Ximen P-4
Chinese: 郄门
Pinyin: Xī Mén
Location
5 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist, on the line connecting Quze P-3 and Daling P-7, between the tendons of palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis muscles.
How to locate
First locate Daling P-7 in the center of the anterior wrist joint space and Quze P-3 in the cubital crease. Use the spread finger technique by placing the little fingers in both points and identify the middle point, from where measure 1 cun in a distal direction.
On this level, locate Ximen P-4 between the tendons of palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis muscles.
If only one tendon is visible, this will be the tendon of the flexor carpi radialis muscle. P-4 is located on its ulnar aspect.
Main actions
- Invigorates Blood and removes Stagnation
- Cools Blood and stops bleeding
- Calms the Mind
- Opens the Channel and eases pain
Needling
0.5–1 cun vertically or 1–1.5 cun obliquely in a proximal direction.
Commentary for Ximen P-4
Ximen P-4 is mostly used in acute conditions and is very effective in opening the chest and remove Heart Blood Stagnation so as to stop pain. As the Accumulation-Xi point, it is particularly useful in removing the Obstruction in Pericardium Channel. Therefore, it can ease chest and Heart pain.
It is also useful in calming the Heart and regulating its rhythm. Thus it is often used to treat arrhythmia and palpitations. It calm the Mind as well. The typical symptoms are agitation, anxiety, insomnia, mental restlessness, depression and fright.