Shuigou Point (GV-26 / DU-26, also known as Renzhong, Guigong, Guishi, Guiketing)
This point belongs to the Governor Vessel (Du Mai) and is the converging point of the Du Mai, the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, and the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. It revives consciousness, opens the orifices, unblocks the Governor Vessel, relaxes sinews, and benefits the spine. It is a clinical first-aid specific point and is commonly used for mental disorders, facial/head conditions, and pain. The reducing (sedating) method is frequently applied in clinical practice.
Indications
Coma, syncope, shock, heatstroke, epilepsy, acute/chronic infantile convulsions, trismus. (1) Emergencies: coma, shock, syncope, heatstroke, apoplectic stroke, acute infantile convulsions, trismus, manic-depressive psychosis. (2) Du Mai disorders: stiff neck, severe spinal pain. (3) Facial disorders: facial deviation, toothache, nasal congestion, epistaxis, swollen lips. (4) Mental disorders: hysteria, schizophrenia. (5) Others: diabetes (Xiaoke), jaundice, edema, halitosis, hiccups, motion sickness, etc.
Precise Location
On the face, at the junction of the upper 1/3 and the middle 1/3 of the philtrum.
Location Method
Lie supine; locate the point at the upper 1/3 of the philtrum on the face.
Massage Method
Massage: Press and pinch firmly with the tip of the thumb. Pinch and press Shuigou with the thumb tip to treat coma, shock, and suffocation. Therapeutic actions: Revives consciousness, opens the orifices, unblocks the Du Mai, relaxes sinews, and benefits the spine.
Compatibility
Shock: Combine with Neiguan (PC-6) and Yongquan (KI-1). Stiff neck and acute lumbar sprain: Combine with Houxi (SI-3). Halitosis: Combine with Daling (PC-7). Coma and severe shock: Combine with the Twelve Well-points or Ten Xuan (EX-UE11). Acute mania/epilepsy: Combine with Jiuwei (CV-15), Jianshi (PC-5), Fenglong (ST-40), and Hegu (LI-4). Infantile convulsions: Combine with Zhongwan (CV-12), Yongquan (KI-1), Taichong (LR-3), and Luxi (TE-19). Stroke collapse type: Combine with Fengchi (GB-20) and Neiguan (PC-6), plus moxa at Guanyuan (CV-4), Shenque (CV-8), and Zusanli (ST-36). Sudden lumbar sprain: Combine with Weizhong (BL-40). Heatstroke: Combine with Ten Xuan (EX-UE11), Yongquan (KI-1), and Weizhong (BL-40). Hysteria: Combine with Hegu (LI-4) needled toward Laogong (PC-8). Stroke with unconsciousness: Combine with Zhongchong (PC-9) and Hegu (LI-4). Coma: Combine with Baihui (GV-20).
Efficacy & Actions
First documented in A-B Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing). "Shui" means water; "Gou" means ditch or channel. Since the point is located within the philtrum, near the nostrils, it is named accordingly. Aliases include "Renzhong," "Guigong," "Guishi," and "Guiketing." Clinically, it is most commonly referred to as "Renzhong." Shuigou is one of the key clinical first-aid points. Situated between the mouth and nose—where Earth Qi communicates through the mouth and Heaven Qi through the nose—this point bridges Heaven and Earth Qi. In the human body, the Ren and Du meridians are analogous to Heaven and Earth, hence this point connects the Ren and Du channels. The Ren Mai governs all Yin meridians, while the Du Mai governs all Yang meridians; the Du Mai also ascends to the brain and has a branch connecting to the heart. If the Qi of these two meridians becomes imbalanced and Yin-Yang fails to converge, acute conditions such as coma and syncope may occur. Therefore, it is an important point for treating shock, coma, trismus, heatstroke, apoplectic stroke, acute and chronic infantile convulsions, and manic-depressive psychosis. In emergencies when no needle is available, heavy thumb pressure can be applied to this point. Shuigou is a specific point for treating stiff neck and acute lumbar sprain. It has been proven by ancient and modern practitioners to be a key point for Du Mai disorders. The Du Mai runs along the midline of the lower back and spine, ascending through the vertebrae and connecting to the Kidney. If the Du Mai is obstructed, it manifests as spinal rigidity. Thus, stiff neck and lumbar sprains often result from impairment of Du Mai Qi, leading to Qi stagnation and blood stasis—"blockage causes pain." As an important point on the Du Mai, Shuigou unblocks the Governor Vessel and dredges the meridians. For the above conditions, it promotes blood circulation, removes stasis, relaxes sinews, and activates collaterals, thereby restoring free flow of Qi to achieve "free flow, no pain." The Jade Dragon Song (Yu Long Ge) states: "For severe spinal rigidity and hernia, drain Renzhong; it can also treat sudden lumbar sprain." When patients present with stiff neck or acute lumbar sprain due to Du Mai pathology, this point is the first choice. During needling, apply rapid and strong twisting manipulation to the patient's tolerance, ideally inducing tearing for optimal effect, while instructing the patient to move the affected area. The retention time is determined based on the treatment response. Shuigou is also commonly used for head and facial disorders. According to the theory that "the point's location governs the conditions it treats," this point can also address swollen lips, facial deviation (Bell's palsy), toothache, nasal congestion, epistaxis, facial edema, and halitosis. For example, the Bronze Man Acupuncture and Moxibustion Illustrated Classic (Tong Ren Shu Xue Zhen Jiu Tu Jing) records: "For wind-type facial edema, needling this single point drains fluid and brings immediate recovery." The Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies (Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang) states: "Shuigou and Tianyou (TE-16) treat excessive nasal discharge with loss of smell." All these conditions are local disorders treated by this point.
Contraindications
This point produces very strong stimulation; the intensity should be adjusted to the patient's tolerance. Needling depth must be controlled to avoid piercing into the oral cavity. Use with caution during pregnancy because strong stimulation may induce miscarriage.
