Xinshu 心兪
Upper back, 1.5 cun out from the back midline at the level of T5.
Open the 3D Acupoint Map →
🖼See it in pictures
Location and structures come from our 3D model; only the drawing style was refined with AI. Labels are added by us.
Vertebra t5 · Descending part of trapezius muscle · Rhomboid major muscle · Longissimus thoracis muscle
Rendered straight from the 3D model at the computed location. The glowing ring marks Xinshu.
On this page
1Where is Xinshu?
Upper back, 1.5 cun out from the back midline at the level of T5.
The level is set by the lower edge of the T5 spinous process.
Vertebra t5 · Descending part of trapezius muscle · Rhomboid major muscle · Longissimus thoracis muscle
2How do I find it on my body?
- Find T3, level with the inner ends of the scapular spines. Count down two spinous processes to T5.
- Take the height of the lower edge of that spinous process.
- Press 1.5 cun out from the midline, over the erector spinae muscle. With the arms hanging, the midline-to-shoulder-blade distance (to its inner border) is 3 cun, or 6 cun between the two; this is half of it.
A cun is a body-scaled unit of length. The precise way is to divide a bone length into equal parts (proportional bone cun); finger widths are a quick estimate.
- descending part of trapezius
- The upper part of trapezius. It starts at the back of the skull and neck and runs down to the outer collarbone, and it shrugs the shoulder up.
- longissimus thoracis
- The back part of the middle column of erector spinae (longissimus). As its name says it is long, and it straightens the lower and middle back.
- erector spinae
- The group of long muscles up both sides of the spine that straighten the back and hold the body upright. Lie face down and lift your back a little, and they bulge as thick cords on each side.
- spinous process
- The bony spike sticking backward from the middle of each spine bone. The row of bumps you feel down the middle of the back is these, and they serve as the counting marks for back points.
- rhomboid major
- A diamond-shaped muscle under trapezius, between the upper back bones and the inner edge of the shoulder blade. It pulls the blade toward the spine.
3Before you press
- Do not bear down hard on the spine or ribs with an elbow or a tool.
- Sudden chest pain or breathlessness: call emergency services at once — do not try acupressure.
- Avoid broken or swollen skin and press only to a comfortable level.
- Acupressure is not a substitute for medical care.
4How has it been used traditionally?
- Classified as the back-shu point of the Heart in the Lingshu (ch. 51) — a historical classification, not a claim of effect.
From traditional texts — not a claim of effect.
?FAQ
Where exactly is Xinshu?
Upper back, 1.5 cun out from the back midline at the level of T5. The level is set by the lower edge of the T5 spinous process.
How do I find Xinshu?
Find T3, level with the inner ends of the scapular spines. Count down two spinous processes to T5. Take the height of the lower edge of that spinous process. Press 1.5 cun out from the midline, over the erector spinae muscle. With the arms hanging, the midline-to-shoulder-blade distance (to its inner border) is 3 cun, or 6 cun between the two; this is half of it. it is level with Shentang (BL44) and, on the midline, with Shendao (GV11).
What should I watch out for?
Do not bear down hard on the spine or ribs with an elbow or a tool. Sudden chest pain or breathlessness: call emergency services at once — do not try acupressure. Avoid broken or swollen skin and press only to a comfortable level. Acupressure is not a substitute for medical care.
Sources
- Location: WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region (2008), p. 107
- Standard comparison: Chinese national standard GB/T 12346-2021 (Nomenclature and location of meridian points), p. 17 — same location
- Korean anatomical terms: KMLE medical dictionary
- Traditional-use cross-check: AcuAtlas dataset (CC BY 4.0)
- Classification source: Lingshu ch. 51 (Bei Shu); Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing vol. 3, sec. 8
- 3D: computed on Z-Anatomy (CC BY-SA 4.0) · BodyParts3D © DBCLS
Positions computed from the WHO standard locations (2008) on Z-Anatomy (CC BY-SA 4.0) · BodyParts3D © DBCLS. For reference only — not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. See a clinician if you are unwell.