Modern health challenges can be hard to navigate—and they’re often considered an inevitable part of life. We endure them for years, learn to live with them, and rely on quick fixes that rarely address the root of the problem. Enter traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which takes a radically different approach.
Instead of masking symptoms, TCM dives deep to uncover the underlying causes of our ailments, using targeted points on the body to restore harmony. One such point is Man’s Welcome (Ren Ying, ST9), located on the neck. Placed in two special categories in TCM theory, it’s no wonder this acupoint unlocks profound healing potential.
Ren Ying’s Classification in Ancient Texts
First documented in the “Ling Shu” (“Spiritual Pivot”)—one of the foundational texts of Chinese medicine—Ren Ying is often used in clinical practice due to its two designations. First, it’s one of the Four Seas points, specifically governing qi—your body’s vital energy. It has the power to influence the movement, quality, and strength of qi.
Second, it’s one of the Window of the Sky points. These points are located around the neck and shoulders and are responsible for regulating the energy flow between the head and the body. When this flow is disrupted, symptoms like dizziness, pressure in the chest, and neck pain often follow.
When to Use Ren Ying: From Blood Pressure to Breathing to Better Skin
With it’s outstanding credentials, it’s no surprise that Ren Ying covers a wide range of symptoms. Let’s start with its most practical and powerful use—regulating blood pressure. Whether someone struggles with high or low readings, it’s one of the few points versatile enough to assist both extremes.
Next, Ren Ying is helpful for those with asthma. Given its location near the windpipe, stimulating this point can help ease breathing and reduce pressure in the chest.
Finally, it’s a go-to choice for people seeking to enhance their facial skin tone and complexion. TCM sees a direct relationship between blood flow, energy circulation, and skin health. Ren Ying may help regulate the flow of vital energy and nutrients to the face, leading to brighter, more radiant skin.
What Science Says: Supporting Blood Pressure and Arterial Health
Modern researchers have started to dig into the “how” behind Ren Ying’s effects, especially when it comes to cardiovascular health.
In one animal study, acupuncture at Ren Ying and Zusanli (ST36) was used on hypertensive rats. The results were impressive: the rats exhibited lower blood pressure, increased urine output, and improved sodium excretion, comparable to the effects of prescription medication. On a biochemical level, acupuncture increased levels of serum gastrin and boosted the expression of CCKBR, a receptor involved in the hormonal regulation of the kidneys. The treatment also suppressed the sodium pump (Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase), which helps the body retain salt.
In a separate clinical study, Ren Ying was one of the key points used in a 12-week acupuncture and moxibustion (a gentle heat therapy with dried mugwort) treatment for patients with early-stage carotid atherosclerosis. The treatment significantly improved artery elasticity, especially on the left side of the body, suggesting a real and measurable cardiovascular benefit.
How to Locate and Stimulate Ren Ying
Ren Ying is located at the level of the Adam’s apple, just beside the prominent neck muscle (sternocleidomastoid), where you can feel the pulse of the carotid artery. It may feel slightly sore or sensitive to the touch—this is often a sign that the point is active or in need of attention. If you’ve been under stress, dealing with asthma, or managing chronic conditions, that tenderness may be more noticeable.
Simple Ways to Stimulate Ren Ying
- Acupressure: Press firmly for three to five seconds, release for three seconds, and repeat for one to three minutes on each side.
- Massage: Use your thumb or index finger to make gentle circular motions for one to three minutes per side.
- Herbal patch: Apply overnight for slow, sustained activation.
Precautions
Because Ren Ying is located near an artery, acupuncture on this point must be performed shallowly and only by trained professionals. Some practitioners avoid using moxibustion here, too. If you have a neck injury or inflammation, avoid stimulating this point. When using herbal patches, make sure they don’t contain harsh or synthetic ingredients—especially if you have sensitive skin.
Ren Ying Deserves a Spot in Your Self-Care Routine
Ren Ying is a strategic tool for regulating blood pressure, easing breathing, and enhancing skin health. Whether you’re helping a child with asthma, supporting an elderly person with hypertension, or simply looking for ways to glow from the inside out, this point deserves its place in daily wellness. Try stimulating it regularly and see for yourself what kind of changes unfold—whether in your breathing, your blood pressure, or your mirror.
TCM expert Shihhsiang Hung reviewed this article for accuracy and clarity.
Originally published in Epoch Times on 3 July 2025
