The first point on the Pericardium Meridian (PC). Tianchi (PC-1) opens the chest, moves Qi and Blood (Xue) in the upper body, and acts as a gateway between the heart's protective wrapping and the world outside — a point for fullness, swelling and emotional heaviness that settles in the chest.
Name & story
天池 Tianchi means "Heavenly Pool". Picture a still, deep pool resting high up on the chest, close to the heart — a gathering place where fluids and Qi can accumulate. When this pool becomes stagnant or overflows, there is swelling, fullness and a sense of oppression in the chest. The point's job is to keep the pool moving freely, so that the heart's protective wrap — the Pericardium — can do its work in peace.
Point family & character
PC-1 is the first point on the Pericardium Meridian (PC). It is also a meeting point (Hui) shared with the Gallbladder Meridian (GB), the Liver Meridian (LR) and the Triple Burner Meridian (TB) — a crossroads of several channels converging at the chest.
Five-element dynamics
The Pericardium belongs to the Fire element. It is the heart's closest guardian — sometimes called the "Heart Protector" — shielding the Emperor (Heart) from emotional shocks and physical threats. PC-1, sitting right beside the heart and at the top of the breast, is where the channel begins its journey outward into the arm. As the very first point, it marks the threshold where the inner Fire of the heart meets the outer world. When Fire stagnates here — as Qi Stagnation, Blood Stasis or accumulated Phlegm — the chest feels heavy, tight or swollen. Tianchi moves that stagnation and restores the free flow that the heart needs.
Location
PC-1 is found on the chest, one Cun lateral to the nipple, in the fourth intercostal space (between the fourth and fifth ribs). In women, it is located in the fourth intercostal space, 5 Cun lateral to the midline.
Anatomy & fascia
The point lies on the chest wall, over the pectoralis major muscle and the underlying intercostal space. The lung lies beneath, which makes careful needling technique essential.
Needling
The needle is inserted obliquely or transversely — never perpendicularly and never deeply, because the lung lies directly beneath this point.
Safe depth
0.3–0.5 Cun, obliquely or transversely along the chest wall.
The golden tip
Gentle circular massage or acupressure over the fourth intercostal space beside the chest can help ease feelings of tightness, fullness or emotional heaviness in the chest. Use light pressure — this area is sensitive. Deep breathing exercises and gentle chest-opening stretches complement the point's action beautifully.
For education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.