Lung Meridan Points and How We Use Them

We will begin a series of Acupuncture Meridian tutorials. In Chinese medicine a meridian is an energy line that travel over a specific area of the body and is related to a specific organ of the body. Today we will begin with a description of the location of the Lung meridian, and the location, function and indications of Lung 1, the first point along the Lung meridian.

The internal Lung Meridian begins in the area of the stomach and descends to connect with the Large Intestine, its’ coupled meridian, ascending at this point it crosses the diaphragm and enters its primary organ, the Lung. The external lung meridian emerges from the area between the lung and throat, it descends along the frontal aspect of the upper arm. Reaching the elbow, it continues along the frontal aspect of the forearm to the radial aspect of the wrist and continues down the thenar eminence to the tip of the thumb.
The Lung Meridian has 11 points.

The first point along the external lung meridian, Lung 1, is located on the torso in the first intercostal space, about two inches below the clavicle, approximately six inches lateral to the midline of the body. The Chinese word for Lung 1 is ”Zhongfu” and is roughly translated to mean “Central Residence.” The image is that this is the central storage place or residence of the Lung Qi.

Functions of this point are to disperse heat in the chest, regulate and nourish lung qi and lung yin, and relax the chest area.

Indications for use of this point are: bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, pulmonary TB, emphysema, night sweats, throat blockage, nasal congestion, excessive sweating.
We will continue along the lung meridian next week.