Gall Bladder Meridian
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GB-42
Safety Warnings
- Moxibustion contraindicated
Needle Depth
0.3–0.8 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular), 45° (Oblique)
Body Area
Foot — Dorsum
Location
Between the 4th and 5th metatarsal bones, on the medial side of the tendon of extensor digitorum longus muscle of the little toe.
Main Actions
- Resolves Liver Qi Stagnation
- Clears Heat from Gall Bladder Channel
Indications
Red eyes
Eye pain
Tinnitus
Deafness
Headaches
Blood spit
Eye itching
Axilla pain
Breast pain
Breast lumps
Chest fullness
Axilla swelling
Breast distention
Foot dorsum swelling
Lateral costal region pain
Commentary
Diwuhui GB-42 is not a major point of the Gall Bladder Channel. Its main function is to removes Liver Qi Stagnation by invigorates Qi in the chest. Typical manifestations are pain and distention in the chest, lateral costal region, axilla or breasts.
Furthermore, it works as a distal point to clear Heat from the Gall Bladder Channel. Typical symptoms are redness, itching and pain of the eyes, tinnitus or deafness.
Classical Sources
Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (针灸甲乙经) - Systematic Classic of Acupuncture:
"Located in the depression behind the base joint of the little toe... Treats internal injury with blood in the sputum and lack of nourishment, [causing] lack of luster externally."
Xunjing Kaoxue Bian (循经考穴编) - Examination of Points Along the Channels:
"Primarily treats redness and swelling of the foot dorsum, red and painful eyes."
Zhenjiu Dacheng (针灸大成) - Great Compendium of Acupuncture:
Lists GB-42 among the 45 points where moxibustion is contraindicated, warning that applying moxa may lead to emaciation.
How to Locate
From the space between the 4th and 5th toes, palpate towards the ankle. Locate Diwuhui GB-42 in the groove between the two bones, proximal to the metatarsophalangeal joints and proximal to the heads of the two metatarsal bones. Or: Abduct their toes so that the branch of the tendon of the extensor digitorum longus muscle extending to the little toe becomes more pronounced. Then palpate in the groove between the 4th and 5th metatarsal bones from distal to proximal to where the tendon crosses the groove. Diwuhui GB-42 is located medial or anterior to it, while Zulingqi GB-41 is located in the depression lateral or posterior to the tendon.
Caution
Classical texts strongly advise against moxibustion at this point. The Zhenjiu Dacheng warns that moxibustion here may cause emaciation. Modern sources vary on this contraindication, but traditional caution should be respected. The point lies near the dorsal digital artery and nerve, so perpendicular needling should be performed carefully. This is not a major point and is typically used as a supplementary point rather than as a primary treatment point.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular) / 45° (Oblique)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.3–0.8 cun
Needling Directions
Vertically or obliquely 0.3–0.8 cun.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local soreness and distension on the dorsum of the foot, possibly radiating along the Gallbladder channel toward the toes or ankle. Some patients may experience a dull ache spreading to the lateral aspect of the foot.
Moxibustion
Contraindicated
Duration: N/A - Moxibustion traditionally contraindicated at this point
Cupping
Contraindicated
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Questionable
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