KI-17 - Shang Qu

商曲 - Shāng qú

Point Region: Upper abdomen

KI

Kidney Meridian

足少阴肾经 - Zú Shàoyīn Shèn Jīng

Location & How to Find

Anatomical Location: On the upper abdomen, 2 cun above the centre of the navel, 0.5 cun out from the midline.

Distances are in cun, a unit that scales with each person's body. As a guide, the width of your thumb at its joint is 1 cun, and your four fingers held together, measured across the middle joints, are 3 cun.

How to Locate:

  1. From the centre of your navel, measure two thumb-widths up the midline
  2. Move half a thumb-width out to the side
  3. The point is there
KI-17 (Shang Qu) acupressure point location: On the upper abdomen, 2 cun above the centre of the navel, 0.5 cun out from the midline.

How to Apply Pressure

When you've located KI-17, keep the touch gentle and superficial; stop if it causes discomfort. Do not use it during pregnancy, after abdominal surgery, or with a severe gastric condition.

Traditional Indications

In TCM, this point is traditionally used for:

  • Abdominal distension
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Indigestion
  • Stomach problems
  • Digestive problems
  • Bloating
  • Stomach pain

Related Health Concerns

BloatingNausea and VomitingStomach Cramps

Select a point to see its location, how to find it, and its traditional uses.

Important Precautions

Avoid this point with:

  • Pregnancy
  • Severe gastric conditions
  • Recent abdominal surgery