Hunmen 魂門
Upper back, 3 cun out from the back midline at the level of T9.
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Vertebra t9 · Latissimus dorsi muscle · Iliocostalis thoracis muscle · Tenth rib
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On this page
1Where is Hunmen?
Upper back, 3 cun out from the back midline at the level of T9.
The level is set by the lower edge of the T9 spinous process.
Vertebra t9 · Latissimus dorsi muscle · Iliocostalis thoracis muscle · Tenth rib
2How do I find it on my body?
- Find T7, level with the lower tips of the shoulder blades. Count down two spinous processes to T9.
- Take the height of the lower edge of that spinous process.
- Press 3 cun out from the midline. With the arms hanging, this is the vertical line along the inner border of the shoulder blade.
- If the blade covers the spot, fold the arms in front so the shoulder blades slide outward, then press.
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.
- iliocostalis thoracis
- The chest part of the outermost column of erector spinae (iliocostalis). It runs from the lower ribs to the upper ribs.
- 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.
- latissimus dorsi
- The broad muscle covering the lower back and sides. It runs from the lower back and pelvis, behind the armpit, to the humerus, and pulls the arm down and back, as in a pull-up.
3Before you press
- Do not bear down hard on the spine or ribs with an elbow or a tool.
- 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?
- Lateral to the Liver back-shu point (BL18); in classical theory the hun (ethereal soul) belongs to the Liver, and the name means 'gate of the hun'.
From traditional texts — not a claim of effect.
?FAQ
Where exactly is Hunmen?
Upper back, 3 cun out from the back midline at the level of T9. The level is set by the lower edge of the T9 spinous process.
How do I find Hunmen?
Find T7, level with the lower tips of the shoulder blades. Count down two spinous processes to T9. Take the height of the lower edge of that spinous process. Press 3 cun out from the midline. With the arms hanging, this is the vertical line along the inner border of the shoulder blade. If the blade covers the spot, fold the arms in front so the shoulder blades slide outward, then press. it is level with Ganshu (BL18) and, on the midline, with Jinsuo (GV8).
What should I watch out for?
Do not bear down hard on the spine or ribs with an elbow or a tool. 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. 123
- Standard comparison: Chinese national standard GB/T 12346-2021 (Nomenclature and location of meridian points), p. 19 — same location
- Korean anatomical terms: KMLE medical dictionary
- Traditional-use cross-check: AcuAtlas dataset (CC BY 4.0)
- Classical record: Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing vol. 3, sec. 9 (3-cun back line)
- 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.