Regional Anatomy:
Skin subcutaneous tissue-between two sternal heads of sternocleidomastoid muscle-superior side of suprasternal notch-between bilateral sternothyroid muscle-anterior space of trachea.
In the superficial layer, there are the medial supraclavicular nerve, the platysma and the jugular arch of veins in the subcutaneous tissues.In the deep layer, there are the important structures, including the brachiocephalic trunk, the left common carotid artery, the aortic arch and the brachiocephalic vein.
Location:
Proper sitting with one's back propped; 1 cun above XuanjiCV21(Xuanji (CV21)) in the centre of the suprasternal fossa.
Function:
Removing heat from the lung and relieving sore throat, regulating qi and resolving masses.
Indications: Asthma, cough, sore throat, dry throat, hiccup, sudden hoarseness, hysphagia, and goiter.
Prescription:
Combined use with FutuLI18 (Futu (LI18)) for treatment of paralysis of vocal cord; with LiequeLU7 (Lieque (LU7)Luo-Connecting Point the Eight Confluent Point) for treatment of bronchiectasis; with QuchiLI11 (Quchi (LI11) He-Sea Point), YanglingquanGB34 (Yanglingquan (GB34) He-Sea Point, Influential Point of Tendon), ZhongfengLR4 (Zhongfeng (LR4) Jing-River Point), and QisheST11 ( Qishe (ST11)) for treatment of hyperthyroidism; and with ShufuKI27 (Shufu (KI27)), HuagaiCV20 (Huagai (CV20)), RugenST18 (Rugen (ST18)), FengmenBL12 (Fengmen (BL12)), FeishuBL13 (Feishu (BL13)), ShenzhuGV12 (Shenzhu (GV12)), ZhiyangGV9 (Zhiyang (GV9)), and LiequeLU7 (LU7) for treatment of cough.
Methods:
Inserting the needle tip downward along the posterior aspect of the sternum to 1-1.5 cun depth; needling response: fullness in the chest and throat; moxibustion: using 3-5 moxa-cones, or mild moxibustion for 15 min.
Note:
The point should be punctured toward the anterior and inferior aspect instead of deeply toward the posterior, left or right aspect, due to fact that posterior to the thymusgland there are the left brachiocephalic veins, the aortic arch and its branches.
Comments: