CV 8 — Shén Què (神阙) — Spirit Gate Tower
On this page
1. Overview
CV 8 — Shén Què (神阙) — is an acupuncture point on the Conception Vessel (Ren Mai) meridian. Its English name, Spirit Gate Tower, reflects the point’s classical character and location. It is used regularly in acupuncture practice for 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, practising at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
In the centre of the umbilicus.
3. Actions
- Rescues Yang and treats collapse
- Warms the Middle Jiao and expels Cold
- Tonifies Spleen and Kidney Yang
- Stops diarrhoea from Cold
4. Indications
- Collapse and shock — restoring Yang
- Diarrhoea from Cold or Spleen Yang deficiency
- Abdominal pain from Cold
- Prolapse from Qi sinking
- Chronic fatigue from Yang deficiency
5. Needling
NEVER needle — treated with moxibustion only. Classical technique: salt-separated moxibustion (salt packed into the navel, moxa cone burned on top).
Important: Acupuncture should only be performed by a fully qualified practitioner. All needles I use are sterile, single-use and disposed of in a clinical sharps container immediately after treatment.
6. Clinical notes
CV 8 is the only point on the body that is never needled — due to its status as the spiritual centre and the umbilical scar. It is exclusively treated with moxibustion, classically salt-separated moxibustion. This technique is one of the most powerful warming and Yang-rescuing methods in TCM, used for collapse, severe diarrhoea from Cold and Spleen-Kidney Yang deficiency.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I use CV 8 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions for conditions including Digestive disorders, Chronic fatigue syndrome. 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.
