Spleen Channel

1
ACTIONS
Dissipates accumulation of food and fluid and promotes
digestion
INDICATIONS
Fullness of the chest and lateral costal region, cease-
less pain of the lateral costal region, abdominal
distention, water swelling of the abdomen, oesopha-
geal pain, pain of the diaphragm, belching, vomiting
immediately after eating, undigested food (in the
stool), borborygmus.
Cough, swelling of the breasts, chronic Spleen ma-
laria, jaundice.
COMMENTARY
Shidou SP-17 is also known by the alternative name of
Mingguan (Gate of Life). According to the Book of Bian
Ques Secrets Shidou SP-17 connects the real Spleen qi
and cures thirty-six kinds of Spleen disease. In severe
disease, when life is hanging by a thread, moxibustion at
this point with 200-300 moxa cones will assure the pa-
tients survival. Use this point in any major Spleen
disease
20
. Despite this inspiring quotation, there are few
references to this kind of application or combinations
which include the point, in other classical texts, and
Shidou SP-17 is mainly indicated for pain of the lateral
costal region, distention and pain of the abdomen and
diaphragm with belching, vomiting and indigested food
in the stool, all clear indications of food stagnation.
6 cun from midline
fifth intercostal space
Shidou SP-17
Zhejin GB-23
Yuanye GB-22
mid-axillary line
SHIDOU SP-17
Food Cavity
LOCATION
On the lateral side of the chest, in the fifth
intercostal space, 6 cun lateral to the mid-
line.
LOCATION NOTE
i. The intercostal spaces are most reliably counted down-
wards from the second intercostal space which lies
immediately below the sternal angle. In males, the nipple
almost invariably lies in the fourth intercostal space; ii.
The six cun line is located two cun lateral to the mamillary
line.
NEEDLING
Transverse-oblique insertion along the intercostal space,
0.5 to 1 cun.
Caution: perpendicular insertion, especially in thin
patients, carries a substantial risk of inducing a
pneumothorax.
Combinations Index
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CONTENTS
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CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Lung
L. Intestine
Stomach
Spleen
Heart
S. Intestine
Bladder
Kidney
Pericardium
Sanjiao
Gall Bladder
Liver
Conception
Governing
Extra Points
See Notes