SP04 Gongsun (Grandfather Grandson)

Location

In the depression the distal and inferior to the base of the 1st metatarsal bone at the junction of the red and white skin.

Categories

• Luo-Connecting point of the Spleen meridian
• Confluent point of the Penetrating vessel

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

Indications

Conditions for which SP04 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.

TCM actions

What classical sources say SP04 does in the terms of Chinese medicine theory. These describe the point, not a condition.

Protocols using SP04

The 50 best-sourced of 136, ranked by strength of evidence. The count above is the full figure.

• Fatigue, Headache, Insomnia, Lassitude, Sore Throat, Muscle Pain, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Lymph Node Swelling – LU07, SP04, SI03, BL62, KD06, PC06, TB05 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60026-1 ↗)
• Nausea, Bloating, Abdominal Pain – SP04, PC06, GV20 (doi:10.3748/wjg.v13.i40.5360 ↗)
• Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual Pain, Pelvic Pain – LI04, ST25, ST29, ST30, ST36, SP04, HT07, BL62, KD03, PC06, LV03, CV04, CV06 (doi:10.1093/ecam/nem020 ↗)
• Fatigue Cancer-related, Fatigue Post-treatment, Breast Cancer – LI04, ST36, SP04, SP06, KD03, PC06 (doi:10.1186/1472-6882-11-49 ↗)
• Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual Pain, Qi-blood Stagnation, Mood Changes – LI04, SP04, SP06, SP08, SP10, BL32, LV03, CV03, CV06 (doi:10.1093/ecam/nep239 ↗)
• Ankle Pain, Sprain Ankle, Ankle Swelling – LI04, ST36, ST41, SP04, SP05, SP06, SP09, HT07, BL60, BL62, BL63, BL64, KD02, KD03, KD06, GB34, GB40, LV03 (doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-241 ↗)
• Knee Pain, Osteoarthritis Knee, Stiffness Joint – ST06, ST34, ST35, ST36, SP04, SP05, SP06, SP09, SP10, BL20, BL40, BL57, BL58, BL60, BL62, KD03, KD10, GB33, GB34, LV08 (doi:10.1155/2013/182528 ↗)
• Nausea, Bloating, Heartburn, Epigastric Pain, Dyspepsia Functional – LI04, ST34, ST36, SP04, SI14, PC06, GB21, LV03, CV12 (doi:10.1186/1745-6215-15-89 ↗)
• Enuresis Nocturnal, Bedwetting – ST36, SP04, SP06, SP12, HT07, HT09, BL23, BL28, BL32, KD03, KD05, CV02, CV03, CV06, GV04, GV15, GV20 (doi:10.1177/147323000303100611 ↗)
• Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Reflux Acid, Reflux Bile – ST36, SP04, PC06, LV03, CV12 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(13)60039-4 ↗)
• Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Vasospasm Cerebral, Neurological Deficit Delayed Ischemic – ST36, ST43, SP04, PC06 (doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0591-7 ↗)
• Weight Loss, Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, Crohn's Disease – ST25, ST36, ST37, SP04, SP06, KD03, LV03, CV06, CV12 (doi:10.1155/2015/938054 ↗)
• Belching, Epigastric Pain, Abdominal Bloating, Functional Dyspepsia, Postprandial Distress – LI04, ST34, ST36, SP04, PC03, LV03, CV12 (doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1296-2 ↗)
• Cough, Nausea, Belching, Dyspepsia, Heartburn, Hoarseness, Epigastric Pain, Regurgitation, Dysphagia, Gerd – LI04, ST36, SP04, SP09, PC06, GB34, LV03, CV10, CV13 (doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1371-8 ↗)
• Anxiety, Back Pain, Miscarriage Threatened, Bleeding Vaginal, Cramping Abdominal – LU07, LI11, ST36, ST37, SP01, SP04, HT07, BL20, BL23, BL57, BL62, KD06, KD09, KD21, KD27, PC06, TB04, TB05, TB06, GB30, GB34, GB41, LV02, LV03, CV04, GV04, GV20 (doi:10.1186/s12884-016-1092-8 ↗)
• Nausea, Belching, Postprandial Fullness, Satiation Early, Dyspepsia Postprandial, Bloating Upper Abdominal – ST25, ST36, SP04, PC06, CV06, CV12, CV17, GV20 (doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2285-9 ↗)
