The point we are getting at today is Nèi Guān, the sixth point on the Hand Jue Yin Pericardium channel (P6).
Nèi Guān is located on the inner, or palmer, aspect of the forearm, between the prominent tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis (FCR), 2 cun (thumb widths) above the wrist crease (hash marks in picture above represent the wrist crease, one thumb and two thumb widths from the crease). There is an interesting fact that some people do not have the tendon of palmaris longus; if this is the case, the point is located on the ulnar, or pinky, side of the FCR tendon. Do not get confused with the tendon of flexor digitorus superficialis: see the video and pictures below to see the different tendons.
The name is translated as Inner Gate, which refers to many aspects of the point’s location: the inner aspect of the arm, in between the tendons, and in between the two other Yin channels of the arm. The term Guān, referring to a gate or a pass/passageway, speaks to this point's direct connection to its internal/external paired organ, the Triple Heater (called San Jiao) and its category as a Luo-connecting point.
As mentioned above, Nèi Guān is the Luo Connecting point of the Pericardium channel, as well as being the confluent, or opening, point of what is known as the Yin Wei Mai (the Yin Linking Vessel).
So, why are you going to use it? This is the major point to help with most types of nausea. This point can be used during pregnancy for morning sickness as well as a key point to use for motion sickness. There are sea sick bands that you can buy that are basically bracelets with a button to provide pressure to this point! In the treatment room, this point would always be used with any sort of nausea, along with other points that will help with the causes of the nausea.
Nèi Guān is also used in the treatment room for chest pain, heart pain, and to help relax the spirit. It achieves this through the opening of the Yin Linking Vessel and due to its function as the Heart Protector. Of course, if you are having heart or chest pain, you should not rely on pressing this or any point; please contact Urgent Care to get it checked properly!
Ellis, A., Wiseman, N., Boss, K. (1989). Grasping the Wind. Paradigm Publications.
Deadman, P. (1998). A Manual of Acupuncture. Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications