Yanglingquan Point (GB-34 / Yang Mound Spring, also known as Yangling, Yangzhilingquan)
Soothes the liver and benefits the gallbladder, relaxes the sinews and unblocks the collaterals, and frees and benefits the joints. Based on its properties, it is clinically used for biliary system disorders, chest and hypochondriac pain, frozen shoulder, cervical spondylosis, knee joint pain, and other motor system disorders.
Indications
Cramps, numbness, lumbar and leg fatigue, gastric ulcer, and lower limb flaccidity/bi-syndrome. (1) Liver-gallbladder and digestive disorders: Jaundice, bitter taste, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, hepatitis, stomach pain, gastric distension, vomiting. (2) Motor system disorders: Stiff neck, cervical spondylosis, shoulder pain, limb numbness, knee and patellar swelling with pain, post-stroke sequelae, beriberi. (3) Chest and hypochondriac pain: Intercostal neuralgia, chest and hypochondriac contusion, costochondritis, pleuritis. (4) Lateral body disorders: Migraine, tinnitus, deafness, lateral hemiplegia, etc.
Precise Location
Located on the Gallbladder Meridian, obliquely below the knee, in the depression anterior and inferior to the fibular head on the lateral side of the lower leg.
Location Method
Sit upright with feet on the floor at approximately 90°, slightly bending forward. Lightly hold the anterior lower knee with the palm of the left hand – the point is where the thumb pad rests.
Massage Method
Bend the thumb and knead vertically with the pad – a sore, distending, and painful sensation will occur. Apply to both sides for 1–3 minutes each, left first then right. Therapeutic actions: Soothes the liver and benefits the gallbladder, relaxes the sinews and unblocks the collaterals, and strengthens the lumbar region and knees.
Compatibility
Jaundice: Combine with Zhongfeng (LR-4) and Qimen (LR-14). Disease overview: Jaundice is a symptom and sign of yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera due to elevated serum bilirubin – often caused by liver, gallbladder, and blood diseases. Massage sequence: Massage Yanglingquan for 3 minutes; massage Zhongfeng (on the dorsum of the foot, anterior to the medial malleolus, in the depression medial to the tibialis anterior tendon) for 2 minutes; finally massage Qimen for 3 minutes. Biliary ascariasis: Combine with Qiuxu (GB-40), Yanglingquan (GB-34), and Yingxiang (LI-20). Chest and hypochondriac fullness: Combine with Shenfeng (KI-23), Tanzhong (RN-17), Yanglingquan (GB-34), and Zhigou (TE-6). Beriberi: Combine with Jianjing (GB-21), Zusanli (ST-36), and Yanglingquan (GB-34). Hypochondriac pain: Combine with Zhigou (TE-6). Knee pain: Combine with Yinlingquan (SP-9). Liver-stomach disharmony: Combine with Neiguan (PC-6), Taichong (LR-3), Gongsun (SP-4), Zhongwan (RN-12), and Zusanli (ST-36). Post-stroke sequelae: Combine with Quchi (LI-11). Flaccidity syndrome: Combine with Zusanli (ST-36), Xuanzhong (GB-39), and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). Infantile convulsions: Combine with Shuigou (GV-26), Zhongchong (PC-9), and Taichong (LR-3). Neck pain: Combine with Waiguan (TE-5), Fengchi (GB-20), and Houxi (SI-3).
Efficacy & Actions
Yanglingquan belongs to the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian and is the He-Sea point where the meridian qi enters, corresponding to the Earth element in the five-element theory. It is also the Lower He-Sea point of the Gallbladder and the Sinew Hui point among the Eight Influential Points. It clears the liver and benefits the gallbladder, soothes the liver and relieves depression, relaxes the sinews and relieves pain, and frees and benefits the joints. It is a commonly used key point for treating liver-gallbladder disorders and a specific point for motor system disorders. First documented in Lingshu · Xieqi Zangfu Bingxing. "Yang" refers to the lateral side; "Ling" refers to a mound or high place; "Quan" means spring or depression. Located below and lateral to the knee, in the depression anterior and inferior to the fibular head – hence the name Yanglingquan (Yang Mound Spring). It is also known as "Yangling" and "Yangzhilingquan." For those suffering from long-term stiffness and soreness of the sinews and bones, or frequent cramps, regular pressing of this point can bring improvement. Ancient texts record that this point treats "gallbladder disorders, frequent sighing, bitter taste, hypochondriac pain and distension, vomiting, wheezing, various wind disorders, head and facial swelling, headache, dizziness, enuresis, spasms, sinew pain, inability to extend the knee, cold bi-syndrome, hemiplegia, cold feet with pallor, knee swelling and numbness, and 'grass-sandal wind'." (1) Key Point for Biliary System Disorders: As the He-Sea point of the Gallbladder Meridian, corresponding to Earth, it has the function of treating both the Liver and Spleen simultaneously. He-Sea points treat rebellious qi and diarrhea – thus treating epigastric distension, belching, acid regurgitation, vomiting, and hiccups due to liver qi invading the stomach. The Suwen · Xieqi Zangfu Bingxing states: "He-Sea points treat internal organs." The Lingshu · Jiuzhen Shier Yuan states: "For diseases manifesting in the upper body but belonging to the exterior and fu organs, use Yanglingquan." Thus it treats all biliary disorders – jaundice, gallbladder pain, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis – and also treats bitter taste, dry throat, chills and fever, jaundice, dark urine, and constipation due to liver-gallbladder disharmony. The Suwen · Qibing Lun states: "For bitter taste, take Yanglingquan." The Zhenjiu Jiayijing records: "Gallbladder distension with hypochondriac pain, bitter taste, and frequent sighing – Yanglingquan is the primary point." (2) Important Point for Motor System Disorders: As the Sinew Hui point – the Nanjing · 45th Difficulty states: "The sinews meet at Yanglingquan." The sinews of the three yang and three yin meridians of the foot all converge at the knee – the Suwen · Maiyao Jingwei Lun states: "The knee is the mansion of the sinews." Thus Yanglingquan is where sinew qi converges, treating sinew disorders, knee disorders, frozen shoulder, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, hemiplegia, sciatica, sprains, and beriberi. For sinew disorders, this point is often used first before other points. For conditions with extensive pain areas such as stiff neck or frozen shoulder where the affected meridian is difficult to distinguish, this point is the first choice. (3) Effective Point for Hypochondriac Pain: The Gallbladder Meridian "descends from the supraclavicular fossa, passes through the axilla, follows the chest, and crosses the hypochondrium." Yanglingquan regulates qi, relieves pain, and relaxes sinews – clinically used for intercostal neuralgia, chest and hypochondriac contusions, costochondritis, and pleuritis. (4) Treats Lateral Body Disorders: The Gallbladder Meridian courses along the lateral body – from the lateral head, through the chest and hypochondrium. As the He-Sea point, Lower He-Sea point of the Gallbladder, and Sinew Hui, it treats lateral body disorders such as migraine, tinnitus, deafness, and lateral hemiplegia. (5) Other Therapeutic Effects: This point has broad applications – also used for herpes zoster, trigeminal neuralgia, facial spasm, stomach pain, gastric distension, vomiting, and infantile convulsions.
Contraindications
Yanglingquan is located in the depression anterior and inferior to the fibular head – the point must be accurately located before needling, otherwise insertion may be difficult.
