Directing Vessel
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REN-8
Safety Warnings
- Dangerous point - requires extra caution
- Needling contraindicated
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
- Contraindicated during pregnancy
Needle Depth
N/A (Needling contraindicated) cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Body Area
Abdomen — Middle
Location
In the center of the umbilicus.
Main Actions
- Warms and rescues the Yang
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Tonifies Original Qi
Commentary
Thanks to its very strong Yang tonifying effect, Shenque REN-8 is used to warm and rescue Yang to help regain consciousness in case of Yang Collapsing in the acute stage of Wind-stroke.
It can treat Spleen Yang Deficiency so as to treat symptoms like diarrhoea, cold in the abdomen, borborygmi or rectum prolapse.
In case of severe Kidney Yang Deficiency, it tonifies Original Qi so as to expel internal Cold and ease extreme weakness.
Finally, it is worth exploring the meaning of the name 'Shenque' as it shows the point's functions and characters.
The 'Great Dictionary of Chinese Acupuncture’ comments on this point: Shenque Ren-8 is the abode of the Spirit (Shen 神). Above it there is Heaven (Shuifen REN-9 and Xiawan REN-10), Below it there is Earth (Guanyuan REN-4 and Zhongji REN-3), In the middle there is Person (REN-8 itself). On both sides there is Qixue KI-13 and Huangshu KI-16, which are like guarding watchtowers.
The umbilicus is in the center like an opening of a door through which the Spirit communicates with the Pre-Heaven Essence. When mother and father unite, a fetus is formed, the umbilical cord is formed linking the fetus to the mother’s Gate of Life (Ming Men 命门) like a lotus stem. The Pre-Heaven Essence generates Water and the Kidneys: like an unopened lotus flower, the five Elements come into being and the mother’s Qi is transferred. In 10 months to the fetus is fully formed, the Spirit infuses through the center of the umbilicus and forms a new human being.’
Classical Sources
《针灸甲乙经》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng (The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion):
"脐中，神阙穴也，一名气舍，禁不可刺，刺之令人恶疡溃矢出者，死不治。" (The center of the navel is the Shenque point, also called Qi She. It is forbidden to needle it; needling causes malignant sores with discharge of feces, and death cannot be prevented.)
"肠中常鸣，时上冲心，灸脐中" (For constant intestinal rumbling that rushes upward to the heart, moxa the navel center.)
"绝子灸脐中，令有子" (For inability to conceive, moxa the navel center to enable pregnancy.)
《铜人腧穴针灸图经》 Tóngrén Shūxué Zhēnjiǔ Tújīng (Bronze Man):
"神阙，治泄利不止，小儿奶利不绝，腹大绕脐痛，水肿鼓胀，肠中鸣状如流水声，久冷伤惫，可灸百壮。" (Shenque treats incessant diarrhea, infantile milk diarrhea, abdominal distension with peri-umbilical pain, edema and bloating, intestinal sounds like flowing water, long-term cold damage and exhaustion; moxa 100 cones.)
《窦材灸法》 Dòu Cái Jiǔ Fǎ:
"肠癖下血，久不止，此饮食冷物，损大肠气也，灸神阙穴三百壮" (For intestinal bleeding that does not stop for a long time, caused by eating cold foods damaging Large Intestine Qi, moxa Shenque 300 cones.)
How to Locate
In the center of the umbilicus.
Caution
ABSOLUTELY NO NEEDLING - This is one of the most strictly contraindicated points for acupuncture needling in the entire body. The navel area has no subcutaneous fat layer, making the peritoneum and bowels extremely vulnerable. Needling can cause peritonitis, bowel perforation, and death. For moxibustion: always use indirect methods (salt, ginger slice, or garlic) to protect the delicate umbilical tissue from burns. Avoid moxibustion during pregnancy, on damaged or inflamed skin around the navel, or in patients with heat patterns. The thin skin of the umbilicus is prone to burns, so practitioners must monitor temperature carefully.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
N/A (Needling contraindicated) cun
Needling Directions
Needling is contraindicated. Only direct moxibustion (with salt, ginger, moxa pole or box) is allowed at this point.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Needling is absolutely contraindicated at this point. When moxibustion is applied, patients typically experience a deep, spreading warmth throughout the abdomen, often described as penetrating heat that radiates to the lower back and throughout the body, creating a sense of comfort and vitality.
Moxibustion
Particularly Recommended
Duration: 15–30 minutes
Cupping
Recommended
Bloodletting
Contraindicated
Gua Sha
Contraindicated
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