Rangu Acupoint is the name of a meridian point in the human body, also known as Longyuan or Rangu. It is an acupoint on the Kidney meridian of the Foot Shaoyin, associated with the Fire element. Rangu Acupoint is located on the inner edge of the foot, below the prominence of the medial malleolus, at the junction of red and white skin. In traditional Chinese medicine, massaging Rangu Acupoint is believed to be effective in treating diabetes, which was historically referred to as "Xiaoke" or "consumptive thirst".
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Explanation of the Name "Rangu Acupoint"
1. Rangu
Ran means "to burn" and Gu refers to the space between two mountains. The name suggests that the abundant gaseous transformation of the exogenous water from the Kidney meridian occurs at this point.
The substance of this acupoint is the exogenous water from the Yongquan point of the Kidney meridian. It has a warm and hot nature, and after reaching this point, the liquid water evaporates in large quantities, similar to being burned and evaporated. Hence the name Rangu.
2. Longyuan
Long refers to something mysterious and unpredictable, capable of large and small transformations. This refers to the various changes of the exogenous water from the meridian at this point.
Yuan means "deep abyss" or "vast range". The name Longyuan signifies that the gaseous transformation of the exogenous water from the Kidney meridian at this point has a vast range. It has the same meaning as Rangu. The name Longquan has the same meaning as Longyuan.
3. Kidney Meridian Ying
Ying means a small water flow. The substance at this acupoint is the gaseous transformation of the exogenous water from the Kidney meridian. The changes that occur here involve heat dispersion and cold descent, and the cold descending liquid forms a very small water flow in the ground, hence it is called the Kidney meridian Ying point.
4. Belonging to the Fire element
The term "belonging to the Fire element" refers to the manifestation of the Five Elements properties in the circulation and transformation of Qi and blood at this acupoint.
The substance at this acupoint is the dampness of the lower part of Heaven. Its transformation involves heat dispersion and cold descent, and the heat dispersed directly to the upper part of Heaven, exhibiting the characteristics of Fire. Therefore, it belongs to the Fire element.
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Location of Rangu Acupoint
1. Standard Location
Rangu Acupoint is located on the inner edge of the foot, below the prominence of the medial malleolus, at the junction of red and white skin. It is an acupoint on the Kidney meridian of the Foot Shaoyin.
2. Method of Locating
Rangu Acupoint is located on the inner side of the foot, below the prominence of the medial malleolus, at the junction of red and white skin. It can be accessed while lying supine or sitting upright.
Quick locating method: Sit with the foot hanging down, and the bony landmark of the medial malleolus is obvious at the front and below the medial malleolus, which is the depression where Rangu Acupoint is located.
3. Anatomy of the Acupoint
The layers beneath Rangu Acupoint include the skin, subcutaneous tissue, tibialis anterior muscle, and long flexor muscle of the toes. The branches of the posterior tibial artery and dorsalis pedis artery are distributed here. It is also the distribution site of the terminal branches of the medial cutaneous nerve of the calf and the medial plantar nerve.
The skin is supplied by the medial cutaneous nerve of the calf. This area is the transition zone between the skin of the sole and the dorsum of the foot. The tibialis anterior muscle is innervated by the medial plantar nerve, and the long flexor muscle of the toes is innervated by the muscular branches of the tibial nerve.
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Methods of Treating Diabetes with Rangu Acupoint
Rangu Acupoint is a Ying point of the Kidney meridian. Ying points belong to the Fire element, while the Kidney meridian belongs to the Water element. The function of Rangu Acupoint is to balance the interaction between Water and Fire, specifically treating Yin deficiency with excessive Fire. Rangu Acupoint is also an important acupoint in the human body that generates a sense of hunger.
The health benefits of Rangu Acupoint are also quite significant. It is commonly used to treat restlessness, dry mouth, and sore throat. It also has certain efficacy in treating diabetes, enuresis, and nocturnal emission.
Diabetes, known as "Xiaoke" in ancient times, is a condition characterized by excessive thirst. Although there is a similarity between "Xiaoke" and diabetes, they are distinct conditions. Rangu Acupoint is specifically used to treat the symptom of excessive thirst.
Massaging Rangu Acupoint can balance Water and Fire, promote the secretion of saliva, enhance spleen and stomach function, and facilitate food digestion.
Middle Jiao belongs to the stomach. Patients with diabetes of the Middle Jiao type often have symptoms of oliguria, heat sensation, and yellowish urine. Massaging Rangu Acupoint can alleviate these symptoms.
Method: Apply strong pressure with the thumb on Rangu Acupoint, and release immediately when there is a sense of soreness and swelling. As the finger is released, the soreness and swelling will quickly subside. Then press down again and release.
When the soreness and swelling no longer subsides, you can stop. Pay attention to massaging both feet on Rangu Acupoint. If you are massaging yourself, you can do it on both sides simultaneously.
