ST25

Tianshu

Star

天樞 (Tiānshū) — Celestial Pivot

Stomach channel · point 25

Not yet clinically reviewed

Front-Mu point of the Large Intestine

Traditionally used for

Digestion
Bowel health
Urinary & fluids
Menstrual & women's health

Cautions & contraindications

Pregnancy

Location

On the abdomen, 2 cun lateral to the centre of the umbilicus.

How to locate: With the patient supine, measure 2 cun laterally from the centre of the umbilicus, halfway to the line of the nipple (4 cun from the midline); the point usually falls over the belly of rectus abdominis.

Regional anatomy: Beneath the skin and subcutaneous tissue the needle passes through the anterior rectus sheath, rectus abdominis and the posterior rectus sheath; the peritoneum and small intestine lie beyond.

Distances are in cun, a proportional unit — how to measure.

Body map, front: ST25 · Upper abdomen — Fig. — ST25 · Upper abdomen After Albinus, 1747

The abdominal regions — Gray's Anatomy plate — The abdominal regions Gray's Anatomy, 1918

Needling

Cited needling

Techniques — the source gives these as alternatives:

Perpendicular insertion

Depth 1–1.5 cun

skindeeper
Oblique insertion — inferior, towards the uterus for diseases of the uterus

Depths describe average adult habitus in the cited population, never a single safe number for the patient in front of you. Palpate and adjust.

Sources (1)

Deadman P, Al-Khafaji M, Baker K. A Manual of Acupuncture. Hove: Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications; 1998 — p. 148 Supports: techniques (names this point)

Site notes · not cited

Pregnancy

Depth: 1.0–1.5 cun

Angle: Perpendicular

⚠ Cautions: Use caution in pregnancy.

Functions

Regulates the Spleen, Stomach and intestines and resolves stagnation
Resolves dampness and clears damp-heat from the intestines
Regulates qi and blood in the lower burner
Regulates menstruation

Indications

Constipation and diarrhoeaabdominal pain and distensiondysentery and borborygmusirregular menstruation and dysmenorrhoeaoedemaappendicitis

Clinical Notes

The Front-Mu of the Large Intestine and the single most important abdominal point for bowel regulation — effective for both constipation and diarrhoea depending on technique.

Combinations Using This Point

Tianshu and Shangjuxu

ST25 and ST37, the Front-Mu and lower He-Sea points of the Large Intestine — for diarrhoea, constipation, distension and acute abdominal conditions.

Guanyuan and Tianshu

CV4 with ST25 — warms the middle burner, harmonises the Stomach and regulates the intestines in bowel and digestive complaints.

Similar Points

Tianfu how are these connected?

Sources

World Health Organization. WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region. Manila: WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, 2008. (Location.)
Focks C, ed. Atlas of Acupuncture. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2008. (Locating method and actions.)

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