Atlas of Acupuncture

5.2 Ren mai

Location

On the anterior midline, 3 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 proportional cun

measurements should be applied here (helpful device: elastic tape

➞2.3.1). From the centre of the umbilicus, measure 3 cun in a

superior direction and there locate Ren-11on the anterior midline.

Located on the same level are ➞KID-18(0.5 cun lateral to the

midline), ➞ST-22(2 cun lateral to the midline) and ➞SP-16

(4 cun lateral to the midline).

Needling

Vertically 0.5–1 cun. Caution: Peritoneum, pregnancy.

Actions/Indications

● Harmonises the Middle Burner, regulates the Qi flow

Interior Strengthening JIANLI Ren-11

Ren-11

8 cun

Umbilicus

Sterno-

costal

angle

3 cun

Sternocostal

angle

Umbilicus

Ren-11

KID-18

KID-17 Ren-10

0.5 cun Umbilicus

3 cun

ST-22

3 cun

SP-15

4 cun SP-16

3 cun

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