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Pericardium MeridianPC8

Laogong 勞宮

For reference only · not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment
Short answer

Palm, in the dip between the second and third metacarpals, on the wrist side of the knuckle joints.

Ying-spring point (Fire)
See it in 3DRotate the body and peel back the skin to see the bones and muscles beneath.
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🖼See it in pictures

Laogong — ① Where on the body?
① Where on the body?
Laogong — Textbook view — skin on the left, muscle and bone underneath on the right
Textbook view — skin on the left, muscle and bone underneath on the right
Location and structures come from our 3D model; only the drawing style was refined with AI. Labels are added by us.
Laogong — ② Up close
② Up close
Laogong — ③ Under the skin
③ Under the skin
Second metacarpal bone · Third metacarpal bone · Palmar aponeurosis

Rendered straight from the 3D model at the computed location. The glowing ring marks Laogong.

On this page
  1. Where is Laogong?
  2. How do I find it on my body?
  3. The classical posture
  4. Before you press
  5. How has it been used traditionally?
  6. Classical text
  7. Alternative location
  8. FAQ

1Where is Laogong?

Palm, in the dip between the second and third metacarpals, on the wrist side of the knuckle joints.

Beneath the point

Second metacarpal bone · Third metacarpal bone · Palmar aponeurosis

Our 3D measurement · In our 3D model: on the palm midway between the 2nd and 3rd metacarpals, just behind their heads (17.6 and 21.3 mm from their ends). The alternative spot (between the 3rd and 4th) is 18.4 mm toward the little finger.

2How do I find it on my body?

  1. Open the palm.
  2. Find the groove between the bones behind the index and middle fingers (second and third metacarpals).
  3. Move from the knuckle joints toward the wrist and press the hollow.
Check · it is level with HT8 on the little-finger side.
📖 Words explained
palmar aponeurosis
A tough triangle-shaped sheet just under the skin of the palm. It continues from the palmaris longus tendon, fans out toward the fingers and protects the tendons and vessels below.
Yixue Rumen
An introductory medical book published by Li Chan in Ming China in 1575, widely read in Joseon Korea as well.

3The classical posture

  1. Palm up, make a loose fist.
  2. Press where the tip of the middle finger touches the palm (the Yixue Rumen's "bend the middle finger").
  3. The Tongren bends the ring finger instead, but the Zhenjiu Zisheng Jing says the middle finger is right; the ring-finger spot falls nearer the WHO alternative location between the third and fourth metacarpals (our inference).
Check · China's GB/T 12346-2021 also notes the spot where the middle fingertip lands in a fist, on the thumb side of the third metacarpal.

4Before you press

⚠ Do not press when
  • Classical texts forbid moxibustion here.
  • Do not use moxa at home.
  • Avoid broken or swollen skin and press only to a comfortable level.
  • Acupressure is not a substitute for medical care.
  • Crushing chest pain, breathlessness or a cold sweat can signal a heart emergency — call emergency services at once; do not try acupressure.

5How has it been used traditionally?

From traditional texts — not a claim of effect.

6Classical text

Donguibogam (Heo Jun, 1613), Acupuncture and Moxibustion, "Laogong"

一名五里一名掌中在掌中央屈無名指取之《銅人》
在掌中央橫文動脈中《綱目》
在手掌橫文中心屈中指取之《入門》
手厥陰脈之所流爲滎 …《銅人》
只一度鍼過兩度令人虛不可灸屈中指爲是屈無名指者非也《資生》

  1. ①Also called Wuli and Zhangzhong ('palm centre'). In the centre of the palm; take it by bending the ring finger. Tongren Shuxue Zhenjiu Tujing
  2. ②In the centre of the palm, in the crease where a pulse beats. Yixue Gangmu
  3. ③In the middle of the palm crease; take it by bending the middle finger. Yixue Rumen
  4. ④Where the Hand Jueyin channel flows, which makes it the Ying-spring point. Tongren Shuxue Zhenjiu Tujing
  5. ⑤Needle it only once — more than twice leaves the person depleted. Moxibustion must not be used. Bending the middle finger is right; bending the ring finger is wrong. Zhenjiu Zisheng Jing

Original text as written · translation is ours.

7Alternative location

Between the third and fourth metacarpals, in the hollow on the wrist side of the knuckle joints. WHO 2008 Remarks.

Chinese standard (2021) differs · China's 2021 standard puts it between the second and third metacarpals but close to the third, level with the third knuckle. It lists a spot between the third and fourth metacarpals (close to the third) as an alternative.

?FAQ

Where exactly is Laogong?

Palm, in the dip between the second and third metacarpals, on the wrist side of the knuckle joints.

How do I find Laogong?

Open the palm. Find the groove between the bones behind the index and middle fingers (second and third metacarpals). Move from the knuckle joints toward the wrist and press the hollow. it is level with HT8 on the little-finger side.

What should I watch out for?

Classical texts forbid moxibustion here. Do not use moxa at home. Avoid broken or swollen skin and press only to a comfortable level. Acupressure is not a substitute for medical care. Crushing chest pain, breathlessness or a cold sweat can signal a heart emergency — call emergency services at once; do not try acupressure.

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Sources

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.