Yaoyangguan – GV3: Nomenclature, Location, Functions, Indication, Method
Nomenclature:
Yao: lower back Yang: yang of yin-yang Guan: Gear
The governor vessel is yang. Yaoyangguan pertains to it and is located in the turning zone of the lower back, like a gear for the lumbar joint.
English name/ meaning: Low back Yang pass
Chinese name: 要阳关
Chinese pinyin: Yaoyangguan
Korean name: Yo-yang-gwan
Japanese name: Koshi no Yokan
Vietnamese name: Du’o’ng quan
French: Lang-koann
Location:
On the posterior midline, in the depression below the spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra.
Functions:
- Warms Blood chamber (uterus) and Palace of Essence (semen).
- Dispel cold damp in the lower back ( cold wind damp in the channel leading to back pain).
- Supplement Kidney Yang (impotence, leg and back pain).
Indication:
- Yaoyangguan is good for lumbago, atrophy or paralysis in the lower extremities.
- Also benefits reproductive problems like irregular menstruation, morbid leucorrhea, nocturnal emission, impotence.
Method:
Puncture obliquely upward 0.5-1.0 cun.
Remarks:
Moxibustion is recommended frequently at this point.