ACUPUNCTURE
Fu Fen: TCM Acupoint Guide
FUFEN
Name
Fu Fen (Fufen)
Location
- 3 cun lateral to the midline, level with the lower border of the spinous process of the second thoracic vertebra, level with UB-12 Fengmen. Note that when the shoulder is relaxed, the 3 cun line corresponds to the medial border of the scapula.
- 3 cun lateral to the DU channel, at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the second thoracic vertebra, on the spinal border of the scapula.
Needling
- Oblique insertion, 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
- Slanted insertion, 0.5 to 0.8 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Caution: deep perpendicular or deep oblique needling in a medial direction carries a substantial risk of causing a pneumothorax.
Command functions
Meeting point of the Small Intestine channel.
Actions
- Activates the channel
- Alleviates pain
- Expels wind and cold
Indications
- Contraction of the scapula, shoulder and back
- Soreness and pain of the shoulder, neck and back
- Pain and stiffness of the neck
- Numbness of the elbow and upper arm
- Wind-cold lodged in the interstices
- Wind-taxation
- Back pain radiating to the head
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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