LU-1 — Zhongfu (Central Treasury)
Names & Etymology
- Chinese Name: 中府穴
- Pinyin: Zhōngfǔ (LU-1)
- Meaning: “中” (zhōng) denotes “center, middle”; “府” (fǔ) refers to a “repository” or “mansion.” The name signifies the place where the Qi of the Lung gathers and converges.
Characteristics
- Front-Mu Point of the Lung (肺之募穴).
- Meeting Point of the Lung Channel and the Spleen Channel.
Location
- Situated on the anterolateral aspect of the chest, in the space between the 1st and 2nd ribs, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
- Located below the lateral end of the clavicle and inferior to the infraclavicular fossa, on the upper lateral chest.
- Locating method: With the patient sitting or supine, ask the patient to place both hands on the hips to accentuate the clavicular depression; the point is then located by measurement or anatomical landmarking.
Indications / Functions
- Disseminates and descends Lung Qi; transforms phlegm; clears Lung heat; alleviates cough.
- Opens the chest and regulates Lung Qi, relieving chest oppression and shortness of breath.
- Relieves pain of the shoulder, upper back, and chest, as the point lies in the lateral thoracic region and relates to musculature and neurovascular structures of the shoulder girdle.
- Supports lymphatic circulation and benefits the skin, based on the TCM principle “the Lung governs the skin and body hair.”
- Adjunctive treatment for chronic respiratory disorders, such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, etc.
- Promotes water metabolism and strengthens the Spleen — as a meeting point of the Lung and Spleen Channels, LU-1 helps regulate the transformation and transportation of fluids and supports digestive function. It is useful for conditions such as facial edema caused by fluid retention, vomiting, poor digestion, abdominal fullness, bloating, and other digestive disorders associated with Spleen Qi deficiency or impaired fluid metabolism.
Needling Method
- Oblique insertion, directed laterally (toward the lateral chest wall),
depth 0.5–0.7 cun.
Caution
- As the point lies close to the thoracic cavity—particularly near the 1st intercostal space—deep or medially-directed needling may risk pneumothorax. Careful oblique-lateral insertion is essential.
