Traditional Chinese Medicine Healing Herbs(TCMHH)
Ask us

ACUPUNCTURE

Xuan Shu: TCM Acupoint Guide

XUANSHU
By the TCMHH editorial team Not medically reviewed How we work Updated 6 Oct 2026
Advertisement

Name

Xuan Shu (Xuanshu)

Location

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

Needling

  • Perpendicular insertion, 0.5 to 1 cun.
  • Caution: the spinal cord lies between 1.25 and 1.75 cun deep to the skin surface, varying according to body build.
  • Slanted insertion, 0.5 to 1 cun.
  • Moxibustion is applicable.

Actions

  • Benefits the lumbar spine
  • Benefits the Lower Jiao

Indications

  • Stiffness of the lower spine with inability to flex or extend
  • Undigested food in the stool
  • Diarrhea
  • Indigestion
  • Running piglet qi
  • Sciatica
  • Shan disorder
  • Retraction of the testicles
  • Dysentery
  • Abdominal pain
  • Anal prolapse
  • Hemorrhoids

Notes

Moxa this point to tighten the bowels.

Advertisement

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.

Spotted an error or a better source? Tell us — corrections are logged on our editorial policy page.

Did this article help you?

Your answer shapes what gets rewritten next.

👍 Yes, this helped 👎 No, something is missing

Keep readingRelated entries

Tou Guang Ming: TCM Acupoint Guide Tou Guang Ming (Touguangming) is located 0.3 cun directly above M-HN-6 Yuyao. Needling: slanted insertion, 0.3 to 0.5 cun. Indications: ametropia, neuralgia. Shi Qi Zhui Xia: TCM Acupoint Guide Shi Qi Zhui Xia (Shiqizhuixia) is below the spinous process of the fifth lumbar vertebra. Caution: the spinal canal lies between 1.25 and 1.75 cun deep.. Qi Xue: TCM Acupoint Guide Qi Xue (Qixue) is 3 cun below the umbilicus, 0.5 cun lateral to REN-4 Guanyuan. Caution: deep insertion will penetrate a full bladder. Meeting point on the. Shi Mian: TCM Acupoint Guide Shi Mian (Shimian) is at the center of the heel on the bottom of the foot. Needling: straight insertion, 0.3 - 0.5 cun. Indications: pain in the sole of the.

Something this article did not cover?

Ask us directly. We reply within two days, and good questions become public articles.

Ask a question →