ACUPUNCTURE
Qi Chong: TCM Acupoint Guide
Name
Qi Chong (Qichong)
Location
On the lower abdomen, 2 cun lateral to REN-2 Qugu on the superior ridge of the pubic tubercle, 5 cun below the umbilicus. Note: the 2 cun line runs halfway between the midline and the palpable border of the rectus abdominis, level with the superior border of the pubic symphysis.
Needling
- Slanted insertion toward the genitals, 1 to 2 cun. Sensation: local distention and soreness extending to the genitals.
- Caution: internally, the presence of the spermatic cord in men or the round ligament in women makes deep insertion dangerous.
- Perpendicular insertion, 1 to 1.5 cun.
- Caution: in thin patients, deep insertion in a superior direction may penetrate the peritoneal cavity or a full bladder; deep insertion in an inferior direction in a male may penetrate the spermatic cord.
- Straight insertion, 0.5 to 1 cun. Sensation: local heavy distended feeling.
- Puncture perpendicularly, 0.5 to 1 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Command Functions
- Sea of Nourishment, Water and Grain, point
- Intersecting point of the REN, DU and Chong channels
Actions
- Stabilizes and promotes the Jing
- Stabilizes the lower orifices
- Regulates qi and Blood
- Tonifies Ying qi
- Regulates menstruation
- Regulates the Chong channel
- Invigorates and contains Blood
- Raises Middle qi
- Regulates Stomach qi
- Tonifies the Sea of Food
- Regulates qi in the Lower Jiao
- Subdues running piglet qi
Indications
- Infertility
- Impotence
- Spermatorrhea
- Irregular menstruation
- Dysmenorrhea due to Blood Stasis
- Testicular pain
- Penile pain
- Lower abdominal pain, swelling and Cold
- Abdominal pain
- Retention of the placenta
- Diseases of the reproductive organs
- Excessive bleeding
- Borborygmus
- Excessive perspiration
- Unable to lie on one's back
- Lumbago
- Improves circulation in the lower limbs
- Hypogastric pain
- Sudden fullness and distention of the abdomen
- Sudden amenorrhea
- Abnormal uterine bleeding
- Difficult lactation
- Lumbar pain with difficulty turning
- Fullness of the lateral costal region
- Running piglet qi
- Fetal qi rushes up to attack the Heart
- Hot, painful urinary dysfunction
- Stone edema
- Uterine tumors or fibroids
- Uterine hemorrhage
- Uterus failing to return to normal shape after childbirth
- Urethral pain
- Kidney pain and swelling
- Pain and swelling of the external genitalia
- Hunger with no desire to eat due to Deficiency
- Hernia
- Swelling of the prostate
- Colic
- Disorders related to childbirth
- Dampness
- Sensation of air going up to the Heart
- Accumulation of Heat in the large Intestine
- Pain in the Small Intestine
- Frostbite
- Gangrene
- Twisting pain of the abdomen
- Heat in the abdomen
- Heat in the body with abdominal pain
- Hardness below the umbilicus
- Retention of urine
- Retention of feces
- Heat in the large Intestine
- Rectal prolapse
- Injury by Cold leading to Heat in the Stomach
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| LIV-8 Ququan, LIV-3 Taichong | Hernia |
| REN-4 Guanyuan joined to REN-3 Zhongji, SP-6 Sanyinjiao | Urinary tract infection |
| ST-36 Zusanli | Bleed both points for excessive perspiration |
| LIV-13 Zhangmen | Insomnia |
| UB-25 Dachangshu, DU-20 Baihui, DU-1 Changqiang, GB-21 Jianjing, LI-4 Hegu | Rectal prolapse |
| KI-2 Rangu, KI-14 Siman, LIV-13 Zhangmen | Moxa for stone edema of the upper abdomen |
Notes
This point has a deep pathway to the Heart channel and the Small Intestine channel, and is used for Spleen and Stomach Deficiency with External Invasion. Bleed this point for chronic hemoptysis. It is the single most important point to treat running piglet qi.
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.
Spotted an error or a better source? Tell us — corrections are logged on our editorial policy page.
Did this article help you?
Your answer shapes what gets rewritten next.
Keep readingRelated entries
Something this article did not cover?
Ask us directly. We reply within two days, and good questions become public articles.
Ask a question →