For most of us, appetite feels like a background feature—always there until it isn’t. Whether you’re a meal planner or a spontaneous snacker, your internal hunger cues usually guide your eating habits. What happens, though, when that system gets thrown off? Loss of appetite can easily occur.
The acupoint, Not Contained (Bu Rong, ST19), sheds light on the energetic aspect of appetite and provides a hands-on method to support your digestive system when it’s struggling to keep rhythm.
Energetics of a Flow Point
Bu Rong was first recorded in “Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing” (“A-B Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion”), one of the earliest acupuncture texts, and belongs to the Stomach meridian. The name “Not Contained” can sound odd unless you know how traditional Chinese (TCM) medicine views the stomach.
In TCM, the stomach isn’t responsible for digesting in the way we understand it today. Instead, it acts more like a storage site where food is temporarily held before the spleen takes over and processes it into qi (vital energy) and blood. Many stomach meridian (energy pathway) acupoints are named after storage structures, but Bu Rong stands out. Its name refers to movement rather than containment.
It can be helpful to think of the Stomach meridian as a river and Bu Rong as one of its rapids—where the energy moves fast and free. That’s why this point is commonly used in cases where energy is stuck or going in the wrong direction—what TCM calls “rebellious qi.” When energy rises when it should descend, it often results in symptoms like bloating, nausea, or even vomiting. Bu Rong helps to restore the proper direction and flow.
Restoring the Digestive Rhythm
Clinically, Bu Rong is tapped for a wide range of upper abdominal issues—especially when bloating, stomach pain, or nausea are present. Thanks to its location, Bu Rong can even regulate gallbladder functions. It’s also an important point for addressing appetite disorders like anorexia or loss of appetite during recovery from illness. Bu Rong can help break the logjam and encourage smooth energetic flow.
What Research Shows
Modern medicine is beginning to investigate the physiological properties of acupoints, discovering that they are responsive. In one study, researchers measured pain sensitivity—technically, the pressure-pain threshold—at different acupoints in people with gastric ulcers and gastritis. Bu Rong was found to be significantly more sensitive in patients with these stomach disorders compared to healthy individuals. Bu Rong was one of the key points that showed heightened sensitivity, indicating its connection to internal gastric dysfunction and suggesting that Bu Rong responds measurably when the stomach is out of balance.
How to Locate and Activate Bu Rong
To locate Bu Rong, start at your navel. Stack your hands horizontally—eight finger widths—going straight up along the midline of your body. From there, measure two to three finger widths to the side. You should now be halfway between your nipple and the midline. Press around this area until you feel a tender or sore spot—that’s your cue you’ve found the right place. Sensitivity can vary based on your current state of health or if you’re recovering from digestive issues.
Activate Bu Rong
- Firm pressure: Press firmly for three to five seconds, then relax for three seconds. Repeat for one to three minutes on both sides.
- Circular massage: Massage in small circles with your index finger or thumb for one to three minutes.
- Herbal patch: Apply an herbal patch overnight for longer activation.
- Advanced methods: Acupuncture, cupping, or moxibustion (a gentle heat therapy using dried mugwort) by a trained professional can deepen the therapeutic effects.
Precautions
Avoid activating this point if you have injuries in the area. If you’re using herbal patches, check the ingredients—those with sensitive skin should refrain from using products with aggressive additives.
Nurturing Your Appetite with Intention
Bu Rong is more than a fix for when things go wrong—it’s a tool for maintaining balance. If you’re recovering from an illness that affected your appetite, from the flu to long-term digestive conditions, this point can support your return to normal. It’s also a great acupoint to work into your regular self-care to prevent stagnation from building up in the first place. Think of it as clearing out energetic rapids so your internal river flows just the way it should.
TCM expert Shihhsiang Hung reviewed this article for accuracy and clarity.
Originally published in Epoch Times on 11 July 2025
