Regional Anatomy:
Skin-subcutaneous tissue-greater pectoral muscle.
In the superficial layer, there are the lateral cutaneous branches of the 5th intercostal nerve and the tributaries of the thoracoepigastric vein. In the deep later, there are the branches or tributaries of the lateral pectoral artery and vein, the branches of the medial and lateral pectoral nerves, the 5th intercostal nerve and the 5th posterior intercostal artery and vein.
Location:
Supine position; under the nipple, at the midpoint of the 5th intercostal space.
Function:
Regulating the flow of qi, soothing the chest oppression and promoting lactation.
Indications:
Pain in the chest, cough, asthma, mastitis, and hypogalactia.
Prescription:
Combined use with HouxiSI3 (Houxi (SI3) Shu-Stream Point, The Eight Confluent Point) for treatment of agalactia; with NeiguanPC6 (Neiguan (PC6) Luo-Connecting Point the Eight Confluent Point) and TianzongSI11 (Tianzong (SI11)) for treatment of mastitis; with ShufuKI27 (Shufu (KI27)) for treatment of expectoration; and with JianzhongshuSI15 (Jianzhongshu (SI15)), FufenBL41 (Fufen (BL41)), PohuBL42 (Pohu (BL42)), ZhongfuLU1 (Zhongfu (LU1)), GanshuBL18 (Ganshu (BL18)), XinshuBL15 ( Xinshu (BL15)), ShaohaiHT3 (Shaohai (HT3) He-Sea Point) and TongliHT5 (Tongli (HT5) Luo-Connecting Point) for treatment of hypergalactosis.
Methods:
Insert the needle obliquely 1-1.5 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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