ACUPUNCTURE
Yao Yang Guan: TCM Acupoint Guide
YAOYANGGUAN
Name
Yao Yang Guan (Yaoyangguan)
Location
On the midline of the lower back, in the depression below the spinous process of the fourth lumbar vertebra. Note: this point is located one intervertebral space below the line connecting the highest points of the two iliac crests.
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.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Actions
- Dispels wind-damp
- Benefits the lumbar region and legs
- Regulates the lower jiao
- Tonifies yang
- Regulates kidney qi
- Benefits the lower back and knees
- Eliminates cold-dampness
Indications
- Inability to flex and extend the knee
- Pain of the outer aspect of the knee
- Wind bi with numbness
- Contraction of the sinews
- Inability to walk
- Pain of the crotch and lumbar region due to taxation injury
- Muscular atrophy, motor impairment, numbness and pain of the lower extremities
- Sciatica
- Metritis
- Metrorrhagia
- Nocturnal emission
- Spermatorrhea
- Wei and bi syndromes of the lower limbs
- Lower limb asthenia
- Numbness of the lower limbs
- Numb and stiff legs
- Chronic enteritis
- Scrofula
- Hernia
- Continuous vomiting
- Seminal emission
- Impotence
- White turbidity
- Menstrual disorders
- Leukorrhea
- Nephritis
- Colitis
- Irregular menstruation
- Premature ejaculation
- Lumbar disc problems
- Lower back pain
- Lower abdominal distention
- Knee pain or weakness
- Leg cramps
- Leg paralysis
- Diarrhea due to cold-damp
- Arthritis of the knee
- Contractures of the lower limbs preventing walking
- White vaginal discharge
- Vaginal discharge with blood
- Myelitis
Notes
The primary use for this point is in treatment of low back and leg disorders, particularly if they are due to kidney yang deficiency.
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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