STOMACH

& SPLEEN
ACU 101-5 –S1-2023
STOMACH
REVIEW
 • Temporarily store food.
What is the • Acidic breakdown of
stomach’s swallowed food (contract and
relax to mix and break down
function? food).
(IN WMT) • Produce enzymes and other
specialized cells to digest food.
• Sends mixture on to the next
phase in the small intestine (it
takes 1 hr from stomach to
small intestine)
What is the • Control the ‘rotting and
stomach’s ripening’ of food
function? • Control descending and act
(IN TCM) as the first stage in the
digestion of fluids.
 • Disorders of appetite and
digestion
DISHARMONY OF • Distention and pain in the
STOMACH: epigastrium due to failure of
MANIFESTATIONS the Stomach qi to descend
(IN TCM)
• Belching, nausea or vomiting
due to rebellious ascent of
Stomach Qi.
STOMACH PRIMARY CHANNEL
The Stomach
Channel of
Foot Yangming
(45 points
7am – 9 am)
STOMACH ACU-POINTS
 ST-2 Sibai
• LOCATION: With the eyes looking directly forwards, this
point is located 1 cun directly below the pupil, in the
depression at the infraorbital foramen.
• The infraorbital foramen can be felt by palpating
downwards from the edge of the orbital bone, about 0.3
cun below the edge.
• NEEDLING: Perpendicular insertion 0.2 to 0.4 cun;
• Transverse insertion to join with such points
as QUANLIAO SI-18, YING XIANG LI-20 etc;
• Perpendicular-oblique insertion slightly laterally into the
infraorbital foramen, 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
• Note: according to several classical texts, this point is
contraindicated to moxibustion.
• Caution: deep insertion along the foramen may injure the
eyeball;
• Manipulation by lifting and thrusting is contraindicated
due to the risk of damaging the infraorbital nerve which
emerges from the foramen.
ACTIONS • Eliminates wind, clears heat
and benefits the eyes
INDICATIONS • Redness and pain of the
eyes, superficial visual
obstruction, dimness of vision,
visual dizziness, itching
eyes, excessive lacrimation,
deviation of the mouth and
eye, twitching of the eyelids,
headache.
• Round worms in the bile duct.
ST-4 Dicang
Meeting point of the Stomach and Large Intestine channels
with the Yang Motility
and Conception vessels

• LOCATION: 0.4 cun lateral to the corner of the

mouth.
• This point lies in the continuation of the naso-
labial groove;
• ask the patient to smile if the groove is not
visible.
• NEEDLING: Transverse insertion to join with such
points as JIACHE ST-6, YINGXIANG LI-20,
CHENGJIANG REN-24 etc.
ACTIONS

Eliminates Activates the

wind from the channel and
face alleviates pain
 • Deviation of the mouth, pain of the
cheek, trigeminal neuralgia, food and
INDICATIONS drink leak out of the mouth,
numbness of the lips and face,
toothache, contraction of the facial
muscles, loss of speech.
• Inability to close the eye, twitching
of the eyelids, itching of the eye,
blurring of distant objects, night
blindness.
• Atrophy disorder with inability to
walk, swelling of the leg, inability to
eat.
ST-6 Jiache
• LOCATION: Approximately 1
fingerbreadth anterior and superior to
the angle of the jaw at the prominence
of the masseter muscle.
• Ask the patient to clench the jaw before
locating.
• NEEDLING: Perpendicular insertion 0.5
cun;
• Transverse insertion to join with such
points as DICANG ST-4, DAYING ST-5,
XIAGUAN ST-7 etc.;
• Transverse insertion towards the upper
or lower jaw for toothache.
ACTIONS

Eliminates wind Activates the

and benefits the channel and
jaw and teeth alleviates pain
INDICATIONS

Deviation of the mouth and eye,

swelling of the cheek, toothache, Stiffness and pain of the
gum disorders, lockjaw, tension neck, loss of voice.
and pain of the jaw, inability to
chew, inability to open the
mouth following wind stroke.
 ST-7 Xiaguan
Meeting point of the Stomach and Gall Bladder channels

• LOCATION: At the lower border of the

zygomatic arch, in the depression anterior to
the condyloid process of the mandible.
• Although this point is needled with the
mouth closed, it is helpful to ask the patient
to open the mouth to better locate the
condyloid process.
• If the finger rests on the condyloid
process when the mouth is open, it will fall
into Xiàguān ST-7 when the mouth is closed.
• NEEDLING: Perpendicular insertion slightly
inferiorly 0.5 to 1 cun;
• Transverse insertion to join with such points
as TINGGOND SI-19, JIACHE ST-6,
QUANLIAO SI-18 etc for diseases of the ear,
teeth, face and jaw.
ACTIONS

