GB38 Yangfu (Yang Assistance)

陽輔yáng fǔYangfu

Gallbladder Meridian

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Location of acupuncture point GB38 Yangfu (Yang Assistance)
43
Indications
4
Protocols
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Location

4 thumb widths above the tip of the external malleolus slightly anterior to the anterior border of the fibula, between extensor digitorum longus and peroneus brevis.

Categories

  • Jing-River point of the Gallbladder meridian

The classical groups this point belongs to, from Deadman, Al-Khafaji & Baker, A Manual of Acupuncture.

No specific contraindications.

Indications

Conditions for which GB38 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.

ChillsCommon ColdComplexion Qing Blue GreenComplexion Qing Blue-greenFeverHeat GallbladderHemiplegiaTendon Ligament Contraction StiffnessToe Extensor Strain StiffnessImmobility Tendon / Ligament ContractionImmobility Toe Extensor StrainMalariaNumbnessLeg Lateral NumbnessOedema Below KneePainAnkle Malleolus Lateral PainArmpit PainBack Lumbar Acute PainBack Lumbar Like Small Hammer PainBack Middle PainChest PainRib PainEye Canthus Lateral PainMigraineHeadache One-sided PainHundred Joints PainJoints Wandering PainSupraclavicular Fossa PainPharyngitisQi LegScrofulaSitting In Water Back Lumbar SensationShiveringSighing ExcessiveChannel StagnationSweating SwellingBi Arthralgia Leg SyndromeBi / Arthralgia Leg SyndromeBi Arthralgia Wind SyndromeBi / Arthralgia Wind SyndromeTaste Bitterness

TCM actions

What classical sources say GB38 does in the terms of Chinese medicine theory. These describe the point, not a condition.

Benefit BonesBenefit Regulate ShaoyangBenefit Tendon LigamentBenefit Tendon / LigamentRegulate Shaoyang

Protocols using GB38

  • Otitis Media, Otitis Media Effusion, Ear Effusion, Ear Discharge – SI05, KD02, TB05, TB06, GB38, GB41 (doi:10.1093/ecam/neh102 ↗)
  • Fatigue, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Headache, Constipation, Depression, Insomnia, Itchiness, Edema, Palpitation, Knee Pain, Back Pain, Vision Blurred, Cervical Pain, Stiffness Shoulder, Cramp Leg, Lower-limb Pain, Upper-limb Numbness, Lower-limb Numbness, Hemodialysis Complication – LU05, LU09, LI02, LI11, ST41, ST45, SP02, SP05, HT07, HT09, SI03, SI08, BL65, BL67, KD01, KD07, PC07, PC09, TB03, TB10, GB38, GB43, LV02, LV08 (doi:10.1155/2015/802846 ↗)
  • Hypertension, Blood Pressure Elevated – LI06, LI07, GB37, GB38, GB39 (doi:10.1089/acu.2015.1106 ↗)
  • Arthralgia, Joint Pain, Painful Obstruction Syndrome – LU05, LI04, LI11, BL17, BL40, TB10, GB30, GB31, GB34, GB38 (doi:10.16808/j.cnki.issn1003-7705.2025.05.008 ↗)

Most often selected alongside GB38

How many sourced protocols in the index pair each point with GB38. Corpus frequency, not a combination to use.

  • LI11Pond At The Bend2 protocols
  • LU05Cubit Marsh2 protocols
  • TB10Heavenly Well2 protocols
  • BL17Diaphragm Shu Point1 protocols
  • BL40Middle Of The Crease1 protocols
  • BL65Restraining Bone1 protocols
  • BL67Reaching Yin1 protocols
  • GB30Jumping Circle1 protocols
  • GB31Wind Market1 protocols
  • GB34Yang Mound Spring1 protocols
  • GB37Bright Light1 protocols
  • GB39Suspended Bell1 protocols

Other points on the Gallbladder Meridian

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