REN-17 Shanzhong - Within the Breast
More Spirit Names: Between the Breasts, Central Altar, Middle of the Chest, Center of the Chest, Upper Sea of Qi, Primordial Child, Heart Palace
| English: | Chest Center |
| Also Known As: | Central Altar Middle of the Chest Tanzhong Penetrating Odor Center of the Chest Shangqihai Upper Sea of Qi Within the Breast Platform Middle |
Location
- Between the nipples, level with the fourth intercostal space, on the anterior midline.
- On the sternum, level with the nipples of the breasts
- Between and just above the articulations of the right and left fifth rib with the sternum.
- On the midline of the sternum, in a depression level with the junction of the fourth intercostal space and the sternum.
- On the midline of the sternum, between the nipples level with the fourth intercostal space.
Needling
- Transverse insertion, pointed upward or towards the breasts, 0.5 to 1.5 cun. Sensation: local distention and soreness or a deep heavy feeling in the front of the chest.
- Puncture subcutaneously 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
- Transverse insertion directed superiorly or inferiorly along the channel 0.5 to 1 cun.
- Transverse insertion pointed laterally towards the breasts, 1 to 1.5 cun for breast disorders.
Command Functions
- Front-Mu (Alarm) point of the Pericardium
- Hui-Meeting point of Qi
- Front-Mu point of the Upper Jiao
- Sea of Qi point
- Intersecting point of the Spleen, Kidney, Small Intestine and San Jiao channels on the REN channel.
- Center reunion point of breath energy.
Actions
- Regulates the Lungs
- Regulates the Upper Jiao
- Tonifies Ancestral (Zong) Qi
- Expands and relaxes the chest
- Diffuses Lung Qi
- Regulates and tonifies Qi
- Transforms Phlegm
- Warms and transforms Cold Phlegm in the chest
- Transforms Phlegm-Heat
- Warms the Yang
- Descends Rebellious Qi of the Lungs and Stomach
- Facilitates and expedites lactation
- Benefits the diaphragm and breasts
- Benefits gathering Qi
- Anti-smoking point
- Anti-gas point
Indications
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Combinations
Bronchial asthma | Insufficient lactation | Mastitis |
SJ-10 | REN-22 | |
Chest blockage with Heart pain | Dyspnea and cough Asthma Inability to sleep at night Agitated mind | Cough |
Rebellious Qi cough | Shortness of breath Difficulty catching the breath with inability to speak | Abdominal fullness Shortness of breath with a rattling sound |
SJ-10 | REN-14 | |
Chest Bi Heart pain and fullness of the Heart and abdomen | Pain of the diaphragm from fluid accumulation that is difficult to endure | Vomiting Phlegm and watery saliva Dizziness that does not cease |
SI-1 | ||
Vomiting clear, watery saliva | Absence of lactation (moxa REN-17) | Absence of lactation |
Contraindications
- Some classical texts forbid needling this point.
- Don't use this point unless it is tender or there is Cold in the Upper Jiao.
Notes
- This is a very important point to tonify Qi.
- It is also a major point for the chest, Lungs, Heart, diaphragm and breasts.
- Moxibustion of this point is often used to stop smoking.
- Don't use unless it is tender or there is Upper Jiao Cold.
- This is considered a last resort point for physical problems.
- This point links DU-14 Dazhui, DU-15 Yamen and ST-9 Renying .
- Its action of regulating Qi is stronger than its action of tonifying Qi.
- REN-17 vs REN-6: REN-17 moves and tonifies Qi in the Upper Jiao only, while REN-6 moves Qi in the Middle and Lower Jiao and tonifies Qi throughout the body.
Five Elements Spirit Perspective
| Spirit of the Point | Within the Breast is where the Heart lives, the Imperial Palace, with a feeling of feeding and containment. It is the Temple of Heaven inside our body, a hidden, powerful place where energy can gather and be sent out, so the Supreme Controller's communication can radiate through all of the body and out into the world. Its name can be translated as 'Primordial Child', the point's power to let the child's heart re-emerge as it was just before the moment of trauma. It softens the feeling in the Heart. At the center of a spiritual vortex, it draws Heaven inward and spreads the Heart's influence and joy through the kingdom. Where the Heart Protector and Lung meet, it can bring the Lung and Heart rhythms into step. The infant has been compared with the eternal Dao's primordial nature, and the Heart Protector's work is to guard the Heart's essential childlike nature. |
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| Worsley | Location: On the front midline, 1.6 ACI above REN-16, level with the 4th intercostal space and with KI-23. |
| When to Consider |
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| Notes |
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From Class
- 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.
- SI-1 Shaoze — lack of milk: Ancient prescription: needle the lateral corner of the little-finger nail (SI-1) for lack of milk (also with LI-4 and Ren-17). (Maciocia)
- KI-16, Ren-15, BL-43 (Gaohuang): KI-16 is the root of the gaohuang, Ren-15 its source point (Worsley: a pericardium mu with Ren-17); BL-43 is the pericardium's outer point.
- PC-3 Quze (water point) for fluid phlegm/edema: For fluid phlegm with edema, use PC-3 (water point) with Spleen points (SP-6, ST-40, SP-3, Ren-4) plus Ren-17 and digestive Pericardium points (PC-7, PC-6). (Yuen)
- 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 Shanzhong ('primordial child'): Home of zong qi; touches the dimension of self prior to abuse — uncynical, unwounded, enthusiastic about union.
- Ren-17 Tanzhong (Temple at the Center): Before the Pericardium became distinct it was Ren-17 — where breath and blood converge and spirits prosper in the quiet heart; what occupies your heart's throne? (Lewis)
- 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)
- 'Crucifix treatment': Ren-17 + PC-8 + KI-1: Emergency for suicidal rage (choppy surface, bowstring deep pulse): Ren-17 clears, PC-8 quiets and extinguishes wind, KI-1 stabilizes the disposition. (Yuen)
- Core anxiety points: HT-7, LV-3, PC-6, Ren-17 + Du-20, Yintang: HT-7, LV-3, PC-6, Ren-17 for anxiety, plus the brain, 'house of the original shen': Du-20 and Yintang (skip Yintang face-down). (Piao)
- 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.
- Gua Lou fruit & white mustard seed (Bai Jie Zi) to unbind the chest: Wiriness at both cun positions with substernal distension: add Pericardium points and Ren-17, plus chest-unbinding Gua Lou fruit or dietary white mustard seed. (Yuen)
- Sandalwood: Oil that resonates with Ren-17 Danzhong; 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)
- Insufficient lactation — Qi & Blood deficiency points: ST-36, SP-6, LV-8, GB-41, ST-18, ST-12, Ren-4, BL-20, BL-23, SI-1, Ren-17; reinforcing; moxa may be used. (Maciocia)