Front-mu point of bladder. Intersecting point: Zusanyin and conception vessel.

bubble_chart Etymology

"Zhong" (中), center or middle; "ji" (極), extreme or point. The point is located at the midpoint of body, both vertically and horizontally, hence the name. It is also called "Yuquan" (玉泉, jade spring) due to its proximity to bladder, which stores water. Another name, "Qiyuan" (氣原), indicates its connection to primordial qi.

bubble_chart Location

Cross section of Guanyuan (RN4), Zhongji (RN3), Qugu (RN2), and Changqiang (DU1) acupoints
(adapted from "Yan Zhenguo Acupoint Anatomy")

Zhongji (CV3) acupoint
(adapted from "Meridians and Acupoints")

On the midline of the lower abdomen, 4 cun below the umbilicus, 1 cun above Qugu (CV2).

• Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing: "4 cun below navel."

bubble_chart Anatomy

• Muscle: In linea alba of abdomen. (The deep layer is the sigmoid colon).
• Nerve: anterior cutaneous branch of iliohypogastric nerve.
• Vessels: branches of superficial epigastric artery and vein, branches of inferior epigastric artery and vein.

bubble_chart Manipulation

Insert perpendicularly 0.5~1.5 cun, avoiding excessive depth to prevent injury to small intestine. If bladder is full, it may also be punctured, so bladder should be emptied before needling. Moxibustion with moxa cone 5~7 rounds, moxibustion with moxa stick for 15~20 minutes. Needling and moxibustion are contraindicated during pregnancy.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Regulate qi, secure essence, facilitate urination, regulate menstruation.

• Classical: deficiency damage, abdominal distension, edema, lumbago, difficulty urinating, uterine prolapse, seminal loss in men, cold in lower abdomen in women, irregular menstruation, amenorrhea blockage, red and white leukorrhea, genital itching and pain, postpartum lochia retention, retained placenta, and infertility.
• Modern: nephritis, urinary tract infection, urinary retention, pelvic inflammation, postpartum uterine contraction pain, dysmenorrheal, ovulation induction, male sexual dysfunction.

bubble_chart Combinations

• Corpse-like syncope: Guanyuan (CV4), Zhongji (CV3).
• Difficulty urinating, seminal loss: Zhongji (CV3), Ligou (LR5), Lougu (SP7), Chengfu ( BL36), Zhiyin (BL67).
• Retained placenta: Jianjing (GB21), Zhongji (CV3).
• Amenorrhea: Shenshu (BL23), Zhongji (CV3), Hegu (LI4), Sanyinjiao (SP6).
• Seminal emission, impotence, premature ejaculation: Zhongji (CV3), Henggu (KI11), Yinlingquan (SP9).
• Enuresis: Zhongji (CV3), Sanyinjiao (SP6).
• Dysmenorrheal: Zhongji (CV3), Diji (SP8).
• Red and white leukorrhea: Zhongwan (CV12), Qihai (CV6), Zhongji (CV3).