REN3 (Zhongji, “Zhongji”) is the Front-Mu of the Bladder point of the Conception Vessel Meridian. It is located on the anterior midline of the lower abdomen, 4 cun inferior to the umbilicus, or 1 cun superior to the pubic symphysis. It regulates the Bladder and urination, resolves Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao, tonifies Kidney Qi, regulates menstruation and the uterus, dispels cold and alleviates pain, and revives consciousness from collapse.
On the anterior midline of the lower abdomen, 4 cun inferior to the umbilicus, or 1 cun superior to the pubic symphysis.
Perpendicular insertion 1.0 to 1.5 cun. The bladder should be empty before needling. Deep insertion may puncture the full bladder.
Regulates the Bladder and urination, resolves Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao, tonifies Kidney Qi, regulates menstruation and the uterus, dispels cold and alleviates pain, and revives consciousness from collapse.
Dazed corpse-like collapse , vexing pain, abdominal fullness like a water swelling, a hard and stone-like lower abdomen, cold in the kidneys, abdominal masses and accumulations, diarrhea, urinary frequency, seminal emission, infertility in men, retained placenta, postpartum persistent flow of lochia, irregular menstruation, uterine bleeding, uterine masses, uterine swelling and pain, difficult urination or urinary retention (including from 'twisted bladder'), cold in the lower abdomen, itching and heat in the genitals, pain in the genitals, hunger without desire to eat, emaciation with cold and heat, running piglet qi rushing to the heart, abdominal heat, umbilical masses, cold qi in the abdomen, urinary bleeding, stone and five types of painful urinary dysfunction (lin), menstrual irregularities.
As the Front-Mu point of the Bladder, Zhongji is a primary point for all urinary disorders, including retention, frequency, painful urination, and incontinence. Its role as a meeting point of the three foot yin channels makes it crucial for treating a wide range of gynecological issues like irregular menstruation, uterine masses, and infertility. The classical texts also highlight its ability to treat 'Running Piglet Qi' and sudden collapse (corpse-like), indicating its function in regulating qi in the lower abdomen and restoring consciousness.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《扁鵲神應針灸玉龍經》 Biǎn Què Shényìng Zhēnjiǔ Yùlóng Jīng — Bian Que's Jade Dragon Classic of Divinely Responsive Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 1329 · 白带 · Source: Wikisource ↗
中极∶在脐下四寸。 直针二寸半，灸五十壮。 妇人无子，宜刺灸，则有子，先泻后补According to this text, REN3 lies 4 cun below the navel; it is needled straight 2.5 cun with 50 moxa cones, and for women without children needling and moxibustion are advised, draining first and then tonifying, so that they may conceive.
《醫宗金鑑·刺灸心法要訣》 Yīzōng Jīnjiàn · Cìjiǔ Xīnfǎ Yàojué — Golden Mirror of Medicine: Essential Teachings on Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Wu Qian et al., 1742 · 卷七 · 胸腹部主病針灸要穴歌 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
中極穴，主治下元寒冷虛損，及婦人月事不調，赤白帶下。 針八分，留十呼，灸三壯。 孕婦不可灸The text records that REN3 was used for cold, deficiency and damage of the lower origin and for irregular menstruation and red and white vaginal discharge in women; it is needled 8 fen, retained ten breaths, with 3 moxa cones, and moxibustion is not allowed in pregnancy.
《醫學入門》 Yīxué Rùmén — Introduction to Medicine, Li Chan, 1575 · 经穴起止 · Source: Wikisource ↗
中极脐下四寸。 针一寸二分，日灸三七壮，至三百壮止。 主淋疾，小便赤，尿道痛，脐下积块如石According to this text, REN3 lies 4 cun below the navel, needled 1.2 cun, with 21 moxa cones daily up to 300; it was used for strangury, red urine, pain of the urethra, and stone-like masses below the navel.
REN3 is one of 24 points on the Conception Vessel Meridian. Nearby points:
REN3 (Zhongji) is located on the anterior midline of the lower abdomen, 4 cun inferior to the umbilicus, or 1 cun superior to the pubic symphysis.
REN3 regulates the Bladder and urination, resolves Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao, tonifies Kidney Qi, regulates menstruation and the uterus, dispels cold and alleviates pain, and revives consciousness from collapse. Common clinical indications include dazed corpse-like collapse , vexing pain, abdominal fullness like a water swelling, a hard and stone-like lower abdomen, cold in the kidneys, abdominal masses and accumulations, diarrhea, urinary frequency, seminal emission, infertility in men, retained placenta, postpartum persistent flow of lochia, irregular menstruation, uterine bleeding, uterine masses, uterine swelling and pain, difficult urination or urinary retention (including from 'twisted bladder'), cold in the lower abdomen, itching and heat in the genitals, pain in the genitals, hunger without desire to eat, emaciation with cold and heat, running piglet qi rushing to the heart, abdominal heat, umbilical masses, cold qi in the abdomen, urinary bleeding, stone and five types of painful urinary dysfunction (lin), menstrual irregularities.
Perpendicular insertion 1.0 to 1.5 cun. The bladder should be empty before needling. Deep insertion may puncture the full bladder. Caution: Traditionally avoided or used with caution in PREGNANCY (strong qi/blood-moving or labour-promoting action). The classics do not list specific cautions for this point, unlike the adjacent point Shimen (REN5) which is noted to cause infertility in women if needled or moxa'd.
REN3 is a point on the Conception Vessel Meridian (Rèn Mài).