人中 : Renzhong : Man's Middle

Location Guides:

Classifications:

Sun Si-miao Ghost point (1st Trinity)
Xu Qiufu Ghost point
Command point

Meetings:

Meeting of Governing Vessel with Large Intestine and Stomach

Location:

Above the upper lip on the midline, at the junction of the upper third and lower two thirds of the philtrum.

Needling:

Oblique insertion directed superiorly 0.3 - 0.5 cun

Classical Needling:

"Locate it with the" (patient’s) lip straightened. It is needled to a depth of three fen, (the needle) is retained for a duration of six exhalations, and it is moxaed with three cones" (Huangfu Mi 皇甫謐, 3rd Century, Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing 針灸甲乙經).

TCM Actions:

Restores consciousness and calms the Shen
Benefits the face and nose and expels Wind
Benefits the spine and treats acute lumbar sprain

TCM Indications:

• Sudden loss of consciousness, coma, acute and chronic Childhood Fright Wind, loss of consciousness from Windstroke (中風, Zhong Feng), lockjaw, deviation of the face and mouth, headache with chills and fever, hypertension.
  
• Mania-Withdrawal (癲狂, Dian Kuang), epilepsy, inappropriate laughter, unexpected laughter and crying.
  
• Ceaseless nosebleed, clear nasal discharge, constant nasal discharge with difficulty in breathing, inability to distinguish the fragrant from the foul.
  
• Wasting and thirsting disorder, drinking water without limit, oedema of the body, swelling of the face with trembling lips, jaundice.
  
• Stiffness and pain of the spine, sprain and pain of the lumbar spine.

Neuroanatomy:

Superficial Innervation: Maxillary branch of trigeminal nerve (CN V2)

Dermatome Segment: CN V2 maxillary branch of trigeminal

Martial Applications & Effects of Injury:

In seizing martial arts (Qin Na) this point is a cavity striking point (Da Xue 打穴) which is struck with a fist or back-fist to cause fainting (Yang, 1995, Tai Chi Chin Na; Yang, 2004, Analysis of Shaolin Chin Na, 2nd Edition).

One of the 36 vital points of Feng Yiyuan 馮一元 listed in the Wu Bei Zhi 武備志 (Treatise on Armament Technology) by Mao Yuanyi 茅元儀 (1621). Also listed in Article 21: Delayed Death Touches with Twelve-Hour (Shichen 時辰) Diagrams. This point along with Yifeng SJ-17 and Yinlingquan Sp-9 are associated with Chen 辰 Dragon (7-9 am) and if struck during this time is said to cause death before a person can take 7 steps from trauma to the superior coronary artery. In Article 24: Bronze Man Statue, which divides the body into zones associated with the Twelve-Hour branches (Shichen 時辰) going from top downwards, this point is considered extremely vulnerable to a single knuckle thrust, chop, palm heel or squeeze at any time of day (McCarthy, 2016, Bubishi: The Classic Manual of Combat).

This is one of the eight striking points in Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu. These are the nonfatal areas on an attacker's body that can be struck when just defending or wanting to defeat an attacker, described as "The point between the upper lip and under the nose" (Olson, 2010, The Complete Guide to Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu). Wong Honfan (1946) concurs identifying this point by name: "the Ren Zhong acupoint above the upper lip"(Ravenswood Academy, 2020, The Eight Forbidden Strikes of Praying Mantis Fist).

See Montaigue, Dim Mak Locations, Taijiworld.com for explanation of effects.

Major Combinations:

