Governing Vessel Acupuncture Points
The following chart outlines traditional Chinese medicine based acupuncture and acupressure points along the Governing Vessel meridian.
GV1 point, Chang qiang (Long Strong)
Location: Below the tip of the coccyx, at the midpoint between the tip of the coccyx and the anus.
Health Issues Supported: Hemafecia, hemorrhoids, epilepsy, withdrawal
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Regulates the Du and Ren Vessels, treats hemorrhoids, activates the meridian, benefits the coccyx, alleviates pain.
GV2 point, Yao shu (Lumbar Shu)
Location: On the sacrum, on the posterior median line in the hiatus of the sacrum.
Health Issues Supported: Menstrual disorders, pain and stiffness of the lumbar spine
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Strengthens the lumbar region, dispels Wind-Dampness, benefits the coccyx.
GV3 point, Yang guan (Lumbar Yang Pass)
Location: On the lumbar region, on the posterior median line, in the depression below the spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra.
Health Issues Supported: Menstrual disorders, seminal emission, lumbosacral pain, paralysis of the lower limbs
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Strengthens the lumbar region, dispels Wind-Dampness, tonifies Yang.
GV4 point, Mung men (Life Gate)
Location: On the lumbar region, on the posterior median line, in the depression below the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra.
Health Issues Supported: Impotence, seminal emission, vaginal discharge, lumbar pain, menstrual disorders
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Tonifies Kidney Qi and Yang, tonifies Original Qi, nourishes Essence, clears Heat, strengthens the lumbar region and knees.
GV5 point, Xuan shu (Suspended Pivot)
Location: On the lumbar region, on the posterior median line, in the depression below the spinous process of the 1st lumbar vertebra.
Health Issues Supported: Diarrhea, pain and stiffness of the lumbar spine
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Strengthens the lumbar region and knees, alleviates diarrhea.
GV6 point, Ji zhong (Spinal Center)
Location: On the back, on the posterior median line, in the depression below the spinous process of the 11th thoracic vertebra.
Health Issues Supported: Diarrhea, jaundice
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Tonifies and regulates the Spleen, resolves Dampness, benefits the spine.
GV7 point, Zhong shu (Central Pivot)
Location: On the back, on the posterior median line, in the depression below the spinous process of the 10th thoracic vertebra.
Health Issues Supported: Jaundice, vomiting, pain and stiffness of the lumbar spine
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Regulates the Middle Jiao, benefits the spine.
GV8 point, Jin suo (Sinew Contraction)
Location: On the back, on the posterior median line, in the depression below the spinous process of the 9th thoracic vertebra.
Health Issues Supported: Stomach Pain, spinal stiffness
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Benefits the sinews, relieves spasms, dispels interior Wind, calms the Liver.
GV9 point, Zhi yang (Extremity of Yang)
Location: On the back, on the posterior median line, in the depression below the spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra.
Health Issues Supported: Jaundice, cough and dyspnea, spinal stiffness
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Regulates the Middle Jiao and Spleen, treats jaundice, resolves Damp-Heat, opens the chest.
GV10 point, Ling tai (Spirit Tower)
Location: On the back, on the posterior median line, in the depression below the spinous process of the 6th thoracic vertebra.
Health Issues Supported: Cough, dyspnea
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Opens the chest, relieves coughing and wheezing, clears Heat-Toxins.
GV11 point, Shen dau (Spirit Path)
Location: On the back, on the posterior median line, in the depression below the spinous process of the 5th thoracic vertebra.
Health Issues Supported: Cough, palpitations, memory impairment
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Regulates the Heart, calms the Shen, clears Heat.
GV12 point, Shen zhu (Body Pillar)
Location: On the back, on the posterior median line, in the depression below the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra.
v Cough, dyspnea, back pain
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Clears Lung-Heat, tonifies Lung Qi, strengthens the body, dispels interior Wind.
GV13 point, Tao dao (Kiln Path)
Location: On the back, on the posterior median line, in the depression below the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra.
Health Issues Supported: Headache, malaria, heat disease
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Clears Heat, releases the Exterior, treats malaria.
GV14 point, Da zhui (Great Hammer)
Location: On the posterior median line, in the depression below the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra.