• Fatigue, Loss of Appetite, Low-back Pain, Cough Chronic Intractable, Throat Dry, Lupus Nephropathy – LU07, LI04, LI20, ST21, ST25, ST36, ST40, ST41, SP04, SP06, SI03, BL13, BL18, BL23, BL62, KD03, KD06, PC06, TB05, GB41, LV03, CV04, CV06, CV22, GV01, GV08, GV14, GV24 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000009309 ↗)
• Dizziness, Headache, Syncope, Menstrual Pain, Uterine Bleeding Dysfunctional, Dysmenorrhea Severe, Menstruation Irregular, Clots Menstrual – LU07, LI04, LI11, ST29, ST36, ST40, ST44, SP04, SP06, SP08, SP09, SP10, SI03, BL23, BL32, BL62, KD03, KD06, KD07, KD14, GB41, GB43, LV03, CV03, CV04, CV06, GV04, GV20, GV24 (doi:10.1136/bcr-2018-224725 ↗)
• Weight Loss, Anorexia, Inflammation Systemic, Cachexia Cancer, Muscle Wasting Sarcopenia, Cancer Gastrointestinal – LI04, LI11, ST25, ST36, SP04, SP06, SP07, HT07, KD06, PC06, LV03, CV12, CV13, GV20 (doi:10.1177/1534735418823269 ↗)
• Overweight, Obesity Simple, Bmi Elevated – LI04, LI11, ST21, ST24, ST25, ST26, ST27, ST28, ST32, ST34, ST36, ST37, ST39, ST40, ST44, SP04, SP06, SP09, SP14, SP15, SP16, BL20, BL21, TB06, GB26, LV13, CV04, CV06, CV07, CV09, CV10, CV12, CV13 (doi:10.1155/2020/2367610 ↗)
• Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, Ulcerative Colitis, Blood In Stool – ST25, ST36, SP04, BL20, BL21, BL23, BL25, KD03, CV04, CV12 (doi:10.1186/s12906-020-03101-4 ↗)
• Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, Ulcerative Colitis, Blood In Stool – ST25, ST36, SP04, BL16, BL20, BL21, BL22, BL25, KD03, CV04, GV02, GV06 (doi:10.1186/s12906-020-03101-4 ↗)
• Depression Post-stroke, Stroke Sequelae – LU07, SP04, SI03, BL62, KD06, PC06, TB05, GB41 (doi:10.1186/s12906-021-03277-3 ↗)
• Fatigue, Nausea, Reflux, Loss of Appetite, Abdominal Pain, Early Satiety, Cancer Gastric Post-gastrectomy – ST36, SP04, PC06, GV20 (doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.09.009 ↗)
• Dyspepsia Functional, Postprandial Fullness, Satiation Early, Functional Dyspepsia, Bloating Upper Abdominal, Postprandial Distress Syndrome – ST25, ST36, SP04, PC06, CV06, CV12, CV17, GV20 (doi:10.1155/2022/1614648 ↗)
• Constipation, Vomiting, Nausea, Gastrointestinal Dysfunction Post-surgical, Ileus Post-surgical – SP04, PC06 (doi:10.1186/s12906-024-04418-0 ↗)
• Fatigue, Constipation, Insomnia, Weight Loss, Eating Disorder Arfid, Food Avoidance, Abdominal Bloating, Taste Disturbance, Tongue Pain – LI04, ST19, ST20, ST24, ST25, ST36, ST40, SP04, SP06, HT07, SI03, BL15, BL19, BL20, BL21, BL22, KD06, PC06, GV20 (doi:10.7759/cureus.61912 ↗)
• Anxiety, Indigestion, Nausea, Heartburn, Early Satiety, Postprandial Fullness, Vomiting Cyclic – ST25, ST36, SP04, LV03, CV10, CV12, CV13 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000040830 ↗)
• Menorrhagia, Bleeding Uterine, Menstruation Irregular, Bleeding Menstrual Excessive, Bleeding Menstrual Prolonged, Cycle Menstrual Irregular, Stasis Liver Blood – SP04, SP10, KD14, PC06, LV01, CV06 (doi:10.1089/acu.2024.0053 ↗)
• Anxiety, Fibromyalgia, Whole-body Pain, Mood Depressive – ST25, ST27, ST36, SP04, SP06, HT07, SI03, BL16, BL18, BL19, BL20, BL21, BL23, BL62, KD03, KD06, TB05, LV03, LV08 (doi:10.7759/cureus.74385 ↗)
• Ankle Pain, Ankle Swelling, Skin Redness, Erysipelas Lower Limb, Calf Swelling, Edema Calf – ST41, SP04, SP05, SP06, KD03, KD06 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000042413 ↗)
• Tremor, Parkinson's Disease, Bradykinesia, Postural Instability, Balance Impaired, Gait Impaired, Rigidity Muscular – ST34, SP04, HT03, HT07, KD03, KD07 (doi:10.1016/j.prdoa.2025.100324 ↗)
