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Conception Vessel 1, the first point - Ren-1 - on the Conception Vessel acupuncture channel, is where three of the most powerful yin acupuncture channels emerge from the body.
These are the Conception Vessel (this one), the Governing and the Penetrating channels.
This location is between two of the most yin entrance/exit places - the anus and urethra/sexual organs.
It has particular and special qualities but because of its location is not much used.
Other points share some of its qualities, such as Conception Vessel 2 and Kidney 1, so there are rarely overwhelming reasons for using this point.
On the perineum, on the mid-line, midway between anus and labia or anus and scrotum. In practice, that's very imprecise. They speak of it as being midway between the anus (anterior end) and the labia (posterior end) which is all very well in women.
In men it is said to lie midway between the anus and the scrotum, but where the posterior of the scrotum ends and the perineum begins isn't clear, unless the man is having an erection, when its junction with the perineum is more obvious. (However, many might question whether acupuncture during an erection was appropriate.)
So, failing that, needle it about about half to one inch, or between 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm in front of the anus. Insert vertically to the skin.
Caution!
If you are of different gender to the patient and
there is any possibility of a misunderstanding, however, remote, I
advise you to get a chaperone of the same gender as the patient. Indeed,
this is good advice whenever using Conception Vessel 1 even if you share the
same gender as the patient.
Textbooks suggest half to one cun but in practice about half an inch, unless the patient is drowning, when up to an inch may be used.
(However, if the patient is drowning, do you have his or her permission to use acupuncture, especially at this point? Different cultures deal with this matter in different ways, so be sure you understand the local mores.)
Although I've never needled deeper than that, I've seen a man needled there to a depth of nearly 3 inches (8 centimetres) - and he insisted it was very beneficial, at one time returning weekly for a 'top up' session.
Patient's Position during use of this point
The best way to needle the point is to ask the patient to lie on one side in a foetal position.
If a male patient insists on lying supine, you must ask him to hold his scrotum and penis out of the way while you locate and needle the point.
Extends throughout the external sexual organs in men, and the labial and vaginal region for women. For this reason, not everyone wants treatment at this point.
Use up to 3 moxa cones. Be aware that this area is more than usually sensitive for many people, that it has many sexual connotations and that heat here can be quite disturbing for some patients.
So before using moxa, explain why you need to use it and what you'll be doing.
Make sure you have their understanding and permission - preferably in writing!
Indications
Because Conception Vessel 1 has a number of different
functions, it can be an important and powerful point. I have listed
examples of conditions that might arise under each of its actions.
For example, I list headaches under Regulates Yin, but this point can also help headaches due to deficient Yang, although perhaps less effectively than headaches arising from deficient Yin.
Do please realise that
this point is only very seldom the first point to think of when trying
to regulate Yin. Many other acupuncture treatments regulate Yin, and
lack the sexual connotations connected with Huiyin. Using this point on a
whim could, if its use were misconstrued, adversely affect your right
to practise acupuncture.
Regulates the genito-urinary area
Drains Damp and Damp-Heat
Resuscitation
Regulates Yang
Conception Vessel 1 - Ren-1 - lies at the lowest point on the body - the trunk, (excluding the extremities), opposite both
Apart from conditions of Damp and Damp-heat, and
pain, I don't like to drain this point too much, but treatment here does
bring energy down from above, hence its use in mania and for promoting
urination and defecation.
Its main use is to strengthen Yin which tonifies, if that is the word, yin energy within the body. Yin is nourishing, hence its use in cases of impotence and amenorrhoea.
Being such a dynamic yin-strengthening point, this point strongly supports treatments requiring yin tonification for other reasons, such as in yin deficiency insomnia or anxiety. However, I've never seen it listed for this purpose in combinations of points, almost certainly because those problems can be treated by many other points on the body and the use of this point might be invasive.
Once Again ...
In those countries where personal invasion is treated seriously, the use of this point for resuscitation purposes is probably confined to hospitals and situations where the patient has given prior approval for treatment with acupuncture.
I think even people who understood the benefits of acupuncture might be willing to have acupuncture at almost any other point in an emergency but without prior approval would be very unamused to find this point being used to bring them back to consciousness.
Because of where it is, use of Conception Vessel 1 needs to be carefully explained beforehand and the patient's agreement obtained. A chaperone may be necessary.
When the properties of this point are needed but the patient is unhappy about its use, there are other points that do something similar, such as Conception Vessel 2, just above the pubic bone on the abdomen.
To access other points on the Conception Vessel, click below:
Ren-1 | Huiyin | Yin Meeting Place |
Ren-2 | Qugu | Crooked Bone |
Ren-3 | Zhongji | Utmost Middle |
Ren-4 | Guanyuan | Source Gate |
Ren-5 | Shimen | Stonegate |
Ren-6 | Qihai | Sea of Qi |
Ren-7 | Yin Jiao | Yin Intersection/td> |
Ren-8 | Shenque | Spirit Palace Pathway |
Ren-9 | Shuifen | Water Separation |
Ren-10 | Xiawan | Lower Stomach Duct |
Ren-11 | Jianli | Earthing Within |
Ren-12 | Zhongwan | Utmost Middle |
Ren-13 | Shangwan | Upper Stomach Duct |
Ren-14 | Juque | Great Palace Gateway |
Ren-15 | Jiuwei | Dovetail |
Ren-16 | Zhongting | Central Hall |
Ren-17 | Shangzhong | Middle of the Chest |
Ren-18 | Yutang | Jade Hall |
Ren-19 | Zigong | Purple Palace |
Ren-20 | Huagai | Flower Covering |
Ren-21 | Xuanji | Jade Pearl |
Ren-22 | Tiantu | Heavenly Rushing |
Ren-23 | Lianquan | Clear Spring |
Ren-24 | Chengjiang | Fluid Container |
Click to return from Conception Vessel 1 to Point Location
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If you live elsewhere, click on BAcC.
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Qi Stagnation - Signs of Stress
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Yuck! Phlegm! How to Clear Your Phlegm ...
Western Astrology and Chinese Medicine
Published 1986 and, amazingly, still selling. Western Astrology and Chinese Medicine was apparently used back then by at least one acupuncture college to help students understand Chinese medicine! See Reviews.
Six Reviews so far for Yuck Phlegm. (Despite the lurid cover, it explains the five main types of phlegm and what works best for each type. I hope it's easy to read and will be much more useful than all the websites on the subject.)
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