A Point for Calming & Opening the Chest: The Landscape of Your Body #6

Sometimes, when I find this point, it’s so tender I can barely press on it. Other times, it feels fine. It all depends on how my back is doing (especially my spine, directly behind this spot), and whether I’m going through anything that brings heartache. 

In English, it’s usually called Ren 17, sometimes translated as Conception Vessel 17 (CV17). One of its Chinese Names is Shan Zhong, meaning Chest Center. Another is Shang Qi Hai, meaning Upper Sea of Qi.

We call this point the “front mu” point of the Pericardium (the heart protector). Here, the Pericardium’s Qi gathers. This is why it can be so tender in a time of heartache, and has been sore every time I’ve seen someone going through heartbreak.

Gentle massage is beneficial when this point is tender. You can use a lighter touch than you might on other, “meatier” points. I feel like Ren 17 responds well to gentle circles. One of this point’s actions is to spread and descend Qi that’s stuck in the chest, and those circles seem to help it along.

Ren 17 is also used in cases of acid reflux, and issues with the breasts, such as breast distention or difficulty breastfeeding.

Note: Some say never to needle this point, although several of my teachers did treat it with acupuncture. I consider it completely safe and very beneficial to massage on yourself with acupressure.

I include it in my course, Acupressure for People with Anxiety, which teaches an at-home self-care routine that has similar benefits to an acupuncture treatment.

To see more free videos about how to treat these acupressure points on yourself once you find them, come to: healgrowthriveflow.com/how

Did you find it? Any questions? Let me know!