Emergency Relief: The Power of Xi Men for Heart and Mind

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is often considered a gentle, wellness-focused system—great for stress relief and general balance. However, some of its tools were historically used in urgent, even life-threatening situations.One such acupoint is Xi Cleft Gate (Xi Men, PC4).

In ancient China, this point was revered as an emergency measure for severe conditions. Today, it remains equally relevant for physical ailments and emotional distress. Its reputation as a therapeutic and calming point continues to grow.



Xi Men in Classical TextsXi Men was first documented in the “Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing—the A-B Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion,” one of the oldest surviving texts in Chinese medicine. The book compiled centuries of empirical knowledge and remains a cornerstone of acupuncture theory. Xi Men is classified as a Xi-Cleft point, which in TCM terminology refers to a location where qi (vital energy) and blood pool.

When energy and blood gather at a point, that location becomes uniquely powerful for resolving acute issues. That’s why Xi Men is frequently used to treat sharp chest pain, palpitations, and cardiac distress..

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