ACUPUNCTURE
Shen Zhu: TCM Acupoint Guide
SHENZHU
Name
Shen Zhu (Shenzhu)
Location
On the midline of the upper back, in the depression below the spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra, between the spinous processes of the third and fourth thoracic vertebrae.
Needling
- Straight insertion pointed slightly upward, 0.7 to 1 cun. Sensation: distention and soreness or a heavy, sinking feeling toward the lower back.
- Caution: the spinal canal lies between 1.25 and 1.75 cun deep to the skin surface, varying according to body type.
- Perpendicular-oblique superior insertion, 0.5 to 1 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Actions
- Pacifies Wind in the DU channel, reducing method
- Eliminates Interior Wind, reducing method
- Calms spasms, reducing method
- Tonifies Lung qi, reinforcing method
- Disperses Lung qi
- Strengthens the body, reinforcing method
- Expands and relaxes the chest
- Calms the Shen
- Clears Heat
- Dispels Wind-Heat
Indications
- Heat in the chest
- Dyspnea
- Sudden cough with lumbar pain
- Heat in the body
- Dry mouth
- Agitation with thirst
- Headache
- Headache and fever
- Sweating
- Bronchitis
- Bronchiectasis
- Pneumonia
- Chest and back pain
- Wheezing cough associated with consumptive diseases
- Infantile convulsions
- Epilepsy
- Febrile convulsions
- Cough
- Boils
- Convulsions with divagation, sees ghosts, and visions
- Abscess
- Asthenia
- Diarrhea
- Gastric cancer
- Insanity
- Mad walking
- Delirious raving
- Night fright
- Rage with a desire to kill people
- Childhood fright epilepsy
- Clonic spasm
- Opisthotonis
- Clove sores
- Asthma
- Pulmonary tuberculosis
- Hysteria
- Aphasia due to apoplexy
- Seizures
- Stiffness and pain in the lumbar region
- Stiffness in the dorsal spine
- Pertussis
- Neurasthenia
- Fever due to Excess
- Furuncles
- Psychopathy
- Madness
- Infantile malnutrition
- Common cold
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| GB-13 Benshen | Madness |
| DU-1 Changqiang | Childhood fright epilepsy |
| UB-5 Wuchu, UB-40 Weizhong, UB-39 Weiyang, UB-60 Kunlun | Opisthotonis, clonic spasm, epilepsy and headache |
| DU-14 Dazhui, UB-12 Fengmen | Pertussis |
| LI-4 Hegu, ST-36 Zusanli | Moxa for rickets |
| DU-14 Dazhui, UB-13 Feishu | Moxa for chronic bronchitis |
Notes
Used to strengthen the body after debilitating illnesses, when the patient needs help getting through it all. Use moxibustion to reinforce.
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
Tong Tian: TCM Acupoint Guide
Tong Tian (Tongtian). On the top of the head, 4 cun directly above the anterior hairline and 1.5 cun lateral to the midline. Note: the distance between the.
Hou Xi: TCM Acupoint Guide
Hou Xi (Houxi). On the ulnar border of the hand, in the substantial depression proximal to the head of the fifth metacarpal bone. Locate when a loose fist.
You Men: TCM Acupoint Guide
You Men (Youmen) is 0.5 cun lateral to REN-14 Juque, 6 cun above the umbilicus. Caution: deep needling, especially in thin patients, will puncture the liver.
Wan Gu (Shouwangu): TCM Acupoint Guide
Wan Gu (Shouwangu). On the ulnar border of the palm, in the depression between the base of the fifth metacarpal bone and the triquetral bone. Note: when the.
Something this article did not cover?
Ask us directly. We reply within two days, and good questions become public articles.
Ask a question →