HT7 Acupuncture Point Guide: Shenmen
Heart 7 Acupuncture Point Guide
HT7, known as Shenmen or “Spirit Gate”, is one of the most important acupuncture points on the Heart channel. It is traditionally associated with calming the Shen, regulating the Heart, supporting emotional balance and helping settle restlessness.
For qualified practitioners, HT7 is often selected where the treatment strategy involves emotional tension, sleep disturbance, palpitations, anxiety-type presentations or Heart-related disharmony. It is a subtle but clinically valuable point, commonly used in both traditional prescriptions and modern acupuncture practice.
As with all acupuncture points, HT7 should be selected according to the patient’s full presentation, pattern diagnosis and individual treatment needs.
Point Name and Classification
Point code: HT7
Chinese name: Shenmen
English translation: Spirit Gate
Channel: Heart channel
Point category: Yuan-Source point and Shu-Stream point of the Heart channel
As the Yuan-Source point of the Heart channel, HT7 is traditionally regarded as a key point for supporting and regulating Heart Qi. Its association with the Shen makes it especially relevant in treatments where emotional unease, disturbed sleep or internal restlessness are part of the clinical picture.
HT7 Location
HT7 is located at the wrist crease on the ulnar side of the wrist.
To locate it, find the transverse wrist crease, then identify the depression on the radial side of the tendon of flexor carpi ulnaris, close to the pisiform bone.
A practical method is to ask the patient to slightly flex the wrist. This can make the wrist crease and tendon landmarks easier to identify. HT7 lies in the small hollow near the ulnar end of the wrist crease, just beside the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon.
Careful palpation is important, particularly in patients with prominent wrist bones, thin tissue or local sensitivity.
Traditional Functions of HT7
Traditionally, HT7 is used to:
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Calm the Shen
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Regulate and tonify the Heart
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Support emotional steadiness
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Ease restlessness and agitation
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Support sleep where Heart disharmony is involved
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Regulate the Heart channel
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Assist in presentations involving palpitations or unease
These traditional functions make HT7 especially relevant where symptoms involve the Heart, mind, emotions and sleep.
Common Clinical Applications
HT7 is commonly considered in patterns involving emotional tension, poor sleep, palpitations, anxiety-type symptoms and restlessness.
Sleep Disturbance
HT7 is one of the most frequently selected points in traditional acupuncture strategies involving sleep disturbance. It is often considered where the patient reports difficulty settling, frequent waking, vivid dreaming or an unsettled mind at night.
In practice, HT7 is rarely used in isolation. It is usually combined with other points selected according to the underlying pattern, such as SP6, PC6, Anmian, Yin Tang or KI3.
Emotional Restlessness
Because of its connection with the Shen, HT7 is often used when patients present with emotional unease, nervous tension or a sense of internal agitation. It may be selected where stress affects sleep, concentration, mood or the patient’s general sense of calm.
From a traditional perspective, HT7 is especially relevant where Heart disharmony is part of the diagnosis.
Palpitations and Heart-Related Unease
HT7 is traditionally used in treatments involving palpitations, fluttering sensations or unease in the chest where the pattern diagnosis supports Heart channel involvement.
Practitioners should always apply clinical judgement. New, severe or unexplained chest symptoms, fainting, severe breathlessness or sudden palpitations require appropriate medical assessment.
Anxiety-Type Presentations
In modern clinical practice, HT7 is commonly included in point prescriptions for patients who describe anxiety-type symptoms, particularly where these are accompanied by sleep disturbance, chest unease, restlessness or emotional sensitivity.
Its value lies in its traditional role as a calming, regulating point rather than as a stand-alone treatment.
Local Wrist and Channel Use
HT7 may also be considered locally for discomfort around the ulnar side of the wrist, particularly where the Heart channel pathway is involved. In these cases, careful local assessment is important, and needling should be adapted to the patient’s anatomy and sensitivity.
Needling HT7
Typical needling is perpendicular or slightly oblique, depending on the patient’s anatomy and the practitioner’s intention.
A commonly referenced depth is approximately 0.3–0.5 cun, adjusted according to body size, wrist structure, tissue depth and clinical judgement.
Because HT7 is located at the wrist, practitioners should needle with care. Avoid aggressive technique, excessive depth or strong manipulation in sensitive patients. The area can be tender, and some patients may respond better to gentle stimulation.
