Pericardium Meridian of Hand Jueyin and Its Main Acupoints
手厥阴心包经及其主要穴位
I. General distribution of Pericardium Meridian
1. From the chest to the hand.
2. Along the middle of the medial aspect of the upper limb.
3. Connects with pericardium and San Jiao.
4. Meets the Kidney Meridian of Foot Shaoyin in the chest and the Sanjiao Meridian of Hand Shaoyang at the ulnar side of the tip of the ring finger.
II. Main indications
1. Cardiac pain, palpitation, bradycardia, and tachycardia.
2. Manic or depressive mental disorders, restlessness, insomnia.
3. Stomach problems, including stomach ache, vomiting, and hiccups, and acid regurgitation.
4. Disorders along the external course of the Pericardium Meridian.
III. Main acupoints of Pericardium Meridian
PC1 Tiānchí 天池 (Celestial Pool)
Location: On the chest, in the 4th intercostal space, 1 cun lateral to the nipple, 5 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Classification: Crossing point of the Pericardium Meridian and the Gall Bladder Meridian
Window of the Sky Point
Window of the Sky Point
Indications:
1. Mastitis, pain in the hypochondrium, scrofula
2. Cough, asthma, chest congestion
Functions: Opens the chest, regulates Qi, stops cough, benefits the breasts.
Needling: Oblique or subcutaneous insertion 0.3 - 0.5 cun. Do not puncture deeply to avoid injuring the lung.
PC2 Tiānquán 天泉 (Celestial Spring)
Location: On the medial aspect of the arm, 2 cun below the anterior axillary fossa, between the heads of m. biceps brachii longus and brevis.
Indications:
1. Cardiac pain, cough, distention and pain in the chest and hypochondrium
2. Lumps in breasts
3. Pain in the arm
Functions: Opens the chest, moves the blood, alleviates pain.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 1.0 - 1.5 cun.
PC3 Qǖzé 曲泽 (Marsh at the Bend)
Location: On the transverse crease of the elbow, on the ulnar side of the tendon m. biceps brachii.
Classification: He-Sea point of the Pericardium Meridian
Indications:
1. Cardiac pain, palpitation
2. Gastric pain, vomiting
Functions: Clears heat from Qi, Ying and Xue levels, moves Blood, harmonizes the Stomach and intestines, alleviates pain.
Notes: He-Sea points are where the qi of the meridian collects and goes deep into the body. He-sea points are known to indicated treat rebellious qi and diarrhea.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 1.0 - 1.5 cun.
PC4 Xìmén 郄门 (Cleft Gate)
Location: On the palmar aspect of the forearm, 5 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist, on the line connecting PC 3 and PC 7.
Classification: Xi-Cleft point of the Pericardium Meridian
Indications:
1. Cardiac pain, palpitation
2. Hematemesis, hemoptysis
Functions: Cools the Blood, moves the Blood, removes Blood stagnation, calms the Shen.
Notes: A Xi-Cleftpoint is the site where the Qi of the meridian is deeply converged. Qi and blood are stored deeply at these particular points. If there appear abnormal reactions at X-Cleft points, it shows that the pathogens have entered the deeper parts of Zang-Fu organs. Thus, they are used for acute, painful symptoms, inflammation, protracted diseases of its pertaining meridian and Zang-Fu organ. Also, Xi-Cleft points of the Yin meridians have hemostatic functions.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 0.5 - 1.0 cun.
PC5 Jiānshǐ 间使 (Intermediary Messenger)
Location: On the palmar aspect of the forearm, 3 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist, on the line connecting PC 3 and PC 7, between the tendons of m. palmaris longus and m. flexor carpi radialis.
Classification: Jing-River point of the Pericardium Meridian
Indications:
1. Cardiac pain, palpitation
2. Gastric pain, vomiting
3. Febrile disease, malaria
4. Manic psychosis
Functions: Resolves Heart Phlegm, calms the Shen, regulates the Stomach.
Notes: PC 5 is one of the more important points to treat Phlegm misting the Heart. Jing-River points are where the qi of the meridian begins to flow more heavily. They are known to treat cough and asthma due to pathogenic cold or heat.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 0.5 - 1.0 cun.
