Shangqiu SP5 : Nomenclature, Location, Functions, Indications

Nomenclature:

Shang: one of the five sounds, pertaining to metal; Qiu: hills
Shangqiu is a jing-river point of the spleen meridian and pertains to metal. The point is below the medial mallelous, which looks like a hill.

Point: SP-5
Chinese Name: 商丘
English Name/Meaning: Shang Mound
Pinyin: shāng qiū
Han Geul 한글: sang gu 상구
Romaji: shō kyū
Vietnamese: Thương khâu

Location:

On the medial side of the ankle, in the depression which lies at the junction of straight lines drawn along the anterior and inferior borders of the medial malleolus.

Functions and Indications of shangqiu:

Shangqiu tonifies spleen and removes dampness so is beneficial for abdominal distension, constipation, diarrhea, borborygmus.
Relieves pain so is beneficial for local disorders like pain in the foot and ankle.

Method:

Perpendicular insertion 0.2 to 0.3 cun.
Transverse insertion beneath the tendons towards, or to join with, ST41.

Remarks:

Jing-river point.
Son ( Reducing ) point.
Good for edema.
Good for soft tissue around the ankle.