PC 6 — Nèi Guān (内关) — Inner Pass
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1. Overview
PC 6 — Nèi Guān (内关) — is an acupuncture point on the Pericardium meridian. Its English name, Inner Pass, 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 PC 6 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
2 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist, between the tendons of palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis.
3. Actions
- Opens the chest and regulates Heart Qi
- Calms the Mind and settles palpitations
- Descends rebellious Stomach Qi — the primary antiemetic point
- Opens the Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel)
- Regulates the Middle Jiao
- Relieves pain in the chest and Heart
4. Indications
- Nausea and vomiting — the most important antiemetic point (morning sickness, chemotherapy, motion sickness)
- Palpitations, irregular heartbeat and angina
- Anxiety, panic attacks and emotional disturbance
- Insomnia and restlessness from Heart disturbance
- Chest pain, fullness and tightness
- Epilepsy and mania
- Wrist and hand pain
- Hiccup and epigastric pain
5. Needling
Perpendicular insertion 0.5–1.0 cun.
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
PC 6 is the Luo-Connecting point of the Pericardium meridian and the opening point of the Yin Wei Mai. It is one of the most frequently used and clinically versatile points in acupuncture. Its antiemetic effect is so well documented that acupressure wristbands targeting PC 6 are commercially available for motion sickness and morning sickness. Multiple Cochrane-quality systematic reviews have confirmed its effectiveness for nausea and vomiting from multiple causes. In cardiology, PC 6 is used for cardiac arrhythmia, angina and anxiety-related palpitations. Combined with HT 7 it powerfully calms the Heart and Mind.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I use PC 6 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions for conditions including Morning sickness, Anxiety, Insomnia, High blood pressure. 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.
