Yamen Point (GV-15 / Mute Gate, also known as Sheheng, Sheyan, Shezhong)
Discover the exact location and acupressure method for Yamen (GV-15 / Mute Gate). Learn its benefits for aphasia, hoarseness, neck pain, and speech disorders – the meeting point of Governor Vessel and Yang Wei – plus classic combinations for comprehensive treatment. Needling depth must be carefully controlled.
Indications
Hoarseness, flaccid tongue with inability to speak, sublingual swelling, aphasia, neck pain, headache, post-stroke stiff tongue with speech difficulty, manic-depressive disorders and epilepsy, infantile convulsions, and deaf-mutism.
Precise Location
In the posterior cervical region, in the depression above the spinous process of the 2nd cervical vertebra, on the posterior midline. Along the spine upward, 0.5 cun above the posterior hairline.
Location Method
Sit upright or lie prone. On the posterior midline, measure 0.5 cun (approximately half a finger-width) upward from the posterior hairline – the point is in the depression above the spinous process of the 2nd cervical vertebra.
Massage Method
① Massage: Press and knead with the thumb. ② Scraping therapy: Scrape from top to bottom. Press and knead Yamen with the thumb about 200 times, or for 3–5 minutes, to treat neck pain and headache. Therapeutic actions: Opens the orifices and unlocks closure, benefits the throat and restores the voice, revives the spirit and stops seizures, and unblocks the collaterals and relieves pain.
Compatibility
Deaf-mutism: Combine with Lianquan (RN-23), Ermen (TE-21), Tinggong (SI-19), Yifeng (TE-17), and Hegu (LI-4). Stiff tongue and aphasia: Combine with Lianquan (RN-23) and Tongli (HT-5). Neck pain and headache: Combine with Fengchi (GB-20) and Tianzhu (BL-10). Manic-depressive disorders and epilepsy: Combine with Shuigou (GV-26) and Dazhui (GV-14). Post-stroke speech difficulty: Combine with Lianquan (RN-23) and Hegu (LI-4).
Efficacy & Actions
This point belongs to the Governor Vessel (Du Mai) and is the meeting point of the Governor Vessel and the Yang Wei Vessel. It opens the orifices and unlocks closure, benefits the throat and restores the voice, revives the spirit and stops seizures, and unblocks the collaterals and relieves pain. It is a commonly used key point for treating aphasia and throat disorders, and is also one of the key emergency points. First documented in Suwen · Qixue Lun. "Ya" refers to muteness or loss of voice; "Men" means gate or door. Located at the back of the neck, this point is a key point for treating loss of voice and muteness – hence the name Yamen (Mute Gate). It is also known as "Sheheng," "Sheyan," and "Shezhong."
Contraindications
The deep layer contains the medulla oblongata – needling angle and depth must be strictly controlled. Vertical needling should not be too deep, generally 0.3–0.5 cun, or oblique downward 0.5–1 cun. Avoid deep upward needling to prevent medullary injury. Moxibustion is contraindicated. Head movement should be minimized during needling.
