb immediately underneath on its inferior edge, in little steps walk your thumb and finger out along the bone as far as the area of the line of the Kidney Channel. Here you will find two notches that lie in a vertical line to one another, on the top and bottom edges of the bone. Below the lower notch is the rather small space between the first rib and the clavicle.
Kid 26: YUZHON Amidst Elegance
Find the 1st intercostal space, below the 1st rib. Follow the line of the Kidney meridian down from Kid 27 as above, and feel for the point. It is 2 cun lateral to Ren 20.
Kid 25: SHENCANG Shen Storehouse
Find the 2nd intercostal space, below the 2nd rib. Follow the line of the Kidney meridian down from Kid 27 as above, and feel for the point. It is 2 cun lateral to Ren 19.
Kid 24: LINGXU Spirit Burial Ground
Find the 3rd intercostal space. Follow the line of the Kidney meridian down from Kid 27 as above, and feel for the point. It is 2 cun lateral to Ren 18.
On a woman this may be on her breast. It is forbidden to needle a point on breast tissue, or on any gland. If the breast is in the way then gently move the gland tissue over to one side by smoothing it with your hand. Alternatively you may ask the woman to do this herself and to hold her breast while you mark or needle the point.
Kid 22: BULANG Verandah Walk
Exit Pt Find the 5th intercostal space. Follow the line of the Kidney meridian down from Kid 27 as above, and feel for the point. It is 2 cun lateral to Ren 16.
This point will generally be accessible on everyone, man or woman, although again you may need to hold a woman’s breast out of the way.
Double check that you are in the correct intercostal space by finding Ren 16 in the sub-sternal notch. Kid 22 often lies at a level just a little superior to Ren 16.
St 12: QUEPEN Empty Basin
With your thumb and index finger above and below the clavicle, edge them step by step out towards the area of the Stomach Channel, the mid- point of the clavicle. (On a man this will be in line with, or just a little medial to the nipple). Here the clavicle changes its shape – it narrows. You will find two notches that are vertical to one another, on the wide part of the clavicle, just as it begins to narrow. This is the line of the Stomach Channel. St 12 is in the notch on the top of the clavicle, in the depression of the supra-clavicular fossa.
LOCATION
On the middle of the superior border of the clavicle, verti- cally above the nipple, or in the midpoint of the supracla- vicular fossa, 4 cun lateral to the ren (conception channel).
LOCATION GUIDE
Have the patient sit and slightly raise their neck while looking forward. Locate the point in the anterior region of their neck in the greater supraclavicular fossa. The point is located 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline, in the depres- sion superior to the clavicle. The distance from the anterior midline to the acromion is 8 cun.
St 13: QIHU Qi Door
Follow the procedure for St 12. St 13 is in the notch on the inferior border of the clavicle.
LOCATION
In between the middle of the inferior border of the clavicle and the superior border of the first rib, 4 cun lateral to the ren (conception channel), on the mammillary line.
LOCATION GUIDE
Have the patient lie in the supine position. Locate the point in the anterior thoracic region, inferior to the clavicle, 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
St 14: KUFANG Storehouse
Continue the line of the Stomach Channel down from St 12 and 13, until you are just above the 2nd rib, in the 1st intercostal space. This will be level with, or just a little superior, and roughly 4 cun lateral to, Ren 20.
LOCATION
On the mammillary line, in the first intercostal space, 4 cun lateral to the ren (conception channel).
LOCATION GUIDE
Have the patient lie in the supine position. Locate the sternal angle, which is the palpable raised section of the sternum where the manubrium meets the body of the sternum. The second rib is located laterally to the sternal angle. Locate the point in the first intercostal space, 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline.