GV 26 — Rén Zhōng (人中) — Middle of the Person
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1. Overview
GV 26 — Rén Zhōng (人中) — is an acupuncture point on the Governing Vessel (Du Mai) meridian. Its English name, Middle of the Person, 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 GV 26 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
At the junction of the upper one-third and lower two-thirds of the philtrum.
3. Actions
- Revives consciousness — the primary resuscitation point
- Calms the Mind and resolves mania
- Benefits the lumbar spine
- Expels Wind
4. Indications
- Loss of consciousness, collapse and emergency resuscitation
- Epileptic seizure
- Acute lumbar sprain — a classical distal point for acute low back pain
- Facial oedema and nasal disorders
- Trismus (locked jaw) and facial pain
5. Needling
Oblique insertion upward 0.3–0.5 cun, or strong stimulation with the fingernail in emergency resuscitation.
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
GV 26 is one of the most important emergency points in all of medicine. Strong needle stimulation or firm fingernail pressure at GV 26 can revive consciousness in syncope, fainting and collapse. In acute lumbar sprain, needling GV 26 with strong stimulation while asking the patient to move the lumbar spine is one of the most dramatically effective treatments in acupuncture — often producing immediate and significant reduction in pain and improvement in movement. This technique is backed by multiple clinical trials.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I use GV 26 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions for conditions including Back pain. 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.
