ACUPUNCTURE
Shang Qiu: TCM Acupoint Guide
SHANGQIU
Name
Shang Qiu (Shangqiu)
Location
In the depression distal and inferior to the medial malleolus, halfway between the tuberosity of the navicular bone and the vertex of the medial malleolus, at the junction of straight lines drawn along the anterior and inferior borders of the medial malleolus.
Needling
- Straight insertion, 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
- Transverse insertion, joined to ST-41 Jiexi, 1 to 1.5 cun, causing distention and soreness in the ankle.
- Perpendicular insertion 0.2 to 0.3 cun.
- Transverse insertion beneath the tendons towards or joined with ST-41 Jiexi.
Command Functions
- Jing-River point of the Spleen channel
- Metal point of the Spleen channel
- Sedation point
- Reunion point of veins
Actions
- Regulates and strengthens the Spleen
- Regulates the Stomach
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
- Regulates the Middle Jiao
- Resolves Damp Stagnation
- Transforms Damp-Heat
- Benefits the sinews and bones
- Calms the Shen
Indications
- Jaundice
- Gastritis
- Enteritis
- Lassitude
- Excessive appetite
- Poor digestion
- Abdominal distention
- Stomach ache
- Flatulence
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Berry yellow feces
- Very yellow vaginal discharges
- Hernia
- General weakness
- Damp Bi
- Tendency to sadness
- Nightmares
- Alternating chills and fever
- Anorexia
- Sterility
- Indolence
- Lethargy with a desire to lie down
- Watery diarrhea
- Undigested food in the stool
- Cold pain in the epigastrium
- Excessive eating
- Chills and fever with vomiting
- Coughing and diarrhea in children with no desire to eat
- Yellow face
- Pain and contraction of the sinews
- Lockjaw
- Tympanites
- Pain, redness and swelling of the dorsum of the foot
- Rheumatic pains in the joints of the lower limbs
- Gluttony but poor digestion
- Dreams of ghosts, phantoms and monsters
- Fever but feeling cold in the whole body
- Sighs or groans often
- Loves to sleep
- Osseous tuberculosis
- Infertility
- Running piglet Qi
- Pain and stiffness of the ankle and foot
- Pain along the inner part of the leg and knee
- Indigestion
- Beriberi
- Edema
- Borborygmus
- Breast pain
- Hemorrhoids
- Colic
- Spastic tongue
- Pain and rigidity of the tongue
- Varicose veins
- Very yellow urine
- Pertussis
- Edema of the head and face
- Headache
- Swelling
- Bone Bi
- Epilepsy
- Lower abdominal pain
- Heaviness and pain in the joints
- Spleen Deficiency
- Impaired speech
- Cough
- Shan (hernia) disorder
- Agitation with thirst
- Propensity to laughter
- Melancholy
- Chronic childhood fright Wind
- Childhood fright epilepsy
- Hemiplegia
- Abdominal distention associated with a Deficient Spleen
- Diseases of the ankle and surrounding soft tissue
- Sprained ankle
- Rheumatism along the Spleen tendinomuscle channel
- Asthenia
- Heavy sensation in the body
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| ST-25 Tianshu, SP-9 Yinlingquan | Chronic enteritis |
| UB-66 Tonggu, KI-21 Youmen | Predilection toward vomiting |
| ST-41 Jiexi, GB-40 Qiuxu | Foot pain |
| SP-6 Sanyinjiao | Spleen Deficiency constipation |
| REN-5 Shimen or UB-32 Ciliao, KI-1 Yongquan | Infertility |
| UB-56 Chengjin, UB-57 Chengshan, UB-64 Jinggu | Contraction of the legs |
| GB-24 Riyue | Sighing with a propensity toward sadness |
| REN-24 Chengjiang, M-HN-20 Jinjin-Yuye, DU-26 Renzhong, REN-23 Lianquan, LI-11 Quchi, PC-8 Laogong, LIV-3 Taichong, LIV-2 Xingjian, KI-2 Rangu, SP-1 Taibai | Wasting and thirsting disorder |
Notes
This is the point on the channel where the Qi is diverted to the bones and joints and is much used for Damp Bi, especially of the knee and ankle. This point is good to generate calm sleep. In case of extreme agitation, sedate this point. This point is good for reducing Excess conditions.
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
Qi Men: TCM Acupoint Guide
Qi Men (Qimen). On the mammillary line in the sixth intercostal space, 3.5 cun lateral to REN-14 Juque, 6 cun above the umbilicus. Actions: Facilitates the.
Jing Men: TCM Acupoint Guide
Jing Men (Jingmen) is just below the twelfth rib. Caution: in thin patients, deep needling may penetrate the peritoneal cavity. Front-Mu point of the.
Dai Mai: TCM Acupoint Guide
Dai Mai (Daimai). Directly below the free end of the eleventh rib, level with the umbilicus. Note: the free end of the eleventh rib usually lies on or near.
Li Wai: TCM Acupoint Guide
Wai (Liwai) is 1 cun lateral to ST-36 Zusanli. Needling: straight insertion, 1-2 cun. Indications: sequelae of infantile paralysis.
Something this article did not cover?
Ask us directly. We reply within two days, and good questions become public articles.
Ask a question →