"Shen" (身), body; "zhu" (柱), pillar or support. This acupoint is located between two scapular spines, serving as a supporting point for back when bearing weight. Hence the name.

bubble_chart Location

Shenzhu (GV12) acupoint
(adapted from "Meridians and Acupoints")

On the midline of back, in the depression below the spinous process of 3rd thoracic vertebra, approximately level with the medial end of scapular spine.

• Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing: "In the space below 3rd vertebral joint." It can also be located at the prominence of spinous process.
• Leijing Tuyi >: "When selecting acupoints along governor vessel on spine, they should be located at the prominent points of vertebral joints".

bubble_chart Anatomy

• Muscles: thoracolumbar fascia, supraspinous ligament, and interspinous ligament.
• Nerve: medial branch of posterior branch of 3rd thoracic nerve; within spinal canal lies spinal cord.
• Vessel: posterior branch of 3rd intercostal artery, interspinous subcutaneous venous plexus.

bubble_chart Manipulation

Insert obliquely 0.5~1 cun, but avoid deep insertion. Alternatively, insert at the prominence of spinous process and direct it downward subcutaneously for 1~2 cun. Moxibustion with moxa cone is 3 to 5 times, and moxibustion with moxa stick is used for 15 to 20 minutes.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Ventilate lung qi, discharge heat, clear spirit.

• Classical: chest heat, fever with manic running, delirium, mania, cough, dry mouth and polydipsia, asthma, headache, chest and back pain, stiffness and pain in waist and spine, boil and sore, consumptive fatigue, epilepsy.
• Modern: bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, whooping cough, schizophrenia, hysteria, rickets, rheumatic heart disease.

bubble_chart Combinations

• Epilepsy: Benshen (GB13), Shenzhu (GV12).
• Boil and sore: Shenzhu (GV12), Lingtai (GV10), Hegu (LI4), Weizhong (BL40) (with bloodletting).