ACUPUNCTURE
Zhi Gou: TCM Acupoint Guide
ZHIGOU
Name
Zhi Gou (Zhigou)
Location
3 cun proximal to SJ-4 Yangchi, in the depression between the radius and the ulna, on the radial side of the extensor digitorum communis muscle.
Needling
- Straight insertion, 1 to 1.5 cun. Sensation: local distention and soreness, possibly reaching the elbow, and sometimes an electric, numb sensation extending to the fingertips.
- Caution: movement of the patient's arm or hand after needling can result in a bent needle.
- Slightly oblique insertion towards the ulnar side, or oblique proximal or distal insertion towards the elbow or wrist respectively, 0.5 to 1.5 cun.
- Joined by through needling to PC-5 Jianshi.
- Puncture perpendicularly, 0.8 to 1.2 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Command Functions
- Jing-river point of the San Jiao channel
- Fire point of the San Jiao channel
Actions
- Regulates qi in the three Jiaos
- Spreads the qi
- Clears Heat in the three Jiaos
- Benefits the chest and lateral costal region
- Opens the Intestines
- Regulates and moistens the Large Intestine
- Moves the stool
- Benefits the voice
- Disperses Obstruction
- Activates the channel
- Alleviates pain
- Harmonizes and cools the Lower Jiao
- Removes obstructions from the channel
- Removes stagnation of qi
- Expels Wind
- Dispels Wind-Heat
- Dispels Wind-Dryness
- Transforms Phlegm
- Moistens Dryness
- Generates Fluids
- Expands and relaxes the chest
- Treats the flanks
Indications
- Tinnitus
- Wind-Heat tinnitus and deafness
- Sudden loss of voice
- Lockjaw
- Febrile disease with anhidrosis
- Eye pain
- Redness and swelling of the eyes
- Pain and swelling of the throat
- Scrofula
- Pain of the axilla
- Pain of the axilla and sides of the chest
- Shoulder pain
- Painful obstruction of the elbow
- Wind-Cold hand trembling
- Hemiplegia
- Pleurisy
- Intercostal neuralgia
- Puffy limbs
- Edema
- Intense pain with intense Heat
- Hard, dry stools
- Cystitis
- Pneumonia
- Melancholy
- Hypochondriac pain
- Angina pectoris
- Habitual constipation
- Swollen throat
- Psoriasis
- Herpes zoster
- Cholecystitis pain
- Painful defecation
- Deafness
- Pain in the chest and hypochondrium
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Cholera with vomiting
- Apical pulmonary catarrh
- Pain of the lateral costal region
- Abdominal pain
- Sudden Heart pain and oppression of the chest
- Cough
- Cough with redness and Heat of the face
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Sudden turmoil disorder
- Postpartum dizziness
- Blockage of the REN channel in women
- Tremor of the hand
- Numbness of the hand
- Disorders which affect the voice
- Dyspnea
- Aching and heavy sensation of the shoulder, back and arm
- All rheumatic, arthritic conditions
- Difficulty in articulation
- Hemorrhoids
- Excessive bleeding and fainting during childbirth
- Excessive bleeding from the Lower Jiao
- Bronchitis
- Sudden hoarseness
- Insufficient lactation
- Belching
- Menopause syndrome
- Tidal fever
- Chest constriction during the flu
- Fecal incontinence due to paralysis
- Motor impairment of the hand and upper extremities
- Skin diseases
- Acute pain in the ribs and axilla
- Carditis
- Sudden influenza
- Amenorrhea
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| GB-39 Xuanzhong | Wandering Bi |
| KI-2 Rangu, KI-3 Taixi | Stabbing Heart pain |
| UB-40 Weizhong | Chest and lateral costal region pain, reduce left SJ-6 for right-sided pain and vice versa |
| GB-34 Yanglingquan | Pain of the lateral costal region due to injury by Cold, intercostal neuralgia |
| SJ-5 Waiguan or SP-4 Gongsun, GB-34 Yanglingquan, LIV-13 Zhangmen | Pain of the lateral costal region |
| SI-16 Tianchuang, LI-18 Futu, GB-7 Qubin, HT-4 Lingdao or UB-66 Tonggu, SJ-8 Sanyangluo | Sudden loss of voice |
| ST-25 Tianshu | Vomiting, sudden turmoil disorder |
| SJ-1 Guanchong, REN-14 Juque, SP-4 Gongsun, ST-41 Jiexi | Sudden turmoil disorder |
| KI-6 Zhaohai, or KI-6 Zhaohai, SP-3 Taibai, LIV-13 Zhangmen | Constipation |
| ST-36 Zusanli (reduce) | Deficiency constipation, reinforce SJ-6 |
| PC-7 Daling, SJ-5 Waiguan | Abdominal pain, constipation |
| HT-3 Shaohai, PC-1 Tianchi, LIV-13 Zhangmen, GB-41 Zulinqi, GB-38 Yangfu, GB-21 Jianjing, LI-10 Shousanli | Scrofula |
| ST-36 Zusanli, SP-6 Sanyinjiao | Postpartum dizziness |
| GB-39 Xuanzhong | Wandering Bi pain |
| REN-17 Shanzhong, REN-12 Zhongwan, REN-6 Qihai, LIV-3 Taichong | Stagnation of qi in the San Jiao leading to distention, oppression and pain in the chest and abdomen |
| SI-3 Houxi, SI-4 Wangu, UB-12 Fengmen, GB-21 Jianjing, SJ-3 Zhongzhu, UB-40 Weizhong | Pain of the shoulder and back |
| ST-36 Zusanli, SP-15 Daheng joined to ST-25 Tianshu | Habitual constipation |
| ST-36 Zusanli, REN-17 Shanzhong, ST-18 Rugen | Insufficient lactation |
| GB-31 Fengshi | Herpes zoster, especially if the eruptions are on the flanks |
Notes
Able to drain Ministerial Fire from the three Jiaos, and the most important point for moving qi and clearing Heat in the San Jiao. It resolves stagnant Heat in the Liver and Gall Bladder. This is the true constipation point: defecation can occur directly after needling it. A specific point for Plum Pit qi stagnation and a major point to treat the sides. It can be used to drop the placenta, and expels Wind-Heat in the Blood affecting the skin.
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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