Xuanzhong Point (GB-39 / Suspended Bell, also known as Juegu)
Dredges the meridians and unblocks the collaterals, moves qi and nourishes blood, strengthens bones and benefits marrow. Based on its properties, it is clinically used for dizziness, migraine, cervical spondylosis, chest and hypochondriac injuries, foot inversion, foot eversion, and blood system disorders.
Indications
Stiff painful neck, limb joint soreness, heel pain, dizziness, insomnia, memory loss, tinnitus and deafness, and hypertension. (1) Head and neck disorders: Migraine, dizziness, stiff neck, cervical spondylosis. (2) Chest and hypochondriac disorders: Hypochondriac pain, rib pain, supraclavicular pain, breast disorders. (3) Lower limb flaccidity/bi-syndrome: Paralysis, sciatica, beriberi. (4) Special disorders: Anemia, leukopenia, brain tumors, encephalitis, thyroid dysfunction, Alzheimer's disease, and other difficult conditions.
Precise Location
On the lateral lower leg, 3 cun above the tip of the lateral malleolus, at the anterior border of the fibula.
Location Method
Sit upright or lie supine. Measure 3 cun (approximately 4 finger-widths) directly upward from the tip of the lateral malleolus – the point is in the depression at the anterior border of the fibula, where firm pressure produces a distinct sore and distending sensation. (This point is located on the same vertical line as Waiqiu and Yangfu on the anterior fibular border.)
Massage Method
Massage: Press and knead with the thumb. Press and knead Xuanzhong with the thumb about 200 times, or for 3–5 minutes, to treat lumbar and leg pain, dizziness, and insomnia. Therapeutic actions: Dredges the meridians and unblocks the collaterals, moves qi and nourishes blood, strengthens bones and benefits marrow.
Compatibility
Hyperlipidemia: Combine with Fenglong (ST-40). Stiff painful neck: Combine with Houxi (SI-3), Lieque (LU-7), Fengchi (GB-20), and Yanglingquan (GB-34). Sciatica: Combine with Huantiao (GB-30), Fengshi (GB-31), Weizhong (BL-40), and Yanglingquan (GB-34). Breast disorders: Combine with Neiguan (PC-6), Tanzhong (RN-17), and Taichong (LR-3). Chest and hypochondriac pain: Combine with Zhigou (TE-6) and Yanglingquan (GB-34). Migraine: Combine with Waiguan (TE-5) and Fengchi (GB-20). Foot inversion: Combine with reinforcing Shenmai (BL-62) and reducing Zhaohai (KI-6). Foot eversion: Combine with reducing Shenmai (BL-62) and reinforcing Zhaohai (KI-6). Anemia and leukopenia: Combine with Geshu (BL-17), Xuehai (SP-10), and Zusanli (ST-36) with moxibustion. Dizziness and insomnia: Combine with Baihui (GV-20), Shenmen (HT-7), and Sanyinjiao (SP-6).
Efficacy & Actions
Xuanzhong belongs to the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian and is the Marrow Hui point among the Eight Influential Points. It moves qi and nourishes blood, relaxes the sinews and unblocks the collaterals, and benefits marrow and strengthens bones. It is a key point for treating marrow disorders and bone flaccidity, and a commonly used point for stiff painful neck. First documented in Zhenjiu Jiayijing. "Xuan" means to hang; "Zhong" means bell. In ancient times, children or dancers would hang small bells here – hence the name Xuanzhong (Suspended Bell). It is also known as "Juegu" (Separated Bone) – because the point is located between the tibia and fibula where they do not join, with a gap between them. (1) Effective Point for Stiff Painful Neck: This point has been used for stiff painful neck since ancient times. The lateral neck is where the Gallbladder Meridian passes – the Lingshu · Jingmai records that the Gallbladder Meridian "descends the neck and joins the supraclavicular fossa." As a point on this meridian, and as the great collateral of the three yang meridians which all pass through the neck, needling dredges the qi of the neck region, relaxes sinews, and unblocks collaterals. (2) Key Point for Flaccidity/Bi-Syndrome: As the Marrow Hui point – bone generates marrow, and marrow nourishes bone – the Neijing states: "The Gallbladder governs bone disorders." Thus this point strengthens bones, benefits marrow, tonifies the kidney, and nourishes blood – used for paralysis, flaccidity syndrome, bi-syndrome, and limb immobility. The Tianxing Secret Formula states: "For difficulty walking, first use Juegu, then Tiaokou and Chongyang." The Biaoyou Fu states: "Xuanzhong and Huantiao – Hua Tuo needled them to make the crippled walk." A historical case from the Great Compendium: In the summer of Gengchen, Minister Xu suffered from leg wind with unbearable pain for over a month. The physician Huantiao and Juegu, and he recovered within ten days – astonishing all. (3) Specific Point for Blood System Disorders (Leukopenia, Anemia): These disorders often arise from congenital deficiency, poor postnatal nourishment, or prolonged illness depleting vital qi, essence, and blood. As the Marrow Hui point, needling Xuanzhong supplements essence and marrow, nourishes marrow and blood – moxibustion greatly enhances the effect. (4) Treats Meridian Pathway Disorders: The Gallbladder Meridian originates at the outer canthus, runs behind the ear, along the neck, through the supraclavicular fossa, down the axilla, along the chest, and across the hypochondrium – used for migraine, neck-shoulder pain, supraclavicular pain, and chest-hypochondriac pain. (5) Other Therapeutic Effects: This point has broad applications – also used for mastitis, breast hyperplasia, thyroid dysfunction, sinusitis, epistaxis, throat obstruction, cough, dizziness, brain tumors, hemorrhoids, constipation, stomach heat, abdominal distension, and difficult urination/defecation.
Contraindications
Needling should be performed close to the anterior border of the fibula, without excessive depth. Moxibustion is commonly used.
