ACUPUNCTURE
Gan Shu: TCM Acupoint Guide
GANSHU
Name
Gan Shu (Ganshu)
Location
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the ninth thoracic vertebra. Locate at the highest visible point of the paraspinal muscles.
Needling
- Oblique insertion towards the spine, 0.5 to 1 cun.
- Transverse oblique insertion 1 to 1.5 cun.
- Caution: perpendicular needling, or oblique needling away from the spine, carries a substantial risk of pneumothorax.
- Straight insertion, slanted slightly toward the spine, 1 to 1.5 cun. Sensation: local soreness and distention, sometimes extending between the ribs.
- Caution: do not needle too deeply in order to avoid puncturing the Lung.
- Transverse insertion, pointed downward along the muscle, 1 to 2 cun.
- Puncture obliquely 0.5 to 0.7 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Command Functions
- Back Shu point of the Liver
Actions
- Spreads Liver Qi
- Regulates and nourishes Liver Blood
- Pacifies Wind
- Cools Fire
- Clears Damp-Heat
- Benefits the eyes
- Benefits the sinews
- Benefits the Liver and Gallbladder
- Subdues Liver Yang
Indications
- Distention and pain of the lateral costal region
- Epigastric pain
- Abdominal masses
- Focal distention
- Hypogastric fullness and pain
- Lower abdominal pain
- Abdominal cramps
- Skin disorders
- Hemoptysis
- Hematemesis
- Spitting Blood
- Epistaxis
- Dizziness
- Visual dizziness
- Pain of the nose
- Pain of the supraorbital region
- Rigidity of the neck and spine
- Pain of the spine
- Pain of the neck and shoulders
- Opisthotonis
- Pain of the sinews
- Chronic and acute hepatitis
- Stomach diseases
- Intercostal neuralgia
- Irregular menstruation
- Irritability
- Seizures
- Pancreatitis
- Chronic fatigue
- Sciatica
- Conjunctivitis
- Abnormal uterine bleeding
- Fullness in the chest
- Cough with chest pain
- Cough with fullness of the lateral costal region and inability to catch breath
- Shortness of breath
- Jaundice
- Dry mouth
- Much anger
- Mania-depression
- Epilepsy
- Blurred vision
- Redness of the eyes
- Night blindness
- Excessive lachrymation
- Redness, pain and itching of the inner canthus
- Superficial visual obstruction
- Upward staring of the eyes
- Lumbar pain
- Lockjaw
- Cramps
- Tetany
- Cholecystitis
- Eye diseases
- Neurasthenia
- Pain of lumps in the chest and abdomen
- Psychosis
- Atrophy syndrome
- Vertigo
- Anorexia
- Myopia
- Optic nerve atrophy
- Dream-disturbed sleep
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| UB-53 Baohuang | Fullness of the hypogastrium |
| UB-20 Pishu, UB-52 Zhishi | Acute pain of both lateral costal regions |
| ST-12 Quepen, UB-15 Xinshu, REN-14 Juque, REN-15 Jiuwei | Coughing and spitting of Blood |
| SP-1 Yinbai, UB-20 Pishu, REN-13 Zhongwan | Vomiting Blood and spontaneous external bleeding |
| ST-36 Zusanli | Liver Blood Deficiency with cloudy vision |
| GB-15 Toulinqi | Superficial visual obstruction |
| KI-3 Taixi, KI-6 Zhaohai, DU-20 Baihui, GB-21 Tianjing, LI-2 Erjian, LI-3 Sanjian, ST-45 Lidui | Somnolence |
| ST-33 Yinshi, KI-3 Taixi | Cold abdominal Shan (hernial) disorder |
| M-HN-13 Yiming, LIV-4 Zhongfeng | Acute or chronic hepatitis |
| REN-6 Qihai, SP-6 Sanyinjiao | Amenorrhea |
| UB-23 Shenshu, GB-39 Xuanzhong | Acute leukemia |
| UB-20 Pishu, LIV-14 Qimen, UB-16 Dushu, SP-10 Xuehai, SP-6 Sanyinjiao, GB-34 Yanglingquan | Cirrhosis of the Liver |
| DU-4 Mingmen | Clears dull eyes |
| UB-20 Pishu, UB-52 Zhishi | Acute pain in the flanks |
| UB-17 Geshu | Nourishes Liver Blood |
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
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