Guilai Point (ST-29 / Return, also known as Xixue)
Regulates qi and blood, warms the meridians and dispels cold, benefits qi and secures prolapse. Based on its properties, it is used for male and female reproductive system disorders and abdominal diseases.
Indications
Hernia, leukorrhea, irregular menstruation, infertility, abdominal pain, cold sensitivity, and testicular retraction. (1) Gynecological disorders: Irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, uterine prolapse, dysmenorrhea, vaginal itching, infertility, leukorrhea. (2) Male disorders: Penile pain, orchitis, scrotal pain. (3) Urinary disorders: Abdominal pain, hernia, difficult urination.
Precise Location
Located on the Stomach Meridian, in the lower abdomen, 4 cun below the umbilicus (center of the navel) and 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Location Method
Lie supine. Bring the five fingers of the left hand together with the thumb on the umbilicus and the other four fingers below it – locate where the little finger falls below the umbilicus as the base point. Then raise the thumb, bring the other four fingers together pointing downward, place the index finger at this base point – the point is where the little finger falls. Repeat to locate the right point.
Massage Method
① Massage: Press and knead with the thumb or the palm root. ② Moxibustion: Apply mild-warm moxa stick. Press vertically with the pads of the index, middle, and ring fingers on both sides of the lower abdomen – the middle finger applying the most pressure – knead from inside outward for 1–3 minutes each morning and evening. Therapeutic actions: Activates blood and resolves stasis, regulates menstruation and relieves pain, benefits qi and secures prolapse.
Compatibility
Irregular menstruation: Combine with Guilai (ST-29), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), Shenshu (BL-23), and Mingmen (GV-4). Disease overview: A common gynecological condition characterized by abnormal menstrual cycle or bleeding volume, with premenstrual or menstrual abdominal pain and systemic symptoms. Causes may be organic or functional, including blood diseases, hypertension, liver disease, endocrine disorders, reproductive tract infections, and tumors. Massage sequence: Lie supine – rub Guilai with the right thenar for 1 minute; press Sanyinjiao on both sides with the right thumb pad for 1 minute each; massage the lower abdomen with the palm for 1 minute. Then lie prone – rub the lumbosacral region with both palms for 2 minutes; press Shenshu and Mingmen with both thumbs for 3 minutes each until soreness is felt; finally grasp and lift Shenshu on both sides with all five fingers 3 times. Hernia: Combine with Dadun (LR-1) and Guilai (ST-29). Impotence: Combine with Yongquan (KI-1) and Guilai (ST-29). Hernia: Combine with Taichong (LR-3) and Qihai (RN-6). Vaginal itching: Combine with Ligou (LR-5). Irregular menstruation: Combine with Tianshu (ST-25), Zhongji (RN-3), Xuehai (SP-10), and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). Running piglet qi: Combine with Zhigou (TE-6), Taichong (LR-3), and Yanglingquan (GB-34). Infertility: Combine with Guanyuan (RN-4), Qihai (RN-6), and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). Amenorrhea: Combine with Zhongji (RN-3), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), and Xuehai (SP-10). Male and female reproductive disorders: Combine with Zhongji (RN-3), Guanyuan (RN-4), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), and Xingjian (LR-2). Uterine prolapse: Combine with Weibao (EX-CA4), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), and Qihai (RN-6). Stroke with lower limb weakness: Combine with Fengshi (GB-31), Yanglingquan (GB-34), Zusanli (ST-36), and Xuanzhong (GB-39).
Efficacy & Actions
Guilai belongs to the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. It activates blood and resolves stasis, warms the meridians and stops leukorrhea, regulates qi and secures prolapse. It is a commonly used point for lower abdominal disorders and gynecological conditions. First documented in Zhenjiu Jiayijing. "Gui" means to return; "Lai" means to come back. This point enables qi that has strayed to return to its proper place, and prolapsed organs to return to their original position. It treats conditions such as testicular retraction in men and uterine prolapse in women – hence the name Guilai (Return). It is also known as "Xixue." For men, hernia is a common concern; for women, dysmenorrhea. Regular long-term massage of Guilai can not only treat hernia and dysmenorrhea, but also effectively manage kidney-deficiency conditions such as testicular retraction in men and uterine prolapse in women. (1) Key Point for Gynecological Disorders: This point warms the meridians and secures prolapse, tonifies Chong and Ren meridians, regulates blood and menstruation. Clinically used for uterine prolapse, excessive leukorrhea, dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, infertility, and amenorrhea – especially effective for amenorrhea and uterine prolapse, particularly for cold-type amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, often combined with moxibustion. The Zhenjiu Jiayijing records: "Cold in the female genital region – Guilai is the primary point." The Illustrated Manual of Acupoints on the Bronze Figure also records: "Guilai treats cold accumulation in the blood chamber of women." (2) Common Point for Lower Abdominal Disorders: Belonging to the Stomach Meridian, which is rich in qi and blood, located in the lower abdomen, needling regulates abdominal qi and blood to raise qi. It treats lower abdominal pain, hernia, running piglet qi, and male/female reproductive disorders. The Shengyu Ge states: "Intestinal qi pain is treated by Guilai." The Great Compendium records: "It treats lower abdominal running piglet, testicle ascending into the abdomen causing umbilical pain, seven types of hernia, and cold accumulation in the blood chamber of women." It treats hernia because the Stomach Meridian is rich in qi and blood, and the point is located near the groin where hernia protrudes, thus raising qi and activating blood to return the prolapsed organ.
Contraindications
Needling depth should be carefully controlled. Contraindicated in pregnant women. This point commonly uses even reinforcing-reducing or reducing techniques; reinforcing technique is generally not suitable.