Health Issues Supported: Cough, dyspnea, headache, stiff neck, malaria, heat disease
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Clears Heat, releases the Exterior, dispels Wind, regulates Wei and Ying Qi, treats malaria.
GV15 point, Ya men (Mute's Gate)
Location: On the back of the neck, .5 cun directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline, below the spinous process of the 1st cervical vertebra.
Health Issues Supported: Sudden loss of voice, stiff tongue with inability to speak, epilepsy, withdrawal
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Dispels Wind, treats loss of voice, benefits the tongue, neck and head.
GV16 point, Feng fu (Wind Mansion)
Location: On the back of the neck, 1.0 cun directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline, directly below the external occipital protuberance, in the depression between m. trapezius of both sides.
Health Issues Supported: Headache, stiff neck, dizziness, pain and swelling of the throat, withdrawal
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Dispels Wind, calms the Shen, clears the head, benefits the head and neck.
GV17 point, Nao hu (Brain's Door)
Location: On the head, 2.5 cun directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline, 1.5 cun above DU 16, in the depression superior to the exterior occipital protuberance.
Health Issues Supported: Dizziness, stiff neck, epilepsy
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Dispels Wind, calms the Shen, clears the head.
GV18 point, Qiang jian (Unyielding Space)
Location: On the head, 4.0 cun directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline, 1.5 cun above DU 17.
Health Issues Supported: Headache, visual dizziness, epilepsy
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Regulates the Liver, dispels Wind, calms the Shen, alleviates pain.
GV19 point, Hou ding (Behind the Vertex)
Location: On the head, 5.5 cun directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline, 3.0 cun above DU 17.
Health Issues Supported: Headache, dizziness, epilepsy, withdrawal
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Dispels Wind, calms the Shen, alleviates pain.
GV20 point, Bai hui (Hundred Convergences)
Location: On the head, 5.0 cun directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline. Or, at the midpoint of the line connecting the apexes of the two auricles.
Health Issues Supported: Headache, dizzines, wind-strike, withdrawal, mania, prolapse of rectum and uterus
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Raises Yang – treats prolapse, subdues Yang, clears the head, calms the Shen, dispels Interior Wind.
GV21 point, Qian ding (Before the Vertex)
Location: On the head, 3.5 cun directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline, 1.5 cun anterior to DU 20.
Health Issues Supported: Headache, deep source nasal congestion, epilepsy
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Dispels Wind, calms the Shen, benefits the head.
GV22 point, Xin hui (Fontanel Meeting)
Location: On the head, 2.0 cun directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline, 3.0 cun anterior to DU 20.
Health Issues Supported: Headache, dizziness, deep source nasal congestion, epilepsy
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Dispels Wind, soothes the Liver, benefits the head and nose.
GV23 point, Shang xing (Upper Star)
Location: On the head, 1.0 cun directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline.
Health Issues Supported: Headache, deep source nasal congestion, nosebleed, withdrawal
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Dispels Wind, opens the nose, benefits the eyes.
GV24 point, Shen ting (Spirit Court)
Location: On the head, .5 cun directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline.
Health Issues Supported: Headache, dizziness, epilepsy
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Dispels Wind, opens the nose, calms the Shen.
GV25 point, Su liau (White Bone Hole)
Location: On the region of the face, on the tip of the nose..
Health Issues Supported: Nose disorders, fright, coma
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Benefits the nose, resuscitates.
GV26 point, Shui gou (Water Trough/Human Center)
Location: On the face, at the junction of the superior 1/3 and middle 1/3 of the philtrum.
Health Issues Supported: Dry mouth and eyes, epilepsy, withdrawal, fright wind, coma, pain and stiffness of spine
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Resuscitates, treats acute lumbar sprain, benefits the nose.
GV27 point, Dui duan (Extremity of the Mouth)
Location: On the face, at the tip of the upper lip, where the skin of the philtrum and the upper lip join.
Health Issues Supported: Dry mouth, pain and swelling of gums, withdrawal
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Clears Heat, benefits the mouth, calms the Shen, alleviates pain.
GV28 point, Yin Jiao (Gum Intersection)
Location: On the inside of the upper lip, at the junction of the frenulum of the upper lip and the gum.
Health Issues Supported: Pain and swelling of gums, withdrawal
Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts:: Clears Heat, benefits the gums and nose.