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POINT: REN-17 (CONCEPTION VESSEL-17)

NAME: SHANZHONG

English:	Chest Center
Also Known As:	Central Altar Middle of the Chest Tanzhong Penetrating Odor Center of the Chest Shangqihai Upper Sea of Qi Within the Breast Platform Middle

LOCATION:

Between the nipples, level with the fourth intercostal space, on the anterior midline.
On the sternum, level with the nipples of the breasts
Between and just above the articulations of the right and left fifth rib with the sternum.
On the midline of the sternum, in a depression level with the junction of the fourth intercostal space and the sternum.
On the midline of the sternum, between the nipples level with the fourth intercostal space.

NEEDLING:

Transverse insertion, pointed upward or towards the breasts, 0.5 to 1.5 cun. Sensation: local distention and soreness or a deep heavy feeling in the front of the chest.
Puncture subcutaneously 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
Moxibustion is applicable.
Transverse insertion directed superiorly or inferiorly along the channel 0.5 to 1 cun.
Transverse insertion pointed laterally towards the breasts, 1 to 1.5 cun for breast disorders.

COMMAND FUNCTIONS:

Front-Mu (Alarm) point of the Pericardium
Hui-Meeting point of Qi
Front-Mu point of the Upper Jiao
Sea of Qi point
Intersecting point of the Spleen, Kidney, Small Intestine and San Jiao channels on the REN channel.
Center reunion point of breath energy.

ACTIONS:

Regulates the Lungs
Regulates the Upper Jiao
Tonifies Ancestral (Zong) Qi
Expands and relaxes the chest
Diffuses Lung Qi
Regulates and tonifies Qi
Transforms Phlegm
Warms and transforms Cold Phlegm in the chest
Transforms Phlegm-Heat
Warms the Yang
Descends Rebellious Qi of the Lungs and Stomach
Facilitates and expedites lactation
Benefits the diaphragm and breasts
Benefits gathering Qi
Anti-smoking point
Anti-gas point

INDICATIONS:

COMBINATIONS:

M-BW-1 Dingchuan REN-22 Tiantu PC-6 Neiguan	SI-18 Rugen ST-36 Zusanli SI-1 Shaoze	LI-4 Hegu LI-11 *Quchi*
Bronchial asthma	Insufficient lactation	Mastitis
SJ-10 Tianjing	REN-22 Tiantu	ST-12 Quepen REN-14 Juque
Chest blockage with Heart pain	Dyspnea and cough Asthma Inability to sleep at night Agitated mind	Cough
PC-1 Tianchi REN-22 Tiantu ST-41 Jiexi SI-15 Jianzhongshu	REN-20 Huagai	Moxa LU-1 Zhongfu Moxa REN-8 Shenque
Rebellious Qi cough	Shortness of breath Difficulty catching the breath with inability to speak	Abdominal fullness shortness of breath with a rattling sound
SJ-10 Tianjing	REN-14 Juque	LI-5 Yangxi SP-4 Gongsun ST-40 Fenglong
Chest Bi Heart pain and fullness of the Heart and abdomen	Pain of the diaphragm from fluid accumulation that is difficult to endure	Vomiting Phlegm and watery saliva Dizziness that does not cease
REN-12 Zhongwan PC-7 Daling PC-8 *Laogong*	SI-1 Shaoze	SI-1 Shaoze LI-4 Hegu
Vomiting clear, watery saliva	Absence of lactation (moxa REN-17)	Absence of lactation

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Some classical texts forbid needling this point.
Don't use this point unless it is tender or there is Cold in the Upper Jiao.

NOTES:

This is a very important point to tonify Qi.
It is also a major point for the chest, Lungs, Heart, diaphragm and breasts.
Moxibustion of this point is often used to stop smoking.
Don't use unless it is tender or there is Upper Jiao Cold.
This is considered a last resort point for physical problems.
This point links DU-14 Dazhui, DU-15 Yamen and ST-9 Renying .