Kidney Meridian
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KI-26
Safety Warnings
- Dangerous point - requires extra caution
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
Needle Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique), 10-15° (Transverse)
Body Area
Chest
Location
In the 1st intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Main Actions
- Subdues Rebellious Lung and Stomach Qi
- Opens the chest and benefits the breasts
Indications
Asthma
Coughing
Wheezing
Dyspnoea
Vomiting
Drooling
Palpitation
Much spittle
Breast lumps
Coughing blood
Chest fullness
Chest distension
Difficulty swallowing
Pityriasis versicolor
Lateral costal region fullness
Commentary
For all the Kidney Channel points in the various intercostal spaces of the chest (from Bulang KID-22 to Shufu KID-27), they share similar actions of descending Rebellious Lung or Stomach Qi.
Therefore, they are indicated for symptoms such as wheezing, dyspnoea or coughing by harmonizing the Qi Excess in the upper part of the body and Qi Deficiency in the lower part. This Qi imbalance happens because the Kidney is not strong enough to receive Lung Qi.
On top of above indications, Yuzhong KID-26 is also able to invigorates Qi of the breasts.
Classical Sources
Zhenjiu Jiayijing (针灸甲乙经, The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): First recorded this point, describing its location in the first intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the midline.
Qianjin Yaofang (千金要方, Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold): Records this point as "Or Zhong" (或中), an alternative name indicating historical variation in nomenclature.
Yixue Rumen (医学入门, Introduction to Medicine): Records this point as "Yu Zhong" (域中), another historical variant of the name.
How to Locate
First identify the first rib directly below the clavicle. Then locate Yuzhong KID-26 in the 1st intercostal space below the 1st rib and 2 cun lateral to the midline. Huagai REN-20 is at the level of the 1st intercostal space but on the anterior midline.
Caution
Located over the pleural cavity in the first intercostal space. Deep or perpendicular needling is contraindicated to avoid risk of pneumothorax. Always needle obliquely or transversely along the intercostal space. Do not exceed 0.5 cun depth. Extra caution in thin patients with reduced subcutaneous tissue.
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique) / 10-15° (Transverse)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needling Directions
0.5–0.8 cun obliquely or transversely along the course of the intercostal space or with or against the channel pathway. Caution: Pneumothorax
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distension and soreness spreading across the chest. Some patients may feel the sensation radiating toward the sternum or lateral chest area. Due to proximity to the pleura, a mild pressure sensation may occur.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5–10 minutes
Cupping
Questionable
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Recommended
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