PC6 Nèiguān 内关 (Inner Gate)
Location: On the palmar aspect of the forearm, 2 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist, on the line connecting PC 3 and PC 7, between the tendons of m. palmaris longus and m. flexor carpi radialis.
Classification: Luo-Connecting point of the Pericardium Meridian
Master Point of the Yin Wei Vessel (couple with SP 4)
Master Point of the Yin Wei Vessel (couple with SP 4)
Indications:
1. Chest congestion, pain in the hypochondrium, cardiac pain, palpitation
2. Gastric pain or distension, vomiting, hiccups
3. Depression, dizziness, vertigo
4. Apoplexy, hemiplegia, spasm and pain of the upper extremities
5. Cough, asthma
6. Irritability, malaria
Functions: Opens the chest, regulates Heart Qi, calms the Shen, harmonizes the Stomach, relieves nausea and vomiting, regulates Qi.
Notes: PC 6 is an extremely popular and useful point. It is very helpful in treating insomnia and calming the Shen. It also is the point to use for nausea and vomiting. Furthermore, it can be used for any condition related to the chest. Luo-Connecting points of one meridian can communicate with two meridians. They treat diseases of the collaterals and can be used to treat chronic diseases, especially chronic diseases of the Zang-Fu organs. Clinically, Luo-Connecting points are often combined with Yuan-Source points in the treatment of diseases.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 0.5 - 1.0 cun.
PC7 Dàlíng 大陵 (Great Hill)
Location: In the middle of the transverse crease of the wrist, between the tendons of m. palmaris longus and m. flexor carpi radialis.
Classification: Yuan-Source point of the Pericardium Meridian
Shu-Stream point of the Pericardium Meridian
Shu-Stream point of the Pericardium Meridian
Indications:
1. Cardiac pain, palpitation, pain in the chest and hypochondrium
2. Gastric pain, vomiting
3. Insomnia, depression, manic psychosis
4. Pain of the heel
Functions: Calms the Shen, clears Heat in Heart, opens the chest, regulates Heart Qi, harmonizes the Stomach.
Notes: Clinically, Yuan-Source points are of great significance in treating diseases of the internal organs. Yuan-Source points are the sites where the Yuan (Primary) qi of the Zang-Fu organs passes and stays. Puncturing the Yuan-Source points stimulates the vital energy of the regular meridians, regulates the functional activities of the internal organs, reinforces antipathogenic factors and eliminates pathogenic factors. This method of treating diseases deals principally with the root causes. The Yuan (source) point from the affected meridian is often combined with the Luo (Connecting) point of the internally-externally related meridians in use. Shu-Stream points are where the qi starts to pour down the meridian. They are known to alleviate heaviness and pain in the joints. On Yin Meridians, Shu-Stream points are identical to the actions of Yuan-Source points.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 0.5 - 0.8 cun.
PC8 Láogōng 劳宫 (Labor Palace)
Location: In the center of the palm, between the 2nd and 3rd metacarpal bones, closer to the 3rd metacarpal bone. When a fist is made, the point is where the tip of the middle finger touches.
Classification: Ying-Spring point of the Pericardium Meridian
Indications:
1. Aphtha (mouth ulcer), halitosis
2. Coma, fungal infection of the hand
3. Cardiac pain, vomiting
Functions: Clears Heart Heat, calms the Shen.
Notes: PC 8 is the best point to clear Heart-Fire. Ying-Spring points are where the qi dribbles down the meridian. Ying-Spring points are indicated for heat in the body and changes in the complexion. Ying-Spring points are known to clear heat from the meridian.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 0.3 - 0.5 cun.
PC9 Zhōngchōng 中冲 (Central Hub)
Location: In the center of the tip of the distal phalanx of the middle finger.
Classification: Jing-Well point of the Pericardium Meridian
Indications:
- Coma, heat stroke
- Cardiac pain, irritability, stiffness, swelling and pain of the tongue
Functions: Clears Heart Heat, benefits the tongue, resuscitates.
Notes: Jing-Well points are where the qi bubbles up. Jing-Well points are indicated to revive consciousness. Jing-Well points are known to treat fullness below the Heart and clear Heat.
Needling: Superficial insertion 0.1 cun, or prick to cause bleeding.
