An early name for the Pericardium was Dan Zhong, which is hard to translate but means the chest as a centre of qi in the body (Larre and Rochat de la Vallée, 1992b, pp. 81–97). The deep channel of the Pericardium starts in the middle of the chest, in the middle dan tian, and comes to the surface at the Heavenly Pond. The word tian in the name denotes this point’s ability to affect the spirit. Chi, a pond, is a place where the qi collects before it flows into the Pericardium channel (Ellis et al., 1989, p. 223). This point is a powerful point to affect the spirit level of the Pericardium.

Although this point is a Window of the Sky, it (like Lu 3) is not situated on the neck. When sadness or heartbreak has depleted a person’s spirit, the effect of this point is unmatched by any other point on the Pericardium. Sadness affects the qi of the heart and sends the qi downwards. This point can lift the qi again, enabling the person to regain strength and vitality in their Heart-Protector. This in turn means that a person is more able to let people in or keep them out appropriately and without feeling too vulnerable. Regrettably, due to the location, it is not usually possible to use this point on a woman.

This is also the point of entry on the channel. If the connection between Kid 22 and PC 1 is blocked it can cause a person to feel shut off in their ability to relate to others.

Although this point is on the arm, it forms part of the band of points that rings the middle dan tian at the level of the heart. Like Ht 1, which lies nearby, this point has quan or spring in its name. Both points have the effect of enlivening the qi in the channel and can be depended upon to give the patient vitality and strength as well as the ability to connect with their spirit.

PC 2 is the best alternative to PC 1 for a woman: that is, as a window or as an entry point.

Tian quan is not as effective for treating physical symptoms as emotional ones. If a patient is experiencing heart problems such as palpitations or arrhythmias due to problems in the Pericardium, command points or the back shu point often have a better effect. On the other hand, if patients are having difficulties in their emotional life then PC 1 and 2 are more clearly indicated.

The water referred to in PC 1 is a pool, where its power is contained. In PC 2 it is surging and active. At this point the flow has slowed and has combined with the earth to form a marsh which the Chinese consider is a fertile place.

As the Water point, this point can be used to transfer qi across the ke cycle from the Kidneys or to regulate Water within the Pericardium. Putting Water on the Fire will calm and cool a patient who is restless, agitated and anxious due to too much Heat in the Pericardium.

This is the xi cleft point and it is commonly used to strengthen the qi of the Pericardium. It is especially useful in acute situations. Physically it can soothe the Pericardium if a patient has chest pains. It also has a strong emotional effect and can be used to calm a person who feels anxious, fearful or frightened (Deadman et al., 1998, p. 374) or who has had a sudden emotional upset affecting the Pericardium. It can be paired with TB 7.

The name of this point alludes to the Pericardium’s function of assisting the Heart and being responsible for the Heart’s communications with the other Organs. This is the Metal point, although it is rarely used in this context.

This potent and frequently used point is the luo connecting point of the Pericardium. It lies on the opposite side of the arm from the luo connecting point of the Triple Burner, the Outer Gate. Using PC 6 and TB 5 together can bring harmony and stability to the Fire Element when these two Organs are out of balance.

The name Inner Gate describes the point’s ability to reach the inner aspect of a person. This point has the ability to enhance the qi of the Pericardium and subsequently the qi of all the Organs of the Upper Burner, especially when a person becomes oppressed by sadness or lack of joy. Opening this gate can ease a constricted chest and strengthen the qi of the Upper Burner if it has become depleted. This allows patients to brighten and settle in their mind and spirit.

This point has a potent effect on symptoms of nausea and sickness and has been much researched in this respect over recent years.

This is the yuan source point and the Earth point. It lies alongside the yuan source point of the Lungs, which also has ‘great’ in its name. ¹ This point, like Pericardium 6, is invaluable for the treatment of the Pericardium when the spirit of the person is suffused with sadness, feelings of rejection, loneliness and lack of joy. Like other yuan source points, it is commonly used when testing for the CF. In this case it is often used in conjunction with TB 4, the yuan source point of the Triple Burner.