Location

on the midline of the lower abdomen, 4 cun below the umbilicus and 1 cun above the pubic symphesis. The distance between the umbilicus and the pubic symphesis is 5 cun. Divide the distance into 5 equal parts and count upwards or downwards.

Needling

perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1.0 inch

caution; deep insertion may penetrate a full bladder. One should always empty the bladder before treatment.

moxa is OK

Actions

Benefits the bladder
Regulates Qi transformation and drains damp-heat
Drains dampness
Treats leucorrhoea
Benefits the uterus and regulates menstruation
Dispels stagnation and benefits the lower jiao
Fortifies the kidneys

Signs and Symptoms

enuresis, nocturnal emission, impotence, hernia, uterine bleeding, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, morbid leucorrhoea, frequency of urination, retention of urine, pain in the lower abdomen, uterine prolapse, vaginitis,

Commentary

In its capacity as the front Mu point of the Bladder, Zhongji is the point of choice for virtually any urinary disorder.

Its action extends to the lower abdomen as a whole and may be used for most kinds of excess conditions, not only in the bladder but also the Uterus, and genitals, especially those involving dampness like itching, swelling, leucorrhoea, and seminal emission.

As Zhongji is a meeting point of the Ren, Spleen, Liver and Kidney channels it has an important application in regulating the uterus and menstruation. Its primary use is to treat irregular or absent menstruation, infertility, and to help expel the placenta after childbirth.

Finally, Zhongji is useful in the treatment of panic attacks known as Running Piglet Qi in TCM. This is a condition in which chaotic Qi arises in the abdomen and rushes to the throat with such ferocity as to cause breathlessness and a feeling one is about to die.