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Channel: GV, governing (dū) vessel

Modern location: An acupoint located on the lower back, inferior to the spinous process of the first lumbar vertebra.

Classical location: Below the thirteenth vertebra. From The Golden Mirror of Medicine (医宗金鑑 yī zōng jīn jiàn)

Local anatomy: See GV-3.

Action: Fortifies the spleen and harmonizes the stomach; strengthens the lumbus and knees.

Modern indications: Diarrhea; abdominal pain; painful stiffness of the lumbar spine.

Classical indications: Red and white dysentery in children; prolapse of the rectum; abdominal pain; nontransformation of grain and water (undigested food in the stool).

Needle stimulus: Needling: 0.3‒0.5 cùn sideways and upward oblique insertion. Moxa: 3‒5 cones; pole 20‒30 min.

Point name meaning:

• 悬 xuán: to suspend, to hang; space
• 枢 shū: pivot, axis

GV-5 is located at a point on the spine that is pivotal in bending and twisting motions. It is furthermore suspended in the space between the first and second lumbar vertebrae; hence the name Suspended Pivot.

The point is also suspended within the center burner, between the two Triple Burner Transport (sān jiāo shù) points of the triple burner. It forms a suspended pivot in the triple burner system. See acupoint names: origins, meanings, and translations.

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