關元俞 : Guanyuanshu : Gate of Origin Shu

Classifications:

Homeostatic point 22 (Ma, Ma & Cho, 2005, Biomedical Acupuncture for Pain Management)
Trigger point (Travell & Simons, 1998, Trigger Point Manual)

Location:

1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the fifth lumbar vertebra (L5).

Needling:

Perependicular insertion 1 - 1.5 cun

Classical Needling:

"The Taiyang usually has much Blood and little Qi" (Su Wen 素問 ch. 24) implying this channel should normally be bled.
"The foot Taiyang is to be pierced 5 fen deep and remain inserted for seven exhalations" (Ling Shu 靈樞 ch. 12).

TCM Actions:

Strengthens the lumbar region
Regulates the Lower Jiao

TCM Indications:

• Lumbar pain, wind-taxation lumbar pain.
  
• Abdominal distension, deficiency distension, abdominal (Jia Ju) masses in women, diarrhoea, constipation.
  
• Enuresis, frequent urination, difficult urination, wasting and thirsting disorder.

Neuroanatomy:

Superficial Innervation: Dorsal rami of S1 - S3

Dermatome Segment: S3

Deeper Structures: Dorsal rami of L5

Trigger Point Associations:

Muscle:
Quadratus lumborum

Pain Referral Pattern:
To buttocks

Indications:
Low back pain

Martial Applications & Effects of Injury:

See Montaigue, Dim Mak Locations, Taijiworld.com for explanation of effects.

Major Combinations:

• Wind Taxation lumbar pain:
    Guanyuanshu Bl-26 with Pangguangshu Bl-28
    (Wang Zhizhong, 王執中, 1220: Zhen Jiu Zi Sheng Jing, 針灸資生經, Classic of Supporting Life with Acupuncture and Moxibustion).

Notes:

In Tibetan medicine:
Moxa point (AMNH, Tibetan Medical Paintings)

Reference Notes:

Basic information on location, needle depth, TCM actions, indications and combinations is taken from Deadman et al (2001): A Manual of Acupuncture with additional anatomical information researched by reference to Gray's Anatomy (38th Ed., 1995) unless otherwise referenced. Images were found on acupunctureschoolonline.com and can be traced back to Claudia Focks (2008) Atlas of Acupuncture originally. I cannot claim any credit or rights over them. Other sources should be quoted in the text.

For some of the more unusual terms I have created a glossary here