Zhongji Point (RN-3 / Middle Pole, also known as Qiyuan, Yuquan, Bladder Mu, Qiyu)
Warms the kidney and assists yang, unblocks the bladder, regulates menstruation and stops leukorrhea. Based on its properties, it is clinically used for prostate disorders, male sexual dysfunction, hernia, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, uterine bleeding, enuresis, adnexitis, and pelvic inflammatory disease.
Indications
Hernia with deviation, spermatorrhea, genital pain, genital itching, irregular menstruation, and impotence. (1) Urinary disorders: Urinary retention, enuresis, frequent urination, prostate disorders, hernia, lower abdominal distension with pain, nephritis, cystitis. (2) Gynecological disorders: Irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, metrorrhagia, leukorrhea, uterine prolapse, infertility, persistent postpartum lochiorrhea, pelvic inflammatory disease. (3) Male disorders: Impotence, spermatorrhea, premature ejaculation, infertility.
Precise Location
In the lower abdomen, 4 cun below the umbilicus, on the anterior midline.
Location Method
Lie supine. On the anterior midline, locate the point 1 finger-width (approximately 1 cun) above the superior border of the pubic symphysis – approximately 4 cun below the umbilicus on the anterior midline.
Massage Method
① Massage: Press and knead with the thumb. ② Cupping: Apply retained cupping with a fire cup. ③ Scraping therapy: Scrape from top to bottom. Press and knead Zhongji with the thumb about 200 times, or for 3–5 minutes, to treat irregular menstruation. Therapeutic actions: Regulates the lower jiao, unblocks the bladder, warms the kidney and assists yang, regulates menstruation and stops leukorrhea.
Compatibility
Impotence and irregular menstruation: Combine with Shenshu (BL-23), Guanyuan (RN-4), and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). Blood stasis dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, irregular menstruation: Combine with Sanyinjiao (SP-6), Taichong (LR-3), and Xuehai (SP-10). Clear damp-heat, regulate menstruation and leukorrhea: Combine with Daimai (GB-26), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), and Yinlingquan (SP-9). Premature ejaculation and spermatorrhea: Combine with Zhishi (BL-52), Shenshu (BL-23), and Taixi (KI-3). Impotence: Combine with Guanyuan (RN-4), Dadun (LR-1), and Taixi (KI-3). Urinary retention: Combine with Sanyinjiao (SP-6). Promote diuresis and reduce edema: Combine with Shuifen (RN-9), Yinlingquan (SP-9), and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). Enuresis: Combine with Shenshu (BL-23), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), Guanyuan (RN-4), and Taixi (KI-3). Urinary abnormalities due to bladder qi transformation deficiency: Combine with Pangguangshu (BL-28).
Efficacy & Actions
Zhongji belongs to the Conception Vessel (Ren Mai) and is the meeting point of the Ren Mai and the three yin meridians of the foot, as well as the Mu-Front point where bladder meridian qi converges. It regulates the lower jiao, unblocks the bladder, warms the kidney and assists yang, and regulates menstruation and stops leukorrhea. It is the primary key point for treating bladder disorders and a commonly used point for male and female reproductive system disorders. First documented in Suwen · Gukong Lun. "Zhong" means middle; "Ji" means extreme. This point internally corresponds to the uterus and seminal chamber, representing the deepest and most central part of the body. Located at the midpoint of the body's length, it is named Zhongji (Middle Pole). It is also known as "Qiyuan," "Yuquan," "Bladder Mu," and "Qiyu." (1) Primary Point for Urinary Disorders: As the Mu-Front point of the Bladder, internally corresponding to the bladder, this point regulates the lower jiao and unblocks the bladder – used for all types of difficult urination, especially effective for prostatitis and chronic urinary tract infections. The Qianjin Yaofang states: "Zhongji treats abdominal pain and difficult urination." The Yulong Ge states: "Zhongji treats urinary retention and difficult urination." (2) Key Point for Male and Female Reproductive Disorders: As the meeting point of the Ren Mai and the three yin meridians – the Ren Mai governs the uterus and is closely related to reproductive function, and the three yin meridians are also associated with the reproductive system – this point is effective for irregular menstruation, leukorrhea, dysmenorrhea, metrorrhagia, uterine prolapse, adnexitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, spermatorrhea, impotence, and hernia.
Contraindications
Located in the lower abdomen near the bladder – the bladder should be emptied before needling to prevent injury. If the bladder cannot be emptied, needle at a 45° angle toward the perineum, controlling angle and depth. Contraindicated in pregnant women. Moxibustion is permissible.
