PC1 (Tianchi, “Celestial Pool”) is the Window of Heaven point of the Pericardium Channel Meridian. It is located on the lateral chest, in the fourth intercostal space, one cun posterior to the nipple and five cun lateral to the anterior midline. It is located three cun inferior to the axillary fold, between the ribs. It unbinds the chest, regulates Qi, transforms phlegm, descends rebellious Qi, and clears heat.
On the lateral chest, in the fourth intercostal space, one cun posterior to the nipple and five cun lateral to the anterior midline. It is located three cun inferior to the axillary fold, between the ribs.
Oblique or transverse insertion 0.5-0.8 cun along the intercostal space. Avoid deep perpendicular insertion to prevent pneumothorax.
Unbinds the chest, regulates Qi, transforms phlegm, descends rebellious Qi, and clears heat..
Headache, chest fullness, sound in the chest, vexation in the chest and diaphragm, heat diseases with no sweating, four limbs cannot be raised, axillary swelling, upward surging Qi, cold and heat, malarial disorders, arm pain, blurry vision, neck scrofula (fistula), cough, wheezing with throat sounds..
Classically, Tianchi is a key local point for unbinding the chest, treating conditions like fullness, wheezing, and cough. Its connection to the Gall Bladder channel and its designation as a Window of Heaven point also give it the ability to treat headache and regulate Qi flow between the head and torso. It is also frequently cited for resolving masses in the neck and axilla, such as scrofula and swollen nodes, particularly with moxibustion.
PC1 is one of 9 points on the Pericardium Channel Meridian. Nearby points:
PC1 (Tianchi) is located on the lateral chest, in the fourth intercostal space, one cun posterior to the nipple and five cun lateral to the anterior midline. It is located three cun inferior to the axillary fold, between the ribs.
PC1 unbinds the chest, regulates Qi, transforms phlegm, descends rebellious Qi, and clears heat. Common clinical indications include headache, chest fullness, sound in the chest, vexation in the chest and diaphragm, heat diseases with no sweating, four limbs cannot be raised, axillary swelling, upward surging Qi, cold and heat, malarial disorders, arm pain, blurry vision, neck scrofula (fistula), cough, wheezing with throat sounds.
Oblique or transverse insertion 0.5-0.8 cun along the intercostal space. Avoid deep perpendicular insertion to prevent pneumothorax. Caution: Overlies the thoracic cavity — risk of PNEUMOTHORAX. Needle obliquely or transversely, never deeply or perpendicularly toward the chest wall.
PC1 is a point on the Pericardium Channel Meridian (Xīnbāo Jīng).