He Gu合谷

On the back of the hand between the first and second metacarpal bones, level with the midpoint of the second metacarpal on its radial side.

Perpendicular insertion 0.5–1 cun.

• ·Releases the exterior and reduces fever
• ·Treats the face, head and sense organs
• ·Moves qi and relieves pain
• ·Promotes labour

Headache, toothache, facial pain and paralysis, sore throat, nasal congestion, the early stage of a common cold, and pain anywhere along the channel.

Contraindicated in pregnancy — it is held to move qi downward strongly enough to bring on labour.