Regional Anatomy:
Skin-subcutaneous tissue-greater pectoral muscle-smaller pectoral muscle.
In the superficial layer, there are the lateral cutaneous branches of the second intercostal nerve. In the deep layer, there are the branches or tributaries of the thoracoacromial artery and vein and the branches of the medial pectoral and lateral pectoral nerves.
Location:
Sit upright or lie supinely; above the nipple, at the midpoint of the 2nd intercostal space.
Function:
Soothing the chest oppression, regulating the flow of qi, and keeping the Functions of Yin and Wei in balance.
Indications:
Fullness and pain in the chest and the costal region, cough, asthma, and mastitis.
Prescription:
Combined use with ShaozeSI1 (Shaoze (SI1) Jing-Well Point) for treatment of agalactia; and with NeiguanPC6 (Neiguan (PC6) Luo-Connecting Point the Eight Confluent Point) for treatment of intercostal neuralgia.
Methods:
Insert the needle obliquely 0.5-0.8 cun deep; needling response: local sensation of distension and soreness; moxibustion: using 3-5 moxa-cones, or mild moxibustion for 15 min.
Note:
Don't puncture deeply, or else the needle would penetrate the external intercostal muscles-the internal intercostal muscles-the parietal pleura-the pleural cavity-the visceral pleura and the lung by its tip, injure the lung tissue and cause pneumatothorax.
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