• Loss of consciousness from Windstroke:
    Renzhong Du-26 with Zhongchong Pc-9 and Hegu LI-4; if this is ineffective needle Yamen Du-15 and Dadun Liv-1
    (Yang Jizhou, 杨继洲, 1601: Zhen Jiu Da Cheng, 針灸大成, Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
• Loss of consciousness from Summerheat Stoke:
    Renzhong Du-26 with Baihui Du-20, Qihai Ren-6, Zhongji Ren-3, Hegu LI-4 and Neiting St-44
    (Yang Jizhou, 杨继洲, 1601: Zhen Jiu Da Cheng, 針灸大成, Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
• Tendency to excessive crying:
    Renzhong Du-26 with Baihui Du-20
    (Yang Jizhou, 杨继洲, 1601: Zhen Jiu Da Cheng, 針灸大成, Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
• Frequent laughter:
    Renzhong Du-26 with Lieque Lu-7, Yangxi LI-5, Daling Pc-7
    (Yang Jizhou, 杨继洲, 1601: Zhen Jiu Da Cheng, 針灸大成, Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
• Dian Kuang (Madness):
    Renzhong Du-26 with Yinjiao Du-28
    (Haungfu Mi, 皇甫謐, 282: Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing, 針灸甲乙經, Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
• Epilepsy:
    Renzhong Du-26 with Jianshi Pc-5
    (Ling Guang Fu, 靈光賦, Ode of Spiritual Brightness. First recorded in Xu Feng, 徐鳳, 1439: Zhen Jiu Da Quan, 針灸大全, Complete Collection of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
• Nasal discharge with inability to distinguish the fragrant from the foul:
    Renzhong Du-26 with Tianyou SJ-16
    (Sun Simiao, 孫思邈, 625: Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang, 備急千金要方, Essential Prescriptions Worth A Thousand Gold).
  
  
• Deficiency swelling of the face:
    Renzhong Du-26 with Qianding Du-21
    (Gao Wu, 高武, 1529: Bai Zheng Fu, 百症賦, Ode of a Hundred Symptoms).
  
  
• Deviation of the mouth and eye:
    Renzhong Du-26 with Jiache St-6, Dicang St-4, Chengjiang Ren-24, Tonghui GB-2 and Hegu LI-4
    (Zhang Jiebin, 張景岳, 1624: Lei Jing Tu Yi, 類經圖翼, Illustrated Supplement to the Classic of Categories).
  
  
• Lockjaw following Windstroke:
    Renzhong Du-26 with Baihui Du-20, Chengjiang Ren-24, Jiache St-6 and Hefu LI-4
    (Yang Jizhou, 杨继洲, 1601: Zhen Jiu Da Cheng, 針灸大成, Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
• Pain of the lumbar region and leg:
    Renzhong Du-26 with Weizhong Bl-40
    (Yang Jizhou, 杨继洲, 1601: Zhen Jiu Da Cheng, 針灸大成, Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
• Pain of the lumbar region and lateral costal region due to sprain:
    Renzhong Du-26 with Chize Lu-5 and Weizhong Bl-40; afterwards needle Kunlun Bl-60, Shugu Bl-65, Zhigou SJ-6 and Yanglingquan GB-34
    (Yang Jizhou, 杨继洲, 1601: Zhen Jiu Da Cheng, 針灸大成, Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
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• Feelings of disconnection, depersonalisation and withdrawal with unusual responses to external stimuli, a rattling sound in the throat and oppression in the chest that causes sleepiness but restless sleep due to the early stages of Ghost Possession:
    Bleed Renzhong Du-26, needle Shaoshang Lu-11 and moxa Yinbai Sp-1
    (Yuen, 2005, 3 Spirits & 7 Souls, see notes below).

Notes:

Command point for fainting and collapse added after Gao Wu (Ming Dynasty).

One of the most important acupuncture points for restoring consciousness. Can be needled or pressed firmly upwards towards the root of the nose. Also powerful point for calming the mind (Deadman et al, 2001)

Ghost Points:
The first trinity of ghost points, consisting of this point, Shaoshang Lu-11 and Yinbai Sp-1, represent the initial stages of being taken over. Being at the peripheries of the body they are aimed at expelling the influence before it takes hold.

This is the first point of invasion for a possessing force, being located between the nose and mouth, the two main entrances for post-natal influences, its effect on the senses and a distal point for the centre of the chest, Shanzhong Ren-17. At this stage possession is characterised by disruption in the senses and unconscious or psychosomatic reactions to external stimuli. There is a sense something is different or wrong. From here the connection to Yangming enables a route to Taiyin and the following two Ghost points of the first trinity: Shaoshang Lu-11 and Yinbai Sp-1.

The main force at work here is Wind and so this first trinity is usually treated with bleeding to release the ghost in the exterior (Yuen, 2005 3 Spirits & 7 Souls).

In the Twelve Branches the Ghost Points follow a cycle from top to bottom with this point representing Yin, 寅 and the Lung channel (Ayal, 2021, The 13 Ghost Points 十三鬼穴).

