The Neiguan acupoint belongs to the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian and is one of the commonly used specific acupoints. It is also one of the key acupoints for strengthening the whole body. So, what are the specific functions and benefits of the Neiguan acupoint?
Explanation of the Neiguan Acupoint
The Neiguan acupoint, "Nei" refers to the inner side, and "Guan" refers to a pass or a checkpoint. The name Neiguan implies that the vital essence of the Pericardium Meridian enters the body through this acupoint, but the vital essence cannot exit the body through the pores of this acupoint, as if it is blocked by a checkpoint. Therefore, this acupoint is located on the inner side between the wrist and elbow, opposite to the Wai Guan acupoint.
Functions of the Neiguan Acupoint
The Neiguan acupoint belongs to the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, which is an acupuncture point of the Pericardium Meridian. It has the functions of regulating stomach, relieving qi and pain, promoting lung function, alleviating urgency and pain, reducing rebellious qi and vomiting, balancing yin and yang, promoting blood and qi circulation, and unblocking meridians. It is a versatile, efficient, and widely applicable acupuncture point in traditional Chinese medicine. It has beneficial regulatory effects on the body's circulatory system, digestive system, nervous system, endocrine system, and is particularly effective in regulating heart function. It can be used to prevent and treat various cardiovascular diseases.
Benefits of Moxibustion on the Neiguan Acupoint
1. The Neiguan acupoint belongs to the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, which is a branch of the Pericardium Meridian that runs from the shoulder, arm to the fingertips. Therefore, stimulating the Neiguan acupoint can treat diseases on the inner side of the arm, such as hot palms and elbow pain.
2. Since the Neiguan acupoint is a collateral point of the Pericardium Meridian, and the pericardium is connected with the heart, which governs blood vessels and is also responsible for the spirit, regularly stimulating the Neiguan acupoint can strengthen heart function, nourish the heart, calm the mind, prevent palpitations, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, and delay the aging of the heart.
3. Regularly stimulating the Neiguan acupoint can also clear heat and dampness, improve blood circulation in the arm, and reduce the accumulation of waste products in the arm.
Main Diseases Treated by Moxibustion on the Neiguan Acupoint
The main symptoms treated by the Neiguan acupoint include nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, motion sickness, arm pain, headache, red eyes, nausea, chest and rib pain, upper abdominal pain, angina, menstrual pain, hiccup, diarrhea, and mental disorders.
For people who often experience symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, and angina, especially middle-aged and elderly people, regular moxibustion on the Neiguan acupoint, with local redness and heat as the degree, for 10-15 minutes every day. During a angina attack, strong stimulation on the Neiguan acupoint and Hegu acupoint can quickly relieve the symptoms of angina and buy time for medical treatment.
For people with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia, moxibustion is frequently applied on the Neiguan, Quchi, and Yongquan acupoints for 10-15 minutes per acupoint, with local redness and heat as the degree, which can effectively lower blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar.
Moxibustion on the Neiguan acupoint has a good effect in relieving hiccup. It can also be combined with Shanzhong and Zhongwan acupoints for treatment.
Combination Methods with the Neiguan Acupoint
1. Combining with Gongsun acupoint can regulate stomach and relieve stomachache.
2. Combining with Gepu acupoint can widen the chest and regulate qi, and relieve chest fullness and breast swelling.
3. Combining with Zhongwan acupoint and Zusanli acupoint can harmonize stomach qi and treat gastric pain, vomiting, and hiccup.
4. Combining with Waiguan and Quchi acupoints can promote meridian circulation and treat upper limb paralysis and hand tremors.
5. Combining with Xuanli acupoint on the affected side can benefit the heart and calm the mind, and treat migraines.
