Kidney Channel

Shangqu KID-17

Chinese: 商曲

Pinyin: Shāng Qū

Location

2 cun above the umbilicus, 0.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline. 

How to locate

Divide the distance between the umbilicus center and the sternocostal angle into 8 equal parts. Each part is about 1 cun. 

Shangqu KID-17 is 2 cun above the umbilicus and 0.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline. 

Main actions

Regulates Large Intestine and dissolves accumulation

Indications

Nausea Vomiting Eye pain Red eyes Diarrhoea Constipation Poor appetite Abdominal mass Abdominal pain Abdominal fullness Inner canthus pain Difficulty swallowing Inner canthus redness

Needling

Vertically 0.5–1 cun.

Caution: Peritoneum, pregnancy.

Commentary for Shangqu KID-17

All the Kidney points on the abdomen (from Henggu KID-11 to Youmen KID-21) are also part of the Penetrating Vessel. Thus their indications are related to both the Channel and the Vessel. 

The Penetrating Vessel is the 'Sea of Blood', 'Sea of the 12 Channel' as well as the 'Sea of the abdomen avenue'. Thus its points are often able to invigorate the Blood and Qi and remove Stagnation, especially in the abdomen. 

For the case of Shangqu KID-17, it is mainly used to regulate Spleen Qi, harmonizes the Stomach and dissolve accumulation in the Large Intestines. 

The point's name 'Shang' refers to the Metal element, which corresponding to the Large Intestine. Therefore, KID-17 is a useful local point to promote bowel movement and eases related pain.