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LU-3 Celestial Storehouse

天府 〔天府〕 tiān fǔ

Channel: LU, hand greater yīn (tài yīn) lung channel

Modern location: An acupoint located on the upper arm, 3 cùn inferior to the anterior axillary fold, on the lateral side of the biceps brachii muscle.

Classical location: Located at a pulse three cùn below the armpit and five cùn above the elbow bone. The tip of the nose can just reach this point; dab the nose with ink to mark the spot. From The Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (针灸大成 zhēn jiǔ dà chéng)

Local anatomy: The cephalic vein and muscular branches of the brachial artery and vein. The lateral brachial cutaneous nerve at the place where the musculocutaneous nerve passes through.

Action: Clears lung heat and regulates lung qì.

Modern indications: Panting; nosebleed; goiter; upper arm pain; pain in the medial aspect of the arm.

Classical indications: Cough with qì ascent; panting with inability to catch the breath; fulminant thirst; bleeding from nose and mouth; generalized swelling; wind sweating; abstraction and forgetfulness; lying down with inability to sleep; wailing and ghost talk; goiter; dizziness; tearing.

Needle stimulus: Needling: 0.3‒0.5 cùn perpendicular insertion. Moxa: pole 5 min.

Needle sensation: Localized numbness and distension spreading upward and downward.

Warning: Direct moxibustion contraindicated. The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (针灸甲乙经 zhēn jiǔ jiā yǐ jīng) states that moxibustion at this point is contraindicated because it causes qì counterflow.

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