Tianshu 天樞
2 B-cun out from the centre of the navel.
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External abdominal oblique muscle · Internal abdominal oblique muscle · Rectus abdominis muscle · Inferior epigastric artery
Rendered straight from the 3D model at the computed location. The glowing ring marks Tianshu.
On this page
1Where is Tianshu?
2 B-cun out from the centre of the navel.
WHO counts this level as the upper abdomen.
External abdominal oblique muscle · Internal abdominal oblique muscle · Rectus abdominis muscle · Inferior epigastric artery
2How do I find it on my body?
- Find the centre of the navel.
- At that level, move out 2 B-cun, halfway between the midline and the nipple line (4 B-cun).
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.
- external abdominal oblique
- The widest, outermost muscle on the side of the belly. Its fibers slant like hands slipped into front pockets (from upper outside to lower inside), and it twists and bends the trunk.
- 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.
- internal abdominal oblique
- The second layer of side-belly muscle, just under the external oblique. Its fibers run roughly crosswise to the external oblique, and it helps twist the trunk.
3Before you press
- Press the abdomen only gently, with several fingers or the palm.
- Do not press the abdomen during pregnancy.
- Sudden severe abdominal pain, especially with fever or vomiting, needs urgent care — call emergency services if needed instead of using 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 front-mu (alarm) point of the Large Intestine, as recorded in the Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing — a historical classification, not a claim of effect.
- The name joins tian (heaven) and shu (pivot): the navel level read as the hinge between upper and lower body.
From traditional texts — not a claim of effect.
?FAQ
Where exactly is Tianshu?
2 B-cun out from the centre of the navel. WHO counts this level as the upper abdomen.
How do I find Tianshu?
Find the centre of the navel. At that level, move out 2 B-cun, halfway between the midline and the nipple line (4 B-cun). SP15 lies further out on the 4 B-cun line at the same level.
Can I press it during pregnancy?
Do not press the abdomen during pregnancy.
What should I watch out for?
Press the abdomen only gently, with several fingers or the palm. Do not press the abdomen during pregnancy. Sudden severe abdominal pain, especially with fever or vomiting, needs urgent care — call emergency services if needed instead of using 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. 58
- Standard comparison: Chinese national standard GB/T 12346-2021 (Nomenclature and location of meridian points)
- Korean anatomical terms and locating tips: KMCRIC Standard Acupoint DB (Korea)
- Classification source: Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing vol. 3 (Siku Quanshu edition), front-mu point
- Classification cross-check: AcuAtlas dataset (CC BY 4.0)
- Safety: Chinese Medicine Council of New Zealand, Safety in Clinical Practice Guidance (2023)
- 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.