Conception Vessel 7 Ren-7: Yin Jiao

Conception Vessel 7, Ren-7, is the seventh point along the Conception Vessel, one of the so-called ‘extraordinary’ acupuncture channels.

• It is also a meeting point on the Conception Vessel with the Kidney and Penetrating (Chong Mai) channels.

Location of Ren 7

One cun below the centre of the umbilicus, being one-fifth of the distance between the centre of the umbilicus and the superior edge of the pubic bone.

Needling and Moxa on Yin Jiao

• Perpendicularly to the skin or
• Diagonally shallowly with needle pointing downwards towards the rectum, no more than 1.5 cun.
• NB Needling too deeply here can penetrate into the peritoneal cavity.

Sensation

Locally, to umbilicus or down towards urethra

Moxa

Up to 7 cones

ACTIONS of Conception Vessel 7

Because Conception Vessel 7 is a meeting point with the Penetrating and Kidney channels, it can be regarded as being on those channels too. Each of the channels contributes its own kind of energy to the point. In remembering what the point does I find it useful to think of those other actions.

• Actions of Conception vessel with Kidney channel
• Actions of Conception vessel with the Penetrating Channel
• Combining actions of Conception, Kidney and Penetrating channels
• Actions on the lower abdomen and bowels
• Local action

Action with Kidney Channel

• Low back pain
• Knee pain
• Oedema
• Retention of urine and faeces
• Fontanelle fails to close (use direct moxa on the point)
• Nephritis

Actions with Penetrating Channel

On Uterus:

• Regulates Blood, whether heavy or light bleeding or amenorrhoea
• Irregular menses
• Infertility
• Menstrual cramps, both in the abdomen and back
• Leucorrhoea

On Breasts

• Breast disease

On Tongue

• Dryness, cracks, bleeding

Actions with Kidney and Penetrating channels

• Nourishing Yin
• Menopausal hot flushes
• Chest pain
• Running piglet disorder
• Nosebleed
• Haematemesis
• Retraction or pain of testes

Action on Lower Abdomen and Bowels

• Distension, full, hard, hot
• Enteritis
• Diarrhoea
• Retention of urine and faeces
• Pain, knife-like, hot
• Damp
• Vaginal discharges
• Urethral discharges
• Sweating and itch of external genitals

Local

• Pain and coldness in umbilical area

COMMENT on Yin Jiao

Although Conception Vessel points 4 and 6 are probably used more often, this is a greater point where indicated. For example, Conception Vessel 4 is a main point for nourishing Yin. But the name of this point, Yin jiao meaning Yin Crossing or Intersection, shows how it harnesses the other two most Yin channels (the Kidney and Penetrating channels).

For example, in menopausal flushes, where there is yin deficiency, this might be the better point.

The point isn’t always taught to beginners in acupuncture, being regarded, I suppose, as less important. But when indicated, it beats the rest.

For self-treatment with acupressure, the point is good when combined with other points above and beside the umbilicus for bowels disorders. But press and massage it gently, not hard.

To access other points on the Conception Vessel, click below:

Click to return from Conception Vessel 7 to Acupuncture Points.