The Pericardium is considered the “Heart Protector” and traditionally, the Heart is known as our mind’s emotional and spiritual center. Otherwise known as PC 6, the neiguan or Pericardium 6 is described as the 6th point on the Pericardium channel and is often called the “ Inner Gate or Pass”. You can find PC 6 on the inside of the wrist (palm side) about three fingers below the wrist crease, between the two tendons (palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis) .
PC 6 is one of the most often used acupuncture/acupressure points because it is said to treat so many different symptoms and conditions. You may have heard of it (or have even used it) for the treatment of nausea or motion sickness. The Pericardium channel has links with the diaphragm, liver, and stomach which explains why PC 6 can be an effective acupuncture/acupressure point for abdominal pain and spasms, as well nausea and vomiting.
According to quite a few acupuncturists, PC 6 is the only acupuncture/acupressure point to show a positive effect all on its own because of this effect on nausea from any cause. A January 2019 article was published in Nursing and Midwifery Studies on the effect of acupressure (using a wristband) in PC 6 on nausea and vomiting after general surgery with spinal anesthesia. The intervention group had less episodes of nausea and it was less severe.
PC 6 plays a very important role because of its connection to the parasympathetic nervous system. When you are in fight or flight mode, PC 6 can reduce your anxiety and improve your relaxation and sleep. PC 6 actually relaxes your diaphragm and enables you to breathe deeply, calm down, and feel grounded and at peace. The vagus nerve (one of the longest and complex cranial nerves) is part of the parasympathetic nervous system. This is another reason why acupuncturists use PC 6 quite often.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), PC 6 has “descending function” on the Qi energy in the body, which relieves nausea and vomiting. Other benefits, according to TCM) are the relief of stomach pain, loosening of the chest, treating anxiety, insomnia, and removing agitation from the body as it calms and relaxes the heart and spirit. PC 6 has even been used to prevent gagging during dental procedures. PC 6 also has connections to and is the opening to one of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels (Yin Wei). This connection assists one in letting go of past traumas and developing mindfulness (being present in the moment).
However, according to Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Traditional Medicine, Portland, Oregon, needling PC 6 for nausea and vomiting is historically not a major application in China nor is it in modern practice. That being said, PC 6 is often included as a secondary point for this purpose. According to Dr. Dharmananda, PC 6 is most often used as an “adjunctive point to a number of acupuncture formulas” other than cardiac, nausea of vomiting. He disagrees with many of the assumptions and assertions made about the use of PC 6. Dr Dharmananda shares history, underlying beliefs, research, background, and much more in his informative, lengthy article.
Western medical practitioners belief there is a benefit to using PC 6 to treat many things in addition to nausea and vomiting. Here’s a sample list: heart pain and palpitations, tightness in the chest, hiccups, carpal tunnel, insomnia, malaria, epilepsy, fever, irritability, and many different mental disorders.
Alternatives to Acupuncture using PC 6
You don’t always need to have acupuncture in order to benefit from PC 6. You can use acupressure magnets to press on the appropriate acupuncture point.Seabands (aka nausea anti-nausea bracelets) have been sold for many years for nausea, motion sickness, and many more conditions. They have magnets in them to activate PC 6 which helps in fighting nausea or motion sickness. If Seabands (of any name) are fitted correctly, they apply gentle, constant pressure to PC 6, they can work. Acupuncturist Revana Swales has read some of the instructions and understands why her clients have trouble locating the point from the included instructions.
If you don’t have acupressure magnets, you can use a “small bean, like a lentil” over PC 6 and tape it down. Swales states that acupressure self-massage can be as effective as wearing a band. You don’t need to be as precise as you do with a band. Use your index finger and massage around the point because it can cover a broader area.
There is also a contemporary way to stimulate PC 6: “Photoacupuncture by inducing red and infrared light-waves (PBM Light, Plus and Pro).” Photoacupuncture is said to help achieve a calm and a balanced inner state, while decreasing stress and anxiety, especially when repeated over time. When using the light device, spend from 30 seconds to 3 minutes gently pressing against PC 6, using a “sweeping/rotating” motion. It is believed that the light is absorbed at the cellular level and leads to healing and recovery as it promotes Qi flow.
As usual, there will always be conflicting opinions, and even conflicting research results, regarding the benefits of using PC 6 as a treatment modality. Many people are hesitant to jump into acupuncture (ouch - they are still needles), so using the bands and/or photoacupuncture might be something you may want to try.
A reminder to some of my readers, this is NOT a research nor scientific paper. It was never meant to be. It is a blog. My goal is to introduce and touch on subject matter that may be of interest to Tai Chi and/or Qigong instructors, practitioners, students, and anyone with an interest in internal energy arts.
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