"Xuan" (懸), hanging or suspended; "shu" (樞), pivot or center. This acupoint is located below the center of spine, hence the name.

bubble_chart Location

Xuanshu (GV5) acupoint
(adapted from "Meridians and Acupoints")

On the midline of lower back, in the depression below spinous process of first lumbar vertebra (13th vertebra).

• Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing: "Located in the space below 13th vertebral joint." It can also be located at the prominence of spinous process.
• Leijing Tuyi: "When selecting acupoints along governor vessel on spine, they should be located at the prominent points of vertebral joints".

bubble_chart Anatomy

• Muscles: thoracolumbar fascia, supraspinous ligament, and interspinous ligament.
• Nerve: medial branch of posterior ramus of lumbar nerves; within spinal canal lies spinal cord.
• Vessel: posterior branch of lumbar artery, interspinous subcutaneous venous plexus.

bubble_chart Manipulation

Insert perpendicularly 0.5~1 cun, but avoid deep insertion. Alternatively, insert at the prominence of spinous process and direct it downward subcutaneously for 1~2 cun. Moxibustion with moxa cone 3 to 5 times, moxibustion with moxa stick for 15 to 20 minutes.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Fortify waist and spine, resolve stagnation.

• Classical: accumulation of qi in abdomen moving up and down, numbness, indigestion, diarrhea, stiffness and pain in waist and spine with limited flexion and extension.
• Modern: low back and leg pain, nephritis, prostatitis, seminal emission, impotence, enuresis, diabetes insipidus, diabetes, amenorrhea, leukoplakia of vulva.

bubble_chart Combinations

• Food stagnation and abdominal distension: Xuanshu (GV5), Zusanli (ST36).
• Lower back and spine pain: Xuanshu (GV5), Weizhong (BL40).