ACUPUNCTURE
Cheng Shan: TCM Acupoint Guide
CHENGSHAN
Name
Cheng Shan (Chengshan)
Location
On the posterior midline of the leg, between UB-40 Weizhong and UB-60 Kunlun, in a pointed depression below the gastrocnemius muscle belly when the leg is stretched or the heel lifted. Note: run the finger upwards from the Achilles tendon along the midline until it falls into the depression formed between the two origins of the gastrocnemius muscle bellies.
Needling
- Straight insertion, 1.2 to 2.5 cun. Sensation: local distention and soreness, possibly extending to the back of the knee; when inserting the needle deeply for sciatica, there may be an electric, numb sensation extending to the bottom of the foot.
- Perpendicular or oblique insertion directed proximally or distally, 1 to 1.5 cun.
- Puncture perpendicularly, 0.8 to 1.2 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Command Functions
- Ma Dan-yang's Heavenly Star point
Actions
- Relaxes the muscle channels
- Relaxes the sinews
- Activates the channel
- Alleviates pain
- Invigorates the Blood
- Clears Heat
- Regulates the Qi in the Yang organs
- Benefits hemorrhoids
- Removes obstructions from the channel
- Benefits the calf and heel
Indications
- Low back pain
- Spasm of the gastrocnemius
- Hemorrhoids
- Constipation
- Beriberi
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Twisted muscles of the calf
- Swollen, painful and bleeding hemorrhoids
- Cramps
- Swelling of the knee
- Edema of the lower limbs
- Lymphoedema
- Heel pain
- Lassitude of the limbs
- Menstrual pain
- Indigestion
- Lockjaw
- Hernial disorders
- Urethritis
- Abdominal pain
- Difficulty sitting and standing
- Inability to stand for long
- Sudden turmoil disorder
- Heat in the head
- Lumbago
- Pain in the back and renal regions
- Digestive problems
- Dyspepsia
- Cholera
- Cholera with muscle spasms
- Anorexia
- Anorexia during dysentery
- Enterorrhagia
- Sore throat
- Pain of the lower back and leg
- Sciatica
- Paralysis of the lower limb
- Prolapsed anus
- Prolapsed rectum
- Leg qi
- Pain of the lumbar spine
- Feeling of Heat in the Heart
- Trembling
- Inability to stay upright
- Edema of the upper limbs from cardiac origin
- Accumulation of water due to an attack of Cold
- Hemafecia
- Convulsions
- Body tremors
- Malarial disorders
- Lower body erysipelas due to Damp-Heat
- Abdominal prolapse
- Shivering
- Epistaxis
- Muscle spasms
- Local paroxysmal spasms
- Foot qi
- Pain in the heel and foot
- Neuralgia of the thigh
- Myalgia
- Internal and external trauma
- Swelling of the lower limb
- Adenitis
- Cold attack with hypersecretion
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| M-UE-29 Erbai or KI-7 Fuliu, LIV-3 Taichong, SP-3 Taibai | Hemorrhoids |
| M-UE-29 Erbai, DU-1 Changqiang | Chronic hemorrhoids |
| DU-1 Changqiang | The nine types of hemorrhoids with bleeding, intestinal Wind with Blood in the stool |
| UB-40 Weizhong, UB-58 Feiyang, GB-38 Yangfu, KI-7 Fuliu, LIV-3 Taichong, GB-43 Xiaxi, REN-6 Qihai, REN-1 Huiyin, DU-1 Changqiang | The five types of hemorrhoids |
| KI-3 Taixi or KI-4 Dazhong, UB-33 Zhongliao, REN-4 Guanyuan, UB-56 Chengjin, LIV-3 Taichong, KI-3 Taixi, REN-12 Zhongwan | Difficult defecation |
| ST-33 Yinshi, GB-30 Huantiao, GB-31 Fengshi, UB-40 Weizhong, UB-60 Kunlun, UB-62 Shenmai | Pain in the legs and lumbar region |
| UB-40 Weizhong, ST-36 Zusanli | Feebleness of the legs |
| SP-5 Shangqiu, UB-56 Chengjin, UB-64 Jinggu | Contraction of the legs |
| KI-7 Fuliu, LIV-3 Taichong, SP-3 Taibai | Blood in the stool |
| UB-56 Chengjin, ST-38 Tiaokou, ST-36 Zusanli | Heat in the sole of the foot with inability to stand for long |
Notes
A major point for muscle cramps. It is used as a distal point for lower backache and sciatica. It is an empirical point for hemorrhoids, and the main point for all physical trauma.
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
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