Guanmen ST-22
Chinese: 关门
Pinyin: Guān Mén
Location
3 cun above the umbilicus and 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
How to locate
There are 8 cun between the sternocostal angle and the center of the umbilicus. Guanmen ST-22 is 5 cun below the sternocostal angle and 3 cun above the umbilicus. It is also 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Or first identify Liangmen ST-21 which is the midpoint between the sternocostal angle and the center of the umbilicus and 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline. Then measure 1 cun below ST-21.
Main actions
- Invigorates Stomach Qi
- Regulates the water passages
Needling
Vertically 0.5–1 cun.
Caution: Peritoneum, pregnancy.
Commentary for Guanmen ST-22
Similar to Burong ST-19, Chengman ST-20 and Liangmen ST-21, Guanmen ST-22 is able to treat Excess patterns of Middle Burner (eg: the Stomach and the epigastric area), such as Stomach Qi Stagnation. However, comparing to its neighboring points, its functions also extend to Lower Burner (eg: abdomen) as well.
Furthermore, it is also widely used to resolve Dampness in the Middle and Lower Burner. Thus it can regulate the water passages so as to facilitate urination and bowel movement. For this purpose, it is often used together with Shuifen REN-9 and Jianli REN-11.