Gall Bladder Meridian
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GB-34
Earth-Tu
Sea-He Point
Ma Dan Yang Heavenly Star
Needle Depth
1.0–1.5 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular), 45° (Oblique)
Body Area
Knee, Lower Leg — Lateral
Location
In the depression anterior and inferior to the head of the fibula.
Main Actions
- Resolves Liver Qi Stagnation
- Resolves Damp-Heat in the Liver and Gall Bladder
- Benefits the sinews
- Removes Obstructions from the Channel
Indications
Nausea
Sighing
Hip pain
Sciatica
Vomiting
Moodiness
Knee pain
Depression
Stiff neck
Elbow pain
Leg atrophy
Irritability
Stiff shoulder
Knee stiffness
Calf muscle pain
Sinew contracture
Shoulder stiffness
Abdominal distension
Feeling of heaviness
Epigastric distension
Red and swollen knees
Hypochondrial distention
Inability to digest fats
Bitter taste in the mouth
Commentary
Yanglingquan GB-34 is a very important point of the body. One of its major function is to resolve Liver Qi Stagnation by promoting the Qi circulation in hypochondrial area.
It is also able to stimulate Liver Qi flow in the epigastrium when stimulated together with Zhongwan Ren-12, or the lower abdomen area when used together with Qihai REN-6. Some typical manifestations are irritability, moodiness, depression, sighing as well as hypochondrial, epigastric and abdominal distension.
Furthermore, Rebellious Stomach Qi is able to descend with smoother Liver Qi. Thus GB-34 treats symptoms such as vomiting and nausea as well.
If needled together with Riyue GB-24, Yanglingguan GB-34 resolves Damp-Heat in the Liver and the Gall Bladder, characterized by symptoms such as bitter taste, hypochondrial fullness, inability to digest fat as well as feeling of heaviness.
Another important function of GB-34 is to relax the sinews. It is widely used when patients suffer from sinews contracture, stiff neck or shoulder, pain in the elbow or hip as well as sciatica.
Finally, it open the Channel by removing Obstruction. Thus it treats pain, swelling, stiffness or atrophy, especially around the lower legs and knees.
Classical Sources
Ling Shu (Divine Pivot), Chapter on the Pathogenic Qi of the Viscera and Bowels: "For Gallbladder disease with sighing, bitter taste, vomiting of bile, restlessness as if someone were about to seize them... for alternating chills and fever, take Yanglingquan."
Nan Jing (Classic of Difficult Issues), Chapter 45: "The Hui-Gathering point of the Sinews is at Yanglingquan." This establishes GB-34 as the influential point for all sinew disorders throughout the body.
Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): "Gallbladder distension with pain and fullness below the ribs, bitter taste, frequent sighing—Yanglingquan treats this. Fullness below the ribs with vomiting and counterflow—Yanglingquan treats this."
Ma Dan Yang's Heavenly Star Poem: "The Yang Mound lies beneath the knee, on the outer calf, one inch in. For a swollen knee accompanied by numbness, rheumatic pains due to cold... A needle in six fen and it halts; something magical, mysterious, peerless."
How to Locate
Flex the knee. Then palpate the fibula head on the lateral aspect of the leg and hold it with index and middle finger like a tweezer. Glide both fingers distally and locate Yanglingquan GB-34 in a depression anterior and inferior to the fibula head.
Caution
Some classical texts advise caution after the second month of pregnancy. When using the through-needling technique toward SP-9 (Yinlingquan), ensure the needle passes posterior to the tibia to avoid periosteal contact. Strong stimulation may cause temporary leg weakness. The common peroneal nerve passes near this region, so proper angle and depth should be maintained.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular) / 45° (Oblique)
Depth Category
Medium
Standard Depth
1.0–1.5 cun
Needling Directions
1–1.5 cun vertical insertion between the tibia and fibula towards the interosseous membrane. Caution: Deep peroneal nerve with deep needling, in some cases also common peroneal nerve. The needle may reach the interosseous membrane as well as the epineural tissue of the peroneal nerve.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Distending and soreness locally, often radiating downward along the lateral aspect of the lower leg toward the ankle. Some patients experience a sensation extending toward the knee or thigh. When needled with the through-needling technique toward SP-9, a strong sensation may traverse the entire lower leg.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 10–20 minutes
Cupping
Recommended
Bloodletting
Questionable
Gua Sha
Recommended
Five Element & Transporting Classification
Five Phase
Earth-Tu
Transporting Type
Sea-He Point
Mother-Child Role
Child (Reducing)
Special Point Classifications
Ma Dan Yang Heavenly Star
Organ & Tissue Associations
Hui-Gathering Point for:
Sinews
Lower He-Sea Point for:
Gallbladder
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