SP17 (Shidou, “Food Cavity”) is an acupuncture point on the Spleen Channel Meridian. It is located on the lateral chest, in the 5th intercostal space, 1.6 cun inferior to Tianxi (SP18). This point is located 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline. It is best located with the patient supine and the arm raised. It regulates the diaphragm, harmonizes the Middle Jiao, descends rebellious Qi, and resolves Dampness.
On the lateral chest, in the 5th intercostal space, 1.6 cun inferior to Tianxi (SP18). This point is located 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline. It is best located with the patient supine and the arm raised.
Oblique or transverse insertion 0.5-1.0 cun. Deep perpendicular insertion carries a risk of pneumothorax.
Regulates the diaphragm, harmonizes the Middle Jiao, descends rebellious Qi, and resolves Dampness.
Chest and hypochondriac fullness and distention, rumbling sounds in the diaphragm, sensation of water in the diaphragm, pain in the diaphragm, chest and back pain, inability to lie down, difficulty turning side to side, difficulty breathing, cough, vomiting, inability to eat.
Shidou is a key point on the lateral chest for addressing disorders of the diaphragm and Middle Jiao. Its primary classical indications are for fullness in the chest and hypochondrium, and audible gurgling or 'rumbling thunder' in the diaphragm, suggesting fluid accumulation or Qi stagnation. It is effective for rebellious Qi patterns involving both the digestive and respiratory systems, such as difficulty eating accompanied by chest distention and breathing problems.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《黃帝明堂灸經》 Huángdì Míngtáng Jiǔjīng — The Yellow Emperor's Bright Hall Moxibustion Classic, Tang · 卷上 · 正人形第十二 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
食竇 二穴，在天溪下一寸六分陷者中，舉臂取之。 灸五壯。 主胸脅支滿，膈間鳴滀，陸陸常有聲According to this text, SP17 lies in the depression 1.6 cun below Tianxi (SP18), located with the arm raised, with 5 moxa cones; it was used for propping fullness of the chest and ribs and gurgling fluid below the diaphragm with a constant rumbling sound.
《神灸經綸》 Shénjiǔ Jīnglún — Principles of Divine Moxibustion, Wu Yiding, 1851 · 卷之二 · 十二經脈起止 · 脾經二十一穴分寸 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
食竇 從腹哀上行三寸或從乳上三肋間動脈應手處往下六寸四分去胸中行旁開六寸舉臂取之灸五壯According to this text, SP17 lies 3 cun above Fu'ai (SP16), or 6.4 cun below the pulsating point in the third intercostal space above the nipple, 6 cun from the chest midline, located with the arm raised; moxibustion 5 cones.
《針灸資生經》 Zhēnjiǔ Zīshēng Jīng — Classic of Nourishing Life with Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 1220 · Source: Wikisource ↗
食竇 二穴．在天溪下寸六分陷中．舉臂取之．針四分．灸五壯According to this text, SP17 lies in the depression 1.6 cun below Tianxi (SP18), located with the arm raised; needle 0.4 cun, moxibustion 5 cones.
《類經圖翼》 Lèijīng Túyì — Illustrated Wings to the Classified Canon, Zhang Jiebin, 1624 · 卷六 · 經絡（四） · 足太陰脾經穴 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
食竇 在天溪下一寸六分陷中，舉臂取之。 刺四分，灸五壯。 主治胸脅支滿，咳唾逆氣，飲不下，膈有水聲According to this text, SP17 lies 1.6 cun below Tianxi (SP18), located with the arm raised; needle 0.4 cun, moxibustion 5 cones. It was used for propping fullness of chest and ribs, cough and spitting with counterflow qi, inability to swallow drink, and the sound of water at the diaphragm.
SP17 is one of 21 points on the Spleen Channel Meridian. Nearby points:
SP17 (Shidou) is located on the lateral chest, in the 5th intercostal space, 1.6 cun inferior to Tianxi (SP18). This point is located 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline. It is best located with the patient supine and the arm raised.
SP17 regulates the diaphragm, harmonizes the Middle Jiao, descends rebellious Qi, and resolves Dampness. Common clinical indications include chest and hypochondriac fullness and distention, rumbling sounds in the diaphragm, sensation of water in the diaphragm, pain in the diaphragm, chest and back pain, inability to lie down, difficulty turning side to side, difficulty breathing, cough, vomiting, inability to eat.
Oblique or transverse insertion 0.5-1.0 cun. Deep perpendicular insertion carries a risk of pneumothorax. Caution: Overlies the thoracic cavity — risk of PNEUMOTHORAX. Needle obliquely or transversely, never deeply or perpendicularly toward the chest wall.
SP17 is a point on the Spleen Channel Meridian (Zú Tài Yīn Pí Jīng).