Kidney Meridian
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KI-19
Safety Warnings
- Dangerous point - requires extra caution
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
Needle Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Body Area
Abdomen — Upper
Location
4 cun above the umbilicus, 0.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Main Actions
- Regulates Qi in the Middle Burner
- Subdues Rebellious Qi
Indications
Cough
Nausea
Malaria
Vomiting
Eye pain
Wheezing
Borborygmi
Infertility
Abdominal pain
Epigastric pain
Chest distension
Abdominal distention
Defecation difficulty
Inner canthus redness
Malign blood in the Uterus
Lateral costal region pain
Lateral costal region heat
Commentary
All the Kidney points on the abdomen (from Henggu KID-11 to Youmen KID-21) are also part of the Penetrating Vessel. Thus their indications are related to both the Channel and the Vessel.
The Penetrating Vessel is the 'Sea of Blood', 'Sea of the 12 Channel' as well as the 'Sea of the abdomen avenue'. Thus its points are often able to invigorate the Blood and Qi and remove Stagnation, especially in the abdomen.
As for Yindu KID-19, it is not a major point. Its main action is to regulates Qi in the Middle Burner, especially the Stomach. Furthermore, it subdues Rebellious Qi so as to eases symptoms such as coughing or wheezing.
Classical Sources
Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): Lists Yindu as a meeting point of the Kidney channel with the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), indicating its role in treating abdominal fullness, vomiting, and intestinal disorders.
Zhenjiu Dacheng (Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): Documents the point's effectiveness for borborygmus (intestinal rumbling), abdominal pain, epigastric distension, and constipation.
How to Locate
Divide the distance between the umbilicus center and the sternocostal angle into 8 equal parts. Each part is about 1 cun. Yindu KID-19 is 4 cun above the umbilicus and 0.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Caution
Deep needling may penetrate the peritoneal cavity and potentially injure underlying abdominal organs including the stomach and liver. Limit insertion depth to 0.5–1.0 cun and needle perpendicularly with careful attention to patient response. Avoid deep needling in patients with hepatomegaly or full stomach. Use caution during pregnancy due to the point's connection to the Chong Mai.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Depth Category
Medium
Standard Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needling Directions
Vertically 0.5–1 cun. Caution: Peritoneum, pregnancy
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distension and soreness around the point, with possible sensation spreading across the upper abdomen. Some patients may feel warmth or a dull ache radiating toward the midline or along the Kidney channel pathway.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 10–15 minutes
Cupping
Questionable
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Questionable
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