Front-mu point of small intestine. Intersecting point: Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing: Intersecting point of Zusanyin and conception vessel.

bubble_chart Etymology

"Guan" (關), to store or conceal; "yuan" (元) , fundamental essence. This point is located near the area where men store essence and women store blood. It is considered a vital point for the body's essential energy (true essence). Zhenjiu Zisheng Jing: "It is also known as 'Dazhongji' (大中極), meaning it is the most central point in body, connecting the upper, lower, and all directions." It is the Intersecting point of three yin meridians of foot and conception vessel, hence it is also called "Sanjiejiao" (三結交, triple intersection). Located below Shimen (CV5) point, it is also referred to as "Cimen" (secondary gate).

bubble_chart Location

Cross section of Guanyuan (RN4), Zhongji (RN3), Qugu (RN2), and Changqiang (DU1) acupoints
(adapted from "Yan Zhenguo Acupoint Anatomy")

Guanyuan (CV4) acupoint
(adapted from "Meridians and Acupoints")

On the midline of the lower abdomen, 3 cun below the umbilicus, 1 cun above Zhongji (CV3).

• Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing: "3 cun below navel."

bubble_chart Anatomy

• Muscle: in linea alba of abdomen. The deep part is small intestine.
• Nerve: medial branch of anterior cutaneous branch of twelfth intercostal nerve.
• Vessels: branches of superficial epigastric artery and vein, branches of inferior epigastric artery and vein.

bubble_chart Manipulation

Perpendicular or oblique insertion 0.5～1.5 cun. Avoid deep insertion to prevent injury to small intestine. Bladder may also be punctured if it is full, so it is advisable to urinate before needling. Moxibustion is contraindicated for pregnant women. Moxibustion with moxa cone 5~7 rounds, moxibustion with moxa stick for 15~20 minutes.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Replenish kidney qi, facilitate lower jiao, restore yang to save from collapse.

• Classical: deficiency of true yang, cold and deficiency in lower jiao, abdominal urgency, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, hematochezia, dysuria, frequent urination, enuresis, seminal emission, impotence, leukorrhea, irregular menstruation, collapse syndrome in stroke, cold extremities, cold body, faint pulse, consumptive disease, injury with bloody urine, pain in waist and umbilicus radiating to genitals, edema, consumptive thirst, lower abdominal fullness, infertility.
• Modern: early-stage shock, hiccups, regurgitation, bacillary dysentery, intestinal ascariasis, nephritis, urinary tract infection, urinary retention, chyluria, inability to ejaculate, rectal prolapse, uterine prolapse, pelvic inflammation, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, ovulation promotion.

bubble_chart Combinations

• Dribbling urination with yellow urine: Guanyuan (CV4), Yinlingquan (SP9).
• Persistent diarrhea: Guanyuan (CV4), Taixi (KI3).
• Frequent urination: Guanyuan (CV4), Yongquan (KI1).
• Urethritis: Guanyuan (CV4), Lieque (LU7), Ququan (LR8), Sanyinjiao (SP6).
• Filariasis with chyluria: Guanyuan (CV4), Sanyinjiao (SP6).
• abdominal pain and diarrhea: Tianshu (ST25), Guanyuan (CV4), Zusanli (ST36).
• Menorrhagia and metrostaxis: Guanyuan (CV4), Yinbai (SP1).
• General debility: Guanyuan (CV4), Zusanli (ST36).