ACUPUNCTURE
Yin Gu: TCM Acupoint Guide
YINGU
Name
Yin Gu (Yingu)
Location
At the medial end of the popliteal crease, between the semitendinosus and semimembranosus tendons. Note: locate and needle with the knee slightly bent.
Needling
- Straight insertion, 1 to 2 cun.
- Perpendicular insertion, 1 to 1.5 cun.
- Puncture perpendicularly, 0.8 to 1 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Command Functions
- He-Sea point
- Water point
Actions
- Clears Damp-Heat from the Lower Jiao
- Benefits the Kidneys
- Activates the channel
- Alleviates pain
- Dispels Heat
- Regulates and soothes the Lower Jiao
- Expels Dampness from the Lower Jiao
- Tonifies Kidney Yin
Indications
- Difficult urination
- Urgent urination with pain radiating to the thigh
- Pain on urination
- Dark urine
- Diarrhea
- Uterine bleeding
- Leukorrhea
- Difficult conception
- Manic disorders
- Mania-depression
- Protrusion of the tongue with drooling
- Diseases of the urogenital system
- Hernial disorders
- Lower abdominal pain
- Stiffness and swelling of the medial aspect of the knee and thigh
- Dysuria
- Difficult urination causing pain radiating to the genitals
- Urethritis
- All male genital disorders
- Problems of micturition
- Intestinal tuberculosis with hard knots in the abdomen
- Abdominal pain radiating to the navel
- Excessive perspiration
- Arthritis accompanied by very heavy depression
- Nervousness
- Menorrhalgia
- Impotence
- Pain of the genitals
- Genital itching
- Itching of the scrotum
- Shan disorder
- Hypogastric pain radiating to the genitals and inner thighs
- Abdominal distention
- Abdominal pain
- Periumbilical pain
- Drilling knee pain with immobility
- Pain of the inner aspect of the thigh
- Flaccid penis
- Arthritis of the knee
- Frequent urination
- Hematuria
- Knee pain like a needle
- Cannot flex the knee
- Continuous vaginal discharge
- Penis and scrotum painful and retracted
- Hydrocele
- Orchitis
- Prostatitis
- Abdomen distended, impairing respiration
- Cholera
- Mental disorders
- Hypersalivation
- Copious eye watering
- Dry skin
- Pain in the internal part of the hips
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| LIV-1 Dadun, LIV-14 Qimen, UB-40 Weizhong, UB-39 Weiyang | Involuntary erection with urinary difficulty |
| KI-3 Taixi, UB-23 Shenshu, REN-6 Qihai, UB-28 Pangguangshu, REN-4 Guanyuan | Dark urine |
| KI-8 Jiaoxin, SP-6 Sanyinjiao, LIV-3 Taichong | Profuse and ceaseless uterine bleeding |
| ST-36 Zusanli | Sudden turmoil disorder |
| KI-2 Rangu, DU-15 Yamen, LU-11 Shaoshang, LU-10 Yuji, LI-2 Erjian, PC-9 Zhongchong | Stiffness of the tongue |
| KI-2 Rangu, REN-23 Lianquan | Swelling below the tongue with difficulty speaking, protrusion of the tongue with drooling |
| KI-2 Rangu, REN-22 Tiantu, HT-4 Lingdao, KI-7 Fuliu, ST-40 Fenglong | Loss of voice |
| ST-36 Zusanli, PC-5 Jianshi, DU-20 Baihui, KI-7 Fuliu | Mania |
| GB-30 Huantiao, UB-65 Shugu, KI-8 Jiaoxin, SP-6 Sanyinjiao | Hip pain |
Notes
There is controversy as to whether or not this point tonifies Kidney Yin. It is considered an endocrine point and stimulates ************. It strengthens weak knees in general, neutralizes and cleans water secretions, and is used in spring to tonify the Kidneys.
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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