REN-12 Zhongwan - Middle Duct
More Spirit Names: Supreme Granary, Middle of Epigastrium
| English: | Middle Cavity |
| Also Known As: | Zhongguan Middle Controller Middle Duct Middle of Epigastrium Middle Stomach Cavity Middle Channel Middle Bowel Central Venter |
Location
- On the midline of the abdomen, four cun above the umbilicus and midway between the umbilicus and the sternocostal angle.
- On the anterior midline four cun above the umbilicus.
Needling
- Perpendicular insertion 0.8 to 1.5 cun.
- Caution: In thin patients, deep needling may penetrate the peritoneal cavity.
- Perpendicular insertion 1 to 2 Cun.
- Puncture perpendicularly 0.5 to 1.2 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
- Straight insertion 1 to 2 cun or the needle may be inserted at a slant in all directions around the point. Sensation: a heavy, distended feeling in the upper abdomen, or a feeling of contraction in the Stomach region.
- Caution: Because the Stomach, pancreas, and abdominal aorta are in the deep position behind this point, be careful not to needle too deeply, particularly with thin patients.
For patients who have an enlarged Liver or Spleen, slanted needling to the left or right of the point should be avoided.
Command Functions
- Front Mu point of the Stomach
- Front Mu point of the Middle Jiao
- Meeting point of the Fu organs
- Meeting point of the REN channel with the Small Intestine, San Jiao, Lung, Liver, Pericardium and Stomach channels
Actions
- Harmonizes the Middle Jiao
- Descends Rebellious Qi
- Tonifies the Stomach
- Fortifies the Spleen, especially Qi and Yang
- Regulates Qi and Blood
- Warms Cold
- Regulates Stomach Qi and Yin
- Alleviates pain
- Relieves Food Retention
- Reduces digestive Stagnation
- Eliminates Dampness
- Transforms Damp-Heat and Phlegm
- Dries Cold-Dampness
- Calms the fetus
- Tonifies Ying Qi
- Clears Stomach Fire and Heat
- Calms the Mind
Indications
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Combinations
| Vomiting | Vomiting clear, watery saliva | Food Stagnation in the mid-abdomen Stabbing pain in the abdomen that does not cease |
REN-10 | ||
Abdominal pain | Hardness of the abdomen | Hardness and pain in the lateral costal region |
UB-22 | SP-6 | |
Abdominal masses in the hypogastrium due to Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis that are hard and big like a plate with epigastric distention and undigested food | Undigested food in the stool | Ceaseless diarrhea |
KI-4 | ST-40 | |
Hemafecia | Difficult defecation | All Phlegm diseases Head Wind Dyspnea and cough All types of Tan Yin |
ST-36 | SI-4 | |
Dyspnea with inability to walk | Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach Qi Jaundice with weakness of the four limbs | Spleen Deficiency jaundice |
N-CA-18 | ||
Prolapsed Stomach | Acute intestinal obstruction | Vomiting |
Asthma |
- REN-12 + ST-36: general abdominal problems
- REN-12 + ST-36 + PC-6: epigastric problems
- REN-12 + SP-6: tonifies Spleen and Stomach Yin
Contraindications
- Do not moxa if the pain is sharp.
Notes
- This point is equally applicable for Excess and Deficiency.
- It is the best point to use, especially with moxa, for Cold-Deficient patterns of the Spleen and Stomach.
- It is very widely used to eliminate Dampness in any part of the body.
- Stomach anatomy: REN-13 relates to the fundus (descends Qi), REN-12 to the body (regulates Qi) and REN-10 to the pylorus (descends Qi).
