CV03 Zhongji (Central Pivot)

中極zhōng jíZhongji

Conception Vessel

Location of acupuncture point CV03 Zhongji (Central Pivot)
49
Indications
348
Protocols
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Location

On the anterior midline 4 thumb widths below umbilicus.

Categories

  • Front-Mu point of the Bladder

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

Cautions

Avoid needling over the gravid uterus after the first trimester; where used in pregnancy, needle shallowly and only on a clear obstetric indication. Empty the bladder before needling.

Indications

Conditions for which CV03 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.

Absent PeriodsUterine and Menstrual ConditionsDampYang Qi DeficiencyYuan Qi DeficiencyShan Seven Kinds DisorderBreathing Shortness Of Breath ProblemsEating ProblemsUrination Retention Pregnancy ProblemsFibroids / Masses Below UmbilicusFibroids Masses Below UmbilicusFibroids / Masses Zheng Jia AbdomenFibroids Masses Zheng Jia AbdomenInfertilityGenital ItchingVaginal DischargeLeucorrhea Vaginal Discharge RedWhite Vaginal DischargeMenorrhagiaNocturnal Emission Wet DreamEdemaPainAbdomen Inferior Acute PainBack PainLower Back PainBelow Umbilicus Twisting Acute PainGenital PainUrethra PainIrregular PeriodsPeriod / Menstruation IrregularPeriod / Menstruation Persistent Post-partumPeriod Persistent Post PartumUterine ProlapseQi Cold HeartQi Running Piglet HeartRetention LochiaRetention PlacentaCold Abdomen SensationHeat SensationStagnationCold Qi StagnationCervix SwellingDamp Heat SyndromeDamp-heat SyndromeLoss of ConsciousnessUrination Dysfunction Five TypesFrequent UrinationPainful UrinationUrine Dark

TCM actions

What classical sources say CV03 does in the terms of Chinese medicine theory. These describe the point, not a condition.

Benefit BladderBenefit Jiao LowerBenefit KidneysBenefit Regulate QiBenefit UterusRegulate Qi

Protocols using CV03

The 50 best-sourced of 348, ranked by strength of evidence. The count above is the full figure.

