GB-22 Yuanye - Armpit Abyss
More Spirit Names: Spring Armpit, Armpit Gate
| English: | Armpit Abyss |
| Also Known As: | Gulf's Fluids |
Location
- On the mid-axillary line, when the arm is raised, 3 cun below the axilla in the fourth intercostal space.
- On the mid-axillary line, in the fifth intercostal space, approximately 3 cun inferior to the apex of the axilla, at the level of the nipple.
Needling
- Puncture obliquely 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
- Transverse-oblique insertion along the intercostal space 0.5 to 1 cun.
- Caution: deep or perpendicular needling may induce a pneumothorax.
- Slanted insertion, 0.5 to 0.8 cun.
Command Functions
- Meeting point of the three Arm Yin muscle channels
Actions
- Regulates the Qi
- Unbinds the chest
- Benefits the axilla
- Promotes the descending of Lung Qi
Indications
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Combinations
Saber lumps of the axilla |
Contraindications
- Several classical texts prohibit moxibustion on this point.
Notes
- Some sources locate this point in the fourth intercostal space.
Five Elements Spirit Perspective
| Spirit of the Point | A point in the side of the chest, Gallbladder territory, where the sinews work constantly with breath and movement. When they become tangled and tight, this can hold back the Mind and Spirit too, and the point loosens the chest. |
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| Worsley | Location: On the line running down from the middle of the armpit (mid-axillary line), in the 4th intercostal space. |
| When to Consider |
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| Notes |
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From Class
- HT-3 + PC-1 + KI-9 (+ GB-22 for women): Combination from the father of the attacking and purging school (Zhang Zihe) for phlegm harassing the heart; HT-3 + KI-9 for heart-kidney communication. (Gioioso)
- KI-22 to KI-27 (chest 'shu' points): 12 chest shu points (KI-22–27 bilateral), 2 cun from midline, represent the Kidneys and can switch genetic information; rarely needled because of their sacredness. (Yuen)
- LV-14, GB-24, GB-22 (other chest options): Mentioned as other chest points available, along with Lung, Spleen and Stomach points, when working the chest. (Yuen)
- Wind strategies with Gallbladder/San Jiao points: Scatter wind: GB-14, GB-12, SJ-17, SJ-2; course wind: GB-20, GB-8, SJ-18, SJ-5, SJ-6; pacify wind: GB-13 with SJ-10; SJ-2, SJ-5 'bathe the nerves'. (Gioioso)
- Direction of needling confluent points: To release, needle confluent points from below upward; to push into latency, from above downward; latency deepens the pulse, releasing perks up the superficial pulse. (Yuen)
- Divergent treatment: lower + upper confluent points: Treat divergents with lower and upper confluent points: BL-40/BL-10 (BL-KI), ST-30/BL-1 (ST-SP), GB-22/BL-1 (HT-SI), ST-12/LI-18 (LU-LI), GB-1 as both for LV-GB. (Yuen)
- Mimosa: Blood cancers/leukemia — apply as compress on major divergent points, especially GB-22 (historically the great luo of spleen per teacher).