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Zhongfu LU-1

LU-1

Zhongfu LU-1

Central Treasury · 中府 · Zhōng Fǔ

Lung Meridian

Entry Point

Safety Warnings

Dangerous point - requires extra caution
Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only

Needle Depth

0.5-0.8 cun

Needle Angle

45° (Oblique), 10-15° (Transverse)

Body Area

Chest, Shoulder

Location

On the lateral aspect of the chest, in the 1st intercostal space, 6 cun lateral to the midline, 1 cun inferior to Yunmen LU-2. Below the acromial extremity of the clavicle, slightly medial to the lower border of the coracoid process.

Next on channel

Yunmen LU-2

Main Actions

Promotes the descending of Lung Qi and stops cough
Resolves Phlegm from the Lungs
Disperses fullness from the chest and stops chest pain

Indications

Coughing Wheezing Chest pain Breathlessness Chest fullness Coughing of phlegm Feeling of oppression of the chest Coughing with blood-streaked sputum Stiffness in the neck shoulder and upper back

Commentary

This point is mostly used to clear Excess of all kinds from the Lungs, whether due to Exterior pathogenic factors (e.g. Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat) which penetrate in the Lungs, or to internally generated disharmonies (e.g. Phlegm-Heat, Qi Stagnation, etc.).

In particular, it is very well indicated for cough caused by retention of Phlegm in the Lungs.

The point isn't normally used when the invasion is still on the Exterior but, since it has a good effect on stopping cough, it can be used in the early stages of invasion if cough is a prominent symptom. In that case it's used in conjunction with points that release the Exterior.

LU-1 is also effective in treating chest, shoulder or upper back pain if they result from a Lung Channel dysfunction, such as Lung-Heat, Damp-Phlegm or Phlegm-Heat obstructing the Lungs.

Classical Sources

Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (针灸甲乙经, c. 259 CE): "Located below Yunmen, 1 cun, in the depression between the ribs above the breast at the 3rd intercostal space, where a pulsation can be felt. Take the point with the patient supine."

Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing: "Lung system tightness, chest pain, aversion to cold, chest fullness, restlessness, tendency to vomit bile, chest heat, wheezing, rebellious qi chasing each other, copious turbid sputum, inability to lie down, shoulder and back wind, sweating, swelling of the face and abdomen, food lodged in the diaphragm unable to descend, throat obstruction, shoulder breathing, Lung distension, bone pain of the skin, cold and heat with vexation and fullness - Zhongfu is the master."

Mai Jing (脉经): "When the cun-kou pulse is thin with fever and vomiting, apply moxa to Zhongfu if vomiting does not stop."

How to Locate

To help to locate the deltopectoral triangle, ask the patient to extend their hand forwards whilst you apply resistance to it. It is bordered on top by the clavicle and laterally by the coracoid process (within the deltoid muscle). At the centre of the triangle, locate Yunmen LU-2. From there, palpate along the border of the deltoid for 1 cun and find Zhongfu LU-1, which will be in the first intercostal space approximately 6 cun lateral to the midline. Finding the first intercostal space is easy: locate the costal cartilage of the second rib, the first intercostal space is just above it.

Caution

This is a dangerous point due to the proximity of the lung apex directly beneath. Never needle deeply or direct the needle medially, as this carries a substantial risk of pneumothorax (collapsed lung). Always needle obliquely or transversely toward the lateral chest wall, away from the thoracic cavity. The recommended technique is to needle parallel to the ribs at a shallow depth of 0.5-0.8 cun. Thin patients require extra caution as the lung may be closer to the surface. If the patient experiences sharp chest pain, difficulty breathing, or a coughing fit during or after needling, discontinue immediately and monitor for pneumothorax symptoms.

Needle Angle

45° (Oblique) / 10-15° (Transverse)

Depth Category

Shallow

Standard Depth

0.5-0.8 cun

Needling Directions

Insert obliquely by 0.5 to 1 cun in a cranial (approximately 45°) and lateral direction towards the coracoid process. Caution: deep perpendicular or oblique insertion carries a substantial risk of causing a pneumothorax.

Expected Deqi Sensation

Distention, heaviness, and soreness extending across the chest and sometimes radiating to the upper arm. The deqi sensation may spread anteriorly across the upper chest region. Due to the proximity to the lung apex, patients may occasionally feel a sense of fullness or mild pressure in the chest cavity.

Moxibustion

Recommended

Duration: 10-15 minutes

Cupping

Questionable

Bloodletting

N/A

Gua Sha

Questionable

Special Point Classifications

Entry Point

Organ & Tissue Associations

Front-Mu Point for:

Lungs

Commonly Combined Points

Feishu

Chize

Shanzhong

Qimen

Jianliao

Classical Point Combinations

Cough Treatment (with Chize LU-5)

A classical combination from Zhenjiujiayi Jing (针灸甲乙经). Zhongfu LU-1, as the Front-Mu point of the Lung, combined with Chize LU-5 (the He-Sea point) treats cough by descending Lung Qi and clearing Lung Heat or Phlegm. This pairing addresses both the root cause (at the Mu point) and facilitates the expulsion of pathogenic factors through the He-Sea point.

Shu-Mu Combination (with Feishu BL-13)

The classical "Front-Back" or "Shu-Mu" pairing combines the Front-Mu point (Zhongfu LU-1) with the Back-Shu point (Feishu BL-13) to regulate Lung Qi from both the anterior and posterior aspects. This combination is particularly effective for chronic respiratory conditions, Lung deficiency, and both external and internal cough.

Chest Oppression with Qi Stagnation (with Qimen LR-14)

When Liver Qi stagnation invades the Lung, combining Zhongfu LU-1 with Qimen LR-14 (the Front-Mu of the Liver and exit point of the Liver channel) helps release stagnant Liver Qi and invigorate Lung function. This is especially useful for patients with chest oppression, sighing, and emotional constraint affecting breathing.

Shoulder Pain (with Jianliao SJ-14)

A classical local-distal combination for shoulder and upper back pain. Zhongfu LU-1 addresses the anterior shoulder region while Jianliao SJ-14 treats the lateral aspect. This pairing is effective for shoulder impairment, frozen shoulder, and upper back tension.

Lung Qi Deficiency with Chest Fullness (with Shanzhong REN-17)

Combining Zhongfu LU-1 with Shanzhong REN-17 (the Influential point of Qi and Front-Mu of the Pericardium) treats weak Lung Qi with chest fullness. Moxa on both points is particularly effective for chronic deficient conditions with phlegm retention.

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