GV04 (Life Gate)

命門mìng mén

Governing Vessel

Location of acupuncture point GV04 (Life Gate)

Indications

110

Protocols

Location

Below spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra.

Cautions

No specific contraindications.

Indications

Conditions for which GV04 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.

Anxiety Benefit Regulate Du Mai Benefit Spine Lumbar Benefit Spine Lumbar Benefit Tonify Kidneys Chills Alternating Chills Alternating Deficiency Kidney Deficiency Kidney Deficiency Shan Disorder Shan Disorder Steaming Bone Disorder Steaming Bone Disorder Dizziness Epilepsy (infant)Epilepsy Infantile Fever Fright Hemorrhoids Heat Heat Fire Heat Fire Heat Five Zang Heat Five Zang Back Stiffness Mouth Open Stiffness Spinal Stiffness Spine Lumbar Stiffness Immobility Back Immobility Mouth Open Immobility Spine Immobility Spine Lumbar Leucorrhea Vaginal Discharge Red Leucorrhea Vaginal Discharge Red White Vaginal Discharge White Vaginal Discharge Malaria Opisthotonos Abdominal Pain Abdominal Pain Lower Back Pain Lower Back Pain Headache Splitting Pain Headache Splitting Pain Lumbar Spine Pain Lumbar Spine Pain Rectal Prolapse Rectal Prolapse Regulate Du Mai Blood in Stool Blood in Stool Spontaneous Sweating Spontaneous Sweating Bi Arthralgia Cold Feet Syndrome Bi / Arthralgia Cold Feet Syndrome Bi Arthralgia Cold Hands Syndrome Bi / Arthralgia Cold Hands Syndrome Tinnitus Tonify Kidneys Tremor Head Tremor Head Urine White Urine White

Protocols using GV04

The 50 best-sourced of 110, ranked by strength of evidence. The count above is the full figure.