• Hiccups Persistent, Cancer Stomach Metastatic – ST36, SP04, BL17, PC06, LV03, CV12 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000044036 ↗)
• Hiccups Persistent, Cancer Lung Metastatic – ST36, SP04, BL17, PC06, LV03, CV12 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000044036 ↗)
• Dysmenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea Primary, Menstrual Pain, Autonomic Dysfunction – SP04, SP06, SP10, PC06, CV04, CV06 (doi:10.1155/prm/3494216 ↗)
• Surgery Thoracoscopic Lung Cancer, Arrhythmia Postoperative Supraventricular, Sleep Disturbance Postoperative – SP04, PC06 (doi:10.3389/fneur.2025.1580759 ↗)
• Sweating, Infertility, Sleep Disturbed, Infertility Female, Appetite Poor, Menstruation Irregular, Menstruation Dysmenorrhea, Ovarian Reserve Diminished, Infertility Diminished-ovarian-reserve – LI04, ST25, ST29, ST36, SP04, SP06, SP09, SP10, KD07, CV04, CV06, CV12, GV20, GV24 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000042537 ↗)
• Vomiting, Nausea, Chemotherapy Nausea, Vomiting Chemotherapy-induced – ST36, SP04, PC06, CV12 (doi:10.1177/2164956119870444 ↗)
• Vomiting, Nausea, Heat Stomach, Chemotherapy Nausea – ST36, ST41, ST44, SP04, PC06, GB34, CV12 (doi:10.1177/2164956119870444 ↗)
• Vomiting, Nausea, Chemotherapy Nausea, Spleen-qi Deficiency – ST25, ST36, SP04, BL20, PC06, CV06, CV12 (doi:10.1177/2164956119870444 ↗)
• Vomiting, Nausea, Chemotherapy Nausea, Stomach Yin Deficiency – ST36, SP04, BL21, KD06, PC06, CV04, CV12 (doi:10.1177/2164956119870444 ↗)
• Fatigue, Blood Deficiency – ST36, SP04, SP06, HT07, BL17, BL18, LV08, GV20 (doi:10.1177/2164956119870444 ↗)
• Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual Cramping Pain – SP04, SP06 (doi:10.2147/JPR.S498184 ↗)
• Joint Pain, Abdominal Pain, Bleeding Rectal, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Diarrhea Chronic – LI04, ST23, ST24, ST25, ST26, ST27, ST28, SP03, SP04, SP05, KD02, KD03, KD04, KD05 (doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2024.101080 ↗)
• Fatigue, Dizziness, Headache, Vomiting, Nausea, Diarrhea, Dysmenorrhea Primary, Abdominal Pain, Menstrual Pain – ST29, SP04, SP06, SP08, BL32, CV03 (doi:10.2147/JPR.S537971 ↗)
• Nausea, Bloating, Epigastric Pain, Dyspepsia Functional – ST25, ST36, ST44, SP04, SP09, BL20, BL21, PC06, LV03, CV12 (doi:10.1016/j.dcmed.2024.01.001 ↗)
• Locked-in Syndrome, Quadriplegia, Stroke Pontine Infarction – LU10, LI04, LI11, SP03, SP04, SP06, SP08, SP09, KD02, LV03, GV20 (doi:10.13045/jar.24.0058 ↗)
• Epigastric Pain – ST36, SP04, BL20, BL21, PC06, CV12, CV13 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240904-k0002 ↗)
• Infertility Female, Diminished Ovarian Reserve – LU07, ST30, SP04, KD06, KD12, KD14, KD16, KD18, PC06, CV04, CV06 (doi:10.19879/j.cnki.1005-5304.202211467 ↗)
• Abdominal Pain, Diarrhea Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Anxiety Stress-related Gut Dysfunction – ST25, ST36, ST37, SP04, PC06, GB13, GV20, GV24 (doi:10.19917/j.cnki.1005-0779.023168 ↗)

Most often selected alongside SP04

How many sourced protocols in the index pair each point with SP04. Corpus frequency, not a combination to use.

• ST36Leg Three Miles92 protocols
• PC06Inner Gate77 protocols
• CV12Stomach Centre56 protocols
• SP06Three Yin Intersection53 protocols
• LV03Great Surge49 protocols
• ST25Celestial Pivot45 protocols
• LI04Junction Valley36 protocols
• CV06Sea Of Qi35 protocols
• GV20100 Convergences30 protocols
• BL20Spleen Shu Point26 protocols
• KD03Great Stream26 protocols
• KD06Shining Sea26 protocols

Other points on the Spleen Meridian