SP4

Gongsun

Star

公孫 (Gōngsūn) — Yellow Emperor

Spleen channel · point 4

Not yet clinically reviewed

Luo-Connecting pointConfluent point of the Chong Mai

Traditionally used for

Digestion
Bowel health
Menstrual & women's health
Sleep
Mood & calm

Location

On the medial side of the foot, in the depression distal and inferior to the base of the first metatarsal bone, at the border between red and white flesh.

How to locate: From SP3, slide the finger proximally along the shaft of the first metatarsal, at the border of red and white flesh, until it meets the bony prominence of the metatarsal base; the point is in the hollow just distal to that prominence.

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

Body map, front: SP4 · Foot — Fig. — SP4 · Foot After Albinus, 1747

Bones of the foot, dorsal — Gray's Anatomy plate — Bones of the foot, dorsal Gray's Anatomy, 1918

3D view

3D view not available for this point: its position can't be carried onto the 3D model reliably (it failed a placement check). The 2D maps above show it.

Needling

Cited needling

Perpendicular insertion

Depth 0.5–1 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. 186 Supports: techniques (names this point)

Site notes · not cited

Depth: 0.5–1.0 cun

Angle: Perpendicular

Functions

Strengthens the Spleen, resolves dampness and harmonises the middle burner
Opens and regulates the Chong Mai
Calms the spirit and relieves chest and epigastric fullness
Regulates menstruation

Indications

Epigastric and abdominal painvomiting and diarrhoeachest and heart painirregular menstruation and dysmenorrhoeainsomnia and restlessnessa sensation of qi rushing upward from the abdomen

Balance Method partners

Under Dr. Tan's six systems, SP4 at the foot balances these channels at the regions its segment images.

1. Same Chinese name

Lung channel

Hand · Mirror (arm ↔ leg)
Head & face, Crown & occiput, Ear · Image, head at the hand/foot
Solve for the Lung channel →
2. Branching (Bie Jing / Zang Fu Bie Tong)

Small Intestine channel

Hand · Mirror (arm ↔ leg)
Head & face, Crown & occiput, Ear · Image, head at the hand/foot
Solve for the Small Intestine channel →
3. Interior–exterior pair

Stomach channel

Foot · Same segment, opposite side
Head & face, Crown & occiput, Ear · Image, head at the hand/foot
Solve for the Stomach channel →
4. Chinese clock opposite

Triple Energiser channel

Hand · Mirror (arm ↔ leg)
Head & face, Crown & occiput, Ear · Image, head at the hand/foot
Solve for the Triple Energiser channel →
5. Chinese clock neighbour

Heart channel

Hand · Mirror (arm ↔ leg)
Head & face, Crown & occiput, Ear · Image, head at the hand/foot
Solve for the Heart channel →
6. Same channel

Spleen channel

Foot · Same segment, opposite side
Head & face, Crown & occiput, Ear · Image, head at the hand/foot
Solve for the Spleen channel →

Clinical Notes

Paired with PC6 as the classical Chong Mai opening combination — the standard prescription for epigastric pain, nausea and chest oppression.

Combinations Using This Point

Chong Mai Pair — PC6 and SP4

The opening pair of the Penetrating Vessel and Yin Wei — the standard combination for the epigastrium, the heart and the chest.

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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