Kidney Meridian
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KI-21
Safety Warnings
- Dangerous point - requires extra caution
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
Needle Depth
0.5–0.8 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Body Area
Abdomen — Upper
Location
6 cun above the umbilicus and 2 cun below the sternocostal angle, 0.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Main Actions
- Regulate Stomach Qi and subdues Rebellious Qi
- Removes Liver Qi Stagnation
- Benefits the breasts
Indications
Cough
Nausea
Vomiting
Retching
Diarrhoea
Hiccuping
Chest pain
Breast pain
Much spittle
Poor appetite
Abdominal pain
Low milk supply
Morning sickness
Breast distension
Sour regurgitation
Clogged milk ducts
Epigastric fullness
Lower abdominal pain
Difficulty swallowing
Difficult breastfeeding
Vomiting of foamy saliva
Hypochondrial distention
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.
Youmen KID-21 is one of the most important point for regulating Qi and subduing Rebellious Qi in the Stomach. Typical symptoms includes vomiting of foamy saliva, hiccup, sour regurgitation, retching, morning sickness, epigastric fullness, poor appetite, feeling of fullness below the xiphoid process and difficulty in swallowing.
It is also the point where Penetrating Vessel leaves its superficial pathway and runs interiorly and spreads in the chest and breasts. In fact, it is how it gets its name 'Door of the Darkness'. Therefore, it regulates the Qi entering and exiting of the epigastric and chest area. Manifestations include chest pain, hypochondrial distension and coughing.
KID-21 is also widely used for postpartum breastfeeding issues, especially if the patients suffer from Liver Qi Stagnation in the breasts and chest.
Classical Sources
Zhenjiu Jiayijing (針灸甲乙經): "Located 0.5 cun lateral to Juque [REN-14], in the depression." This classic text from the 3rd century established the standard location for Youmen.
Shuxue Mingming Huijie (腧穴命名匯解): "The point is named Youmen because the pylorus (lower opening of the stomach) lies at this location internally." This explains the anatomical relationship between the point name and the digestive structures beneath it.
Lingshu (靈樞): The point is referenced as an intersection of the Kidney channel with the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), where the vessel begins to disperse in the chest after rising through the abdomen.
How to Locate
Divide the distance between the umbilicus center and the sternocostal angle into 8 equal parts. Each part is about 1 cun. Youmen KID-21 is 6 cun above the umbilicus (Shenque REN-8) and 0.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline. Juque REN-14 is located at the midline and at the same level as Youmen KID-21.
Caution
This point overlies the liver on the right side and the peritoneum on the left. Deep needling is strictly contraindicated, especially in thin patients, as it may puncture the liver or peritoneum. Always needle superficially with perpendicular insertion. Use caution during pregnancy. The point is located near the anatomical pylorus of the stomach, so gentle technique is essential.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.5–0.8 cun
Needling Directions
Vertically 0.5–1 cun. Caution: The liver is located on the right, the peritoneum on the left. Caution during pregnancy.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distension and soreness radiating across the epigastric region. The sensation may extend to the hypochondrium area. Some patients report a deep, dull ache or heaviness in the upper abdomen.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5–15 minutes
Cupping
Questionable
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Questionable
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