According to Chinese medicine, Gongsun acupoint is the first acupoint for nourishing the spleen and stomach. Proper massage of Gongsun acupoint can not only regulate the spleen and stomach, promote metabolism, but also relieve indigestion, edema, and help with weight loss.
Gongsun acupoint image
【Location of Gongsun Acupoint】
1. Standard Location:
Gongsun acupoint is located on the inner edge of the foot, below the anterior lower part of the first metatarsal base.
2. Acupoint Location Method:
Sit up straight or lie on your back, locate the acupoint on the inner side of the big toe, about an inch away from the Taibai acupoint; or push back along the Taibai until a depression is felt, which is the acupoint.
Quick location method: The depression at the lower edge of the posterior end of the arch bone on the inner side of the joint formed by the big toe and the sole of the foot is the acupoint.
3. Acupoint Anatomy:
Below the Gongsun acupoint are the skin, subcutaneous tissue, abductor hallucis muscle tendon, and flexor digitorum brevis muscle. There are medial plantar artery and dorsal venous network in this area. It is also innervated by the sural nerve and its superficial peroneal nerve branches.
The skin is innervated by branches of the superficial peroneal nerve, the medial cutaneous nerve of the dorsum of the foot, and the sural nerve. There is a vascular network and a small amount of fat in the subcutaneous fascia.
The plantar fascia on the lateral side of the toes forms the plantar tendon membrane, which ends at the metatarsophalangeal joint capsule and the tendon sheath of the flexor muscles in front. The needle passes through these structures and enters the abductor hallucis muscle and the flexor digitorum brevis muscle, which are innervated by the innner branch of the plantar nerve.
Gongsun acupoint image
【Functions and Effects of Gongsun Acupoint】
1. Treatment of Stomach Pain and Acid Reflux:
As a collateral acupoint on the spleen meridian, Gongsun acupoint belongs to the spleen and is connected to the stomach. It is also connected with the Ren meridian in the chest and abdomen, so it has the effect of treating diseases related to the spleen, stomach, chest, and abdomen.
According to the "Eight Meridians and Eight Collaterals Song": "Gongsun collaterals are connected to the stomach, heart, and chest," indicating its effect of "regulating qi and relieving pain". In other words, Gongsun acupoint can be used to treat diseases of the stomach, heart, and chest.
Therefore, massaging Gongsun acupoint can be used to treat stomach pain, acid reflux, and other symptoms. In addition to massaging Gongsun acupoint, better effects in treating stomach pain and acid reflux can be achieved by also massaging Zhongwan acupoint and Neiguan acupoint.
Method: The patient uses the thumb pad to press and massage Gongsun acupoint vertically, causing local sourness, swelling, and pain. Then, the patient flexes the foot and strengthens the pressure sensation, followed by a relaxation massage. Alternate between the left and right sides for 10 to 15 minutes, once or twice a day.
2. Relief of Stomach Pain and Bloating:
The best way to clear stomach fire is to massage Gongsun acupoint. Massage it about 100 times each time, with the intensity based on what you can tolerate. For those who often have stomach fire, it is best to massage 2 to 3 times a week.
Some people are prone to bloating, especially in autumn when colds and dryness can cause bloating. This condition can easily leave behind hidden problems. If you have this problem, then using moxibustion on Gongsun acupoint is the best method.
Method: Light the moxa stick and hold it about 2 to 3 centimeters above the left Gongsun acupoint. Moxibustion for 5 to 7 minutes, ensuring that the acupoint feels warm but not burned, and the stomach starts to feel warm. For those who often experience bloating, moxibustion 2 to 3 times a week is recommended.
Gongsun acupoint image
3. Relief of Joint Pain:
After exertion, people often experience joint soreness or pain. Why is that? According to the "Huangdi Neijing": "The lungs govern the joints." Exertion can deplete lung qi, which affects the function of "the lungs governing the joints" and leads to joint pain.
If knee pain occurs after exertion, you can use this method to treat it. Massage the left Yinlingquan acupoint, the bilateral Neiguan acupoint, and the bilateral Gongsun acupoint one by one.
After stimulating the acupoints for 5 minutes, if the knee pain improves, then directly use moxibustion on the acupoints that feel sore.
4. Treatment of Gynecological Problems:
Qi and blood are particularly important for women. The movement of qi and blood in the Ren meridian and Chong meridian directly affects menstruation, pregnancy, and childbirth in women. By connecting Gongsun acupoint with the Chong meridian, it can effectively treat gynecological problems.
For women with menstrual irregularities, treatment can be done on Gongsun acupoint along with Guanyuan acupoint (3 inches below the navel), Qihai acupoint (1.5 inches below the navel), Tianshu acupoint (2 inches on either side of the navel), and Sanyinjiao acupoint.
Apply crushed garlic to Gongsun acupoint to help regulate menstruation. Alternatively, you can buy some Fructus Evodiae from a pharmacy, crush it, mix it with vinegar, and apply it to the acupoint.
Wrap it with gauze and secure it with adhesive tape. Apply it every morning before breakfast and remove it after eating lunch or dinner.
