Acupuncture Point Yaoyangguan (GV3)
Location:
Lie pronely or upright sitting; firstly, locate two iliac crests, the 4th lumbar vertebra at the meeting polnt of the posterior median line and the horizontal line connecting two iliac crests, in the depression at the inferior side of spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra.
Function: Strengthening the waist and knee, and tonifying the kidney.

Regional Anatomy:
Skin-subcutaneous tissue-suprasponal ligament-interspinal ligament-interacuate ligament.
In the superficial layer, there are the medial branches of the posterior branches of the 4th lumbar nerve and the accompanying artery and vein. In the deep there external (posterior) vertebral venous plexus between the adjacent spinous processes, the branches of the posterior branches of the 4th lumbar nerve and the branches or tributaries of the dorsal branches of the dorsal branches of the 4th lumbar artery and vein.

Indications:
Irregular Menstruation, Nocturnal Emission, Impotence, pain in the lumbosacral region, muscular atrophy, motor impairment, and numbness and pain in the lower extremities.

Prescription:
Combined use with: Acupuncture Single Point Huantiao for treatment of lumbosacral radiculitis; with Acupuncture Single Point Shuigou for treatment of tetanus; with Zusanli (ST 36) for treatment of chronic enteritis; and with Ciliao (BL32), Zhongliao (BL33), Guanyuanshu (BL 26) Front-Mu Point of the SmallIntestine), Acupuncture Single Point Zhongji Front-Mu Point of the Bladder), and Qugu (CV2) for treatment of retention of urine.

Methods:
Insert the needle perpendicularly to 0.5-1 cun depth, needling response: local sensation of numbness and distention; moxibustion: using 3-7 moxa-cones, or mild moxibustion for 15 min.
Note:
For prevention of bleeding, lifting and thrusting manotuvres are contraindicated. The needle is liable to be inserted into the epidural space which is rich in venous plexus.