Tiantu point is the meeting point of our body's Yinwei meridian and Ren meridian. It is also known as Yuhu and Tianqu. Located in the neck, on top of the chest, it is considered as a pathway connecting the lungs and the external environment. Regular massage of this point can help clear the lung qi and alleviate symptoms of asthma.
Tiantu point picture
【Accurate location of Tiantu point】
1. Standard positioning
Tiantu point is located in the neck, on the midline, in the center of the suprasternal notch.
2. Method of point selection
Sit in an upright position, with the finger pressing 1 cun above the jugular notch, in the center of the suprasternal notch.
Rapid point selection: Lie down and you will feel a depression just below the larynx. The center of that depression is the Tiantu point.
3. Anatomy of the acupoint
Below the Tiantu point are the skin, subcutaneous tissue, the tendon of the bilateral sternocleidomastoid muscles (between the two sternum heads), the superior margin of the jugular notch, the bilateral sternothyroid muscles, and the anterior mediastinum.
The superficial layer contains the medial branches of the clavicle, and the subcutaneous tissue contains the scalene muscles and the jugular arch. The deep layer contains the brachiocephalic trunk, the left carotid artery, the aortic arch, and the brachiocephalic vein, among other important structures.
Tiantu point picture
【Principle of treating asthma with Tiantu point】
In the past, chimneys were called "zhaotu," which means chimney. In the past, chimneys were round and stood alone on the roof, and when cooking, smoke would come out of the chimney and disperse.
The ancients were very observant and they found that this chimney was very similar to our esophagus and trachea, both of which are passages.
The chimney was where cooking smoke enters and exits, just like our trachea, which is where breath enters and exits. Respiration relies on the lungs, which are located in the chest.
Tiantu point is located on top of the chest, in the throat area. It is like a passage connecting the lungs with the external environment. Fresh air enters the lungs through this point, and stale air is exhaled through it as well.
Therefore, massaging Tiantu point is actually equivalent to clearing the lung qi. When the lung qi is unobstructed, symptoms such as coughing and asthma disappear.
Tiantu point is also easy to find. It is located in the depression between the two collarbones, just below the throat. When massaging, simply place the fingertip of the index finger on the acupoint and apply appropriate pressure. Be careful not to scratch or dig at the point.
Tiantu point picture
【Methods of treating asthma with Tiantu point】
Tiantu point is like a window for the lungs. As we know, one of the most common diseases related to the lungs is asthma.
Some may not be aware that asthma is closely related to the kidneys. According to Chinese medicine, asthma is a manifestation of insufficient yuan qi in the body.
Therefore, when massaging this point, you can simultaneously make swallowing motions while massaging and coordinate it with your breath, swallowing saliva. Chinese medicine states that the kidneys are related to sleep, and the process of saliva descending is a way to tonify the kidneys and replenish yuan qi.
By swallowing and massaging at the same time, you can not only tonify the kidneys but also alleviate any discomfort caused by massaging the Tiantu point. Asthma patients should definitely give it a try when feeling shortness of breath.
