Atlas of Acupuncture

4.8 The Kidney Channel System – Foot shaoyin(zu shao yin jing luo)

Location

In the 4th intercostal space (ICS), 2 cun lateral to the anterior

midline.

How to find

Locate the 4th ICS either by palpating parasternally from the

clavicle or by counting from the manubriosternal synchondrosis

(➞2nd rib) (➞3.5), then locate KID-232 cun lateral to the

anterior midline.

Located on the same level (4th ICS) are ➞Ren-17(on the mid-

line), ➞ST-17(on the nipple), ➞SP-18(6 cun lateral to the

midline), ➞P-1(1 cun lateral to the nipple) and ➞G.B.-22

(3 cun inferior to the axilla) as well as ➞G.B.-23(1 cun anterior

to G.B.-22).

Needling

0.5–0.8 cun obliquely or transversely (subcutaneously) along

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

Caution: Heart, pneumothorax.

Actions/Indications

● Regulates the Lung Qi and counterflow Qi, unbinds the chest

● Harmonises the Stomach

● 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 tho-

rax. 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.

Spirit Seal SHENFENG KID-23

KID-27

KID-26

KID- 25

KID-24

KID-23

KID-22

Ren-17

2 cun

4th intercostal space

Ren-17

Level of

the nipples 4th intercostalspace

3rd intercostal space ST-16

4th intercostal space

6 cun

SP-18

4th intercostal space

4th intercostal space

1 cun P-1

4th intercostal space G.B.-22

G.B.-23

1 cun

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