PC-5 - Intermediate Messenger

间使 - Jiān shǐ

Point Region: Forearm

PC

Pericardium Meridian

手厥阴心包经 - Shǒu Juéyīn Xīnbāo Jīng

Location & How to Find

Anatomical Location: On the front of the forearm, between the two tendons in the middle of the wrist (palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis), 3 cun above the wrist crease. Where the palmaris longus tendon is absent, the point is on the little-finger side of the flexor carpi radialis tendon.

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. Make a fist and turn your palm up so the two middle tendons stand out
  2. From the wrist crease, measure four finger-widths up the forearm
  3. The point is between the two tendons
PC-5 (Intermediate Messenger) acupressure point location: On the front of the forearm, between the two tendons in the middle of the wrist (palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis), 3 cun above the wrist crease.

How to Apply Pressure

With PC-5 identified, unclench your fist and use soft, steady fingertip contact between the tendons; stop if you feel tingling in your hand. Skip it after recent arm surgery, during an unsupervised seizure disorder, or with a severe heart condition—chest pain or heart rhythm trouble needs medical evaluation.

Traditional Indications

In TCM, this point is traditionally used for:

  • Anxiety
  • Palpitations
  • Nervousness
  • Emotional problems

Related Health Concerns

AnxietyPanic Attack

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

Important Precautions

Avoid this point with:

  • Active seizure disorder without medical supervision
  • Recent arm surgery
  • Severe heart conditions