Governing Vessel 4 Strengthens the Low Back, Dispels Cold
Find The Point and Start Using it Today !
The Chinese name of Governing Vessel 4 (GV 4) is the ming men or gate of life. This point is one of the 10 most important acupressure points to use on your horse. Chinese medicine practitioner Sean Fannin summarizes the use of Governing Vessel 4: "All in all, this is one of the most important points for strengthening the body in any weakness and any deficiency."
You can use either acupressure or moxa on Governing Vessel 4. The point is located on the horse’s back, directly on the topline of the body (the dorsal midline). With the information in this article you can find this point and start helping your horse today! Click here for the point pages for Governing Vessel 4 from my book Acupressure Point Charts for Horses. The photos, charts and text show the point’s location and give you finding tips.
Governing Vessel 4 is used to:
- Relieving low back and hindquarter pain or stiffness
- Strengthening the older horse
- Maintaining the health of any horse’s back and hindquarters
- Warming the cold horse
- Calming any horse
- Strengthening and calming pregnant mares
Governing Vessel 4 strengthens the functions of the TCM Kidney energy, which include building the core vitality of the body and its deepest reserves. The point is also used to strengthen the physical areas of the body most influenced by Kidney energy such as the horse’s lower back, hindquarters, hind legs, the joints of the stifles and the hocks, the urinary tract and reproduction.
Because the point is used to stimulate Kidney Yang energy, known as the minister fire of the body, acupressure or moxa on Governing Vessel 4 strengthens the warming action of the yang and qi. This warms the horse, improves digestion and overall strength. In particular, this method strengthens weakness involving the hindquarters and lower body. If the horse is cold or weak, moxa or another method of warming the point is quite beneficial.
Use a Cupping Method on the Point
Acupressure on Governing Vessel 4 is best done with an easy hands-on method known as cupping (I’m using this method on Governing Vessel 4 in the photo attached to this article). Cupping is a great method not only because it works but because it allows you to put your palm over the general area of the point and not worry about the point’s exact location.
To carry out the cupping method, hold your palm in a cupped shape over the area of Governing Vessel 4 and hold it still for one to two minutes. Keep your forearm and shoulder relaxed by resting your forearm on the horse’s back. Stand solidly on your feet with a slight bend in your hips and knees and breathe with nice deep abdominal breaths. Cupping is a way to gather qi and send it down into the point.
Use Moxa over the Point
I use moxa over Governing Vessel 4 on my rescue gelding Sparky in order to relieve chronically tight muscles of his low back and hindquarters, which were caused by injuries to the area of his lumbar spine.
Click here for photos of Sparky receiving a moxa session on Governing Vessel 4.
Click here for text explaining what moxa is and how to use it.