Gongsun Point (SP-4 / Grandfather Grandson)
Strengthens the spleen and harmonizes the stomach, regulates qi and resolves dampness, harmonizes the Chong Vessel. Based on its properties, it is mainly used for stomach pain, gastric distension, vomiting, and chest tightness with distension.
Indications
Stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, chest tightness, epigastric pain, borborygmus, and diarrhea. (1) Spleen-stomach disorders: Stomach pain, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, ascites, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, borborygmus, hiccups, dysentery, diarrhea. (2) Heart and chest disorders: Restlessness, chest tightness, chest pain, running piglet qi (benqi). (3) Others: Insomnia, lethargy, manic speech, edema, irregular menstruation, metrorrhagia and leukorrhea, hematochezia, foot and ankle swelling with pain, toe numbness, etc.
Precise Location
Located on the Spleen Meridian, on the medial border of the foot, anterior and inferior to the base of the 1st metatarsal bone.
Location Method
eft foot on the right thigh. Bring the index and middle fingers together, with the middle finger behind the joint of the great toe on the medial side – the point is where the index finger rests.
Massage Method
Massage: Firmly pinch and knead with the thumb tip. Bend the thumb and knead vertically into the point with the fingertip – once each morning and evening, for 1–3 minutes per session. Therapeutic actions: Strengthens the spleen and benefits the stomach, regulates and unblocks the meridians.
Compatibility
Rheumatic heart disease: Combine with Shaofu (HT-8), Neiguan (PC-6), Daling (PC-7), Gongsun (SP-4), and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). Disease overview: In TCM, rheumatic heart disease falls under categories such as "palpitations," "wheezing syndrome," "edema," and "heart bi-syndrome." The pathogenesis involves wind-cold-dampness invading internally, transforming into heat over time, or wind-damp-heat directly attacking and lodging in the heart – causing heart vessel obstruction, poor blood circulation, the heart losing nourishment, and mental restlessness. Massage sequence: Press Shaofu, Neiguan, and Daling on the hands – 5 minutes each; then press Gongsun and Sanyinjiao on the feet – 5 minutes each. Stomach pain: Combine with Zusanli (ST-36), Huaroumen (ST-24), Taibai (SP-3), and Gongsun (SP-4). Irregular menstruation: Combine with Huaroumen (ST-24), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), Shenshu (BL-23), Mingmen (GV-4), and Gongsun (SP-4). Stomach, heart, and chest disorders: Combine with Neiguan (PC-6). Threatened miscarriage: Combine with Shenshu (BL-23). Liver-stomach disharmony: Combine with Taichong (LR-3). Hemorrhoids: Combine with Chengshan (BL-57). Diarrhea: Combine with Tianshu (ST-25). Stomach pain and acid regurgitation: Combine with Zusanli (ST-36) and Liangmen (ST-21). Toe numbness and pain: Combine with Shugu (BL-65) and Bafeng (EX-LE10).
Efficacy & Actions
Gongsun belongs to the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian and is the Luo-Connecting point of the Spleen Meridian. It is also one of the Eight Confluent Points, connecting to the Chong Vessel. This point strengthens the spleen and harmonizes the stomach, regulates qi and resolves dampness, and harmonizes the Chong Vessel. It is a commonly used point for disorders of the spleen, stomach, chest, diaphragm, and abdomen. First documented in Lingshu · Jingmai. "Gong" means public or general, referring to a gathering of branches; "Sun" means continuation or grandchildren, like the branching collateral network. The Lingshu · Maidu states: "Branches that run transversely are collaterals; the branches of collaterals are sun (grandchildren/threads)." Hence the name Gongsun. Gongsun is a point that governs the entire body. All problems appearing in the chest and abdomen – such as abdominal distension, unexplained abdominal pain, heart pain, stomach pain, and chest pain – can be relieved by pressing Gongsun. Regular massage of Gongsun is also central to health preservation. Additionally, for newborns with residual fetal toxicity or during the transition from breastfeeding when the spleen and stomach cannot adapt to new foods, causing diarrhea or constipation, pressing Gongsun along with prompt medical examination can be helpful. (1) Key Point for Treating Concurrent Spleen and Stomach Disorders: As the Luo-Connecting point of the Spleen Meridian connecting to the Stomach Meridian, it links the qi of both meridians – one point can treat disorders of both meridians. It strengthens the spleen and harmonizes the stomach, regulates qi and resolves dampness. Clinically used for stomach pain, abdominal distension, hiccups, belching, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion, and other spleen-stomach disorders – especially effective for acute stomach pain and vomiting. The Zhenjiu Daquan records: "Nine types of heart pain; phlegm obstruction with chest stuffiness; umbilical and abdominal distension with undigested qi; hypochondriac pain with incessant diarrhea and tenesmus; vomiting with inability to retain food." Clinically combined with Zusanli (ST-36), Zhongwan (RN-12), and Neiguan (PC-6) for various digestive disorders. (2) Common Point for Regulating the Spleen: As a Spleen Meridian point, the Spleen governs blood and transportation – thus it treats gynecological disorders such as menstrual disorders and leukorrhea due to the spleen failing to govern blood. It also treats edema, jaundice, and lethargy caused by spleen dysfunction with water-damp retention. (3) Key Point for Stomach, Heart, and Chest Disorders: As one of the Eight Confluent Points connecting to the Chong Vessel, when the Chong Vessel is diseased, there is qi counterflow and inner urgency – causing heart pain, restlessness, chest tightness with hypochondriac distension, and abdominal pain with inner urgency. Clinically often combined with Neiguan (PC-6), forming the classic formula: "Gongsun connects to the Chong Vessel for stomach, heart, and chest; Neiguan connects to the Yin Wei Vessel for the same disorders below."
Contraindications
Needling should be performed close to the anterior and inferior edge of the base of the 1st metatarsal bone.
