Shangqu (KI17)
Shangqu (KI17), “Metal Bend”, is a point on the Kidney meridian. It is point 17 of the 27 on the channel. Harmonises the middle Jiao and relieves abdominal pain and distension.
Location
On the upper abdomen, 2 cun above the umbilicus, 0.5 cun lateral to the anterior median line.
Functions according to tradition
Harmonises the middle Jiao and relieves abdominal pain and distension.
Traditional indications
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Poor appetite
Indications described by tradition; they do not amount to proven clinical effectiveness for each one.
What its classification means
At this point the channel crosses the Penetrating Vessel (Chong Mai, 冲脉), called the “sea of Blood”, one of the eight extraordinary vessels.
Precautions
No specific precautions are described beyond the general ones for acupuncture. Needling must always be performed by a trained professional.
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.
- BL48 Yanggang (Bladder): Abdominal pain, Diarrhoea, Poor appetite
- SP16 Fuai (Spleen): Abdominal pain, Constipation
- SP13 Fushe (Spleen): Abdominal pain, Constipation
- SP15 Daheng (Spleen): Abdominal pain, Constipation
- ST37 Shangjuxu (Stomach): Abdominal pain, Constipation
- BL49 Yishe (Bladder): Diarrhoea, Poor appetite
Point profile
- Code
- KI17
- Pinyin name
- Shāng Qū
- Characters
- 商曲
- Translation
- Metal Bend
- Meridian
- Kidney
- Element
- Water
- Classification
- Chong Mai
- Topics
- Digestion, Intestine, Pain
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.
