ACUPUNCTURE
Qian Gu: TCM Acupoint Guide
QIANGU
Name
Qian Gu (Qiangu)
Location
On the ulnar border of the little finger, in a depression just distal to the metacarpalphalangeal joint, at the junction of the red and white skin. When a loose fist is made, this point is on the ulnar end of the crease in front of the metacarpalphalangeal joint of the little finger.
Needling
- Oblique-distal insertion 0.2 to 0.3 cun.
- Perpendicular-oblique insertion towards the palm, 0.5 cun.
- Puncture perpendicularly 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
- Straight insertion 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
Command Functions
- Ying-Spring point
- Water point
Actions
- Clears Wind-Heat
- Clears Heat
- Reduces swelling
- Benefits the eyes, ears and throat
- Activates the channel
- Alleviates pain
Indications
- Mumps
- Swelling and pain of the neck
- Swelling of the cheek radiating to the ear
- Throat Bi that prevents swallowing
- Superficial visual obstruction
- Eye pain with lachrymation
- Bursting eye pain
- Red eyes
- Nasal congestion
- Epistaxis
- Tinnitus
- Heat of the palms
- Heat and pain of the little finger
- Burning urination
- Reddish urine
- Deafness
- Throat soreness and dryness
- Pain and inflammation of the finger joints
- Pannus
- Mastitis
- Weak eyes which are very dry, red or inflamed
- Cough with fullness of the chest
- Hemoptysis
- Febrile disease with absence of sweat
- Malaria
- Thirst
- Difficult urination with dark urine
- Epilepsy
- Postpartum absence of lactation
- Stuffiness and pain of the neck and back
- Pain of the scapula
- Pain and inability to raise the arm
- Wrist pain
- Itching and numbness of the fingers
- Headache
- Seizures
- High fever without sweat
- Nasal obstruction
- Contracture of the elbow
- Congested throat
- Poor digestion
- Dry bones
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| KI-6 Zhaohai, LIV-4 Zhongfeng | Swelling of the throat with inability to swallow |
| GB-12 Wangu, SJ-16 Tianyou | Swelling of the neck with inability to turn the head; swelling of the cheek that radiates to the ear |
| SI-3 Houxi, LI-6 Pianli | Deafness |
| LI-6 Pianli, LI-5 Yangxi, LI-1 Shangyang, UB-8 Luoque, SI-4 Wangu | Tinnitus |
| LI-5 Yangxi, LI-2 Erjian, PC-7 Daling, LI-3 Sanjian, DU-23 Shangxing | Eye pain |
| UB-64 Jinggu | Superficial visual obstruction |
| LU-7 Lieque, SI-3 Houxi, SI-1 Shaoze | Malaria with chills and fever |
Notes
This point has an especially strong action on subduing Fire. This point affects all secretions.
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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