神封 : Shenfeng : Spirit Seal

Location Guides:

Classifications:

Spirit point
Front Shu of the Chest for the post-natal Spleen and pre-natal Heart on the upper Chong Mai trajectory (Yuen, 2005, The Extraordinary Vessels, Cecil-Sterman, 2012, Advanced Acupuncture)
Trigger point (Travell & Simons, 1998, Trigger Point Manual; Melzack, Stillwell & Fox, 1977)

Location:

In the forth intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the midline.

Needling:

Transverse-oblique insertion, directed laterally along the intercostal space 0.5 - 1 cun

Warnings:

Deep perpendicular or oblique needling may puncture the lung.

Classical Needling:

"The Shaoyin usually has little Blood and much Qi" (Su Wen 素問 ch. 24) implying this channel should normally be needled.
"The foot Shaoyin is to be pierced 2 fen deep and remain inserted for three exhalations" (Ling Shu 靈樞 ch. 12).
"Locate it with (the patient) lying supine. It is needled to a depth of four fen and moxaed with five cones" (Huangfu Mi 皇甫謐, 3rd Century, Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing 針灸甲乙經).

TCM Actions:

Unbinds the chest
Lowers rebellious Lung and Stomach Qi
Benefits the breasts

TCM Indications:

• Fullness of the chest and lateral costal region with difficulty breathing, cough, asthma, wheezing, chest Painful Obstruction (痹, Bi), breast abscess.
  
• Vomiting, no pleasure in eating.

Neuroanatomy:

Superficial Innervation: Anterior cutaneous thoracic nerve from T5

Dermatome Segment: T5

Deeper Structures: Neuromuscular junction of medial pectoral nerve with the pectoral muscle ( C8 - T1)

Trigger Point Associations:

Muscle:
Pectoralis major (sternal head)

Pain Referral Pattern:
Local to point and across chest

Indications:
Strain of pectoralis muscle ; Cardiac syndromes

Martial Applications & Effects of Injury:

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

Major Combinations:

• Breast abscess, chills and fever with shortness of breath, restless sleep:
    Shenfeng Kid-23 and Yinchuang St-16
    (Wang Zhizhong, 王執中, 1220: Zhen Jiu Zi Sheng Jing, 針灸資生經, Classic of Supporting Life with Acupuncture and Moxibustion).
  
  
• Nine Flowers:
    Shenfeng Kid-23 with Youmen Kid-21, Yindu Kid-19, Burong St-19 and Juque Ren-14
    (Jeffrey Yuen protocol, learned via discussion group. See note below.)

Notes:

One of the twelve shu points of the chest mentioned in the Su Wen Ch. 58, along with Bulang Kid-22, Linxu Kid-24, Shencang Kid-25, Yuzhong Kid-26 and Shufu Kid-27.

In TCM these are employed for wheezing, dyspnoea and coughing due to 'fullness above and deficiency below' due to weak kidney qi not grasping lung qi (Deadman et al, 2001).
for wheezing, dyspnoea and coughing due to 'fullness above and deficiency below' due to weak kidney qi not grasping lung qi (Deadman et al, 2001).

Yuen (2005, The Extraordinary Vessels) believes these points, when related to the front Shu points of the Chong mai are located at 0.5 cun from the midline.

The "Nine Flowers" is a combination of points that aims to open the Diaphragm and allow new life to enter (Jeffrey Yuen protocol, learned via discussion group).

In five element acupuncture indicated for a lack of connection with ones own spirit or identity/self, low spirit.

In Mayan medicine:
Combined with Bulang Kid-22, Linxu Kid-24, Shencang Kid-25 and Yuzhong Kid-26 to reinforce Tiantu Ren-22 in treatments of asthma (Garcia, Sierra, Balam, 1999: Wind in the Blood)

In ayurvedic medicine:
Ampastambha marma point
Size: 1/2 angula (cun)
Structure: Blood vessels
Effect of Injury: Premature death (kalantarpranahar marma)
(Harish Johari, 1996, Ayurvedic Massage, Sanatan Society; Anupama Bhattacharya, n.d. Marma Shastra)

Lad and Durve (2008) in Marma Points of Ayurveda call the six point from Kid-22 to Kid-23 (three each side) Hrid and associate them with Prana Vayu, Vyana Vayu, Udana Vayu Sadhaka Pitta and Avalambaka Kapha.

They give the following functions:
- Regulates cardiac function and heart rate
- Improves coronary circulation
- Maintains optimal function of lungs and airways
- Relieves congestion in breast tissue
- Enhances lymphatic circulation in chest area
- Calms mind, balances emotions, relieves stress

In Tibetan medicine:
Moxa point (AMNH, Tibetan Medical Paintings)

In Thai massage:
One of a set of acupressure points circling the perimeter of the breast (Salguero & Roylance, 2011, Encyclopedia of Thai Massage)

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