Benefits the Activates the

ears, jaw and channel and
teeth alleviates pain
INDICATIONS • Deafness, tinnitus, ear pain, itching
and purulent discharge from the ear.
• Lockjaw, dislocation of the jaw.
• Toothache, pain of the teeth of the
lower jaw, swelling and pain of the
gums (of the lower jaw), pain of the
cheek and face, swelling of the cheek,
yawning, deviation of the mouth and
eye, visual dizziness.
 ST-8 Touwei
Meeting point of the Stomach and Gall
Bladder channels with the Yang Linking
vessel

• LOCATION: At the corner of the

forehead, 4.5 cun lateral to SHENTING
DU-24 and 0.5 cun within the anterior
hairline.
• NEEDLING: Transverse insertion 0.5 to 1
cun.
Note: according to several classical texts,
this point is contraindicated to
moxibustion.
ACTIONS

Eliminates
Benefits the
wind and
eyes
alleviates pain
INDICATIONS

Dimness of vision,
Headache, splitting
bursting eye pain,
headache with chills
lacrimation on exposure
and fever, dizziness,
to wind, twitching of the
vomiting.
eyelids.
 ST-9 Renying
Meeting point of the Stomach and Gall Bladder channels Point of the Window of Heaven
Point of the Sea of Qi

• LOCATION: Level with the tip of and 1.5 cun lateral to the laryngeal prominence, in
the depression between the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle
and the lateral border of the thyroid cartilage.
• Note: the carotid artery lies just deep to, and can be readily palpated at, the
anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. This point therefore lies
between the carotid artery and the lateral border of the thyroid cartilage.
• i. Ask the patient to lie flat and remove any pillow. Palpate the laryngeal
prominence, and then, laterally, the lateral border of the thyroid cartilage. A little
more laterally than this, the carotid artery may be felt.
• ii. In females the laryngeal prominence is not as pronounced as in males. If it is
indistinct, palpate the depression formed by the lower border of the hyoid bone
and the upper border of the thyroid cartilage at the midline. The laryngeal
prominence lies just below this.
• NEEDLING: Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1 cun.
• Note: according to most classical texts, this point is contraindicated to
moxibustion.
• Caution: care should be taken to avoid puncturing the carotid artery which must
be palpated and then held laterally during needling. Use the index finger of one
hand to define and enlarge the space between the lateral border of the thyroid
cartilage and the artery and needle into this space with the other hand. This
needling method should not be attempted by those who have not had
appropriate clinical supervision.
ACTIONS

Regulates qi Benefits the

and blood and throat and Alleviates pain
lowers rebellion neck
 Headache, dizziness, visual
dizziness, red face.

Fullness of the chest, shortness of

breath, asthma
INDICATIONS
Pulseless syndrome,
hypertension, hypotension.

Swelling and pain of the throat,

goitre, difficulty in swallowing.
 ST-12 QUEPEN
In the supraclavicular area, posterior to the superior
border of the clavicle and at its midpoint, 4 cun lateral to
the midline, on the mamillary line.
• Location note
• This point should be located and needled behind the
clavicle, paying strict attention to the caution
• Needling
• Perpendicular insertion 0.3 to 0.5 cun along the
posterior border of the clavicle.
• Note: according to the Systematic Classic of
Acupuncture and Moxibustion and the Illustrated
Supplement to the Classic of Categories this point is
contra-indicated in pregnancy.
• Caution: deep or posterior insertion may injure the
subclavian vessels or puncture the lung.
ACTIONS

Descends Lung qi Activates the

and clears heat channel and
from the chest alleviates pain
 Cough, coughing blood, dyspnoea,
fullness of the chest, heat and fullness
in the chest, chills and fever with
sweating, absence of sweating,
oedema, throat painful obstruction.
INDICATIONS

Pain of the supraclavicular fossa, pain

of the shoulder that radiates to the
neck, numbness and painful
obstruction of the upper limb, inability
to raise the arm.
 ST-18 RUGEN
• Location
• Directly below the nipple, in the fifth intercostal
space.
• Needling
• Transverse-oblique insertion laterally or medially
along the intercostal space 0.5 to 1 cun, or
transverse insertion superiorly or inferiorly along
the channel.
• Caution: deep or perpendicular insertion carries a
substantial risk of puncturing the lung.
 Benefits the breasts and
reduces swelling
Actions
Unbinds the chest and
alleviates cough and
wheezing
 Indications

Breast abscess, breast pain, scanty lactation, difficult

labour.

