KI-23 - Spirit Seal
神封 - Shén fēng
Point Region: Chest
Location & How to Find
Anatomical Location: On the front of the chest, in the fourth space between the ribs, 2 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:
- Find the fourth rib space (in men, level with the nipples)
- Move two thumb-widths out from the midline of the breastbone
- The point is in the rib space there
How to Apply Pressure
When you've located KI-23, keep contact gentle on the surface and don't press into the rib space. Avoid it over recent chest surgery or an acute breast infection; discuss breast concerns or cancer with your care team. Seek urgent care for chest pain or breathing difficulty.
Traditional Indications
In TCM, this point is traditionally used for:
- Cough
- Respiratory problems
- Breast problems
- Chest tightness
Related Health Concerns
Related Acupoints
Select a point to see its location, how to find it, and its traditional uses.
Important Precautions
Avoid this point with:
- Acute breast infections
- Breast cancer
- Recent chest surgery
- Severe respiratory distress
Take care:
- Consult healthcare provider for breast concerns
- Avoid during acute breast inflammation