The point is located in the upper chest, hence the term "Tian" (天), meaning heaven. It is lateral to Tianchi (PC1), near breast, and both "chi" (池, pool) and "xi" (溪, stream) refer to the flow of breast milk.

bubble_chart Location

Tianxi (SP18) acupoint
(adapted from "Meridians and Acupoints")

On the lateral side of chest, 2 cun lateral to nipple, in the depression of 4th intercostal space.

• Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing: "1.6 cun below Xiongxiang (SP19), in the depression";
• Xunjing Kaoxue Bian: "Level with Tanzhong (CV17)";
• Zhenjiu Fengyuan: "6 cun lateral to the midline";
• Zhenjiu Jicheng: "Directly 2 cun behind nipple".

bubble_chart Anatomy

• Muscles: lateral lower edge of pectoralis major, serratus anterior, internal and external intercostal muscles.
• Nerve: fourth intercostal nerve.
• Vessels: branches of lateral thoracic arteries and veins.

bubble_chart Manipulation

Insert horizontally along the intercostal space 0.3~0.5 cun, do not insert deeply. Moxibustion with moxa cone 3 to 5 times, moxibustion with moxa stick for 10 to 15 minutes.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Soothe chest, promote lactation.

• Classical: fullness and pain in chest, breast abscess with ulceration, cough with rebellious qi rushing upward, shortness of breath, throat stridor, hiccup.
• Modern: insufficient lactation after childbirth.

bubble_chart Combinations

• Breast abscess with ulceration: Tianxi (SP18), Xiaxi (GB43).
• Vomiting with rebellious qi rushing upward: Zhongfu (LU1), Tianxi (SP18).
• Fullness and pain in chest, cough, and wheezing: Tanzhong (CV17), Tianxi (SP18), Feishu (BL13), Geshu (BL17), Neiguan (PC6).