The great phlegm-clearing point of the Pericardium channel. Jianshi (PC-5) quiets a troubled mind, dissolves Phlegm from the Heart, and reaches all the way from emotional storms to gynaecological complaints — a point of surprising breadth hidden on the inner forearm.
Meridian
Pericardium channel
Pinyin name
Jianshi
Contraindications
⚠️ The median nerve lies directly beneath this point. A strong electric sensation radiating into the fingers during needling is a sign of nerve contact — at that moment, further manipulation must stop. This point should only be needled by a trained practitioner. Otherwise it is a safe and frequently used forearm point with no general contraindications.
Name & story
The name 间使 Jianshi means "Intermediate Messenger" or "Ambassador in Between". An ambassador stands between two worlds, carrying messages across a boundary — and that image fits this point perfectly. It sits midway along the forearm, between the wrist and the elbow, and it works as a go-between: between the Heart and the Stomach, between the upper and lower body, between the emotional realm and the physical. Like a calm envoy, it carries harmony where there is conflict and clears the channel when the message is blocked.
Point family & character
Jianshi (PC-5) belongs to the Pericardium channel (PC). In classical character it is the Jing-River point of the channel, and also its Metal point. According to the Spiritual Pivot, Jing-River points are indicated for "changes in the patient's voice" — and indeed PC-5 is classically used for halting speech and loss of voice. Together with Fenglong ST-40, it is counted as one of the two principal acupuncture points for treating Phlegm disorders.
Five-element dynamics
The Pericardium belongs to the Fire element — it is the protector of the Heart, the minister who shields the emperor. PC-5 is the Metal point of this Fire channel, and Metal's nature is to descend, to cut through, and to clarify. That combination — Fire's warmth and Metal's sharpness — gives the point its signature ability: it can enter the Heart, dissolve the Phlegm that clouds it, and let the spirit (Shen) shine through again. When emotion after emotion piles up unprocessed, Phlegm can form around the Heart like fog. PC-5 clears that fog.
Location
Find it on the inner (palm-side) surface of the forearm, 3 Cun above the wrist crease (above Daling PC-7), right between the two prominent forearm tendons. A useful landmark: it sits at the junction of the proximal three-quarters and distal quarter of the line between the cubital crease and Daling PC-7. If the palmaris longus tendon is absent (which happens in some people), locate it on the ulnar side of the flexor carpi radialis tendon.
Anatomy & fascia
The point lies on the flexor aspect of the forearm, between the tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis muscles. The median nerve runs directly beneath this point, which is clinically important.
The golden tip
PC-5 is easy to reach for self-care. On the inner forearm, measure 3 Cun (roughly three of your own finger-widths) up from the wrist crease and press between the two tendons you can feel there. Firm, steady pressure for 1–2 minutes can help with nausea, chest tightness, or a restless, anxious mind. Gentle massage along the inner forearm channel is also soothing when emotions feel tangled or overwhelming.
For education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.
Needling
Insert perpendicularly 0.5 to 1 Cun, or obliquely in a proximal direction 1 to 1.5 Cun for conditions of the chest. An oblique distal insertion 1 to 1.5 Cun may be used for numbness of the fingers. Because the median nerve lies directly under this point, needling commonly produces a significant electric sensation spreading into the fingers. This is an acceptable expression of deqi (arrival of Qi), but once this sensation appears, further needle manipulation should stop immediately — the nerve must not be overstimulated.
Safe depth
0.5–1 Cun perpendicular; 1–1.5 Cun oblique proximal or distal.
Moxa, cupping & Tui Na
Acupressure and massage along the inner forearm channel are useful between treatments, especially for emotional restlessness and chest tightness. Moxa may be applied when Cold is a contributing factor.
Functions
Transforms Phlegm from the Heart and upper jiao. Calms the Shen and regulates the Heart. Unbinds the chest and moves Qi Stagnation. Harmonises the Stomach and alleviates nausea and vomiting. Clears Heat. Regulates the uterine channel and addresses gynaecological disorders. Restores speech.
Indications
Mental-emotional disorders involving Phlegm obstructing the Heart: mania, epilepsy (all five types), agitation, fright palpitations, apprehension, fear, sadness, poor memory, slow mental development in children, dementia in the elderly. Heart pain and sudden Heart pain, stuffiness of the chest, palpitations, disorders of Heart rate and rhythm. Nausea and vomiting, especially from retention of Phlegm in the middle jiao; sudden turmoil disorder with acute vomiting and diarrhoea. Gynaecological complaints: irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhoea, clotted menstrual flow, retention of lochia, leucorrhoea. Painful urinary dysfunction and urethral pain. Dry mouth, mouth ulcers. Loss of voice and halting speech — including after windstroke. Swelling of the axilla, pain of the inner aspect of the elbow and arm, heat of the palms, weakness of the wrist.
Mind & spirit (Shen)
Of all the points on the Pericardium channel, PC-5 is the specialist for Phlegm that has settled around the Heart and disturbed the Shen. Chinese medicine sees certain kinds of mental suffering — sudden mania, epilepsy, profound confusion, or a mind that simply seems "veiled" and unable to be present — as the work of Phlegm clouding the Heart's clear light. Jianshi moves in like the ambassador its name describes, clears the obstruction, and lets the Shen re-emerge. It also reaches panic, apprehension, grief, and the loss of memory or speech that can follow a windstroke — wherever the Heart's communication with the world has been interrupted.
Point combinations
With Hegu LI-4 and Houxi SI-3 — for sudden mania (Great Compendium). With Baihui DU-20, Fuliu KID-7, Yingu KID-10 and Zusanli ST-36 — for mania (Illustrated Supplement). With Renzhong DU-26 — for epilepsy (Ode of Spiritual Brightness). With Fenglong ST-40 — as the two chief points for Phlegm disorders in general.
Clinical spotlight
PC-5 holds a remarkable distinction: alongside Fenglong ST-40, it is one of only two points in the entire acupuncture system recognised as a primary treatment for Phlegm. That alone makes it exceptional. Its speciality is Phlegm in the Heart — the kind that produces not a cough but a clouded mind, irrational behaviour, epilepsy, or mania. Deadman notes that Phlegm obstructing the Heart can arise from the excess of any of the seven emotions, creating a vicious cycle where emotion generates Phlegm and Phlegm in turn distorts emotion further. PC-5 breaks that cycle. Its Jing-River character also makes it the classical point for voice changes and speech disorders — a connection that crosses from the purely physical (loss of voice) to the profound (inability to speak after windstroke).