GB 37 (Guangming): Clinical Applications for this FANTASTIC Acupuncture Point

In this article, we will discuss clinical applications that include not only eye diseases but also headaches, facial nerve pain and myofascial tension in the Gallbladder channels (jinluo) and (jingjin). GB 37 has a remarkable ability to reduce tension in the Gallbladder myofascial channel. An example of this is demonstrated in this video showing improved range of motion in a “Modified Ober’s Test” before and after acupuncture treatment to GB 37.

As discussed in a previous blog on this website “Peroneal Nerve Entrapment: A Common Lower Leg Pain Generator,” GB 37 is the anatomical location where the peroneal cutaneous nerve exits superficially through the fascia profunda and can become entrapped in the tissue causing paresthesia into the Gallbladder and Stomach channels of the foot.

Many acupuncturists include GB 37 in their “common go to” collection of points because of the reliable clinical results that this point provides. If the reader does not use this point, please keep reading. In addition to our founding fathers of TCM, others have found this point to be effective, such as Francois Valliex (mapped many cutaneous nerve entrapment sites) and Master Tung (master acupuncturist of the world), both of whom use this point for similar signs and symptoms as we are discussing.

Clinical Applications:

• Eye diseases including redness, itching, blurry vision, night blindness, optic nerve atrophy, cataracts, glaucoma.
• Asthenopia (eye fatigue, discomfort, lacrimation, blurry vision, sensitivity to light).
• Headaches effecting the region around the eyes – temporal, infra/supraorbital, migraines.
• Facial nerve pain
• Myofascial tension and/or pain patterns affecting the Gallbladder primary and/or sinew channel.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to investigate reactions of the different visual cortexes and relative cerebral regions to the eye with acupuncture stimulation to GB 37 and LIV 3. Researchers concluded that acupuncture to these points can improve blood oxygen saturation level in relative cerebral regions associated with the eye. (Hu, K. M., 2005), (Gareus, I. K., 2002).

Uhrig et al, found in their study that patients with increased intraocular pressure from  glaucoma showed a significant decrease 15 min after treatment as well as 24 hours after treatment using GB 37, LIV 3 and LI 4. (Uhrig, S. 2003).

In a study on 15 patients with asthenopia, this researcher used a thermal infrared imager, stimulation of GB 37 with heat found a increase of temperature around the eyes compared the control group using K 1 and ST 25. Almost all patients reported relief of symptoms of dryness, itching and blurred vision. However, the redness had no significant change. (Huang, T. 2015).

Liangyue, D., Yijun, G., Shuhui, H., Xiaoping, J., Yang, L., & Rufen, W. (2001).
Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion.

Acupuncture to GB 37 signals the facial nerve. The facial nerve located in front of the ear lobe (proximal nerve tissue before it bifurcates into the 5 facial nerve branches) will fasciculate when GB 37 is needled. The author uses this important point connection for facial acupuncture and facial nerve paralysis. The portion of the facial nerve that fasciculates shares the same location as Extra Point Qianzheng. This point is used for facial paralysis and slurring of speech.

Gallbladder 37

• Location: 5 cun up from the lateral malleolus on the anterior border of the fibula.
• Needle Angle and Insertion: Perpendicular insertion 0.5-1 inch

References