Acupuncture
View all acupuncture points on this meridian and explore the channel pathway.
View meridian
EX-B-1
Safety Warnings
- Dangerous point - requires extra caution
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
Needle Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular), 45° (Oblique)
Body Area
Neck — Posterior, Back — Upper (Thoracic)
Location
0.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra (C7).
Main Actions
- Calms dyspnoea and wheezing
Commentary
Dingchuan EX-B-1 is one of the major points in treating acute wheezing, dyspnoea and asthma.
It is a modern point.
Classical Sources
Dingchuan is a modern extra point, first documented in the 20th century. The name appears in Commonly Used New Medical Treatment Handbook (《常用新医疗法手册》). While no ancient classical texts mention this point, Chinese textbook research confirms that 'ancient medical texts have no record of Dingchuan or its aliases' (中国古代医籍无定喘穴穴名). The point's name directly describes its primary function: 'Ding' (定) means to calm or stabilize, and 'Chuan' (喘) refers to wheezing or dyspnea. Japanese acupuncture authority Tamemori Sadanosuke (玉森贞助) referenced this point in his 1921 work Acupuncture Point Dictionary (《针灸经穴辞典》).
How to Locate
Firstly locate C6 by running the finger down the neck along the midline as it is the first palpable cervical vertebral spinous process. It becomes impalpable when the patients extend their neck. C7 is below C6 and it is still palpable despite that the neck is extended. Dazhui DU-14 is locate right below C7 while Dingchuan EX-B-1 is located 0.5 cun lateral to DU-14.
Caution
Due to proximity to the spine and pleural cavity, needle insertion should be perpendicular or directed slightly toward the spine with controlled depth (0.5–1 cun maximum). Avoid deep or laterally-directed insertion to prevent pneumothorax or spinal cord injury. Use shorter needles (25–40mm) to minimize risk. The point lies in the area of the trapezius, rhomboid, splenius capitis, and erector spinae muscles with deeper neurovascular structures including the transverse cervical artery and branches of C8-T1 posterior rami.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular) / 45° (Oblique)
Depth Category
Medium
Standard Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needling Directions
0.5–1 cun in a medial direction.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distension and soreness at the needling site. The sensation often radiates to the shoulders, upper back, or anterior chest wall. Some patients experience a warm, spreading sensation in the upper thoracic region.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5–10 minutes
Cupping
Recommended
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Recommended
Related Resources
Browse All Points
Explore the complete collection of acupuncture points across all meridians.
View all meridians