Controlling vessel

Also conception vessel (Obs.). Abbreviation: CV. One of the eight extraordinary vessels.

Etymology

Chin The character 任 rèn has numerous meanings including to assume responsibility for, or be in charge of, suggesting a government metaphor complementary to that of governing in the term governing vessel. It is often called the conception vessel in English on the grounds that 任 rèn can stand for 妊 rèn meaning pregnancy.

Functions

The controlling vessel stands in complementary opposition to the governing (dū) vessel. It is the sea of the yīn vessels, complementing the governing vessels function of governing the yáng vessels. It is associated primarily with reproduction in females.

• Sea of the yīn vessels: The three yīn channels of the foot all connect with the controlling (rèn) vessel, allowing their bilateral courses to communicate. In this way, the controlling vessel has a regulating effect on the yīn channels, for which reason it is said to be the sea of the yīn vessels.
• Governing menstruation and maturation of the fetus: The controlling vessel helps to ensure normal menstrual, female fertility, and growth of the fetus. For this reason, it is said that the controlling (rèn) vessel governs the fetus. Points on the controlling vessel are supplemented for menstrual irregularities, amenorrhea, vaginal discharge, miscarriage, and infertility.

Controlling Vessel Pathway

Overview

• Smaller abdomen → perineum → pubic region → midline to chin (CV-24) → around lips → eyes.
• Branch: smaller abdomen → in front of the spinal column.

Description

Starts in the smaller abdomen and emerges in the perineum. Passing over the pubic region, it ascends the midline of the trunk, neck, and chin to CV-24 (承浆 chéng jiāng, Sauce Receptacle). It then splits into two to skirt around the lips, further ascending the face to enter the eye.

A branch separates in the smaller abdomen and follows the thoroughfare vessel in front of the spinal column.

Controlling Vessel Acupoints

Indications of CV Acupoints

The 24 points on the controlling vessel mostly treat menstrual irregularities, amenorrhea, vaginal discharge, miscarriage, infertility, mounting qì (hernia), inhibited urination, enuresis, male impotence, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal masses.

Major CV Acupoints

CV-3 (中极 zhōng jí, Central Pole): Located on the smaller abdomen, 4 cùn inferior to the umbilicus on the midline.

• Indications: Enuresis; inhibited urination; mounting qì (inguinal hernia); seminal emission; impotence; menstrual irregularities; flooding and spotting; vaginal discharge; yīn protrusion (prolapse of the uterus); infertility.
• Stimulus: Needling: 0.5–1.5 cùn perpendicular insertion. Moxa: 7–15 cones; pole 10–20 min.
• Categories: Alarm point (mù xué) of the bladder; intersection point (jiāo huì xué) of the three foot yīn (liver, spleen and kidney) channels and the controlling vessel.

CV-4 (关元 guān yuán, Pass Head): Located on the smaller abdomen, 3 cùn inferior to the umbilicus on the midline.

• Indications: Enuresis; frequent urination; urinary stoppage; diarrhea; abdominal pain; seminal emission; impotence; mounting qì (inguinal hernia); flooding and spotting; menstrual irregularities; vaginal discharge; infertility; vacuity taxation with marked emaciation.
• Stimulus: Needling: 0.5–1.5 cùn perpendicular insertion. Moxa: 7–14 cones; pole 20–30 min.
• Warnings: Needling of this point is contraindicated during pregnancy.
• Categories: Alarm point (mù xué) of the small intestine; intersection point (jiāo huì xué) of the three foot yīn (liver, spleen and kidney) channels and the controlling vessel.

CV-6 (气海 qì hǎi, Sea of Qì): Located on the smaller abdomen, 1.5 cùn inferior to the umbilicus on the midline.

• Indications: Abdominal pain; diarrhea; constipation; enuresis; mounting qì (inguinal hernia); seminal emission; menstrual irregularities; amenorrhea; vacuity desertion.
• Stimulus: Needling: 0.8–1.2 cùn perpendicular insertion. Moxa: 5–14 cones; pole 20–30 min.

CV-8 (神阙 shén què, Spirit Gate Tower): Located on the abdomen, at the center of the umbilicus.

• Indications: Abdominal pain; diarrhea; prolapse of the rectum; water swelling; vacuity desertion.
• Stimulus: Moxa: 7–14 cones moxibustion on salt; pole 20–30 min.
• Warning: Needling of this point is contraindicated.

CV-10 (下脘 xià wǎn, Lower Stomach Duct): Located on the upper abdomen, 2 cùn superior to the umbilicus on the midline.

• Indications: Abdominal pain; abdominal distension; diarrhea; retching and vomiting; non-transformation of grain and water; glomus lump.
• Stimulus: Needling: 0.8–1.2 cùn perpendicular insertion. Moxa Stimulus: Needling: 0.8–1.2 cùn perpendicular insertion. Moxa: 5–7 cones; pole 20–30 min.
• Warning: Moxibustion at this point is contraindicated in cases of pregnancy.
• Categories: Intersection point (jiāo huì xué) of the controlling vessel and spleen channel.

CV-12 (中脘 zhōng wǎn, Central Stomach Duct): Located on the upper abdomen, 4 cùn superior to the umbilicus on the midline.

• Indications: Stomach pain; retching and vomiting; acid swallowing; abdominal distension; diarrhea; jaundice; mania and withdrawal.
• Stimulus: Needling: 0.8–1.5 cùn perpendicular insertion. Moxa: 7–14 cones; pole 20–30 min.
• Categories: Alarm point (mù xué) of the stomach; meeting point (huì xué) of the six bowels; one of the nine needles for returning yáng; intersection point (jiāo huì xué) of the controlling vessel and the small intestine, triple burner and stomach channels.

CV-14 (巨阙 jù què, Great Tower Gate): Located on the upper abdomen, 6 cùn superior to the umbilicus on the midline.

• Indications: Chest pain; heart palpitation; retching and vomiting; acid swallowing; mania and withdrawal; epilepsy.
• Stimulus: Needling: 0.3–0.8 cùn perpendicular insertion. Moxa: 5–9 cones; pole 20–30 min.
• Categories: Alarm point (mù xué) of the heart.

CV-15 (鸠尾 jiū wěi, Turtledove Tail): Located on the upper abdomen, 7 cùn superior to the umbilicus on the midline.

• Indications: Chest pain; abdominal distension; mania and withdrawal; epilepsy.
• Stimulus: Needling: 0.3–0.5 cùn perpendicular insertion. Moxa: 3–5 cones; pole 10–30 min.
• Warnings: Deep insertion contraindicated.
• Categories: Network point (luò xué).

CV-17 (膻中 dàn zhōng, Chest Center): Located on the chest, level with the fourth intercostal space on the midline.

• Indications: Cough; panting; chest pain; heart palpitation; scant breast milk; retching and vomiting; dysphagia-occlusion (噎膈 yē gé).
• Stimulus: Needling: 0.3–0.5 cùn downward oblique insertion. Moxa: 5–9 cones; pole 3–5 min.
• Categories: Alarm point (mù xué) of the pericardium; meeting point (huì xué) of qì.