KI23 (Shénfēng, “Shénfēng”) is an acupuncture point on the Kidney Channel Meridian. It is located on the chest, in the fourth intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline (Ren Mai), 1.6 cun inferior to KI24 (Lingxu). It descends rebellious Qi, unbinds the chest, and clears heat from the breast.
On the chest, in the fourth intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline (Ren Mai), 1.6 cun inferior to KI24 (Lingxu).
Transverse-oblique insertion 0.3-0.5 cun. Deep or perpendicular insertion carries a risk of causing a pneumothorax.
Descends rebellious Qi, unbinds the chest, and clears heat from the breast.
Chest and hypochondriac fullness, inability to catch one's breath, cough, rebellious Qi, vomiting, mastitis (breast abscess) with chills and fever, aversion to cold, poor appetite, short-windedness, inability to rest peacefully.
Shenfeng is a key local point for disorders of the chest and breasts. Its name, 'Spirit Seal', highlights its connection to the Heart and Spirit, making it useful for chest oppression and anxiety that accompany respiratory symptoms. Clinically, it is frequently used for cough, asthma, and chest pain, and is particularly noted in classical texts for treating mastitis, especially when presenting with chills and fever.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《針灸逢源》 Zhēnjiǔ Féngyuán — Sources of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Li Xuechuan, 1815 · 卷四 · 經穴考正 · 足少陰腎經穴考 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
神封 在靈墟下一寸六分。 膻中旁二寸。 仰取之。 （針三分。 灸五壯）治胸滿不得息According to this text, KI23 lies 1.6 cun below Lingxu and 2 cun beside Danzhong, located lying face up; needle 0.3 cun, 5 moxa cones, and it was used for chest fullness with inability to breathe.
《針方六集》 Zhēnfāng Liùjí — Six Collections on Needling, Wu Kun, 1618 · 卷之一·神照集 · 足少陰腎經圖穴十五 · 足少陰腎經所發二十七穴 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
神封二穴，在靈墟下一寸六分陷中，夾任脈兩旁各二寸，仰而取之。 《針經》刺入四分，灸五壯According to this text, KI23 lies in the depression 1.6 cun below Lingxu, 2 cun on each side of the Ren vessel, located lying face up; the Zhenjing gives needling 0.4 cun and 5 moxa cones.
《醫學綱目·刺灸》 Yīxué Gāngmù · Cìjiǔ — Outline of Medicine: Needling and Moxibustion, Lou Ying, 1565 · 卷之八·陰陽臟腑部 · 穴法下 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
神封二穴，在靈墟下一寸六分陷中，仰而取之，足少陰脈氣所發。 針入三分，灸五壯According to this text, KI23 lies in the depression 1.6 cun below Lingxu, is located lying face up, and is where foot shaoyin qi emerges; needle 0.3 cun, 5 moxa cones.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷09 · Source: Wikisource ↗
胸脅滿不得息，咳逆，乳癰，洒淅惡寒，神封主之The text records that KI23 was used for fullness of chest and flanks with inability to breathe, cough with counterflow, breast abscess, and shivering aversion to cold.
KI23 is one of 27 points on the Kidney Channel Meridian. Nearby points:
KI23 (Shénfēng) is located on the chest, in the fourth intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline (Ren Mai), 1.6 cun inferior to KI24 (Lingxu).
KI23 descends rebellious Qi, unbinds the chest, and clears heat from the breast. Common clinical indications include chest and hypochondriac fullness, inability to catch one's breath, cough, rebellious Qi, vomiting, mastitis (breast abscess) with chills and fever, aversion to cold, poor appetite, short-windedness, inability to rest peacefully.
Transverse-oblique insertion 0.3-0.5 cun. Deep or perpendicular insertion carries a risk of causing a pneumothorax. Caution: Overlies the thoracic cavity — risk of PNEUMOTHORAX. Needle obliquely or transversely, never deeply or perpendicularly toward the chest wall.
KI23 is a point on the Kidney Channel Meridian (Zú Shàoyīn Shènjīng).