Practitioners should always use sterile, single-use acupuncture needles and follow appropriate hygiene and sharps disposal protocols.
Cautions and Contraindications
Use caution with:
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Local wrist injury or swelling
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Local skin infection, inflammation or wounds
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Altered sensation in the hand or wrist
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Patients with bleeding tendency or those taking anticoagulant medication
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Frail or highly needle-sensitive patients
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Severe local pain or unexplained wrist symptoms
Patients with serious, persistent or worsening symptoms should be referred for appropriate medical assessment. Chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting or sudden unexplained palpitations should be treated as medically significant and assessed urgently.
Common HT7 Point Combinations
HT7 + PC6
HT7 and PC6 are a common pairing where emotional tension, palpitations, chest unease or sleep disturbance are part of the presentation. PC6 helps regulate the chest and Pericardium, while HT7 supports the Heart and calms the Shen.
HT7 + SP6
This combination is often considered where sleep disturbance, restlessness or Yin-related patterns are involved. SP6 supports the Spleen, Liver and Kidney channels, while HT7 focuses on the Heart and Shen.
HT7 + Anmian
HT7 and Anmian are frequently used together in treatment strategies involving poor sleep, difficulty settling or night-time restlessness.
HT7 + Yin Tang
This pairing may be selected where mental tension, worry or a busy mind are part of the patient’s presentation. Yin Tang provides a calming influence, while HT7 supports the Heart and Shen.
HT7 + KI3
HT7 and KI3 may be considered where Heart-Kidney disharmony is part of the traditional pattern. This pairing is often used in more deficiency-based presentations involving sleep, restlessness or emotional unease.
HT7 in Modern Practice
HT7 remains highly relevant in modern acupuncture practice because many patients present with overlapping emotional, sleep and stress-related symptoms. A patient may describe poor sleep, tension, palpitations, mental overactivity or difficulty switching off.
In these cases, HT7 may be chosen as part of a broader treatment strategy that considers constitution, lifestyle, stress load, sleep pattern, digestion, pulse, tongue and other signs.
Its role is not simply as a “sleep point” or “anxiety point”, but as a Heart channel point that can help anchor a treatment focused on regulating the Shen and supporting internal steadiness.
Practitioner Notes
When using HT7, consider the broader presentation rather than selecting it automatically for every sleep or emotional complaint.
It may be especially relevant where the presentation includes:
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Disturbed sleep
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Restlessness
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Palpitations
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Emotional sensitivity
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Anxiety-type symptoms
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Heart channel involvement
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Mental overactivity
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Difficulty settling at night
HT7 is often most effective when combined with other points that address the root pattern as well as the presenting symptoms.
Related Products for Practitioners
For needling HT7, practitioners may prefer fine, sterile, single-use acupuncture needles suitable for wrist and hand points. A gentle technique and appropriate needle size are often preferable because of the sensitivity of the area.
Suggested product links:
Related Practitioner Guides
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PC6 Acupuncture Point Guide
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LI4 Acupuncture Point Guide
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SP6 Acupuncture Point Guide
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ST36 Acupuncture Point Guide
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LV3 Acupuncture Point Guide
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Practitioner Guide to Needle Sizes
FAQ: HT7 / Shenmen
Where is HT7 located?
HT7 is located at the wrist crease on the ulnar side of the wrist, in the depression on the radial side of the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon.
What is HT7 commonly used for?
In traditional acupuncture, HT7 is commonly used to calm the Shen, regulate the Heart, support sleep and address restlessness, palpitations and emotional unease where the pattern diagnosis supports its use.
Is HT7 used for sleep?
Yes. HT7 is frequently included in traditional point prescriptions involving sleep disturbance, especially where the patient has difficulty settling, restlessness or Heart-related disharmony.
Is HT7 safe to needle?
HT7 is commonly needled by trained practitioners, but care is needed because it is located at the wrist. Needle depth, angle and stimulation should be adapted to the patient’s anatomy and sensitivity.
What points combine well with HT7?
Common combinations include HT7 with PC6, SP6, Anmian, Yin Tang and KI3, depending on the treatment strategy and traditional pattern diagnosis.
Practitioner Disclaimer
This guide is intended for qualified acupuncture and healthcare practitioners only. It is for educational reference and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis, clinical training or individualised treatment. Acupuncture should be carried out only by suitably trained practitioners using appropriate sterile technique. Patients with serious or worsening symptoms should seek medical advice.
