The Conception vessel

1
TIANTU REN-22
Heavenly Prominence
Meeting point of the Conception
and Yin Linking vessels
Point of the Window of Heaven
LOCATION
On the midline, in the centre of the suprasternal fossa, 0.5
cun superior to the suprasternal notch.
NEEDLING
i. Perpendicular insertion 0.3 cun; ii. With the neck extended
(remove head pillow), needle first perpendicularly 0.2 to 0.3
cun, then direct the needle inferiorly along the posterior
border of the manubrium of the sternum 0.5 to 1 cun.
Caution: this second method should not be attempted by
practitioners without clinical experience under supervision.
ACTIONS
Descends rebellious qi and alleviates cough and wheezing
Benefits the throat and voice
INDICATIONS
Obstruction in the chest, fullness of the chest, ob-
struction of qi with Heart pain, pain of the Heart and
back, rebellious qi with cough, asthma, sudden dysp-
noea, inability to breathe, abscess of the Lung with
purulent bloody coughing.
Rattling sound in the throat, accumulation of phlegm
in the throat, plumstone qi, ulceration of the throat
which prevents eating, swelling of the throat, cold sen-
sation of the throat, dry throat, much spittle, throat
painful obstruction, cracked voice, sudden loss of
voice, inability to speak, swelling of the neck, goitre.
Oesophageal constriction, vomiting, jaundice.
Purple-green veins beneath the tongue, nosebleed,
heat sensation of the skin of the face, red face, swell-
ing of the back of the neck and shoulder, chills and
fever, heat sensation of the skin of the abdomen, urti-
caria, numbness of the flesh of the body.
COMMENTARY
In common with many points of the Conception vessel,
Tiantu REN-22 has a strong action on descending qi.
Located in-between the lungs and below the throat, its
principal application is in the treatment of a wide variety
of disorders affecting these two areas.
Tiantu REN-22 has long been recognised as an impor-
tant point to treat Lung disorders, for example the Essential
Questions
25
recommended it for rebellious qi, inability to
breathe and shortness of breath. Like other points situated
in the uppermost portion of the chest (for example Zhongfu
LU-1), Tiantu REN-22 is principally used to treat excess
patterns characterised by upward rebellion of Lung qi,
including cough, asthma, sudden dyspnoea, inability to
breathe and Lung abscess with purulent bloody coughing.
As far as throat disorders are concerned, Tiantu REN-22
may be used in virtually any clinical situation, ranging
from dryness, cold sensation, swelling and pain, to
plumstone qi and severe ulceration which prevents eat-
ing. It is also an important point for disorders of the voice
including cracked voice, loss of voice and inability to
speak. In modern clinical practice, the most common
application of this point is in the treatment of wheezing
and asthma, especially when accompanied by accumula-
tion of phlegm in the throat.
Tiantu REN-22 is a meeting point of the Conception
vessel with the Yin Linking vessel. The Yin Linking vessel
ascends through the chest region and according to the
Classic of Difficulties
26
when the Yin Linking vessel alone
is diseased it will cause Heart pain. Tiantu REN-22 is
specifically indicated for obstruction of qi with Heart pain
and pain of the Heart and the back.
Finally, Tiantu REN-22 is one of ten points listed in
Chapter 2 of the Spiritual Pivot that have come to be known
as Window of Heaven points (for a fuller discussion see
The Points of the Window of Heaven). It illustrates many
of the characteristic actions of these points in its ability to
treat goitre, rebellious qi of the Lung and Stomach and
sudden onset of disorders (sudden loss of voice).
Tiantu REN-22
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Lung
L. Intestine
Stomach
Spleen
Heart
S. Intestine
Bladder
Kidney
Pericardium
Sanjiao
Gall Bladder
Liver
Conception
Governing
Extra Points
See Notes
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
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Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
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CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
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CONTENTS
The Conception vessel 2
COMBINATIONS
Rebellious qi cough: Tiantu REN-22, Shanzhong
REN-17, Tianchi P-1, Jiexi ST-41 and Jianzhongshu
SI-15 (Supplementing Life).
Asthma, inability to sleep at night and agitated mind:
Tiantu REN-22 and Shanzhong REN-17 (Song of the
Jade Dragon).
Dyspnoea and cough: Shanzhong REN-17 and Tiantu
REN-22 (Ode of the Jade Dragon).
Cough that reaches the voice (hoarse voice): Tiantu
REN-22 and Feishu BL-13 (One Hundred Symptoms).
Loss of voice: Tiantu REN-22, Lingdao HE-4, Yingu
KID-10, Fuliu KID-7, Fenglong ST-40 and Rangu
KID-2 (Illustrated Supplement).
Sudden loss of voice with lockjaw: Tiantu REN-22,
Lingdao HE-4 and Tianchuang SI-16 (Supplementing Life).
Swollen painful throat: Tiantu REN-22, Shaoshang
LU-11 and Hegu L.I.-4 (Great Compendium).
Pain of the Heart with shortness of breath: Tiantu
REN-22, Qimen LIV-14, Changqiang DU-1, Xiabai
LU-4 and Zhongchong P-9 (Thousand Ducat Formulas).
Heat sensation of the skin of the face: Tiantu REN-22
and Tianchuang SI-16 (Supplementing Life).
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Lung
L. Intestine
Stomach
Spleen
Heart
S. Intestine
Bladder
Kidney
Pericardium
Sanjiao
Gall Bladder
Liver
Conception
Governing
Extra Points
See Notes