The quiet builder of the Middle. Jianli (CV-11) strengthens the digestive centre, moves stagnant Qi downward and eases the discomfort that arises when the Stomach and Spleen struggle — bloating, nausea, poor appetite and a heavy, stuck feeling in the belly.
Contraindications
Standard care applies for all abdominal midline points: needle to the stated depth only, and avoid deep needling. As this point lies in the epigastric region, use with care in patients with significantly enlarged abdominal organs. There are no specific contraindications recorded in the classical sources beyond standard abdominal caution.
Name & story
The name 建里 Jianli means "Establish the Interior" or "Build the Centre". It is a beautifully direct name: 建 (jiàn) means to build, to establish, to set up; 里 (lǐ) means the interior, the inside — and in classical texts, the "interior" often refers specifically to the Middle Burner, the digestive core. So this point is, quite literally, the place where you go to rebuild the centre when it has lost its strength or become disrupted. It sits on the midline of the abdomen, between the navel below and Zhongwan CV-12 above, right in the heart of the region it governs.
Point family & character
Jianli (CV-11) belongs to the Conception Vessel (CV), the great Yin channel that runs up the front midline of the body. Sitting just 1 Cun below Zhongwan CV-12 (the Front-Mu point of the Stomach and a major digestive point), it works in close neighbourhood with the most important points of the Middle Burner.
Five-element dynamics
In Chinese medicine, the Middle Burner — the Stomach and Spleen — is the Earth element's domain: the body's kitchen, where food and drink are transformed into Qi and Blood (Xue). When the Earth is unsettled, food does not transform properly, Qi rebels upward instead of descending, and the whole centre feels heavy and stuck. Jianli (CV-11) works right at this level, helping to restore the downward movement of Stomach Qi, settle the rebellious Qi that causes nausea and hiccups, and strengthen the digestive function so the Middle Burner can do its work again.
Location
Jianli (CV-11) is found on the midline of the abdomen, 3 Cun above the navel — or, equivalently, 1 Cun directly below Zhongwan CV-12 (which sits 4 Cun above the navel). It is straightforward to find: measure three finger-widths up from the navel along the midline.
Anatomy & fascia
The point lies on the midline of the abdomen, in the region of the epigastrium, overlying the abdominal muscles (linea alba).
Needling
The needle is inserted perpendicularly, straight into the abdominal midline.
Safe depth
Safe depth — 1–1.5 Cun.
The golden tip
If you are feeling bloated, nauseous or heavy in the stomach after a meal, try gently pressing or massaging the midline of the abdomen, 3 Cun above the navel — that is Jianli (CV-11). Use slow, clockwise circular pressure with two fingers for 1–2 minutes. If the belly feels cold and the discomfort is worse in cool weather, a warm pack held over this area (or along the midline from navel to just below the ribcage) is a simple and soothing home remedy. Avoid pressing too hard on a very full stomach.
For education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.