Pericardium Meridian
View all acupuncture points on this meridian and explore the channel pathway.
View meridian
PC-1
Window of Heaven
Entry Point
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
1 cun lateral to the nipple, in the 4th intercostal space.
Main Actions
- Opens the chest and subdues Rebellious Qi
- Removes nodules and regulate Qi
- Benefits the breasts
Indications
Commentary
Tianchi P-1 is supposed to remove Liver Qi Stagnation, so as to treat pain and distension in the chest and breast. It also subdues Rebellious Qi and resolve Phlegm. Thus it treats symptoms such as coughing of phlegm or rattling sound in the throat.
It also dissipates nodules such as neck scrofula, axilla swelling, breast abscess or low milk supply due to breast lumps.
Classical Sources
Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot) - Ben Shu Chapter: First records the point location as "three cun below the armpit."
Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): "Meeting point of hand jueyin and foot shaoyang. Treats cold and heat, fullness of the chest and diaphragm, headache, inability to raise the four limbs, axillary swelling, upward rushing of Qi, sound in the chest, and wheezing in the throat."
Tongren Shuxue Zhenjiu Tujing (Bronze Figure Classic): "Treats cold and heat, vexation and fullness of the chest and diaphragm, headache, inability to raise the four limbs, axillary swelling, uprising Qi with sound in the chest, and wheezing in the throat."
How to Locate
Locate Tianchi P-1 1 cun lateral to the nipple in the 4th intercostal space, which is on the same level of the nipples.
Caution
CRITICAL: Deep needling carries a significant risk of pneumothorax (collapsed lung) due to the underlying pleura and lung tissue. Only shallow oblique or transverse insertion is permitted. In women, special care must be taken to avoid puncturing mammary gland tissue - always use transverse needling direction. Never needle directly or deeply toward the chest cavity. Practitioners should have thorough knowledge of chest anatomy before needling this point.
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique) / 10-15° (Transverse)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needling Directions
0.5–1 cun transversely along the course of the intercostal space. Only transverse needling is allow for women, so as to avoid puncturing the mamillary tissue. Caution: Pneumothorax.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distension and soreness spreading across the chest area. Some patients may feel a spreading sensation toward the axilla or along the intercostal space. Due to the proximity to breast tissue, sensation should be monitored carefully, especially in women.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 10–15 minutes
Cupping
Questionable
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Questionable
Special Point Classifications
Window of Heaven
Entry Point
Related Resources
Browse All Points
Explore the complete collection of acupuncture points across all meridians.
View all meridians