Dìng Chuǎn (定喘) — Calm Wheezing
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1. Overview
Dìng Chuǎn (定喘) — literally Calm Wheezing — is an extra (EX) acupuncture point located bilateral to the spine just below C7. It is one of the most useful and direct points in acupuncture for the immediate relief of asthma and wheeze.
I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience. I use Ding Chuan as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
0.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra (C7), bilateral.
3. Actions
- Descends rebellious Lung Qi
- Calms wheezing and stops cough
- Disperses the chest and frees the channels
4. Indications
- Acute and chronic asthma — the primary indication
- Wheezing of any cause
- Chronic productive cough
- Allergic asthma and exercise-induced bronchospasm
- Bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Cough variant asthma
- Neck and shoulder stiffness (secondary)
5. Needling
Perpendicular insertion 0.5–1 cun. Cupping and moxibustion may be applied at this point.
6. Clinical notes
Ding Chuan is the single most effective body point I use for asthma. For acute wheeze I combine it with LU 7 and CV 22; for chronic asthma in deficient constitutions I add BL 13, BL 43 and KD 3. Moxibustion at Ding Chuan in stable phases helps reduce winter flares.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I use Ding Chuan extensively for adults and older children with asthma, allergic asthma, chronic bronchitis and post-viral cough. Acupuncture is an adjunct to conventional inhaler therapy, not a replacement. Book a consultation in Wokingham, Berkshire.
