GB22 (Yuanye, “Abyss of Fluid”) is an acupuncture point on the Gallbladder Channel Meridian. It is located on the lateral side of the chest, on the mid-axillary line, 3 cun inferior to the apex of the axilla, in a depression between the ribs. The point is located with the arm raised. It expands the chest, unbinds the hypochondrium, and transforms phlegm.
On the lateral side of the chest, on the mid-axillary line, 3 cun inferior to the apex of the axilla, in a depression between the ribs. The point is located with the arm raised.
Oblique or transverse-oblique insertion along the intercostal space, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Deep perpendicular insertion carries a risk of pneumothorax.
Expands the chest, unbinds the hypochondrium, and transforms phlegm.
Chest and hypochondriac fullness, pain in the chest and back making it difficult to turn over or lie down, arm and shoulder pain, swelling and ulceration of the axilla (scrofula), cold and heat sensations.
Yuanye is a local point for conditions affecting the lateral chest and axilla, such as intercostal neuralgia, pleurisy, and axillary lymphadenitis. Its ability to address fullness and pain in the chest and hypochondrium makes it useful for disorders of constrained Liver and Gallbladder Qi. The classical prohibition against moxibustion is a significant clinical note to observe.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《醫學綱目·刺灸》 Yīxué Gāngmù · Cìjiǔ — Outline of Medicine: Needling and Moxibustion, Lou Ying, 1565 · 卷之八·陰陽臟腑部 · 穴法下 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
淵腋二穴，在腋下三寸宛宛中，舉臂取之。 刺入三分，不宜灸，灸之不幸，令人生腫蝕馬瘍According to this text, GB22 lies in the hollow 3 cun below the armpit and is located with the arm raised; it is needled 3 fen. The text warns that moxibustion is not suitable, since it may cause swelling and eroding 'horse ulcers'.
《備急千金要方》 Bèijí Qiānjīn Yàofāng — Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies, c. 650 · 第二十九 · Source: Wikisource ↗
淵腋灸之，不幸生膿蝕The text warns that if GB22 is moxibusted, it may unfortunately give rise to pus and erosion.
GB22 is one of 44 points on the Gallbladder Channel Meridian. Nearby points:
GB22 (Yuanye) is located on the lateral side of the chest, on the mid-axillary line, 3 cun inferior to the apex of the axilla, in a depression between the ribs. The point is located with the arm raised.
GB22 expands the chest, unbinds the hypochondrium, and transforms phlegm. Common clinical indications include chest and hypochondriac fullness, pain in the chest and back making it difficult to turn over or lie down, arm and shoulder pain, swelling and ulceration of the axilla (scrofula), cold and heat sensations.
Oblique or transverse-oblique insertion along the intercostal space, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Deep perpendicular insertion carries a risk of pneumothorax. Caution: Overlies the thoracic cavity — risk of PNEUMOTHORAX. Needle obliquely or transversely, never deeply or perpendicularly toward the chest wall. Classical texts strongly forbid moxibustion, warning that it can cause severe sores and can be fatal if they ulcerate internally.
GB22 is a point on the Gallbladder Channel Meridian (Zú Shàoyáng Dǎnjīng).