Atlas of Acupuncture

4 Acupuncture Points of the Twelve Primary Channels

Location

In the 3rd intercostal space (ICS), 2 cun lateral to the anterior

midline.

How to find

Locate the 3rd ICS by palpating parasternally from the clavicle or

by counting from the manubriosternal synchondrosis (➞2nd rib)

(➞3.5), then locate KID-242 cun lateral to the anterior midline.

Located on the same level (➞3rd ICS) are ➞Ren-18(on the

midline), ➞ST-16(4 cun lateral to the midline) and ➞SP-19

(6 cun lateral to the midline).

Needling

0.5–0.8 cun obliquely or transversely (subcutaneously) along the

course of the ICS or with or against the channel pathway. Caution:

Pneumothorax.

Actions/Indications

● Regulates the Lung and Stomach Qi

● Unbinds the chest

● Benefits the breasts

Special features

The Su Wendescribes points KID-22to KID-27as shupoints of

the chest, indicated for difficult breathing and disorders of the

thorax. They are particularly indicated for breathing difficulties

due to ‘excess above, deficiency below’, which refers to the

inability of the Kidneys to absorb the Qi that has descended from

the Lung.

KID-24 Spirit Ruin LINGXU

Ren- 16

Ren-18

Ren-19

3rd intercostal space

Ren-17

Ma 15

ST-16

2nd intercostal space

3rd intercostal space

4th intercostal space

LU-1

SP-20

SP-19 2nd intercostal space

1st intercostal space

3rd intercostal space

KID-27

KID-26

KID-25

KID-24

KID-23

KID-22

Ren-17

2 cun

3rd intercostal space

Ni 27

18

16

18

15

25

24

26

(^2218)
16
12
ST-9
19
17
SP- 20
14
Ren 22
25
22
19
8
20
17
12
6
Le 14
G.B.-24
16
LIV-13
14
15
Sterno-
costal angle
7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Umbilicus.
1
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