With the turn of the season and back to school comes cold and flus. With colder weather comes wood stoves and smoke sensitivities. With all the rain comes mold and mildew creating fall allergies. Middle palace can help with all of this.
Located under the end of the collarbone on the shoulder side, find the divot and move down slightly into the first rib space. Technically LU1 is on the lateral side of the chest, level in the first intercostal space 6 inches from the midline.
Zhong fu is the front mu of the lung meridian. It’s the crossing point of the lung and spleen meridians. It is an entry point connected to the exit point of the liver meridian. It disperses heat from the chest, opens the chest and stops coughing by regulating and descending qi. It can be used to strengthen the spleen and rectifies excess arising from the middle warmer. It balances lung disharmonies involving phlegm heat, treats lung dampness, and lung qi deficiency. It revives the breath and regulates the lungs.
For the respiratory system Middle Palace can help clear up coughs, chest congestion and wheezing from asthma. It dissipates fullness in the chest. It relaxes the airways. It helps with allergies and hay fever by relieving sinus congestion and pressure to minimize sinus pain.
For the digestive system LU1 can help with nausea and vomiting, abdominal distention, difficulty ingesting food and drink and can help clear throat obstructions.
Locally it treats chest, shoulder and upper back pain.
When it comes to the emotions this point goes deep. By clearing the lungs for physical inspiration it encourages inspiration on an emotional level as well. It can allow one to open up and breathe in all the world has to offer. When there are feelings of disconnect Zhong Gu can help revive the connection to self, to spirit and to those around them. It can allow one to take in praise and respect, allowing one to see the beauty in themselves. It has the ability to ultimately restore a feeling of beauty in the world. All of this can restore or bring on ones sense of higher purpose. It has potential to change a persons life.
To feel the full benefits this point has to offer, press on it while inhaling and release while exhaling. Do this for 3 minutes on each arm a few times a week while exhibiting these systems. Better yet book your next acupuncture appointment today.