Traditional Chinese Medicine Healing Herbs(TCMHH)

ACUPUNCTURE

Zhi Shi

ZHISHI
By the TCMHH editorial team Not medically reviewed How we work Updated 6 Oct 2026
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Name

Zhi Shi (Zhishi)

Location

3 cun lateral to the midline, level with the lower border of the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra and level with UB-23 Shenshu. Note: when the shoulder is relaxed, the 3 cun line corresponds to the medial border of the scapula.

Needling

  • Transverse insertion, pointed toward UB-23 Shenshu, 2 to 3 cun, for soft tissue injury to the low back or nephroptosis. Sensation: local distention and soreness, sometimes extending to the buttocks.
  • Caution: care should be taken not to insert the needle too deeply, to avoid puncturing the Kidneys.
  • Straight insertion, 1.5 to 2 cun.
  • Oblique insertion, 0.5 to 1 cun.
  • Puncture perpendicularly, 0.5 to 1 cun.
  • Moxibustion is applicable.

Actions

  • Tonifies the Kidneys
  • Benefits the Jing
  • Regulates urination
  • Strengthens the lumbar region
  • Strengthens the back
  • Reinforces Kidney qi
  • Reinforces willpower

Indications

  • Painful urinary dysfunction
  • Infertility
  • Impotence
  • Prostatitis
  • Nephritis
  • Anemia
  • Edema
  • Nausea
  • Spasmodic pain in the hypochondrium
  • Spermatorrhea
  • Indigestion
  • Seminal emission with dreams
  • Fullness and pain of the lateral costal region
  • Hardness of the abdomen and hypogastrium
  • Vomiting
  • Epigastric fullness and pain
  • Lower back pain and stiffness
  • Swelling of the perineum
  • Swelling of the sex organs
  • Scrotal eczema
  • Nocturnal emissions
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Dysuria
  • Diarrhea
  • Paralysis of the lower limb
  • Back pain
  • Dribbling urination
  • Sudden turmoil disorder
  • Difficult defecation
  • Pain in the back and knee

Combinations

PointsIndications
UB-28 Pangguangshu, KI-3 TaixiNephroptosis
UB-23 Shenshu, UB-37 YimenSoft tissue injury to the lower back
UB-23 Shenshu, SP-6 SanyinjiaoRenal colic
UB-53 BaohuangPain and swelling of the genitals
GB-25 JingmenLumbar pain with tension of the spine
UB-18 Ganshu, UB-20 PishuAcute pain of both lateral costal regions
UB-23 Shenshu, UB-64 Jinggu, LIV-3 TaichongPain of the genitals
UB-39 Weiyang, UB-33 ZhongliaoDribbling urination
UB-23 Shenshu, UB-25 Dachangshu, GB-25 Jingmen, ST-25 Tianshu, SP-15 Daheng, SP-6 Sanyinjiao, PC-6 NeiguanRenal colic, blood and stone Lin with vomiting

Notes

Useful in the treatment of certain types of depression, when the person is disoriented and lacks the willpower and mental strength to make an effort to get better.

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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.

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