KI-21 - Dark Gate

幽门 - Yōu mén

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, 6 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. Find the bottom of the breastbone at the midline (8 cun above the navel) and measure two thumb-widths down
  2. Move half a thumb-width out to the side
  3. The point is there
KI-21 (Dark Gate) acupressure point location: On the upper abdomen, 6 cun above the centre of the navel, 0.5 cun out from the midline.

How to Apply Pressure

After finding KI-21, keep the touch light and comfortable. Avoid it during pregnancy or over a recent chest surgery site; do not use acupressure for chest pain or suspected heart problems—seek urgent care.

Traditional Indications

In TCM, this point is traditionally used for:

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

Related Health Concerns

BloatingNausea and Vomiting

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

Important Precautions

Avoid this point with:

  • Pregnancy
  • Severe heart conditions
  • Recent chest surgery