MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE

Volume 21, Number 2, 2009

# Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
DOI: 10.1089=acu.2009.0670

Original Article
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Using Acupoint Heart 7: An Anatomical Approach

Holmes Keikobad, MBBS

ABSTRACT

Acupuncture point Heart (HT) 7 can be used for a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions. It is usually located at
the medial end of the most distal wrist crease, on the medial aspect of the wrist. HT 7 is a source of healing energy
Medical Acupuncture 2009.21:111-113.

specific to cardiovascular illnesses and can be needled on an empirical basis in any condition particular to that
system. This article discusses a scientific approach to the location of HT 7, allowing for precise needling.

Key Words: Heart Channel, Acupuncture, Cardiovascular Diseases, Pisiform Bone, Point Location, Anatomical Markers

INTRODUCTION Step-by-Step Procedure

T he acupuncture point Heart (HT) 7, known in
Traditional Chinese Medicine as the mysterious Spirit
Gate, is probably the most commonly used point on the Heart
channel for everything from insomnia to aphonia to palpita-
tions. It is usually located at the medial end of the most distal
wrist crease, on the medial aspect of the wrist, by which
process it might be missed altogether because the position of
the crease will vary according to the body build, age, and sex
of the patient. This point is a veritable source of healing en-
ergy specific to cardiovascular illnesses and can be used more
or less on an empirical basis in any condition particular to that
system. This article discusses a more scientific approach to its
location, which allows an exact insertion.1
THE IDEAL APPROACH
The best approach is to use the pisiform bone as a marker
and locate the point in relationship to it. The goal is to es-
tablish the 2 imaginary lines, at the crossing of which will
lie the exact location of the Spirit Gate (a previous name for
HT 7).
Step 1. Position the patient supine on the treatment table
with the left palm facing superiorly, neither flexed nor ex-
tended at the wrist, but level with the horizontal plane of the
table.
Step 2. Work on the left-sided point. Traditionally, all
Heart points are located on the left because that is the Yin
side of the body and Yin is the anchor.
Step 3. Palpate the pisiform bone so that you can feel the
superior, inferior, lateral, and medial borders of the bone
(Figure).2 This can be difficult in overweight or obese pa-
tients or those with rough, working hands; however, with
perseverance, the perimeters can be found for the smallest
bone in the body.
Step 4. Locate, with a greater degree of accuracy, the
superior border of the bone. It may be occluded by tendon
and subdermal tissue, particularly the kind found in the
palm, but a diligent search will reveal this important marker.
It is located significantly proximal to the crease.
An imaginary horizontal line drawn along the supe-
rior border of the pisiform bone is the first of the 2
imaginary lines used to locate the point Heart 7 (Figure,
point A).

Private Practice, Scottsdale, AZ.

111
 112
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Medical Acupuncture 2009.21:111-113.
FIG. Locating HT 7.
Image Courtesy of Grays Anatomy 1918 Edition.2 Annotations
Acu-Free.com.
Step 5. Palpate the lateral aspect of the bone and slip
your finger, almost as a consequence, onto the tendon of the
flexor carpii ulnaris. Once you have done that, slide your
finger along the lateral or radial aspect of this tendon up and
down for an inch or two until you can feel its relationship to
the lateral aspect of the pisiform bone.
An imaginary vertical line drawn along the lateral aspect
of the tendon of the flexor carpii ulnaris is the second of the
2 imaginary lines used to locate HT 7 (Figure, point B).
Step 6. The location of HT 7 is at the exact point where
the imaginary lines A and B cross each other.
Needle Size
The ideal needle to use is 1 inch long with a gauge size of
36. Keep the needle perpendicular and insert to a depth of
0.3 cun.
Raising the Qi
When the point has been located and the needle inserted
well, the patient will report a feeling of, variously, numb-
ness, tingling, warmth, or something moving at the point.
This is known as having raised the Qi. The point is now
alive and imbued with Qi and the best resource for
healing myriad cardiovascular problems can be accessed.
KEIKOBAD
Indications
Some of the indications are:
 Palpitations
 Ectopic beats and arrhythmia
 The uncomfortable pounding of the heart, particu-
larly when there is no organic basis
 An odd indication of a painful obstruction of the throat
where dryness is a main concomitant factor
 Heated palms largely felt subjectively by the patient
 A persistent malar flush in the afternoon
 Insomnia, hypersomnia, sleep-related disorders in general
 Somnambulism and sleep-walking
 Sleep apnea with concomitant anger issues
 Clinical depression
 Dryness of the skin and premature aging.
Needle Manipulation
A small rotation of 908 clockwise and counterclockwise,
by a slow frequency of about 8 times a minute, should be
enacted. Stimulate gently for 3 minutes, once at the onset of
treatment and once about 15 minutes into the treatment.
Concomitant Points
A point such as HT 7, from a channel with the nature of
Fire, is usually used in concert with points from the Kidney
channel, which has the nature of Water. A usual point is KI 3
(Taixi) on the left side.1 HT 7 is a Source point on the Heart
channel and KI 3 is a Source point on the Water channel (a
Source point being the essential source of the Qi). Whatever
else is the composition of points in any given case, the
inclusion of KI 3 with HT 7 is a worthwhile generic inclu-
sion. HT 7 is ideal for toning and regulating cardiovascular
problems.3
DISCUSSION
Most seasoned practitioners have a series of favorite
points that have a wide application, for example, KI 3, SP 6,
ST 36, GB 34, LI 4, and HT 7. KI 3 and SP 6 provide a
generic Yin in all chronic cases, ST 36 is a Tonic point,
GB 34 pacifies pain and stiffness in tendons, LI 4 is an
analgesic point, and HT 7 accesses the pristine Heart Qi. In
daily use, one tends to find particular ways to locate set
points and apply the needle. The effect is dependable and
the process is safe, painless, and quick. However, more
application and accuracy are required with some points with
special and cardinal qualities, HT 7 being one.
Heart Qi is the most precious of all Qi and is the basis of
the higher intelligence and awareness that is unique to hu-
mans. Therefore, particular care is required in locating it,
accessing its Qi Stream, manipulating the needle to augment
it so that it reaches its destination, into the heart, the head,
 ACUPOINT HEART 7 113

the chest, the thoracic cavity. The more carefully the access
to this point, the more gratifying the results.
CONCLUSIONS
Hasty or inexact insertion at this cardinal point (HT 7)
may cause unnecessary pain and the possibility of a fal-
low use, i.e., the needle is there, but the therapeutic benefit
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REFERENCES
1. OConnor J, Bensky D. Acupuncture: A Comprehensive Text.
Shanghai College of Traditional Medicine. Eastland Press;
1981:406.
2. Grays Anatomy. 1918 ed. Wikipedia.
3. Deadman P, Baker K, Al-Khafaji M. A Manual of Acu-
puncture. Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications; 2001:219.

is not. Taking the time to mark the point and locate it exactly Address correspondence to:
opens the doorway to healing with easily tangible benefits. Holmes Keikobad, MBBS, DPH, DIP AC NCCAOM
Dipl Community Medicine, Dipl Acup
7724 East Meadowbrook Avenue
DISCLOSURE STATEMENT Scottsdale, AZ 85251

The author states that no conflicting financial interests exist. E-mail: drholmes@cox.net
Medical Acupuncture 2009.21:111-113.
 Medical Acupuncture 2009.21:111-113.
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