Atlas of Acupuncture

5.2 Ren mai

Location

On the anterior midline, 1 cun superior to the umbilicus.

How to find

The distance between the sternocostal angle (➞3.5) and the

centre of the umbilicus is divided into 8 cun, which can vary

considerably from the patient’s finger cun. Therefore, only pro-

portional cun measurements should be applied here (helpful

device: elastic tape ➞2.3.1). From the centre of the umbilicus,

measure 1 cun in a superior direction and there locate Ren-9on

the anterior midline.

Located on the same level is ➞ST-24(2 cun lateral to the mid-

line). ➞LIV-13is also located on approximately this level (at

the free end of the 11th rib).

Needling

Vertically 0.5–1 cun. Caution: Peritoneum, pregnancy

Actions/Indications

● Eliminates water accumulations, drains Dampness and con-

trols the water passages Regulates the Intestines and dis-

perses accumulations

● Delayed closure of the fontanelles

Water Separation SHUIFEN Ren-9

Ren-9

8 cun

Umbilicus

Sterno-

costal

angle

Ren-8

1 cun

Sternocostal

angle

Umbilicus

1 cun ST-24

18

16

18

15

25

24

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