Rangu Point (KI-2 / Burning Valley, also known as Longyuan, Longquan)
Discover the exact location and acupressure method for Rangu (KI-2 / Burning Valley). Learn its benefits for irregular menstruation, chest distension, diabetes, and spermatorrhea – the Kidney meridian Ying-Spring point – plus classic combinations for comprehensive treatment.
Indications
Irregular menstruation, chest and hypochondriac distension, diabetes, spermatorrhea, leukorrhea, sore throat, hemoptysis, and infantile tetanus.
Precise Location
On the medial side of the foot, below the tuberosity of the navicular bone, at the junction of the red and white skin.
Location Method
Sit upright or lie supine. On the medial side of the foot, at the front-middle part of the arch, a bony crevice can be felt below the navicular tuberosity – at the junction of the red and white skin, where firm pressure produces a distinct sore and distending sensation.
Massage Method
① Massage: Press and knead firmly with the thumb. ② Moxibustion: Apply mild-warm moxa stick. Press and knead Rangu firmly with the thumb about 200 times, or for 3–5 minutes, to treat irregular menstruation and related conditions. Therapeutic actions: Nourishes yin and clears heat, regulates menstruation and stops leukorrhea, regulates qi and reduces distension.
Compatibility
Febrile diseases with restlessness and excessive sweating: Combine with Taixi (KI-3). Irregular menstruation and leukorrhea: Combine with Sanyinjiao (SP-6) and Guanyuan (RN-4). Diabetes: Combine with Yishu (EX-B3), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), and Taixi (KI-3). Spermatorrhea: Combine with Shenshu (BL-23) and Zhishi (BL-52). Sore throat: Combine with Shaoshang (LU-11) and Hegu (LI-4). Chest and hypochondriac distension: Combine with Yanglingquan (GB-34) and Zhigou (TE-6).
Efficacy & Actions
This point belongs to the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian and is the Ying-Spring point where the meridian qi flows (corresponding to the Fire element in the five-element theory). It nourishes yin and clears heat, regulates menstruation and stops leukorrhea, regulates qi and reduces distension. It is a commonly used key point for treating gynecological disorders and diabetes. First documented in Lingshu · Benshu. "Ran" means to burn; "Gu" means valley or depression. Located in the bony depression anteroinferior to the medial malleolus, like a fire burning in a valley – hence the name Rangu (Burning Valley). It is also known as "Longyuan" and "Longquan."
Contraindications
Located on the medial foot, needling depth should be carefully controlled – generally 0.5–0.8 cun vertically. Moxibustion is permissible.