Cough, dyspnoea, oppression and pain below the

chest, oppression of the diaphragm, oesophageal
constriction with difficult ingestion.
 ST-25 Tianshu
Front-Mu point of the Large Intestine

• LOCATION: On the abdomen, 2 cun lateral

to the umbilicus.
• The 2 cun line on the abdomen is located
halfway between the midline and the
palpable lateral border of the rectus
abdominis muscle.
• NEEDLING:
• i. Perpendicular insertion 1 to 1.5 cun;
• ii. oblique inferior insertion towards the
uterus for diseases of the uterus.
• Caution: in thin subjects, deep needling
may penetrate the peritoneal cavity.
 ACTIONS

Regulates the intestines

Regulates the Spleen and Stomach

Resolves dampness and damp-heat

Regulates qi and blood and eliminates stagnation

 Diarrhoea, persistent diarrhoea with undigested
food (in the stool), constipation.

Oedema, swelling of the face, turbid painful

urinary dysfunction.

INDICATIONS Vomiting, difficult ingestion, poor appetite.

Abdominal pain, intestinal abscess, generalised

swelling with severe cutting periumbilical pain,
Pain of the uterus, dysmenorrhoea, irregular
menstruation, infertility, red and white leucorrhoea.
 ST-29 Guilai
Return 归来
• LOCATION: On the lower abdomen, 2 cun
lateral to the midline and 4 cun inferior to
the umbilicus, level with ZHONGJI REN-3.
• The 2 cun line is located halfway between
the midline and the palpable lateral
border of the rectus abdominis muscle at
the level of the umbilicus.
• NEEDLING:
• Perpendicular insertion 1 to 1.5 cun.
• Caution: deep insertion may penetrate
the peritoneal cavity in thin patients or
may penetrate a full bladder; the patient
should therefore be asked to empty the
bladder before needling.
ACTIONS

Regulates
Warms the lower menstruation and
jiao benefits the
genital region
INDICATIONS

Amenorrhoea, irregular
Retraction of the testicles,
menstruation, uterine
pain of the penis,
masses, uterine prolapse,
impotence, seminal
swelling, pain and cold of
emission, nocturnal
the vagina, infertility,
urination.
leucorrhoea.
 ST-30 Qichong
Meeting point of the Stomach channel with the Penetrating
vessel
Point of the Sea of Water and Grain
• LOCATION: On the lower abdomen, 2 cun lateral to the
midline, level with the superior border of the pubic
symphysis (QUGU REN-2).
• The 2 cun line is located halfway between the midline
and the palpable lateral border of the rectus abdominis
muscle at the level of the umbilicus.
• NEEDLING:
• Perpendicular insertion 1 to 1.5 cun.
• Caution: in thin patients,
• i. deep insertion in a superior direction may penetrate
the peritoneal cavity or a full bladder (the patient
should therefore be asked to empty the bladder before
needling);
• ii. deep insertion in an inferior direction in the male
may penetrate the spermatic cord.
ACTIONS

Regulates qi Regulates the

in the lower Penetrating
jiao vessel
 INDICATIONS
Hypogastric pain, hardness below the umbilicus, retention of urine
and faeces, prolapse of the rectum, hot painful urinary dysfunction.

Irregular menstruation, sudden amenorrhoea, abnormal uterine

bleeding, infertility, retention of the placenta, difficult lactation.

Swelling and pain of the external vagina, swelling and pain of the
penis, pain of the testicles, impotence.
STOMACH DIEASE
PRACTICE
ST-4 (DI CANG) •ST-25 (TIANSHU)
•ST-36 (ZHUSANLI)
ST-6 (JIACHE) •ST-40 (FENGLONG)
ST-7 (XIAGUAN) •ST-44 (NEITING)

ST-8 (TOWEI)
BREAK
REVIEW
 What does the spleen do?

