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Shidou (SP-17), “Food Hole”, on the lateral chest, unbinds the chest, regulates qi and relieves fullness of the chest and costal region.
Location
On the lateral chest, in the fifth intercostal space, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Anatomy
In the fifth intercostal space, on the serratus anterior; the thoraco-epigastric vein and lateral thoracic artery; the lateral cutaneous branch of the fifth intercostal nerve.
Actions & Functions
- Unbinds the chest and regulates qi
- Promotes digestion and resolves fullness
Indications
Fullness and pain of the chest and costal region, abdominal distension, borborygmus, and difficulty swallowing.
Needling
0.3-0.5 cun, oblique or transverse insertion.
Moxibustion Suitability
Suitable for moxibustion.
Point Combinations
With REN-17 for chest fullness.
Classical Text References
Used for fullness of the chest and costal region.
Cautions & Contraindications
Deep perpendicular insertion risks pneumothorax; needle obliquely or transversely.
Latest Research
Latest peer-reviewed research on this point will be summarised here, with citations linked to PubMed, via our research integration.