CV 6 — Qì Hǎi (气海) — Sea of Qi

On this page

1. Overview
2. Location
3. Actions
4. Indications
5. Needling
6. Clinical notes
7. Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

CV 6 — Qì Hǎi (气海) — is an acupuncture point on the Conception Vessel (Ren Mai) meridian. Its English name, Sea of Qi, reflects the point’s classical character and location. It is one of the most clinically important points in acupuncture practice and is used regularly in the treatment of a range of conditions.

I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience. I use CV 6 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.

2. Location

On the anterior midline, 1.5 cun below the umbilicus.

3. Actions

1. Tonifies and raises the original Qi
2. Tonifies the Kidney Yang
3. Regulates Qi in the Lower Jiao
4. Strengthens Spleen and Stomach Qi

4. Indications

1. General Qi deficiency — fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath and prolapse
2. Abdominal pain and distension from Qi deficiency and Cold
3. Irregular menstruation and dysmenorrhoea from Qi stagnation or deficiency
4. Male sexual dysfunction from Kidney Qi deficiency
5. Constipation and diarrhoea from Qi deficiency
6. Oedema and urinary difficulty

5. Needling

Perpendicular insertion 0.8–1.2 cun. Moxibustion frequently applied. Avoid in pregnancy.

Important: Acupuncture should only be performed by a fully qualified practitioner. Never attempt self-needling. All needles I use are sterile, single-use and disposed of immediately after treatment in a clinical sharps container.

6. Clinical notes

CV 6 — Sea of Qi — is the reservoir of all acquired Qi in the body, gathered through breathing and digestion. It is the primary point for tonifying general Qi deficiency and is widely used for fatigue, weakness and recovery from illness. Moxibustion at CV 6 is particularly effective for Cold patterns in the abdomen and is regularly combined with ST 36 in general tonification treatment. Combined with CV 4, it forms the core Lower Jiao moxibustion prescription for Kidney deficiency.

7. Treatment at my clinic

I use CV 6 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions for conditions including Chronic fatigue syndrome, Fertility, Digestive disorders. Each treatment is individually designed following a full TCM assessment.

I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Visit the prices page for consultation fees. Return to the acupuncture points directory or the acupuncture main page.