Spleen Meridian
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SP-17
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, Hypochondrium
Location
6 cun lateral to the anterior midline, 2 cun lateral to the mamillary line, in the 5th intercostal space.
Main Actions
- Resolves Food Stagnation
Indications
Cough
Malaria
Belching
Jaundice
Borborygmi
Chest fullness
Diaphragm pain
Breast swelling
Oesophageal pain
Oedema of abdomen
Abdominal distension
Vomiting after eating
Lateral costal region pain
Undigested food in the stools
Lateral costal region fullness
Commentary
Shidou SP-17 is not a major point of the Spleen Channel.
Its main function is to resolve Food Stagnation. Typical symptoms include belching, vomiting with indigested food in the stools, borborgymi as well as lateral costal region and abdominal distension and pain.
Classical Sources
Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (针灸甲乙经): SP-17 Shidou first appears in the Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion compiled by Huangfu Mi (259 CE), where it is listed among the Spleen channel points on the chest.
Classical Name Meaning: "Shi" (食) means food, referring to the grains received by the Stomach and Spleen. "Dou" (窦) means hole, cavity, or sinus. The name "Food Hole" indicates this point's connection to the digestive process and its ability to treat food stagnation disorders. The alternative name "Mingguan" (命关, Life Gate) reflects classical texts stating that in severe illness, moxa at this point could help preserve life when connected to the Spleen's vital Qi.
Huang Di Zhen Jiu: Classical moxibustion texts recommend extensive moxa cones at this point for severe Spleen diseases, with some sources suggesting 200-500 cones for life-threatening conditions.
How to Locate
Nipples mostly falls in the 4th intercostal space. Find the 5th intercostal space by counting one down. Shidou SP-17 is in the 5th one. It is also 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline or 2 cun lateral to the mamillary line.
Caution
This point lies over the 5th intercostal space with the lung directly beneath. Perpendicular insertion is strictly contraindicated, especially in thin patients, due to substantial risk of pneumothorax. Always needle obliquely or transversely along the intercostal space. The points from SP-17 (Shidou) to SP-21 (Dabao) all overlie the lung and require similar caution. Raise the patient's arm before needling to better access the point and open the channel pathway.
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique) / 10-15° (Transverse)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.5–0.8 cun
Needling Directions
0.5–0.8 cun obliquely or transversely, parallel to the intercostal space or with or against the channel pathway. Caution: Pneumothorax.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distension and soreness in the intercostal space, possibly radiating along the ribs laterally. Some patients may feel a sensation of Qi moving toward the chest or hypochondrium.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 10–15 minutes
Cupping
Questionable
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Questionable
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