• Stores blood.
• Filters blood by removing cellular waste and getting rid of old or damaged
blood cells.
• Makes white blood cells and antibodies that help you fight infection.
• It controls the level of blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells, and
platelets)
• Maintains the levels of fluid in your body.
• The spleen is part of your LYMPHATIC SYSTEM, which fights infection and
keeps your body fluids in balance.
 IF,,,The spleen is not working properly

• Anemia from a reduced number of red blood cells

• An increased risk of infection, from a reduced number of white
blood cells
• Bleeding or bruising, caused by a reduced number of platelets
SPLEEN FUNCTION
IN TCM
 SPLEEN: FIVE PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONS

• Dominating the transportation and transformation of the liquid

and solid products of digestion after they have been ‘rotted and
ripened’ by the stomach.
• Controlling the blood, dominating the first stage of its formation
and holding it in its proper place and preventing haemorrhage.
• Dominating the muscles and the four limbs, providing vigour and
bulk
• Opening into the mouth and dominating the sense of taste.
• Controlling the raising of qi to counteract sinking and prolapse.
SPLEEN PRIMARY CHANNEL
Terminate in the
seventh intercostal
space on the midaxillary
line at Sp-21 Dabao.

Begins at the medial side

of the tip of the big toe
at YINBAI SP-1,
SPLEEN ACU-POINTS
 SP-10 Xuehai
Sea of Blood 血海

• LOCATION: 2 cun proximal to the superior border

of the patella, in the tender depression on the
bulge of the vastus medialis muscle, directly
above YINLINGQUAN SP-9.
• NOTE:
• i. Place the heel of your right palm on the
inferior border of the patient's left patella, with
the fingers and thumb fully extended and the
thumb at 45° to the index finger. This point is
found beneath the tip of the thumb, directly
above YINLINGQUAN SP-9;
• ii. Locate one patella's height (2 cun) above the
superior border of the patella, in the tender
depression directly above YINLINGQUAN SP-9.
• NEEDLING: Perpendicular or oblique insertion 1
to 1.5 cun.
ACTIONS

Invigorates
Harmonises Benefits the
the blood and Cools blood
menstruation skin
dispels stasis
 INDICATIONS
• Irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea,
uterine bleeding, uterine bleeding containing clots, sudden
uterine bleeding, post-partum qi and blood deficiency.
• Eczema, herpes zoster, painful hot sores, pain and itching
of the genitals.
• Blood painful urinary dysfunction, pain of the inner aspect
of the thigh.
 SP-12 CHONGMEN
Meeting point of the Spleen and Liver channels with the Yin Linking vessel

• Location
• 3.5 cun lateral to QUGU REN-2, on the lateral
side of the femoral artery.
• Location note
• Palpate to locate the pulsation of the femoral
artery, just over one handbreadth lateral to
the midline, at the level of the upper border of
the pubic symphysis. Locate Chōngmén SP-
12 in the depression immediately lateral to
this pulsation.
• Needling
• Perpendicular insertion, 0.5 to 1 cun.
• Caution: deep needling in a medial direction
may puncture the femoral artery, and in a
lateral direction, the femoral nerve.
Actions

Drains damp,
Invigorates blood,
clears heat and
regulates qi and
regulates
alleviates pain
urination
 Indications

• Abdominal pain, cold in the abdomen with fullness,

abdominal masses, pain of haemorrhoids.
• Difficult urination, retention of urine, painful urinary
dysfunction, leucorrhoea, sudden turmoil
disorder(confusion), heat in the body, atrophy disorder and
painful obstruction of the lower limb.
 SP-15 Daheng
Meeting point of the Spleen channel with the Yin Linking
vessel
• LOCATION: On the abdomen, in the depression
at the lateral border of the rectus abdominis
muscle level with the umbilicus.
• NOTE: This point is normally defined as 4 cun
lateral to the midline, and on the abdomen
the 4 cun line is located at the lateral border of
the rectus abdominis muscle.
• NEEDLING: Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1
cun.
• Caution:
• i. in thin patients deep needling may
penetrate the peritoneal cavity;
• ii. deep needling at this point may penetrate a
substantially enlarged spleen or liver.
ACTIONS

• Moves qi and regulates the intestines

 INDICATIONS

• Lower abdominal pain, cold and pain of the lower

abdomen, cold or damp diarrhoea, dysenteric
disorder, constipation, sensation of heat in the
hypo-gastrium with sighing.
• Propensity to sadness, sighing, inability to raise and
move the four limbs, copious sweating.
PRACTICE
SP-6 (SAN YIN JIAO)

SP-9 ( YINLINGQUAN)

SP-10 (XUEHAI)

SP-15 (DA HENG)