What is the effect of striking the xiphoid process? The point is a "forbidden" acupuncture point. Why is this?
Lower bit (<--technical term) of sternum Cartilage solidifying into bone at about 40yrs. http://www.courses.vcu.edu/DANC291-003/unit_4.htm
The xiphoid is the bottom of the sternum. Striking it, much as pushing against it in CPR, could puncture the heart, lungs, stomach, or possibly an enlarged liver. Its a no-no area in medicine.
In terms of the acupuncture point, it is ren 15, and the luo connecting point on the channel. As an acupuncture student, we were not taught that this was dangerous to needle, and certainly nothing was forbidden about it. Striking it, on the other hand? Dunno.
I don't see why acupuncture there would be a problem, the needle can't put enough force on it to do any damage. A solid strike there (and by solid I mean about a pound of direct force) could snap it off and cause bad things. It's not necessarily the process being broken that causes problems, it's the fact that you have this jagged piece of bone floating around your chest next to some very vital organs...
Just for the record, the only "forbidden points" I know of in terms of needling are Stomach 17, and Ren 8-- your nipple and your belly button, respectively. Try doing a pressure point there sometime.
