Sundance Acupuncture

Herb & Acupuncture Database

(This is my own personal database of teachers, teachings and notes that I use in my practice. I’ve decided to share it freely with anyone who would like to reference it.)

SP-18 Tianxi - Heavenly Stream

More Spirit Names: Heaven's Stream, Celestial Ravine

English:	Heavenly Stream
Also Known As:	Heaven's Stream

Location

Located in the fourth intercostal space, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline.

Needling

Puncture obliquely 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
Moxibustion is applicable.
Slanted insertion 0.5 to 0.8 cun.
Caution: Perpendicular insertion, especially in thin patients, causes a substantial risk of inducing pneumothorax. .
Transverse-oblique insertion along the intercostal space, 0.5 to 1 cun.

Command Functions

Actions

Regulates and descends Qi
Benefits the breasts
Promotes lactation

Indications

Fullness in the chest and hypochondrium
Cough
Hiccup
Mastitis
Insufficient lactation
Rattling of Phlegm in the throat
Breast abscess

Bronchitis
Asthma
Fullness and pain of the chest and lateral costal region
Shortness of breath
Running piglet Qi
Failure of breast milk to flow

Combinations

SP-21 Liangmen	GB-43 Xiaxi
Enhances the effect of the point	Abscess, ulceration and swelling of the breast

Contraindications

Notes

This point is good to restore human kindness and empathy.

Five Elements Spirit Perspective

Spirit of the Point	Heavenly Stream is the point that ensures the Earth has both a mother and a father. Its theme is mental milk: empathy and human kindness. It lies near the breast, the image of mothering, yet its name brings in the Heavenly, fathering side as well, and the stream is the natural flow of understanding from one being to another. It carries the Father's stream of life as the Mother expresses it, distributing all that is best to body, mind and spirit: the milk of human kindness, empathy and compassion. It relates to the father, quality and essence, joining father with mother, uniting the family in spirit and bringing pure essence into the Earth. When spirit and Earth move as one, life just flows.
Worsley	Location: On the chest in the 4th intercostal space, 6 ACI from the midline. Needle depth: 3 fen Moxa: 5 cones
When to Consider	When a person needs mental milk: empathy and human kindness When the Earth needs both a mother and a father When empathy and understanding are not flowing between people When the person is sluggish, better once moving, and struggles to get started in the morning For workaholics pushing on with head down, slogging through mud and out of touch with quality
Combinations	SP-17 Food Drain with SP-18: a good pairing

From Class

SP-18 Tianxi: 'Celestial ravine' — treats rebellious qi, reflux; unbinds the chest to rectify qi. (Gioioso)

For educational reference only; not a substitute for care from a qualified practitioner.