  • Period Short, Period Scanty, Period Low, Period Light, Warm Kidney Yang, Conduct Blood Downward, Hypomenorrhea Menstrual, Hypomenorrhea Luteal, Period Short, Period Scanty, Period Low, Period Light, Warm Kidney Yang, Conduct Blood Downward, Hypomenorrhea Menstrual – SP08, SP10, CV03 (doi:10.1016/S0254-6272(09)60059-5 ↗)
  • Hypomenorrhea, Menstrual Irregular – SP08, SP10, CV03 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60059-5 ↗)
  • Hypomenorrhea, Menstrual Irregular – SP06, CV03 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60059-5 ↗)
  • Dysmenorrhea Primary – ST25, ST36, SP06, SP08, SP10, BL23, BL32, KD03, GB34, GB39, LV03, CV03, CV04, CV06, GV04 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60035-2 ↗)
  • Dysmenorrhea Primary – ST25, BL18, BL20, BL23, CV03, CV04, GV20 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60035-2 ↗)
  • Dysmenorrhea Primary – ST36, CV03 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60035-2 ↗)
  • Vomiting, Dysmenorrhea Primary – ST36, SP06, BL57, PC06, CV03, CV06 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60035-2 ↗)
  • Fatigue, Urinary Retention, Dyspnea, Abdominal Lower Pain – SP06, CV03 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(10)60013-1 ↗)
  • Urinary Retention, Urination Difficulty, Abdominal Distending Pain – SP06, SP09, BL23, BL28, BL32, BL39, CV02, CV03, CV04 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(08)60020-5 ↗)
  • Stroke, Urinary Dysfunction, Urinary Voiding Dysfunction, Stroke Cerebrovascular Accident, Stroke Recovery, Urinary Dysfunction Voiding – CV03, CV04, CV06 (doi:10.1093/ecam/neh102 ↗)
  • Bladder Dysfunction Neurogenic, Incontinence Urinary – BL32, CV03, CV04 (doi:10.1093/ecam/nep010 ↗)
  • Urinary Frequency, Urinary Urgency, Urinary Nocturia, Urinary Weak Stream, Urinary Hesitancy, Urinary Incomplete Emptying, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia – ST36, SP06, CV03, CV04 (doi:10.1155/2011/303198 ↗)
  • Anxiety, Immune Nk Cell Deficiency – LI04, LI11, ST36, SP06, HT03, HT05, SI03, BL60, KD06, PC06, TB05, GB34, GB43, LV02, CV03, CV04, CV06, CV15, GV20 (doi:10.1093/ecam/nep236 ↗)
  • Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual Pain, Qi-blood Stagnation, Mood Changes – LI04, SP04, SP06, SP08, SP10, BL32, LV03, CV03, CV06 (doi:10.1093/ecam/nep239 ↗)
  • Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual Pain, Mood Changes, Cold Stagnation – LU07, ST36, SP06, BL23, KD06, CV03, CV04, CV06, GV04 (doi:10.1093/ecam/nep239 ↗)
  • Anxiety, Night Sweats, Infertility Female, Hot Flashes, Vaginal Dryness, Mood Swings, Amenorrhea Premature, Menopause Premature – ST25, ST28, ST29, ST36, SP06, BL32, KD03, GB13, LV03, CV03, CV04, GV20, GV24 (doi:10.1155/2014/718675 ↗)
  • Enuresis Nocturnal, Bedwetting – ST36, SP04, SP06, SP12, HT07, HT09, BL23, BL28, BL32, KD03, KD05, CV02, CV03, CV06, GV04, GV15, GV20 (doi:10.1177/147323000303100611 ↗)
  • Urinary Retention Postoperative, Bladder Dysfunction Spinal Anesthesia, Bladder Overdistension – ST29, CV03, CV04 (doi:10.1155/2014/892619 ↗)
  • Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual Pain, Abdomen Lower Pain – ST36, SP06, SP08, SP10, BL23, BL32, LV03, CV03, CV04, CV06 (doi:10.1155/2015/752194 ↗)
  • Incontinence Urinary Stress, Incontinence Urinary Mixed, Incontinence Urinary Urgency – SP03, SP06, BL14, BL18, BL20, BL23, BL28, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, KD03, KD07, PC06, LV03, CV03, CV04, CV06, GV04, GV20 (doi:10.1136/acupmed-2015-010828 ↗)
  • Spinal Cord Injury, Bladder Dysfunction Neurogenic, Urinary Retention Chronic – CV03, CV04, CV06, GV03, GV04 (doi:10.1155/2016/9245186 ↗)
  • Spinal Cord Injury, Bladder Dysfunction Neurogenic, Urinary Retention Chronic – SP06, SP09, BL23, BL28, CV02, CV03, CV04, CV06 (doi:10.1155/2016/9245186 ↗)
  • Spinal Cord Injury, Bladder Dysfunction Neurogenic, Urinary Retention Chronic – SP06, SP09, BL23, BL28, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, CV02, CV03, CV04, CV06 (doi:10.1155/2016/9245186 ↗)
  • Urinary Retention Postoperative, Dysuria Postoperative – CV03, CV04 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(15)30060-1 ↗)
  • Arm Swelling, Lymphedema Upper Limb, Heaviness Arm, Skin Thickening Arm, Range Of Motion Decreased – LU05, LI04, LI15, ST36, SP06, TB14, CV03, CV12 (doi:10.1007/s10549-018-4743-9 ↗)
  • Abdominal Distention, Abdominal Pain, Urinary Retention Postpartum – ST28, ST36, SP06, SP09, BL67, CV03, CV04 (doi:10.1155/2018/2072091 ↗)
  • 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 ↗)
  • Dysmenorrhea, Urination Frequent, Pelvic Pain, Leucorrhea, Uterine Myoma – ST08, ST25, ST36, SP06, GB16, CV02, CV03, CV04, CV08 (doi:10.1016/j.imr.2018.10.003 ↗)
