LU-1 Zhongfu - Middle Palace
More Spirit Names: Central Treasury, Central Residence, Receiver of Qi
| English: | Middle Palace |
| Also Known As: | Central Residence Middle Storehouse Center Area Middle Mansion Central Palace Big House Central Hall Central Treasury |
Location
- Laterosuperior to the sternum, 1 cun below LU-2 Yunmen, at the level of the first intercostal space, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
- Approximately 1 cun below the lateral end of the clavicle in the lateral part of the first intercostal space.
- Located below the acromial extremity of the clavicle, 1 cun inferior to the center of the interclavicular fossa and 6 cun lateral to the REN channel.
Note: to locate this point, ask the patient to extend his or her hand forward and resist while you apply pressure to the hand, in order to emphasize the delto-pectoral triangle. First locate LU-2 Yunmen in the center of the triangle, the locate LU-1 Zhongfu in the intercostal space approximately 1 cun inferior and slightly lateral to it. To locate the first intercostal space, first locate the costal cartilage of the second rib which is level with the sternal angle, then locate the first intercostal space above it.
Needling
- Puncture obliquely 0.5 to 0.8 cun towards the lateral aspect of the chest.
- Caution: to avoid injuring the Lung, never puncture deeply towards the medial aspect.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
- Slanted insertion, pointed upwards, 0.5 to 1 cun. Sensation: distention and soreness extending into the chest and upper arm.
- Transverse-oblique insertion 0.5 to 1 cun medially along the intercostal space.
- Caution: Deep perpendicular or oblique insertion carries a substantial risk of pneumothorax.
Command Functions
- Front-Mu point
- Meeting point of the Spleen channel
- Entry point
Actions
- Regulates Lung Qi
- Stops cough and wheezing
- Disseminates and descends Lung Qi
- Disperses fullness from the chest
- Stops pain
- Transforms Phlegm
- Clears Heat
- Regulates the water passages
- Descends Stomach Qi
Indications
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Combinations
| N-BW-6 | ||
Chronic bronchitis | Bronchial asthma | Pulmonary tuberculosis |
UB-49 | HT-9 | |
Fullness in the chest and throat with esophageal constriction | Chest pain | Cough as a prominent factor in a Wind-Cold Invasion |
UB-13 | ||
Resolves Phlegm retained in the chest | Tonifies the Lungs Eliminates pathogenic factors in the Lungs | Tonifies the Spleen and Lungs |
LU-2 | ||
Chest pain | Swelling of the face and abdomen | Enuresis |
REN-16 | ||
Abdominal fullness Shortness of breath with a rattling sound (moxa LU-1 Zhongfu) | Difficult ingestion | Esophageal constriction with difficult ingestion and vomiting |
Contraindications
Notes
- This point helps people renew the contact with the heaven within them.
- This point circulates and adjusts Lung Qi.
- This point is mostly used in acute Excess patterns.
- The primary function of this point is to clear Excess of all kinds from the Lungs.
- Front-Mu points collect pathogenic Qi and are used to sedate; Back-Shu points transmit healthy Qi and are used to tonify.
- LU-1 vs UB-13: LU-1 is for acute Excess conditions and treats the manifestation (herb parallel Zhe Bei Mu); UB-13 is for chronic Deficiency and treats the root (herb parallel Chuan Bei Mu).
- LU-1 vs LU-5 for Phlegm: LU-1 treats both Heat and Cold Phlegm, while LU-5 is mainly for Heat.
- Lung organ disease often shows as tenderness at LU-1, so it serves as both a diagnostic and a treatment point. Compare tenderness on both sides (Yin-Yang balancing) to find the affected side.
Five Elements Spirit Perspective
| Spirit of the Point | Middle Palace leads straight into opening the Spirit. Through the Middle Palace one passes into the inner palace, where God dwells, the place that holds his essence. It restores the connection with God and nature, brings security and gives inspiration. This point concerns the light of the Heavens entering; with every in-breath we should feel the palace's richness and joy. It welcomes a person back home to their own sense of self. 'Middle' is central to the spirit, and the channel begins in the Stomach, in the middle burner. A palace of inspiration, awe and majesty. It is the Receiver of Qi: without it the Lungs could not function. Energy flows here from LIV-14, joining eyes turned up toward Heaven with optimism and vision to the inspiration of a spiritual connection with Heaven. A treasure lies at the center of the chest, the gathering Qi that keeps every rhythmic movement in the body in step. |
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| Worsley |
Location: On the chest, level with the gap between the 1st and 2nd ribs, 1.6 ACI below LU-2 and very slightly lateral to it. |
| When to Consider |
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| Combinations |
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| Notes |
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From Class
- LU-1 Zhongfu: Where Taiyin (Lung and Spleen) meet; uses the Spleen's dampness function to moisten the Lungs for dry cough or heat. (Hiltbrand)
- LU-1 Zhongfu / LU-2 Yunmen: LU-1 'central administration' (site of imperial rituals); LU-2 'cloud gate' brings down heavenly spirits; between nipple and collarbone is where we receive.
- LU-1, LU-2, LI-15, SI-9, SI-10: Shoulder restriction points; pluck the pectoralis at LU-1 aggressively for rotator cuff/frozen shoulder. (Alexander)
- LU-5 Chize + LU-1 Zhongfu: LU-5 water point tonifies yin; LU-1 'central treasury' synchronizes heart, pericardium and lung rhythms; for shame/heat with dry upper jiao and harsh judgment.
- PC-6 + Ren-17, LU-1, KI/BL shu (coronary arteries): PC-6 relates most strongly to circulation; add chest points for coronary artery issues. (Gioioso)
- Ren-17, LU-1, PC points, LU-2, LU-7 (breath release): Ren-17 opens the chest; LU-1 opens what's bound; Pericardium points settle chest and Shen; LU-2 and LU-7 support the Lung's releasing movement. (Lewis)
- Du-20 + Ren-12 + KI-1 (acclimating to dry weather): 'Three treasures' variant (Du-20, Ren-12, KI-1) helps acclimate to dry climates so the body hydrates better; add LU-1 and LV-13 for external pathways. (Yuen)
- Diaphragm entry-exit points: SP-21→HT-1, LV-14→LU-1 (the only one passing qi through the diaphragm), KI-22→PC-1 all pass through the heart region; upper kidney points relate shen and ling (soul).
- Four Gates (LI-4 + LV-3, or LU-1 + LV-14): Outer or inner four gates nudge the body back into its own rhythm; the lung also directs qi and rhythm. (Lewis)
- TCM alternative: BL-17, LU-10, LU-1, ST-38, LU-7: Diaphragmatic constriction with lung heat: BL-17, LU-10 clears lung heat, LU-1 disperses, ST-38 for shoulder; bleed then moxa LU-7. (Yuen)
- Entry-exit block (liver pounding, lungs weak): Hoarded qi in an entry-exit block shows repression and separation within the self; moving it promotes communication = cessation of repression, freeing jing, qi and shen.
- Thyme: Oil that resonates with LU-1 Zhongfu; apply a drop on the point. (Yuen)
- Ritual treatments month 6: Link KI-12 to KI-15 with Ren-8 around KI-13; anoint with rose and lavender; figure-eight LU-1 and LV-14; Ren Shen with Huang Qin; Sheng Ma lifts; ST-36 with Du-20. (Lewis)