Kidney Channel

Henggu KID-11

Chinese: 横骨

Pinyin: Héng Gǔ

Location

5 cun below the umbilicus, on the upper border of symphysis pubis, 0.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline. It is at the same level as Qugu REN-2 which is at the anterior midline. 

How to locate

Palpate the upper border of the pubic symphysis and identify Henggu KID-11 directly superior to its bony margin and 0.5 cun lateral to the midline. 

Main actions

  1. Moves Qi and Blood in the Lower Burner
  2. Resolves Dampness
  3. Clears Heat

Indications

Eye pain Red eyes Genitalia pain Urinary retention Urinary difficulty Inner canthus pain Hypogastric fullness Lower abdominal pain

Needling

Vertically 0.5–1 cun.

Caution: Peritoneum, full bladder, pregnancy

Commentary for Henggu KID-11

All the Kidney points on the abdomen (from Henggu KID-11 to Youmen KID-21) are also part of the Penetrating Vessel. Thus their indications are related to both the Channel and the Vessel. 

The Penetrating Vessel is the 'Sea of Blood', 'Sea of the 12 Channel' as well as the 'Sea of the abdomen avenue'. Thus its points are often able to invigorate the Blood and Qi and remove Stagnation, especially in the abdomen. 

Therefore, Henggu KID-11 is able to strongly promote Qi and Blood circulation in the Lower Burner, characterized by symptoms such as genital pain or lower abdominal pain. 

Since the Penetrating Vessels run to the eyes, KID-11 can be used as a distal point to clear Heat from the eye. Typical symptoms are redness or pain on the eyes and inner canthus. 

Finally, KID-11 resolves Dampness from the Lower Burner as well,  so that it treats symptoms like urination difficulty, retention of urine or hypogastric fullness.