Danzhong Point (RN-17 / Chest Center, also known as Yuan'er, Xiongtang, Qi'er, Yuanjian, Qihui, Shangqihai)
Regulates qi and activates blood, soothes the chest and opens the diaphragm, descends rebellious qi and transforms phlegm, stops cough and relieves wheezing. Based on its properties, it is clinically used for chest tightness, chest pain, arrhythmia, cough, asthma, insufficient lactation, breast hyperplasia, mastitis, and diaphragmatic spasm.
Indications
Chest tightness, shortness of breath, cough and wheezing, dysphagia, insufficient lactation in postpartum women, and infantile vomiting of milk. (1) Respiratory disorders: Cough, wheezing, bronchitis, dyspnea, purulent sputum with blood. (2) Cardiac disorders: Heart pain, palpitations, restlessness, chest tightness. (3) Breast disorders: Insufficient lactation, mastitis, breast fibroma, breast hyperplasia. (4) Qi counterflow disorders: Hiccups, vomiting, dysphagia, chest and hypochondriac fullness.
Precise Location
On the chest, level with the 4th intercostal space, on the anterior midline.
Location Method
Approximately at the midpoint of the line connecting the two nipples. In women, due to breast variation, locate the point at the intersection of the 4th intercostal space and the anterior midline.
Massage Method
① Massage: Press and knead with the thumb. ② Moxibustion: Apply mild-warm moxa stick. Press and knead Danzhong with the thumb about 200 times, or for 3–5 minutes, to treat chest pain, shortness of breath, and cough. Therapeutic actions: Regulates qi and activates blood, soothes the chest and opens the diaphragm, descends rebellious qi and transforms phlegm, stops cough and relieves wheezing.
Compatibility
Postpartum insufficient lactation: Combine with Rugen (ST-18) and Shaoze (SI-1). Hiccups and vomiting: Combine with Neiguan (PC-6), Zhongwan (RN-12), and Zusanli (ST-36). Qi stagnation: Combine with Zhigou (TE-6) and Yanglingquan (GB-34). Acute asthma: Combine with Tiantu (RN-22), Dingchuan (EX-B1), and Chize (LU-5). Insufficient lactation: Combine with Shaoze (SI-1) and Rugen (ST-18). Mastitis: Combine with Tianjing (TE-10), Liangqiu (ST-34), and Neiguan (PC-6). Breast hyperplasia: Combine with Qimen (LR-14), Rugen (ST-18), Taichong (LR-3), and Zusanli (ST-36). Chest and hypochondriac pain: Combine with Neiguan (PC-6), Taichong (LR-3), and Qimen (LR-14). Heart pain, insomnia, severe palpitations, wheezing: Combine with Jueyinshu (BL-14). Acute mastitis and chest pain: Combine with Daling (PC-7), Weizhong (BL-40), Shaoze (SI-1), and Shufu (KI-27).
Efficacy & Actions
Danzhong belongs to the Conception Vessel (Ren Mai) and is the meeting point of the Ren Mai with the Foot Taiyin, Foot Shaoyin, Hand Taiyang, and Hand Shaoyang meridians. It is the Mu-Front point of the Pericardium and the Qi Hui point among the Eight Influential Points. It regulates qi and activates blood, soothes the chest and promotes lactation, stops cough and relieves wheezing, and unblocks the collaterals and opens the diaphragm. All disorders of qi movement can be treated with this point – it is a key point for regulating qi. First documented in Zhenjiu Jiayijing. "Dan" means to bare or expose; "Zhong" means middle – the exposed middle part of the chest. Located in the depression between the nipples, internally corresponding to the Pericardium – hence the name Danzhong (Chest Center). It is also known as "Yuan'er," "Xiongtang," "Qi'er," "Yuanjian," "Qihui," and "Shangqihai." (1) Key Point for Regulating Qi: As the Qi Hui point among the Eight Influential Points, it treats all disorders caused by qi movement dysfunction. The Xingzhen Zhiyao Ge states: "For needling qi disorders, Danzhong is clearly the point." It has strong qi-regulating and stasis-dispersing effects, effectively treating qi counterflow, qi stagnation, stomach qi ascending, chest tightness, and all conditions of qi movement obstruction. It is the first choice for common clinical conditions such as dysphagia, abdominal distension, hiccups, chest tightness, and wheezing – thus called "Shangqihai" (Upper Sea of Qi). (2) Common Point for Respiratory Disorders: Located on the chest and being the Qi Hui point – the chest contains the lungs, the lung governs qi and respiration – Danzhong regulates lung qi and disperses lung qi to relieve wheezing, treating cough, wheezing, dyspnea, and purulent sputum, especially effective for wheezing and chest tightness. The Yixue Rumen states: "Danzhong treats asthma." The Zhenjiu Jiayijing records: "Cough with qi counterflow, wheezing with shortness of breath, inability to lie down, and inability to speak – Danzhong is the primary point." The Yulong Ge states: "Asthma is the most difficult condition – sleepless nights with restless breath – find the wonderful Tiantu, and moxibustion at Danzhong brings peace." (3) Key Point for Breast Disorders: As the Qi Hui point located between the breasts, it regulates qi, soothes the chest, and unblocks the breast collaterals – producing remarkable effects for breast disorders. The Zhenjiu Juying states: "For absence of milk, moxibust Danzhong and Shaoze." The Bronze Figure Manual states: "Danzhong treats insufficient lactation in women." It is a specific point for agalactia, acute mastitis, and breast hyperplasia. (4) Treats Cardiac Disorders: As the Mu-Front point of the Pericardium, the Pericardium acts on behalf of the Heart. The Lingshu · Zhanglun states: "Danzhong is the palace of the Heart." It protects the heart and receives pathogens on its behalf. Danzhong regulates Pericardium Meridian qi, treating chest pain due to heart qi stasis and heart disorders caused by external pathogens – including heart pain, palpitations, restlessness, and chest tightness.
Contraindications
Danzhong is mostly needled horizontally from top to bottom. For breast disorders, it may be needled toward the affected breast; vertical needling is also permissible. Needling depth should be carefully controlled. Moxibustion is permissible.
