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Location
directly behind and below the free end
of the eleventh rib
Needling
sideways insetion along the line of
the rib, either way, .5 to 1.0 inch.
*Caution; deep insertion may penetrate
an enlarged Liver or Spleen.
moxa is OK
Actions
Harmonizes Liver and Spleen
Regulates Middle and LowerJiao
Fortifies the Spleen
Promotes the free flow of Liver Qi.
Signs and Symptoms
abdominal distention, borborygmus, pain
in the hypochondriac region, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion,
Commentary
Zhangmen
is an important harmonizing point, both to harmonize
the Liver and Spleen, and to harmonize the middle
and lower Jiao (stomach
and intestines respectively). While located on the
Liver channel it is also the front Mu
point of the Spleen. A front Mu
point is where the Qi of a particular organ gathers
and collects.
Zhangmen
is also the Hui Meeting
point of the Zang organs.
In TCM there are Yin organs
- the Zang - Heart, Liver, Kidneys, Spleen and Lungs,
and there are Yang organs
- the Fu - Small Intestine, Gallbladder, Urinary Bladder,
Stomach and Large Intestines. Together the whole system
is known as the Zangfu.
* See also, Zhongwan
(ren12), which is the Hui-Meeting
point of the Fu organs.
A Hui-Meeting
Point is where the Qi of particular structures gathers
and collects, similar to Mu
points. In its capacity as both the Front Mu
of the Spleen, and the Hui-Meeting
point of all the Zang
organs Zhangmen's harmonizing
influence is particularly strong.
The Spleen is responsible not only for
the transformation of food and water into Qi,
but also for transporting it throughout the whole
body. The Liver is responsible for the free flow of
Qi in the body, so there is a very close and intimate
relationship between these two organs in this regard.
Many consider a healthy Spleen to be
the key to treating all disharmony in the body. Virtually
any disease or condition may be treated by tonifying
and strengthening the Spleen which in turn nourishes
the body sufficiently to fight off any kind of pathogen
or repair any damaged organ or tissue.
Zhangmen's
main action is to harmonize Liver and Spleen. Disharmony
is characterized by such symptoms as propensity to
anger, abdominal distention and pain that is relieved
by passing a stool, borborygmus (stomach gurgling),
diarrhea, loss of appetite, alternating diarrhea and
constipation.
Zhangmen
is also able to fortify the Spleen directly. Signs
of Spleen deficiency are weariness of the limbs, fatigue,
emaciation, and undigested food in the stool.
As well, Zhangmen
is indicated for Liver deficiency without Spleen involvement,
characterized by such signs as constriction of the
esophagus, chest fullness, and pain in the lateral
costal region.
The Liver channel is coupled with the
Gallbladder channel which controls the sides of the
body, important in turning and bending.
Zhangmen is a meeting point of these two channels
and is indicated for rigidity of the spine, lumbar
pain, and difficulty turning and bending.
Finally, Zhangmen
is indicated for certain kinds of Panic attacks, known
in TCM as 'Running Piglet Qi.'
Running Piglet Qi is a
disorder in which the Qi
arises in the lower abdomen and rushes up to the throat
with such ferocity that one feels close to death.
It attacks then remits.
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