Location

on the abdomen, in a depression, 4 cun lateral to the umbilicus. a cun is the distance between the 2nd and 3rd knuckles or the distance at the widest part of the thumb

note; at 4 cun is the lateral border of the rectus abdominus muscle.

Needling

perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1.0 inch.

note; avoid insertion into the muscle.

caution; in very thin patients deep needling may penetrate the peritoneal cavity or an enlarge liver or spleen

Moxa is OK

Actions

Moves Qi and regulates the intestines.

Signs and Symptoms

abdominal pain and distention, diarrhea, constipation. sadness, sighing, weeping, weakness of the four limbs.

Commentary:

Daheng has a strong effect on the Large Intestine and has much in common in this respect with its companion point Tianshu (Stomach 25) While it is indicated for both diarrhea and constipation, in clinical practice it is more favoured as point of choice for constipation, while Tianshu is favoured for diarrhea.

As well, Daheng is indicated for sadness, weeping and sighing. While there is no theoretical basis why this point should have this action, it does.