Hunmen Point (BL-47 / Soul Gate)
Discover the exact location and acupressure method for Hunmen (BL-47 / Soul Gate). Learn its benefits for chest and hypochondriac pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and back pain – the gateway for the liver soul – plus classic combinations for comprehensive treatment.
Indications
Chest and hypochondriac distension with pain, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, borborygmus with diarrhea, back pain, jaundice, and epigastric and abdominal distension.
Precise Location
Chest and hypochondriac distension with pain, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, borborygmus with diarrhea, back pain, jaundice, and epigastric and abdominal distension.
Location Method
At the level where the line connecting the inferior angles of the scapulae intersects with the spine (approximately the 7th thoracic vertebra), count down 2 vertebrae to the spinous process of the 9th thoracic vertebra – the point is 4 finger-widths (approximately 3 cun) lateral to the lower edge of this spinous process.
Massage Method
① Massage: Press and knead with the thumb. ② Moxibustion: Apply mild-warm moxa stick. Press and knead Hunmen with the thumb about 200 times, or for 3–5 minutes daily, to treat vomiting, borborygmus, and diarrhea. Therapeutic actions: Soothes the liver and regulates qi, harmonizes the stomach and descends rebellious qi, strengthens the spleen and stops diarrhea, unblocks the collaterals and relieves pain.
Compatibility
Chest and hypochondriac pain: Combine with Yanglingquan (GB-34) and Zhigou (TE-6). Vomiting and difficulty swallowing: Combine with Zhongwan (RN-12), Zusanli (ST-36), and Neiguan (PC-6). Borborygmus with diarrhea: Combine with Tianshu (ST-25), Shangjuxu (ST-37), and Pishu (BL-20). Jaundice: Combine with Ganshu (BL-18), Danshu (BL-19), and Yanglingquan (GB-34). Back pain: Combine with Dazhu (BL-11) and Weizhong (BL-40).
Efficacy & Actions
This point belongs to the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian. It soothes the liver and regulates qi, harmonizes the stomach and descends rebellious qi, strengthens the spleen and stops diarrhea, unblocks the collaterals and relieves pain. It is a commonly used key point for treating liver, gallbladder, spleen, stomach, and chest-hypochondriac disorders. First documented in Zhenjiu Jiayijing. "Hun" refers to the ethereal soul associated with the liver; "Men" means gate or door. The liver stores the hun – located on the back, this point serves as the gateway for the liver soul – hence the name Hunmen (Soul Gate).
Contraindications
Located on the back, needling should not be too deep – generally oblique needling at 0.5–0.8 cun to avoid injury to internal organs. Moxibustion is permissible.
