Thumb locating Dan Zhong CV17 on the chest midline between the nipples

Bites · Everyday TCM · General Health · Acupoint · 1–2 minutes

Find Dan Zhong (CV17) on the chest midline

膻中 · Chest Centre sits on the Conception Vessel at the midline of the chest, level with the fourth intercostal space. A short home press when anxiety sits in the chest.

In brief

Dan Zhong (膻中, CV17) sits at the centre of the chest on the anterior midline, level with the fourth intercostal space, roughly between the two nipples. Use a fingertip for circular massage while you breathe deeply, or stroke the palm gently from the chest centre down toward the navel. Repeat about fifteen times or until the tightness eases. Stop if pain sharpens.

  • Locate Dan Zhong (膻中, CV17) on the chest midline

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Point guide

Find & press

  1. Locate the midline

    Sit or stand upright. Find the centre of the chest on the front midline, between the two nipples, at about the level of the fourth rib space. Chinese cue: 在胸部,横平第四肋间隙,前正中线上。相当于正常男子两乳头之间中点处。

  2. Circular thumb with deep breaths

    Use a fingertip or thumb to circle the point while you breathe deeply. Keep the pressure kind; a dull ache is enough. Chinese: 以指尖来回转动按揉穴位,同时深呼吸。

  3. Optional palm stroke to the navel

    Or rest the palm at the chest centre and stroke gently downward toward the belly button. Keep the pass light, not a deep press on the sternum. Chinese: 或者以手掌自胸部中央向肚脐方向轻推。

  4. Repeat about fifteen times

    Repeat the circles or palm strokes about fifteen times, or until the chest tightness eases. Chinese: 重复15次或至症状改善。

  5. Stop cues

    Ease off if the press feels sharp, numb, or wrong. Mild ache that eases on release is common; sharp pain is a stop signal. Sudden chest pain, severe panic, or breathlessness at rest need urgent care, not self-press.

Try today Find the midline between your nipples, circle-press with slow breaths, then repeat about fifteen times or until the tightness eases.

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Self-press tips are educational, not personal medical advice. Book a consult for anxiety, chest tightness, or stress that keeps returning.

FAQs

Quick questions

Where is the Dan Zhong (CV17) acupuncture point?

On the anterior midline of the chest, level with the fourth intercostal space, at the midpoint between the nipples in a typical male landmark. Either gender uses the same midline cue. Chinese: 在胸部,横平第四肋间隙,前正中线上。相当于正常男子两乳头之间中点处。

膻中穴位置在哪里?

在胸部,横平第四肋间隙,前正中线上。相当于正常男子两乳头之间中点处。按压时取前正中线、两乳之间的中点即可。

What is Dan Zhong (膻中) used for?

Classically on the Conception Vessel for anxiety and chest tightness that gathers in the centre of the chest. Home press is a short habit between visits, not a substitute for sudden chest pain, severe panic, or breathlessness at rest.

How do I massage Dan Zhong for anxiety?

Locate the midline between the nipples. Circle with a fingertip while breathing deeply, or stroke the palm gently from the chest centre down toward the navel. Repeat about fifteen times or until the tightness eases. Sharp pain means ease off.

How many times should I press Dan Zhong, and should it hurt?

About fifteen circles or palm strokes, or until symptoms ease. A dull ache is the usual cue. Sharp pain, shooting tingling, or numbness means ease off.

Is CV17 the same as the point between the nipples?

Yes. Dan Zhong (CV17 / 膻中) is the chest-midline point at about nipple level, on the anterior midline in the fourth intercostal space. The “between the nipples” cue is the everyday landmark for that same spot.

References

Page credit

  1. Original article author: Physician Shi Lei.

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