Daling (PC7): The Pericardium Acupoint for Chest Pain, Wrist Issues, and Mental Calm

Introduction to Daling

Daling (大陵, PC7), meaning “Great Mound,” is the Yuan-Source point of the Pericardium meridian. Located at the center of the wrist crease, it is one of the most clinically versatile points on the arm — treating conditions ranging from chest pain and palpitations to wrist and hand disorders to mental agitation.

As a Yuan-Source point, Daling provides direct access to the Pericardium organ’s original Qi. The Pericardium (心包) in TCM is the Heart’s protective envelope — it shields the Heart from external pathogens and manages emotional boundaries. This makes Daling particularly relevant for conditions where emotional stress affects the heart or chest.

Location

Anatomical location: At the center of the anterior wrist crease, between the tendons of palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis.

How to Find It

1. Hold your hand palm-up
2. Find the main wrist crease (the prominent horizontal line at the base of the palm)
3. The point is at the exact center of this crease
4. Between the two tendons that become visible when you flex your wrist slightly
5. The point is often tender when pressed

Detail	Description
Meridian	Pericardium (Hand Jueyin)
Point type	Yuan-Source point, Shu-Stream point, Earth point
Region	Wrist
Depth	0.3-0.5 cun perpendicular insertion

Key Functions

1. Calms the Heart and Spirit (宁心安神)

The Pericardium protects the Heart and houses the Shen (spirit):

• Palpitations — racing or irregular heartbeat with anxiety
• Insomnia — difficulty falling asleep from racing thoughts
• Anxiety and panic — feeling of dread or constant worry
• Restlessness — inability to settle mentally
• Nightmares — disturbing dreams that wake you

2. Unblocks the Chest and Regulates Qi (宽胸理气)

• Chest pain and tightness — especially from stress or emotional upset
• Rib-side fullness — feeling of pressure in the chest
• Shortness of breath — especially with anxiety
• Angina-like pain — as part of a comprehensive treatment

3. Clears Heart Fire and Damp-Heat (清心泻火)

When Heart Fire or damp-heat causes upper body symptoms:

• Mouth ulcers and canker sores
• Red, painful eyes
• Bitter taste in the mouth
• Fever with mental agitation

4. Treats Wrist and Hand Disorders (舒筋活络)

Daling is one of the most important local points for the wrist:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome — numbness, tingling, pain in the hand
• Wrist sprain — acute injury and chronic weakness
• Tenosynovitis — inflammation of the wrist tendons
• Hand tremors — especially from nervousness
• Trigger finger and restricted finger movement

Clinical Applications

Cardiac and Chest Conditions

• Palpitations and anxiety-related chest discomfort
• Angina (as complementary therapy)
• Costochondritis (chest wall pain)
• Stress-induced chest tightness

Mental and Emotional Conditions

• Anxiety disorders with physical chest symptoms
• Insomnia from mental overactivity
• Panic attacks with palpitations
• Depression with chest oppression

Wrist and Hand Conditions

• Carpal tunnel syndrome — primary treatment point
• Wrist sprain and strain
• Rheumatoid arthritis affecting the wrist
• Repetitive strain injury (RSI)
• Writer’s cramp and musician’s hand pain

Other Applications

• Halitosis (bad breath) — the Pericardium channel connects to the mouth
• Stomach pain from emotional causes
• Odor from sweat (axillary)

Acupressure Technique

For Anxiety and Palpitations

1. Turn your hand palm-up
2. Find the center of your wrist crease
3. Apply gentle, steady pressure with your opposite thumb
4. Hold for 1-2 minutes while breathing slowly and deeply
5. Focus on relaxing your chest and shoulders
6. Repeat on the other wrist

For Wrist Pain and Carpal Tunnel

1. Locate the point at the wrist crease center
2. Apply moderate circular pressure for 1-2 minutes
3. Gently flex and extend the wrist while pressing
4. Follow with gentle wrist circles
5. Repeat 3-4 times daily

For Insomnia

1. Press Daling gently for 2-3 minutes before bed
2. Combine with Neiguan (PC6) — 2 cun above the wrist crease
3. Practice slow, deep breathing while pressing
4. Use light pressure — too much stimulation can be activating

Common Point Combinations

Combination	Purpose
Daling (PC7) + Neiguan (PC6)	Calm the mind, treat chest conditions, anxiety
Daling (PC7) + Shenmen (HT7)	Insomnia, palpitations, severe anxiety
Daling (PC7) + Taichong (LV3)	Mental agitation, anger with chest tightness
Daling (PC7) + Hegu (LI4)	Hand and wrist conditions, pain
Daling (PC7) + Waiguan (SJ5)	Wrist pain and carpal tunnel (front + back of wrist)
Daling (PC7) + Xinshu (BL15)	Heart conditions, deep Heart Qi regulation

Precautions

• Pregnancy — use gentle pressure only; acupuncture should be supervised
• Severe carpal tunnel — avoid deep pressure that compresses the median nerve further
• Acute wrist injury — use very gentle pressure; do not needle over swollen tissue
• Pacemaker patients — consult cardiologist before acupuncture treatment
• Open wounds at the wrist — avoid stimulation

Key Takeaways

• Daling (PC7) is the Yuan-Source point of the Pericardium at the center of the wrist crease
• Excellent for calming the mind, treating anxiety-related palpitations, and chest tightness
• Primary point for carpal tunnel syndrome and wrist disorders
• Connects the emotional state to physical heart and chest symptoms through the Pericardium channel
• Easy to locate and effective for self-acupressure

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. Consult a licensed acupuncturist or TCM practitioner for professional treatment.

Related Articles

• Neiguan (PC6): Nausea and Calming Point
• Shenmen (HT7): Spirit Gate for Insomnia
• Hegu (LI4): The Universal Pain Point
• Meridians and Channels in TCM