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Alternate names: 筋束 jīn shù, Sinew Binder

Channel: GV, governing (dū) vessel

Modern location: An acupoint located on the upper back, inferior to the spinous process of the ninth thoracic vertebra.

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

Local anatomy: The posterior branch of the ninth intercostal artery. The medial branch of the posterior ramus of the ninth thoracic nerve.

Action: Fortifies the spleen and harmonizes the stomach; strengthens the lumbar and boosts the kidney; relieves pain and quiets the spirit.

Modern indications: Epilepsy; stiffness of the spinal column; stomach pain.

Classical indications: Withdrawal disease; dizziness; loss of speech; visceral agitation (zàng zào); pain in the stomach duct; fright epilepsy (jīng xián) in children; tugging and slackening.

Needle stimulus: Needling: 0.3‒0.5 cùn sideways and upward oblique insertion. Moxa: 3‒7 cones; pole 5‒10 min.

Point name meaning:

• 筋 jīn: sinew, tendon
• 缩 suō: to contract, to shrink

GV-8 is situated between the two Liver Transport (gan shù) points. The liver governs the sinews and this point, by virtue of its proximity to the transport points of the liver, is effective in treating sinew disorders such as spasms, hypertonicity and contracture. Thus the point is named Sinew Contraction. See acupoint names: origins, meanings, and translations.

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