5.2 Ren maiLocation
On the anterior midline, 1 cun inferior to the sternocostal angle
or 7 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 sternocostal angle, meas-
ure 1 cun in an inferior direction and there locate Ren-15on the
anterior midline. It is often located directly below or, depending
on individual anatomy, on the xiphoid process.Needling
0.5–1 cun obliquely in an inferior direction. The patient should
be in an extended position. Caution: Possible injury to organs
with deep needling or oblique insertion in a superior direction,
especially in patients with hypertrophied organs (left: Liver,
right: Heart). According to some classical texts, moxibustion is
contraindicated.Actions/Indications
● Regulates the Heart, calms the shen
● Descends counterflow lung and stomach Qi, unbinds the chest
● Regulates the luo-connecting vessel of the ren maiSpecial features
Luo-connecting point of the ren mai. Important point for calming.Turtledove Tail JIUWEI Ren-15
Ren-151 cun7 cunSternocostal
angleRen-15Sternocostal
angle2nd ribCoracoid processXiphoid
process11th ribFree end of
the 11th ribFree end of
the 12th ribSternocostal
angleManubriosternal
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