In Liu Lihong's (2019: 375-379) Classical Chinese Medicine, he discusses the name of this point in relation to the nine orifices. Translated as "Man's Centre" it lies between the upper orifices, eyes, ears and nose, which are all have two openings each, and the lower three orifices, mouth, genitals and anus, which all have one. These make the hexagram Tai, ䷊, representing the Yin ascending and the Yang descending, as happens within the "intercourse of Qi" inside the body. This point is therefore the intersection of Heaven and Earth and the mingling of Yin and Yang, hence "Man" that resides in the "Centre" between the two. He goes on to explain that this is the reason for its exceptional resuscitation capacity as it opens the thoroughfare between Yin and Yang, and its use as a measure of longevity in facial diagnosis.

Ge Hong (4th century) relates a cure for sexual possession of a woman due to having intercourse with a malignant spirit. The symptoms include talking and laughing to herself, depression and delirium.

The cure involves a ritual and acupuncture. First the master conceals 5 needles in his hair and sets up a vessel full of water with three strips of red cloth placed over the top and a sword laid flat over the top. Next, he calls out the patient's name. She will try to run but must not be allowed to leave. Then, he takes a mouthful of water and sprays it over her, glaring furiously. After repeating this three times he wipes the water from her face and snaps his fingers above her forehead by the hairline and asks her if she wants to be cured. She will not answer until doing this twice, snapping the fingers 7 times each.

Then insert a needle at this point, Jiache St-6, Shangxing Du-23 and Yintang. Cross examine her thoroughly and she will gradually regain consciousness and the possession will come to an end.

Strickmann, M. (2002), Chinese Magical Medicine, p. 242. Stanford University Press.

This point would also be on the upper trajectory of the Chong mai in Jeffrey Yuen's descriptions (Yuen, 2005, The Extraordinary Vessels).

Principle Point of the Xing Nao Kai Qiao (醒脑开窍, activating the brain and opening the orifices) method of Dr. Shi Xue-Min for post-stroke sequalae along with Neiguan Pc-6, Sanyinjiao Sp-6, Jiquan He-1, Chize Lu-5 and Weizhong Bl-40.

The aim of these points are to use the Yin meridians and the Du meridian to activate the brain and open the orifices and nourish the liver and kidney. This point is considered the chief among the prescription as it can directly excite and activate the restrained state of the brain cells. It has a special characteristic of increasing the circulation of the carotid artery, which helps the dynamics of blood circulation and improves cerebral circulation. The use of this point with sparrow pecking stimulation can open the orifices, arouse the original spirit, and regulate the bowels and viscera. Each point is usually manipulated for 1-3 minutes with one treatment course constituting 10 days of twice daily treatments 3-6 hours apart; 3-5 treatment courses are used continuously.

Liu, J. & Liu, K. (2012). Dr. Shi Xue-Min and the Xing Nao Kai Qiao Legacy. Acupuncture Today 13(3).

Lad and Durve (2008) in Marma Points of Ayurveda call this point Oshtha and associate it with the doshas: Prana Vayu, Udana Vayu, Tarpaka Kapha, Bodhaka Kapha and Pachaka Pitta.

They give the following functions:
- Restores consciousness in case of fainting
- Enhances cerebral circulation
- Improves concentration and mental alertness
- Enkindles agni, improves digestion
- Coordinates balances between prana and udana vayu
- Improves colour complexion of the face

In Thai massage:
Acupressure point indicated for dizziness, fatigue and mouth disorders (Salguero & Roylance, 2011, Encyclopedia of Thai Massage)

In Mayan medicine:
Punctured to treat flu, cough and headaches (Garcia, Sierra, Balam, 1999: Wind in the Blood)

Medieval phlebotomy point (John de Foxton, 1408: Liber Cosmographiae, maa.cam.ac.uk; Hans von Gersdorff, 1517: Feldtbüch der Wundartzney, www.nlm.nih.gov)

Reference Notes:

Basic information on location, needle depth, TCM actions, indications and combinations is taken from Deadman et al (2001): A Manual of Acupuncture with additional anatomical information researched by reference to Gray's Anatomy (38th Ed., 1995) unless otherwise referenced. Images were found on acupunctureschoolonline.com and can be traced back to Claudia Focks (2008) Atlas of Acupuncture originally. I cannot claim any credit or rights over them. Other sources should be quoted in the text.

For some of the more unusual terms I have created a glossary here