GB-41 Zulinqi - Foot Above Tears
More Spirit Names: Foot Overlooking Tears, Foot Verge of Tears, Falling Tears, Foot Falling Tears, Near to Tears
| English: | Foot Governor of Tears |
| Also Known As: | Foot Close to Tears Near Tears on the Foot Foot Falling Tears Foot Verge of Tears Foot Above Tears Foot Just Before Weeping Lying Down to Weep Crying Foot |
Location
- In the depression, distal to the junction of the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones, on the lateral side of the extensor digiti minimi tendon.
- In the depression, distal to the junction of the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones, on the lateral side of the tendon of the m. extensor digitorum longus (branch to the little toe.
Note: Ask the patient to abduct the little toe in order to make the branch of the m. extensor digitorum longus more prominent. Run a finger from GB-43 Xiaxi towards the ankle, along the interspace between the fourth and fifth metatarsals until it passes over this branch into the significant depression immediately beyond the depression. - In the hollow just in front of the union of the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones.
- Posterior to the fourth metatarsophalangeal joint, in the depression lateral to the tendon of the m. extensor digiti minimi of the foot.
Needling
- Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1 cun. Incorrect angle of insertion will not allow the needle to pass between the shafts of the fourth and filth metatarsal bones.
- Straight insertion 0.3 to 0.5 cun causing local distention and soreness possibly extending to the tip of the fourth toe.
- Puncture perpendicularly 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Command Functions
- Shu-Stream point
- Wood point
- Confluent (Master) point of the Dai channel
- Couple point of the Yang Wei channel
- Horary point
- Exit point
- Meeting point of the Urinary Bladder channel
Actions
- Spreads and drains the Liver and Gall Bladder
- Promotes unrestrained, free-flowing Liver Qi
- Dispels Dampness
- Resolves Damp-Heat
- Benefits the chest, lateral costal region and breasts
- Clears the head
- Benefits the eyes
- Transforms Phlegm
- Dissipates nodules
- Clears and regulates the Dai channel
Indications
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Combinations
Internal eye obstruction | Cold lachrymation | Lachrymation |
GB-37 | GB-38 Or | |
Deafness | Grinding of the teeth | Swelling of the axilla |
HT-3 | ||
Saber lumps of the axilla | Scrofula | Swelling of the supraclavicular fossa (ST-12 Quepen) |
SJ-10 | GB-35 | |
Heart pain | Chest Bi Heart pain | Fullness of the chest |
SI-1 | ST-39 | |
Fullness of the abdomen and lateral costal region | Swelling of the breasts in women | Breast abscess |
SP-6 | GB-37 | |
Inhibited menstruation | Pain at the hip with difficulty walking Pain of the skin of the lateral aspect of the leg | Stops lactation |
Headache and vertigo |
Contraindications
Notes
- This is an indispensable point to spread Liver Qi, especially when it is stagnated along the Gall Bladder channel.
- It is an important point to adjust the fluid in the eyes.
- This point is important to resolve Damp-Heat in the genitals.
- This is a first aid point.
- Used for Shao Yang headache, comparable to the herbs Chai Hu and Chuan Xiong.
Five Elements Spirit Perspective
| Spirit of the Point | Where growth is born and movement begins: it lets people see where they stand and which decisions are waiting to be made, helps them make a fresh start and gives expanse to vision. It is a point about getting perspective, above the pain and sorrow of it all, like a good cry getting rid of your anger. Wood within Wood, it is vitalizing and of real purity. It can humble a proud Official, bring back balance and settle the mind so that a sound decision can be made. |
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| Worsley |
Location: On the dorsum of the foot, where the 4th and 5th metatarsals come together to form an angle. |
| When to Consider |
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| Combinations | |
| Notes |
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From Class
- SI-3 Houxi / GB-41 Zulinqi: Small intestine and gallbladder flush heat out of the body; uric acid relates to small intestine; use SI-3 with GB-41 for elevated BUN pattern. (Yuen)
- GB-41 Zulinqi (Foot's Governor of Tears): Opens the Dai via the GB channel to invite unshed tears out of hiding; unbinds the chest and opens holdings in pelvis and hips. (Lewis)
- GB-41, GB-26, GB-27 (Dai Mai release): GB-41 Foot Governor of Tears invites unshed tears out and unbinds chest/hips/pelvis holdings; GB-26 opens Pandora's box; GB-27 releases the skeletons in the closet. (Lewis)
- GB-41, GB-26, GB-27, GB-28 (opening the Dai): Opening the Dai: GB-41 invites unshed emotions to move; GB-26 opens the girdle; GB-27 frees 'skeletons'; GB-28 integrates the tension — bringing shadow into light. (Lewis)
- Invigorating fallopian tubes (scarring/ectopic history): E-stim Zigong, ST-28, ST-29, KI-14; open the Dai with GB-41, GB-26–28; deep abdominal massage with castor oil and blood-moving oils (e.g., Chuan Xiong). (Lewis)
- Labor progression points: LU-7, SI-3 + BL-62, reduce Du-14, BL-40, BL-57, BL-31, BL-32, GB-41, GB-26–28: LU-7 descends Lung qi; back labor: open Du with SI-3 (+BL-62), reduce Du-14; BL-40/57 open the tailbone; BL-31/32 release; waist stall: GB-41, GB-26–28. (Lewis)
- Migraine in pregnancy: BL-66, GB-41: Example treatment points listed for migraine during pregnancy. (Lewis)
- Dai Mai (belt vessel): When the Dai Mai is stuck, Yang Wei lacks yang to expel pathogens: open with GB-41 and needle GB-26/27/28, sliding under the tendon edge at GB-26. (Yuen)
- Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel) — reservoir of old injuries: Old injuries swept beneath awareness collect in the subconscious basin and the body's hollows (major joints), where they fester. (Lewis)
- Origin of opening points (Neo-Confucian 'destiny in our own hands'): Neo-Confucian belief that destiny is in our hands made the eight extras channels to tap destiny; many opening points are luo points, finalized by Yang Jizhou. (Yuen)
- Qiao couple-pairing & the Dai: You needn't always use couple pairs; to break stagnation first reduce overload, e.g., GB-41 opens the Dai to drain Yin Qiao (KI-6) or Yang Qiao (BL-62). (Yuen)