Zhongting REN-16
Chinese: 中庭
Pinyin: Zhōng Tíng
Location
On the midline of the chest, on the level of the 5th intercostal space.
On the sternocostal angle, where the two lower borders of the ribcage meet.
How to locate
Palpate upward along the lower borders of the ribcage with one hand on either side until the palpating fingers meet at the sternocostal angle.
Locate Zhongting Ren-16 in a shallow depression between the sternum and the xiphoid process.
Main actions
- Opens the chest
- Regulates and descends the Stomach Qi
Needling
0.5 cun transversely in a superior or inferior direction.
Caution: only transverse needling is recommended in order not to injure the Heart, especially for patients with a split xiphoid process or a sternal foramen.
Commentary for Zhongting REN-16
Zhongting REN-16 is used mainly to regulate Qi in the chest. When Qi stagnates there, the patients suffer from chest fullness and distension.
It can also regulate the Stomach and help to descend Rebellious Stomach Qi. Therefore, it can treat Stomach disorders such as digestive difficulties, vomiting after eating (or breast milk for infants) or umbilicus pain.