Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing: "Intersecting point of hand jueyin and foot shaoyang "; Zhenjiu Juying states: "Intersecting point of hand foot jueyin and shaoyang". Lingshu-Weiqi: "Pericardium... its branch point is located 3 cun below the armpit." Some texts consider it the front-mu point of pericardium.

bubble_chart Etymology

"Tian" (天), upper part; "chi" (池), pool or reservoir. The point is located beside chest and near breast, hence its name.

bubble_chart Location

Tianchi (PC1) acupoint
(adapted from "Meridians and Acupoints")

• Lingshu-Benshu: "3 cun below armpit";
• Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing: "1 cun behind nipple, 3 cun below armpit, adjacent to ribs, directly at crease of armpit and rib space".

bubble_chart Anatomy

• Muscles: pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, deeper layer: internal and external intercostal muscles of the fourth intercostal space, lung.
• Nerves: muscular branches of anterior thoracic nerve, fourth intercostal nerve.
• Vessels: Thoracoepigastric vein, small branches of lateral thoracic artery and vein.

bubble_chart Manipulation

Insert obliquely or horizontally 0.3~0.5 cun laterally. Avoid deep insertion to prevent causing pneumothorax. Moxibustion with moxa cone 3 to 5 times, moxibustion with moxa stick for 10 to 15 minutes.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Soothe chest, reduce swelling.

• Classical: Fullness in chest and hypochondriac region, coughing with rapid breathing, sounds in chest, throat noises, headache, fever without sweating, scrofula, swelling and pain in armpit, inability to lift limbs, arm pain , blurred vision.
• Modern: angina pectoris, myocarditis, mastitis, insufficient lactation, intercostal neuralgia.

bubble_chart Combinations

• Axillary swelling: Weiyang (BL39), Tianchi (PC1).