GV26

Shuigou

Star

水溝 (Shuǐgōu) — Water Trough

Du (Governing) channel · point 26

Also known as Renzhong

Not yet clinically reviewed

Meeting point of the Du Mai with the Large Intestine and Stomach channels

Traditionally used for

Mood & calm
Nerves & recovery
Pain & joints

Location

On the face, at the midpoint of the philtrum, on its midline; an alternative location is the junction of its upper third and lower two-thirds.

How to locate: Find the philtrum, the vertical groove between the nose and the upper lip; the point is at the midpoint of its midline. An alternative site lies slightly higher, at the junction of its upper third and lower two-thirds.

Distances are in cun, a proportional unit — how to measure.

Body map, front: GV26 · Head & face — Fig. — GV26 · Head & face After Albinus, 1747

The skull, from the front — Gray's Anatomy plate — The skull, from the front Gray's Anatomy, 1918

3D view

3D view not available for this point: its position on the 3D model couldn't be checked against its location text, so it is not shown. The 2D maps above show it.

Needling

Cited needling

Oblique insertion — directed superiorly

Depth 0.3–0.5 cun

skindeeper

Depths describe average adult habitus in the cited population, never a single safe number for the patient in front of you. Palpate and adjust.

Sources (1)

Deadman P, Al-Khafaji M, Baker K. A Manual of Acupuncture. Hove: Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications; 1998 — p. 559 Supports: techniques (names this point)

Site notes · not cited

Depth: 0.3–0.5 cun

Angle: Oblique, directed superiorly toward the nasal septum, with strong stimulation

Functions

Restores consciousness and opens the orifices
Settles wind and calms convulsions
Expels external wind and benefits the face and nose
Benefits the lumbar spine

Indications

Loss of consciousness, fainting, shock and collapsestroke with clenched jawepilepsy and convulsionsacute lumbar sprainfacial paralysis and swellingmaniaheatstroke

Clinical Notes

The single most important first-aid point in the repertoire — strong stimulation here (needle or fingernail pressure) is the standard response to fainting or collapse. Also a striking distal point for acute lumbar sprain: needle while the patient gently moves the back.

Combinations Using This Point

Resuscitation Points — GV26 and the Jing-Well Bleeding

GV26 with strong stimulation, and the Jing-Well points bled, for collapse, fainting and loss of consciousness.

Sources

World Health Organization. WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region. Manila: WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, 2008. (Location.)
Focks C, ed. Atlas of Acupuncture. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2008. (Locating method and actions.)

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