Five Elements Spirit Perspective
| Spirit of the Point | Middle Duct sits at the heart of the middle burner, a center of energy where all the yang Officials assemble and meet; touching it touches all the Organs. Its other name, Supreme Granary, speaks of harmonizing the Earth at our center, the pivot point within us. It is very centering and grounding, a way of really nourishing the middle and giving a lot of energy to the Officials, and it draws a better response on Earth, above all on the level of mind and spirit. It is a coming home to oneself, like a rocking chair that holds and moves at once. Known as the ST-36 of the Conception Vessel and as the Grand Leveler, it centers and balances very well, takes the kinks out of a lifestyle and helps a person live with challenges, bringing order from chaos and supporting moving things on. It sits at the center of the third energy center, our physical sense of self and self-assessment, and can restore order when the link between mind and body is chaotic. |
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| Worsley | Location: On the front midline, 4 ACI above the umbilicus. |
| When to Consider |
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| Combinations | |
| Notes |
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From Class
- LI-4, ST-36, Ren-12 as TCM overlap: LI-4, ST-36, Ren-12 overlap TCM and the nine points: release exterior (LI-4), warm the middle; acupuncture has no astringent points — astringing is a technique. (Yuen)
- ST-25 + Ren-12 + Ren-6 (Earth School protocol): Earth School protocol: ST-25 (regulates intestines, unwinds psoas), Ren-12 (regulates stomach qi), Ren-6 (regulates qi, tonifies kidneys); release the psoas for back complaints. (Alexander)
- ST-40 Fenglong with SP-3: ST-40 transforms phlegm, clears worry-heat and calms Shen but drains a weak Spleen; pair with SP-3 Taibai or Ren-4/Ren-6/Ren-12. (Yuen)
- SP-16 Fuai (Abdomen Sorrow): On the Yin Wei Mai; helps recognize unresolved past regrets and integrate previously undigested life experience. (Lewis)
- Ren-12 Zhongwan (Center Cavity): Where excess collects; stimulating it digests worry and overthinking held in the 'gut brain' and releases mental attachments burdening the Spleen. (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)
- 1st lunar month: PC-6, Ren-12, BL-20, KI-2 + SP-8: Month 1: PC-6; Ren-12, BL-20 support Earth; KI-2 fire 'chisels the embryo' into SP-8; avoid needling the Liver channel this month. (Lewis)
- Earth School three triangles: Ren-13/PC-6, Ren-12/ST-36, Ren-10/ST-25: Li Dongyuan protocol: ingestion Ren-13 + PC-6 (yin fire), digestion Ren-12 + ST-36, elimination Ren-10 + ST-25; needle on exhale, emphasize lift. (Yuen)
- Edema of pregnancy (Zi Zhong): SJ-6, BL-20, Ren-9, Ren-11, Ren-12, ST-36, SP-3, KI-7, ST-21, BL-22: Yi Zhi Ren with Shen Ling Bai Zhu San for weak Spleen; Li Yu Tang (carp, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, Dang Gui, Bai Shao, Sheng Jiang). (Lewis)
- Full-body protocol: ST-36 to ST-40/42, SP-6/7/8, LV-3, LI-4, ST-25, Ren-12, Ren-6, Ren-17: Earth School 'treat the center' approach; feel ST-36 qi descend to ST-40/42. (Alexander)
- Horizontal 'chakra' levels: ankles, knees, hips/groin, Ren-1, Ren-8, Ren-12, Ren-15, Ren-17, Ren-22, Yintang, Du-20: Levels where repression shows as tightness/symptoms; treat with Ren and Du points at that level plus Chong (KI/ST channel) points, and inner/outer bladder line points.
- Pre-Ge Hong revival points: Du-20, Du-15, Ren-12, Ren-3, LI-19: For death-like inversion: Du-20 and Du-15 (scalp yang), Ren-12 and Ren-3 (yin), plus LI-19 to start breathing again. (Yuen)
- Caraway: Oil that resonates with Ren-12 Zhongwan; apply a drop on the point. (Yuen)
- Anointing the Seven Stars of the Great Dipper: Anoint seven levels of the central axis from Ren-1/Du-1 up to Du-20 so the spirits ascend through the crown; front Ren points can substitute for back Du points. (Lewis)
- Earth School 'three triangles' for early diabetes: In the insulin-resistance/damp-phlegm stage: upper triangle clears heat; lower triangle (ST-36, Ren-12) broadly applicable; add SP-6, LV-13, GB-25, SP-13. (Rabinowitz)
- Epilepsy: release stuck vertebrae; 'Du points of the Ren' to anchor yang: Palpate for stuck vertebrae; anchor yang with Ren-24, Ren-15, Ren-12, Ren-7, Ren-4; open Du with SI-3 plus BL-62, BL-63, BL-64. (Gioioso)
- Nine Needles to Return Yang — as death medicine: Three stages: Separation (Du-15, PC-8, PC-6, SP-6); Transition (KI-1, KI-3, Ren-12); Deliverance (GB-30, ST-36 or ST-37, LI-4), giving yang momentum for passage. (Lewis)
- Nine Points to Return Yang (soul-summoning, used counterflow): Used counterflow so souls don't separate before business is done: PC-8, PC-6, SP-6, KI-1, KI-3, Ren-12, GB-30, ST-36, LI-4, from Jing to Qi to Shen. (Lewis)