Location

1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the seventh thoracic vertebra (T7).

Needling

Angled (60 degrees) insertion toward the spine.

Caution; perpendicular or deep insertion carries substantial risk of penetrating the lung (pneumothorax).

Moxa is OK

Actions

Invigourates the blood
Dispels Stagnation
Cools blood heat/stops bleeding
Nourishes and harmonizes the blood
Harmonizes the diaphragm and descend rebel Qi.

Signs and Symptoms

vomiting, hiccup, belching, difficult swallowing, asthma, cough, spitting blood, afternoon fever, night sweats, measles.

Commentary

While not specifically a Back Shu point connected to an organ, Geshu is often included in the Back Shu points because of its location, and because of its actions on the diahpragm and the blood.

Being the Hui-Meeting Point of blood, Geshu is indicated for a wide range of blood disorders. A Hui-Meeting point is where the Qi of specific body structures and processes gathers and collects. Since blood circulates to all the organs and throughout the body a blood disorder may manifest with a wide variety of symptoms. In TCM, blood disorders are categorized into three main areas; 1. stagnation, 2. heat in the blood, and 3. blood deficiency.

The principal sign of stagnation is pain. It is said that Qi is the engine that moves blood. Where Qi goes, blood follows. When Qi becomes stagnant, blood will also become stagnant. When Qi is stagnant the pain fluctuates, is relatively mild and tends to move around. When blood is stagnant the pain is fixed, sharp, and often excruciating. When Qi is stagnant Shanzhong (Ren 17), the Hui-Meeting point of Qi is indicated. When blood is stagnant, Geshu is recommended. Although, when blood is stagnant, Shanzhong may be needled also.

When blood is stagnant, organs are not nourished sufficiently and specifically the Heart and Brain. When the Heart is not nourished the spirit is disturbed giving rise to various psycho-emotional disorders such as continual crying, laughing, swearing and uncontrolled singing. Stagnation may give rise to heat further disturbing the spirit and giving rise to restlessness and agitation.

Geshu is indicated for all manner of bleeding disorders including coughing blood, vomiting blood, spitting blood, nosebleed and blood in the stool.

Bleeding is generally seen as a sign of heat in the blood, as are various kinds of skin eruptions including acne and rashes. When blood is heated it tends move about recklessly and erupt out of the vessels (hemorrhaging). Geshu is indicated in all kinds of blood hemorrhage whether caused by heat or stagnation.

When blood erupts from the vessels and pools outside not only does this blood itself stagnate (indicated by bruising), but it cannot nourish be nourished as it is 'out of the loop'. Consequently, that blood that continues to circulate may not be enough to sufficiently nourish the body and all the organs. Blood deficiency leads to organ deficiency, and the inability of the body to adequately protect itself. Most often, blood deficiency leaves the body open to invasion from the outside.

As its name implies, Geshu has a specific action on the Diaphragm. The Diaphragm is the dividing line between the upper and middle Jiaos. By harmonizing this region, passage of Qi and water between the Upper and Middle Jiaos (Heart/Lungs and Stomach/Spleen) is facilitated. Geshu is recommended for various of kinds Rebellious Qi. This is when Qi goes against the natural tendency to descend and rebels upward. Difficulty swallowing, cough, hiccup, vomiting and stomach reflux are all treated effectively with Geshu.

Finally, Geshu is indicated for heaviness of the body, swelling, weariness of the limbs and lethargy, all signs of Spleen deficiency.