  • Fatigue, Insomnia, Hot Flushes, Sweating Night, Sweating General, Mood Emotional Vulnerability – SP06, SP09, LV08, CV03, CV04 (doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023637 ↗)
  • Endometriosis, Pelvic Chronic Pain, Fibroids – LI04, ST25, ST36, SP06, SP09, KD03, LV03, CV03, CV04, CV05, GV20 (doi:10.1089/acu.2019.1379 ↗)
  • Urinary Retention, Voiding Dysfunction Postoperative, Voiding Dysfunction Postpartum – ST28, ST36, SP06, SP09, KD03, LV03, CV03, CV04, CV06, GV20 (doi:10.1155/2020/2520483 ↗)
  • Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, Ulcerative Colitis, Blood In Stool – ST25, ST36, ST37, SP06, SP15, BL25, LV03, CV03, CV04, CV06 (doi:10.1186/s12906-020-03101-4 ↗)
  • Hot Flushes, Insomnia Menopausal, Sweating Night, Sweating Day – SP06, SP09, LV08, CV03, CV04 (doi:10.1186/s12906-021-03208-2 ↗)
  • Frequency Urinary, Urgency Urinary, Discomfort Urinary Catheter-related, Suprapubic Pain, Agitation Postoperative – BL32, BL33, BL34, CV03, CV04, CV05, CV06, CV07 (doi:10.1155/2021/6691459 ↗)
  • Obesity, PCOS, Insulin Resistance, Dyslipidemia, Hyperandrogenism, Oligoanovulation – ST25, ST28, ST36, SP06, SP09, CV03, CV04, CV06 (doi:10.1155/2021/5555028 ↗)
  • Infertility Female, Anovulation – ST36, SP06, CV03, CV04, CV06 (doi:10.1155/2021/6634309 ↗)
  • Dysmenorrhea, Clots Menstrual, Abdominal Menstrual Pain, Cold Sensitivity – SP06, CV03, CV04 (doi:10.1155/2022/3518179 ↗)
  • Dysmenorrhea, Bloating Abdominal, Abdominal Menstrual Pain, Breast Distension – SP06, LV03, CV03 (doi:10.1155/2022/3518179 ↗)
  • Dysuria, Spasticity, Paralysis Hemiplegia Right, Myelopathy Cervical, Gait Disturbance, Arm Right Pain, Right Leg Pain, Extremities Weakness – LI04, LI11, ST36, SI03, BL62, GB39, LV03, CV03, CV04, GV20 (doi:10.3831/KPI.2022.25.2.138 ↗)
  • Dysuria, Urination Frequent, Urination Urgent, Pelvic Pain, Lower-abdominal Pain, Chronic Prostatitis, Prostatitis Chronic, Pelvic Pain – KD12, CV03, CV04 (doi:10.1155/2022/6866000 ↗)
  • Nocturia, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Urination Urgency, Urination Hesitancy, Urination Slow Stream, Urination Frequency – ST28, BL23, BL28, CV03, CV06 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000030925 ↗)
  • Nocturia, Urinary Retention Postoperative, Voiding Difficulty – SP06, BL32, CV03, CV04 (doi:10.2147/CIA.S382912 ↗)
  • Fatigue, Constipation, Abdominal Distension, Voiding Dysfunction, Urinary Retention Acute, Herpes Zoster Sacral – SP06, BL32, BL33, CV02, CV03 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000036007 ↗)
  • Cirrhosis, Ascites Cirrhotic, Liver Function Impaired, Portal Hypertension, Endotoxemia – CV03, CV04, CV06, CV09, CV12 (doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.200970 ↗)
  • Urination Frequent, Painful Urination, Urination Urgent, Perineum Pain, Chronic Prostatitis, Prostatitis Chronic, Erectile Problems – ST36, CV03, CV04, GV04 (doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20210278 ↗)
  • Nocturia, Urinary Frequency, Urinary Urgency, Overactive Bladder, Urge Incontinence – SP06, BL32, BL35, KD03, CV03 (doi:10.2147/IJWH.S494135 ↗)
  • Depression, Shoulder Pain, Upper-limb Pain, Scapular-girdle Pain, Range-of-motion Restricted, Functional-limitation Upper-limb, Post-mastectomy – LU05, LI04, LI15, ST36, ST38, SP09, BL60, KD07, GB21, LV03, CV03 (doi:10.31557/APJCP.2025.26.3.809 ↗)
  • Fatigue, Pain, Lymphedema Upper-limb, Upper-limb Weakness, Shoulder Dysfunction, Cancer Breast Post-surgical – LU05, LI04, LI15, ST36, ST38, SP09, BL60, KD07, GB21, LV03, CV03 (doi:10.31557/APJCP.2025.26.3.799 ↗)
  • Urinary Frequency, Urinary Urgency, Discomfort Bladder, Catheter-related Bladder Discomfort – ST36, SP06, CV03, CV04 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000044553 ↗)
  • Fatigue, Anxiety, Depression, Lumbar Pain, Abdomen Lower Pain, Pelvic Chronic Pain, Bowel Dysfunction Constipation – ST25, SP06, BL23, BL32, BL33, BL35, CV03, CV04, CV12 (doi:10.2147/IJWH.S541559 ↗)

Most often selected alongside CV03

How many sourced protocols in the index pair each point with CV03. Corpus frequency, not a combination to use.

  • CV04Original Qi Gate233 protocols
  • SP06Three Yin Intersection225 protocols
  • ST36Leg Three Miles129 protocols
  • CV06Sea Of Qi126 protocols
  • BL23Kidney Shu Point88 protocols
  • BL32Second Bone Hole70 protocols
  • SP09Yin Mound Spring67 protocols
  • LV03Great Surge64 protocols
  • SP10Sea Of Blood49 protocols
  • BL28Bladder Shu Point46 protocols
  • LI04Junction Valley41 protocols
  • KD03Great Stream37 protocols

Other points on the Conception Vessel

CV01CV02CV04CV05CV06CV07CV08CV09CV10CV11CV12CV13CV14CV15CV16CV17CV18CV19CV20CV21CV22CV23CV24