Kidney Channel

Shenfeng KID-23

Chinese: 神封

Pinyin: Shén Fēng

Location

In the 4th intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline. 

How to locate

First identify the 4th intercostal space by counting 4 spaces down from the clavicle. 

Shenfeng KID-23 is on this space and also 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline. 

Shanzhong REN-17 is at the level of the 4th intercostal space but on the anterior midline. 

 

 

Main actions

  1. Subdues Rebellious Stomach and Lung Qi
  2. Benefits the breasts

Indications

Cough Nausea Wheezing Vomiting Breast pain Breast lumps Poor appetite Chest fullness Breathlessness Breast distension Difficulty swallowing Hypochondrial fullness Hypochondrial distention

Needling

0.5–0.8 cun obliquely or transversely along the course of the intercostal space or with or against the channel pathway.

Caution: Heart, pneumothorax.

Commentary for Shenfeng KID-23

For all the Kidney Channel points in the various intercostal spaces of the chest (from Bulang KID-22 to Shufu KID-27), they share similar actions of descending Rebellious Lung or Stomach Qi.

Therefore, they are indicated for symptoms such as wheezing, dyspnoea or coughing by harmonizing the Qi Excess in the upper part of the body and Qi Deficiency in the lower part. This Qi imbalance happens because the Kidney is not strong enough to receive Lung Qi. 

In additional to the functions of descending Rebellious Qi and strengthening the Kidney's ability to receive Qi, Shenfeng KID-23 also benefits the breasts by easing pain, distension and lumps there.