ST-25 Tianshu - Heavenly Pivot
More Spirit Names: Heavenly Pillar, Celestial Pivot, Heaven's Axis, Long Link, Valley Gate, Origin Supplementer
| English: | Heaven's Pivot |
| Also Known As: | Celestial Pivot North Star Heavenly Pivot Gumen Door of Cereals Heaven's Axis Heavenly Pillar |
Location
- On the abdomen, 2 cun lateral to the umbilicus.
Note: the 2 cun line on the abdomen is located halfway between the umbilicus and the palpable lateral border of the rectus abdominus muscle.
Needling
- Perpendicular insertion 1 to 1.5 cun.
- Oblique insertion towards the uterus for uterine diseases.
Caution: in thin patients, deep needling may penetrate the peritoneal cavity. - Puncture perpendicularly 0.7 to 1.2 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
- Straight insertion 1.5 to 2 cun. Sensation: local distention and soreness, possibly extending throughput the side of the abdomen which is needled.
Command Functions
- Front Mu point of the Large Intestine
Actions
- Regulates and facilitates the functioning of the Intestines
- Regulates the Spleen (Qi and Yang)
- Regulates the Stomach (Qi and Yin)
- Resolves Dampness and Damp-Heat
- RegulatesQi and Blood
- Eliminates Stagnation
- Regulates the menses
- Clears Heat
- Eliminates Food Stagnation
- Regulates the Middle and Lower Jiaos
- Moistens the Intestines
- Generates fluids
- Tonifies Ying Qi
- Dries Dampness and Cold-Damp
- Warms Cold
- Expels parasites
- Expels urinary stones
Indications
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Combinations
Acute simple appendicitis | Ceaseless diarrhea | Undigested food in the stool No pleasure in eating Periumbilical pain |
ST-44 | SJ-6 | KI-5 |
Red (bloody) dysenteric disorder | Vomiting Sudden turmoil disorder | Irregular menstruation |
Umbilical Shan disorder | Hypogastric Shan disorder | Facial swelling |
ST-37 | SJ-6 | |
Acute dysentery | Dysmenorrhea | Vomiting with or without diarrhea |
Chronic diarrhea due to Spleen Yang Deficiency | Yang Ming Stage or Qi Level pattern identification |
- ST-25 + REN-12 + REN-6: the Four Doors
- ST-25 + ST-37 + ST-39: treats the bowels
- ST-25 + SJ-6 + KI-6 + UB-25: acute or chronic constipation
- ST-25 + ST-36: acute diarrhea
Contraindications
- This is the single most important point for the treatment of the widest variety of Intestinal disorders.
- Contraindicated during pregnancy.
Notes
- This is an extensively used point.
- Used with moxa, this is a special point for chronic diarrhea due to Spleen Yang Deficiency.
- This is an important point to use for Yang Ming Stage or Qi Level pattern identification.
- Especially indicated in acute patterns of the Stomach and Intestines, though it serves in both acute and chronic cases.
Five Elements Spirit Perspective
| Spirit of the Point | Heavenly Pivot is in the center: centering, grounding, nourishing. It is the connection between Heaven and Earth, keeping our spirit going and feeling fulfilled and nourished, and it is about very smooth flow and digestion. A pivot is like a door; if it squeaks, you want everything to flow between Heaven and Earth. Lying on the border between two Jiao, it concerns anchoring and stability: very good for rhythmic disorders full of highs and lows, mood swings and instability, and for grounding a person when the Earth is shifting under their feet. The self is the pivot: it centers a person who lives at the periphery and brings them back inside. A center and fulcrum, it allows free, fluid movement around the center. Its name also belongs to the central star of the Big Dipper, home of the spirits who preside over destiny; this fixed reference point at the belly lends stability through transitions, so the person can move freely in any direction without excessive deliberation. It brings heavenly energy and nourishment to a spirit that is grounded, so the person can reach up to the heavens with their feet still on the ground. |
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| Worsley |
Location: On the abdomen at the outer edge of rectus abdominis, 3 ACI from the midline, level with the centre of the umbilicus. |
| When to Consider |
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| Combinations |
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| Notes |
From Class
- 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-37 Shangjuxu: Lower he-sea of large intestine; with ST-25 to promote descent/elimination (bile to break down estrogen). (Yuen)
- SP-8 Diji: Xi-cleft; uterine and lower-abdominal masses or pain (e.g., ovarian cancer). Also 'Earth's Pivot' in the renewal axis. (Lewis)
- LV-14 Qimen: Combination LV-14, ST-36, SP-6, ST-25, BL-23 for liver-qi stagnation causing low hematocrit and hemoglobin. (Yuen)
- Ren-8, KI-16, ST-25, GB-26 (belt — first star of the Big Dipper): In Seven Star/Nine Peaks symbolism these Dai-level waist points are the Big Dipper's first star, starting the journey to the North Star of true nature. (Lewis)
- Chakra-level point pairs: Chakra-level pairs: root Ren-1/Du-1 (survival); second Ren-4 to Ren-6, Du-4, KI-13 (sexuality); Ren-8 with ST-25, KI-16; Ren-17 with KI-23, ST-17.
- 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)
- 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)
- Renewal axis (after sudden/traumatic departure): Asks the soul 'returning or going on?': ST-25 centers the heaven-earth axis, SP-8 reconnects with earth, SP-21 gathers the person, then Du-26 calls consciousness back. (Lewis)
- Dill: Oil that resonates with ST-25 Tianshu (?); apply a drop on the point.