Shen Que: TCM Acupoint Guide

Name

Shen Que (CV-8)

Location

In the center of the umbilicus.

Needling

Caution: needling this point is contraindicated. Use moxibustion only.

Moxa with salt, sliced ginger, crushed garlic or aconite cake, applied for 20 to 30 minutes.

Actions

• Tonifies, strengthens and regulates the Spleen, especially its qi and yang, and the Stomach
• Strengthens the transporting function of the Spleen and Stomach
• Tonifies the Kidneys, especially their yang, and warms and stabilizes the yang
• Warms the interior and harmonizes the intestines
• Regulates the intestines and the water pathways
• Reduces digestive stagnation and dries Dampness and Cold-Damp
• Tonifies yuan qi and restores collapsed yang

Indications

Digestive

• Gastrointestinal disorders due to Dampness or Cold
• Abdominal Cold and pain, and periumbilical pain
• Deficiency Cold of the abdomen
• Acute or chronic diarrhea due to Deficiency or Cold; unchecked diarrhea
• Diarrhea with thin stools
• Undigested food and diarrhea in the elderly or in deficient people
• Dysentery, including chronic and infantile dysentery
• Infantile diarrhea following breast feeding; infantile cholera
• Borborygmus and pain
• Abdominal distention, tympanites, and an abdomen that is very distended
• The patient hears water flowing in the intestines
• Continual vomiting; vomiting and diarrhea in cholera
• Edema and ascites
• Dyspepsia and chronic intestinal lesions
• Intestinal tuberculosis
• Heatstroke and heat exhaustion

Urogenital and gynecological

• All urinary disorders, including painful urinary dysfunction
• Qi-type painful urinary dysfunction
• Urinary incontinence and urinary retention
• Retention of urine in postpartum women
• Bloody leukorrhea
• All acute gynecological disorders
• Infertility from Cold in the blood
• Restless fetus disorder

Collapse and emergency patterns

• Shock, including shock resulting from intestinal adhesions
• Collapsing disorder with chills and cold extremities; icy limbs
• Fainting, syncope in apoplexy and unconsciousness
• Flaccid-type apoplexy and abandoned-type windstroke
• Sudden turmoil disorder
• General weakness and low spirits
• Convulsions and epilepsy with opisthotonis
• Cerebral hemorrhage

Other

• Headache due to Deficiency
• Neurasthenia
• Rectal prolapse and prolapsed anus
• Umbilical and hypogastric shan (hernia) disorders
• Acute and chronic gastroenteritis or enteritis
• Lip swelling

Combinations

Contraindications

Needling is contraindicated.

Notes

This point's main function is to strongly tonify yang. Use indirect moxibustion after filling the navel with salt. It is especially good for people addicted to drugs, and it acts on the nourishment of the spirit.