Z2.1 Ling Gu 靈谷 Magic Bone (MTA)

Location

In the depression besides the junction of the 1st and 2nd metacar-pal bones

Manipulation

Insert perpendicularly 0.5-1.5 cun

Category

Lung

Indications

(1) Pain: abdominal pain, sciatica, lumbago, and back pain

(2) Lung: common cold, wheezing, and fever

(3) Wood-wind: tinnitus, sudden deafness, migraine, and paraly-sis

(4) Gynecology: irregular periods, difficult labor, and amenorrhea

(5) Bladder: painful and frequent urination

(6) Bi-syndrome: swelling joints

Commentary

The acupoint is located in the region of He Gu - LI4 on the hand Yangming large intestine channel and belongs to the lung-metal. Since the earth is the mother of metal, this acupoint activates the Yangming digestion system stomach and large intestine to produce more Qi and blood to support the lung.

The He Gu - LI4 region relates to the lower back and the bladder channel at Da Chang Shu - BL25 i.e. the back-Shu point of the large intestine. Interestingly, the sciatica nerve is derived from spinal nerves L4 to S3, where Da Chang Shu - BL25 is located.

The acupoint is located in  H1 of the hand region and belongs to liver wood.  Metal controls wood. Therefore, it controls/balances the symptoms of hyperactive wind e.g. tinnitus and migraine. The gynecological organs are situated in the large intestine re-gion, so the acupoint can also treat gynecological symptoms. Similarly, it treats various urinary disorders. Interestingly, the lung connects to the bladder and the liver to the large intestine according to the Extraordinary Connections between Zang and Fu Organs. The He Gu - LI4 region is characterized by a strong effect to move Qi and blood. Thus, it opens the blockage in Bi-syndrome.

In a word, it is an important acupoint to supplement the lung and to move Qi and open blockage.