Guanyuanshu 關元兪
Low back (lumbar region), 1.5 cun out from the back midline at the level of L5.
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Vertebra l5 · Latissimus dorsi muscle · Posterior layer of thoracolumbar fascia · Iliocostalis lumborum muscle
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On this page
1Where is Guanyuanshu?
Low back (lumbar region), 1.5 cun out from the back midline at the level of L5.
The level is set by the lower edge of the L5 spinous process.
Vertebra l5 · Latissimus dorsi muscle · Posterior layer of thoracolumbar fascia · Iliocostalis lumborum muscle
2How do I find it on my body?
- Find L4 on the line joining the tops of the iliac crests. The next spinous process down is L5.
- Take the height of the lower edge of that spinous process.
- Press 1.5 cun out from the midline. Use the same width as on the upper back: half of the 3-cun midline-to-shoulder-blade distance.
A cun is a body-scaled unit of length. The precise way is to divide a bone length into equal parts (proportional bone cun); finger widths are a quick estimate.
- posterior layer of thoracolumbar fascia
- The outermost layer of the tough sheet that wraps the muscles of the lower back. Latissimus dorsi starts from it, and it covers erector spinae from behind.
- iliocostalis lumborum
- The lower-back part of the outermost column of erector spinae. It runs from the back of the pelvis to the lower ribs.
- spinous process
- The bony spike sticking backward from the middle of each spine bone. The row of bumps you feel down the middle of the back is these, and they serve as the counting marks for back points.
- latissimus dorsi
- The broad muscle covering the lower back and sides. It runs from the lower back and pelvis, behind the armpit, to the humerus, and pulls the arm down and back, as in a pull-up.
3Before you press
- Do not press this point during pregnancy.
- Points over the low back and sacrum are traditionally avoided in pregnancy (WHO acupuncture safety guidelines, 1999).
- Avoid broken or swollen skin and press only to a comfortable level.
- Acupressure is not a substitute for medical care.
4How has it been used traditionally?
- Named after Guanyuan (CV4) on the lower abdomen; a later addition to the back-shu line.
From traditional texts — not a claim of effect.
?FAQ
Where exactly is Guanyuanshu?
Low back (lumbar region), 1.5 cun out from the back midline at the level of L5. The level is set by the lower edge of the L5 spinous process.
How do I find Guanyuanshu?
Find L4 on the line joining the tops of the iliac crests. The next spinous process down is L5. Take the height of the lower edge of that spinous process. Press 1.5 cun out from the midline. Use the same width as on the upper back: half of the 3-cun midline-to-shoulder-blade distance.
Can I press it during pregnancy?
Do not press this point during pregnancy.
What should I watch out for?
Do not press this point during pregnancy. Points over the low back and sacrum are traditionally avoided in pregnancy (WHO acupuncture safety guidelines, 1999). Avoid broken or swollen skin and press only to a comfortable level. Acupressure is not a substitute for medical care.
Sources
- Location: WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region (2008), p. 112
- Standard comparison: Chinese national standard GB/T 12346-2021 (Nomenclature and location of meridian points), p. 17 — same location
- Korean anatomical terms: KMLE medical dictionary
- Traditional-use cross-check: AcuAtlas dataset (CC BY 4.0)
- Not in the 1.5-cun back lists of Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing vol. 3 or Qianjin Yaofang — a later addition (first source still to be confirmed)
- Safety: WHO Guidelines on Basic Training and Safety in Acupuncture (1999), p. 20 — lumbosacral points in pregnancy
- 3D: computed on Z-Anatomy (CC BY-SA 4.0) · BodyParts3D © DBCLS
Positions computed from the WHO standard locations (2008) on Z-Anatomy (CC BY-SA 4.0) · BodyParts3D © DBCLS. For reference only — not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. See a clinician if you are unwell.