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Location Guides: |
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Front Mu of the Heart
Master Tung's Stomach Hair Seven
The diaphragm region is a binding point of the hand Jueyin Sinews
Meeting of Conception Vessel with Bladder Divergent, Gall Bladder Divergent, Liver Divergent, Stomach Divergent, Spleen Divergent, Small Intestine Divergent and Heart Divergent
On the midline of the abdomen, 6 cun above the umbilicus and 2 cun below the sternocostal angle.
Perpendicular insertion 0.5 - 1 cun, or oblique insertion directed inferiorly 1 - 1.5 cun
Deep insertion, especially in thin patients, may damage the liver or the heart if either is enlarged. Oblique superior insertion towards the heart is contraindicated in all cases. No perpendicular needling in advanced pregnancy.
"It is needled to a depth of six fen," (and the needle is) retained for a duration of seven exhalations. It is moxaed with five cones" (Huangfu Mi 皇甫謐, 3rd Century, Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing 針灸甲乙經).
Regulates the Heart and alleviates pain
Descends Lung Qi and unbinds the chest
Transforms Phlegm and calms the Shen
Harmonises the Stomach and descends rebellion
䷣ Ming Yi 明夷 Brilliance Injured
Hexagram attributions are my own with an explanation given in the glossary.
Superficial Innervation: Anterior cutaneous thoracic nerve from T7
Dermatome Segment: T7
Listed in the Wu Bei Zhi 武備志 (Treatise on Armament Technology) by Mao Yuanyi 茅元儀 (1621), 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 along with the lower bicep and elbow (He-3, SJ-10, SI 8, LI 10, LI 11, LI 12 & Lu 5) are the vital points of Wu 午 Horse (11 am - 1 pm) and considered most vulnerable to a palm thrust during this time (McCarthy, 2016, Bubishi: The Classic Manual of Combat).
One of the most dangerous points, people have been known to die when struck here by accident. This point can stop the heart and cause death from severe coughing and vomiting. Latent damage can include mental illness and disturbance of the Shen (Montaigue, Dim Mak Locations, Taijiworld.com).
In seizing martial arts (Qin Na) striking the solar plexus, located approximately at this point, is a method of striking the organs (Da Qi Guan, 打器官) in order to cause a heart attack (Yang, 2004, Analysis of Shaolin Chin Na, 2nd Edition).
This is one of the eight non-striking or forbidden points in Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu. Described as "The solar plexus" by both Olson (2010, The Complete Guide to Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu) and Wong Honfan (1946; in Ravenswood Academy, 2020, The Eight Forbidden Strikes of Praying Mantis Fist).
Also a common target in sword fighting to rupture the abdominal aortic artery resulting in death from internal bleeding in under a minute.
Main local point for Heart pain, whether due to excess, deficiency or combined.
Possible location of the middle dan tian or Yellow Court (huangting) in alchemical practice, considered as "the central point between the heart and the navel" (Wang Mu, 2011, Foundations of Internal Alchemy). Others place it at the level of the heart, see Shanzhong Ren-17.
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).
The top point of Tung's Stomach Hair Seven (Wei Mao Qi) is located at the tip of the xiphoid process, equivalent to Ren-15, with two below it at 1 cun intervals. Two more are located 1.5 cun lateral to the inferior two on either side. The central point would be at this location. They are treated using Tung's method of pricking for "wool-like furuncles", stomach diseases, stomach bleeding, enteritis, palpitations and various types of sudden turmoil (McCann, 2014, Pricking the Vessels).
The Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (Zhenjiu Dacheng by Yang Jizhou, Ming Dynasty), Vol. 7, says that this point treats "Cat Gu (Mao Gu 貓蠱)", a form of Gu popular in the Sui Dynasty where Wu-shaman would raise cats and attach Ghosts to them, then use incantations to urge the cats to harm people (Wilcox, 2024).
In Tibetan medicine:
Moxa point (AMNH, Tibetan Medical Paintings).
In Thai massage:
Acupressure point along the Sumana sen line running from the navel Shenque Ren-8 to the sternocalvicular notch Tiantu Ren-22.
Indicated for asthma, breathing difficulties, cough, gastrointestinal ailments, indigestion, lung disorders, respiratory ailments, sore throat and stomach ache.
(Salguero & Roylance, 2011, Encyclopedia of Thai Massage)
In Qabalah, Farrow (2007, The Psychology of the Body) places the location of Tiphareth, Harmony, at Shanzhong Ren-17. This may also be a valid alternative.
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
Steve Woodley Acupuncture & Traditional Medicine
90 Deane Croft Road,
Eascote, Pinner, Greater London. HA5 1SP
Tel/WhatsApp: +44 (0) 7946 174 829
Email: steve@steve-woodley.co.uk
