Name
合谷
- He Gu
- Uniting Valley
- Tiger's Mouth
- Valley Bottom
Location
- At the level of the midpoint of the second metacarpal bone, on the radial border.
- Can be located by bringing the side of the thumb and side of the index finger of the patient together, at the peak of the fleshy mound that appears.
Nature
Actions
- Master point of the face, treats all disorders of the face and head: frontal headache, tooth and lower gum pain, lips, facial swelling, migraines, tonsillitis, otitis, conjunctivitis, tinnitus.
- Releases the exterior to expel Wind and Heat: Common cold, beginning of flu, chills, fever, headache, absence of sweating, neck stiffness (needle with LU-7, GB-20, TE-5)
- Calms pain: Pain in the spine passing internally, cervical neck pain (with GV-14)
- Harmonizes the Central Qi, for this reason it is needled many times in combination with LR-3 (the four gates) in case of Liver-Qi stagnation: nervousness, generalized pain, anxiety, wiry pulse. Helps to express emotions.
- Helps to exteriorize: difficulty evacuating, constipation.
- Promotes childbirth and expulsion of the placenta. caution in pregnancy.
Comments
This point is often used in combination with LR-3 and they are called the four gates. This combination mobilizes the Qi in general throughout the body, unblocks. LI-4 is the "Sunken Valley", closes the Yang gate to internalize the energy. While LR-3 is the "Great Surge", closes the Yin gate to externalize it. These are the two great movements of expansion and retraction, Yin and Yang of the body.
Treatment
- Needling: 0.3 cun perpendicular. Direct the needle toward the center of the palm.