Shangqu 商曲
Upper abdomen, 2 B-cun above the navel centre and half a B-cun out from the front midline.
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Rectus abdominis muscle · Inferior epigastric artery
Rendered straight from the 3D model at the computed location. The glowing ring marks Shangqu.
On this page
1Where is Shangqu?
Upper abdomen, 2 B-cun above the navel centre and half a B-cun out from the front midline.
It is level with Xiawan (CV10).
Rectus abdominis muscle · Inferior epigastric artery
2How do I find it on my body?
- Bone-proportional scale: xiphisternal junction to navel centre = 8 B-cun.
- On the midline, mark Xiawan, 2 B-cun above the navel.
- Move half a B-cun to the side and 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.
- inferior epigastric artery
- An artery that comes up near the groin and runs behind rectus abdominis toward the navel, where it links with the superior epigastric artery.
- xiphisternal junction
- Where the body of the breastbone meets the xiphoid process, just above the pit of the stomach. From here to the center of the navel is taken as 8 cun.
- rectus abdominis
- The long vertical muscle on each side of the middle of the belly, from the pubic bone to the rib cartilages, that bends the trunk forward. It makes the 'six-pack' blocks when tightened.
3Before you press
- This lies over the abdominal organs — do not press hard or deep.
- For sudden, severe abdominal pain, get medical care first instead of acupressure.
- Do not press abdominal points during pregnancy (a traditional caution).
- 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 a crossing point of the Chong vessel and the Kidney meridian (Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing) — a historical classification, not a claim of effect.
- The name is usually translated as 'Shang Bend'.
From traditional texts — not a claim of effect.
?FAQ
Where exactly is Shangqu?
Upper abdomen, 2 B-cun above the navel centre and half a B-cun out from the front midline. It is level with Xiawan (CV10).
How do I find Shangqu?
Bone-proportional scale: xiphisternal junction to navel centre = 8 B-cun. On the midline, mark Xiawan, 2 B-cun above the navel. Move half a B-cun to the side and press.
Can I press it during pregnancy?
Do not press abdominal points during pregnancy (a traditional caution).
What should I watch out for?
This lies over the abdominal organs — do not press hard or deep. For sudden, severe abdominal pain, get medical care first instead of acupressure. Do not press abdominal points during pregnancy (a traditional caution). 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. 144
- Standard comparison: Chinese national standard GB/T 12346-2021 (Nomenclature and location of meridian points)
- Korean anatomical terms and point names: KMCRIC Standard Acupoint DB (Korea)
- Classification source: Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (Huangfu Mi), vol. 3
- Traditional use cross-check: AcuAtlas dataset (CC BY 4.0)
- 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.