Shimen (CV5)
Shimen (CV5), “Stone Gate”, is a point on the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel). It is point 5 of the 24 on the channel. Front-Mu of the Triple Energizer: regulates water, drains oedema and warms the lower Jiao.
Location
On the lower abdomen, 2 cun below the umbilicus, on the anterior median line.
Functions according to tradition
Front-Mu of the Triple Energizer: regulates water, drains oedema and warms the lower Jiao.
Traditional indications
- Oedema
- Urinary retention
- Diarrhoea
- Lower abdominal pain
- Amenorrhoea
Indications described by tradition; they do not amount to proven clinical effectiveness for each one.
What its classification means
On the chest or abdomen, where the Qi of an organ “gathers”. Its tenderness to pressure guides diagnosis; it is used more in acute conditions and those of the fu organs.
Precautions
Classically contraindicated in pregnancy and for women seeking to conceive.
Points on other channels with similar indications
They share several traditional indications with this point. Comparing them helps understand why one or the other is chosen.
- ST28 Shuidao (Stomach): Lower abdominal pain, Oedema, Urinary retention
- BL22 Sanjiaoshu (Bladder): Diarrhoea, Oedema
- BL39 Weiyang (Bladder): Oedema, Urinary retention
- ST22 Guanmen (Stomach): Diarrhoea, Oedema
- BL28 Pangguangshu (Bladder): Diarrhoea, Urinary retention
- GB25 Jingmen (Gallbladder): Diarrhoea, Oedema
Point profile
- Code
- CV5
- Pinyin name
- Shí Mén
- Characters
- 石门
- Translation
- Stone Gate
- Meridian
- Ren Mai (Conception Vessel)
- Classification
- Front-Mu
- Topics
- Oedema, Urination, Digestion
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
