ACUPUNCTURE
Shan Zhong: TCM Acupoint Guide
SHANZHONG
Name
Shan Zhong (Shanzhong)
Location
On the anterior midline, on the sternum between the nipples, level with the fourth intercostal space.
Needling
- Transverse insertion, pointed upward or toward the breasts, 0.5 to 1.5 cun. Sensation: local distention and soreness or a deep heavy feeling in the front of the chest.
- Transverse insertion pointed laterally toward the breasts, 1 to 1.5 cun, for breast disorders.
- Transverse insertion directed superiorly or inferiorly along the channel, 0.5 to 1 cun.
- Puncture subcutaneously, 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Command Functions
- Front-Mu, Alarm, point of the Pericardium
- Hui-Meeting point of Qi
- Front-Mu point of the Upper Jiao
- Sea of Qi point
- Intersecting point of the Spleen, Kidney, Small Intestine and San Jiao channels on the REN channel
- Center reunion point of breath energy
Actions
- Regulates the Lungs
- Regulates the Upper Jiao
- Tonifies Ancestral, Zong, Qi
- Expands and relaxes the chest
- Diffuses Lung Qi
- Regulates and tonifies qi
- Transforms Phlegm
- Warms and transforms Cold Phlegm in the chest
- Transforms Phlegm-Heat
- Warms the Yang
- Descends Rebellious qi of the Lungs and Stomach
- Facilitates and expedites lactation
- Benefits the diaphragm and breasts
- Benefits gathering qi
- Anti-smoking point
- Anti-gas point
Indications
- Pulmonary tuberculosis
- Shortness of breath
- Shortness of breath with Rebellious Qi
- Bronchitis
- Asthma
- Lung abscess with purulent coughing
- Menopausal syndrome
- Inability to speak due to Deficiency
- Labored breathing
- Facial pallor
- All breast disorders
- Acute mastitis
- Insufficient lactation
- Breast abscess
- Chronic cough
- Coughing fits
- Wheezing
- Panting
- Tumors on the neck
- Cough with copious mucoid sputum
- Breast lumps
- Dyspnea
- Epigastric pain
- A rattling sound in the throat
- Acid regurgitation
- Vomiting of foamy, watery saliva
- Goiter
- Loss of consciousness
- Debility
- Edema
- Spasms
- Anxiety
- Blood Stasis in the chest
- Esophageal stenosis
- Esophageal cancer
- Qi Deficiency
- Singing in the throat
- Vomiting all that is eaten
- Chest pain
- Palpitations
- Intercostal neuralgia
- Hypochondriac restriction and pain
- Diaphragmatic spasms
- Stifling sensation in the chest
- Hiccups
- Coughing up sputum
- Hemoptysis
- Difficulty swallowing or inability to swallow food
- Esophageal dryness
- Feeling of constriction or tightness in the chest
- Hiatal hernia
- Spitting Blood
- Dysphagia
- Chest oppression
- Anorexia
- Abundant expectoration
- Chest Bi
- Esophageal constriction
- Distention and pain in the breasts
- Wind Bi
- Weakness
- Arthritic hands
- Tendon and ligament troubles in the chest
- Bronchial asthma
- Dyspnea preventing eating
- Cardiac pain
- Pleurisy
- Pneumonia
- Gastric cancer
- Cramps in cholera
- Running piglet qi
- Pains due to Wind
- Baby's milk vomiting
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| M-BW-1 Dingchuan, REN-22 Tiantu, PC-6 Neiguan | Bronchial asthma |
| SI-18 Rugen, ST-36 Zusanli, SI-1 Shaoze | Insufficient lactation |
| LI-4 Hegu, LI-11 Quchi | Mastitis |
| SJ-10 Tianjing | Chest blockage with Heart pain |
| REN-22 Tiantu | Dyspnea and cough, asthma, inability to sleep at night, agitated mind |
| ST-12 Quepen, REN-14 Juque | Cough |
| PC-1 Tianchi, REN-22 Tiantu, ST-41 Jiexi, SI-15 Jianzhongshu | Rebellious qi cough |
| REN-20 Huagai | Shortness of breath, difficulty catching the breath with inability to speak |
| Moxa LU-1 Zhongfu, moxa REN-8 Shenque | Abdominal fullness, shortness of breath with a rattling sound |
| SJ-10 Tianjing | Chest Bi, Heart pain and fullness of the Heart and abdomen |
| REN-14 Juque | Pain of the diaphragm from fluid accumulation that is difficult to endure |
| LI-5 Yangxi, SP-4 Gongsun, ST-40 Fenglong | Vomiting phlegm and watery saliva, dizziness that does not cease |
| REN-12 Zhongwan, PC-7 Daling, PC-8 Laogong | Vomiting clear, watery saliva |
| SI-1 Shaoze | Absence of lactation, moxa REN-17 |
| SI-1 Shaoze, LI-4 Hegu | Absence of lactation |
Contraindications
Some classical texts forbid needling this point. Do not use this point unless it is tender or there is Cold in the Upper Jiao.
Notes
A very important point to tonify qi, and a major point for the chest, Lungs, Heart, diaphragm and breasts. Moxibustion of this point is often used to stop smoking. Do not use unless it is tender or there is Upper Jiao Cold. This is considered a last resort point for physical problems. This point links DU-14 Dazhui, DU-15 Yamen and ST-9 Renying.
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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