Shangwan REN-13
Chinese: 上脘
Pinyin: Shàng Wǎn
Location
On the midline of the abdomen, 5 cun above the umbilicus and 3 cun below the sternocostal angle.
How to locate
On the midline of the abdomen, divide the distance between the umbilicus and the sternocostal angle into 8 cun. Shangwan REN-13 is located 5 cun above umbilicus.
Main actions
Subdues the Rebellious Stomach Qi
Needling
Vertically 0.5-1 cun.
Caution: be careful with Peritoneum. Take great care during pregnancy.
Commentary for Shangwan REN-13
Shangwan REN-13 is mostly used in Stomach Excess patterns. In fact, it is the most used point for subduing Rebellious Stomach Qi so as to treat symptoms like strong nausea, hiccup, belching, reflux, vomiting and a feeling of fullness in the upper epigastrium.
Together with Zusanli ST-36 and Neiguan P-6, it can be used for morning sickness during pregnancy.
The epigastric area can be divided into three equal parts and each part is controlled by an Acupuncture point to treat various Stomach disorders.
The upper part, including the fundus of the Stomach and oesophagus, is controlled by Shangwan REN-13. As mentioned above, it is mostly used to subdues the Rebellious Stomach Qi.
The middle part covers the mid Stomach and is controlled by Zhongwan REN-12. It has impact on the Stomach digestion.
While the lower part, covering the lower Stomach and duodenum, is controlled by Xiawan REN-10. It works more on descending the Rebellious Stomach Qi so as to move the accumulated foods to the Small Intestine.