Low Back Pain, Disability Low Back – BL23, BL25, BL40, GV03, GV04 (doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0000919 ↗)
Back Low Pain, Disability Musculoskeletal – BL23, BL25, BL40, GV03, GV04 (doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0000919 ↗)
Disability Low Back, Low Back Chronic Pain – ST04, ST36, SP13, SP14, BL23, BL24, BL25, BL37, BL40, GB12, GB26, GB30, GB34, GB41, GV03, GV04, GV05, GV24, GV26 (doi:10.1186/1471-2474-11-118 ↗)
Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual Pain, Mood Changes, Cold Stagnation – LU07, ST36, SP06, BL23, KD06, CV03, CV04, CV06, GV04 (doi:10.1093/ecam/nep239 ↗)
Back Low Pain, Acute Pain, Referred Pain – LI04, BL29, BL30, BL31, BL32, BL40, BL54, BL58, BL62, KD03, GB30, LV03, GV03, GV04 (doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-241 ↗)
Low Back Chronic Pain, Musculoskeletal Pain – BL23, BL24, BL25, GB30, GV03, GV04, GV05 (doi:10.1186/1745-6215-14-16 ↗)
Enuresis Nocturnal, Bedwetting – ST36, SP04, SP06, SP12, HT07, HT09, BL23, BL28, BL32, KD03, KD05, CV02, CV03, CV06, GV04, GV15, GV20 (doi:10.1177/147323000303100611 ↗)
Insomnia, Restless Legs Syndrome, Sleep Onset Difficulty, Sleep Maintenance Difficulty, Leg Discomfort Nocturnal – ST36, SP06, SP10, BL23, BL57, KD03, LV03, GV04 (doi:10.1155/2015/343201 ↗)
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 ↗)
Back Low Pain, Disability Functional, Back Chronic Pain – LI04, ST36, SP06, HT03, BL23, BL30, BL58, BL60, KD07, TB05, GB41, GV04 (doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0850-7 ↗)
Lower Back Pain – BL23, BL24, BL25, BL40, GB30, GV03, GV04, GV05 (doi:10.1155/2015/808425 ↗)
Leg Pain, Low-back Pain, Spinal-stenosis Lumbar, Claudication Neurological – SP06, SP09, BL23, BL25, BL56, BL57, GB30, GB34, GB39, GV03, GV04 (doi:10.1155/2015/263898 ↗)
PCOS, Infertility Anovulatory, Hyperandrogenism, Anovulation, Oligoovulation – SP06, SP10, BL17, BL26, KD03, LV03, CV03, GV04 (doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1375-4 ↗)
Spinal Cord Injury, Bladder Dysfunction Neurogenic, Urinary Retention Chronic – CV03, CV04, CV06, GV03, GV04 (doi:10.1155/2016/9245186 ↗)
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 ↗)
Bone Pain, Back Low Pain, Osteoporosis Primary – BL20, BL23, GV03, GV04 (doi:10.12659/MSM.909725 ↗)
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 ↗)
Chronic Pain, Back Lower Pain – BL23, BL24, BL25, BL40, GB30, GV03, GV04, GV05 (doi:10.1155/2018/4510909 ↗)
Osteoporosis, Bone Pain, Muscle Weakness, Fracture Risk – ST36, SP06, BL11, BL20, BL23, BL40, KD03, CV04, GV03, GV04 (doi:10.1155/2019/2705263 ↗)
Proteinuria, Chronic Kidney Disease, Renal Insufficiency, Elevated Creatinine – ST36, SP06, BL20, BL23, CV04, GV04 (doi:10.1155/2020/6128673 ↗)
Ischemic Stroke, Neurological Deficit, Paralysis Hemiplegia – GV04, GV09, GV14 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000025480 ↗)
Motor Dysfunction, Lower Limb Pain, Paralysis Hemiplegia, Contracture Joint, Spasticity Lower Limb Post-stroke – GV03, GV04, GV08, GV11, GV14 (doi:10.1155/2021/5511031 ↗)
Sciatica, Low Back Pain, Spondylolisthesis Lumbar Degenerative – BL23, BL40, BL54, BL57, GB30, GB31, GB34, GV02, GV03, GV04 (doi:10.1155/2022/6016542 ↗)
Sciatica, Low Back Pain, Spondylolisthesis Lumbar Degenerative – BL40, BL57, GB30, GV02, GV03, GV04 (doi:10.1155/2022/6016542 ↗)
Sleep Disturbance, Restless Legs Syndrome, Lower Limb Abnormal Sensation, Urge Movement Legs – ST36, SP06, SP10, BL23, BL57, KD03, LV03, GV04 (doi:10.1016/j.bj.2021.05.005 ↗)
Bone Pain, Osteoporosis Primary, Fracture Fragility – BL23, GV04 (doi:10.1155/2022/1268876 ↗)
Headache, Sore Throat, Joint Pain, Muscle Pain, Fatigue Chronic, Sleep Unrefreshing, Memory Impaired, Fatigue Post-exertional, Cold Intolerance, Concentration Impaired, Yang Deficiency Spleen-kidney, Lumbar Weakness – BL11, BL13, BL14, BL15, BL17, BL18, BL19, BL20, BL21, BL22, BL23, BL25, GV02, GV03, GV04, GV05, GV06, GV07, GV08, GV09, GV10, GV11, GV12, GV13, GV14 (doi:10.1186/s12967-023-04250-z ↗)
Post-operative Pain, Anal Pain, Anxiety Post-operative, Constipation Post-operative – BL57, GV01, GV02, GV04 (doi:10.1016/j.joim.2020.08.001 ↗)
Osteoporosis, Back Low Pain, Muscle Weakness Skeletal – BL18, BL23, BL25, GV03, GV04 (doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20210812 ↗)
Urination Frequent, Painful Urination, Urination Urgent, Perineum Pain, Prostatitis Chronic, Erectile Problems – ST36, CV03, CV04, GV04 (doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20210278 ↗)
Fatigue, Anxiety, Constipation, Drooling, Parkinson's Disease, Tremor Hand, Stiffness Neck, Dry Mouth, Bradykinesia, Dysphagia, Rigidity, Tremor Limb, Stiffness Back, Cramp Foot – LI04, LI10, LI11, ST25, ST37, SP06, SP09, BL40, BL57, GB19, GB34, GB39, LV03, CV04, GV04, GV08, GV14, GV17, GV19, GV20, GV21, GV24 (doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1330054 ↗)
Sciatica, Low Back Pain, Disc Herniation Lumbar, Sensory Disturbance Lower Limb – BL23, GV03, GV04 (doi:10.2147/JPR.S457724 ↗)
Insomnia, Hypertension, Alopecia, Limb Pain, Diarrhea Chronic, Spasm Muscle – BL17, BL23, BL40, BL57, BL60, GB20, GV04, GV08, GV14, GV16, GV20 (doi:10.3389/fendo.2025.1543991 ↗)
Memory Impairment, Attention Deficit, Cognitive Impairment Vascular, Sequela Stroke – GV03, GV04, GV09, GV14, GV16, GV20, GV24 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000044257 ↗)
Sciatica, Lumbago, Leg Pain, Lower Back Pain – BL22, BL23, BL24, BL25, BL52, GV03, GV04, GV05 (doi:10.3831/KPI.2012.15.006 ↗)
Airway Hyperresponsiveness, Asthma Intermittent, Asthma Mild – LU01, LU05, LU07, LU09, LU11, LI04, LI06, LI20, ST13, ST25, ST36, ST40, ST44, SP03, SP06, SP09, SP10, HT03, HT05, HT07, SI03, BL13, BL17, BL18, BL20, BL21, BL23, KD03, KD06, KD08, KD27, PC06, TB05, TB15, GB03, GB34, GB40, GB41, LV02, LV03, LV08, LV13, CV04, CV06, CV09, CV17, CV21, GV04, GV13 (doi:10.1186/s13052-015-0155-1 ↗)
Fatigue, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Headache, Insomnia, Shoulder Pain, Lumbar Pain, Cervical Pain, Limb Numbness – BL23, GB20, GB21, GV03, GV04, GV17 (doi:10.3831/KPI.2021.24.3.122 ↗)
Opioid Dependence, Withdrawal Insomnia, Withdrawal Anxiety, Withdrawal Craving, Withdrawal Restlessness – GV04, GV09, GV10, GV11, GV14, GV20 (doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.767613 ↗)
Arthritis Rheumatoid, Joint Pain, Stiffness Morning, Inflammation Joint – ST36, BL20, BL23, GV04, GV14 (doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.829409 ↗)
Memory Impaired, Cognitive Impairment Mild – GV04, GV09, GV14, GV20 (doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.942682 ↗)
Memory Impaired, Cognitive Impairment Mild – CV04, GV04 (doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.942682 ↗)
Renal Failure Chronic, Renal Fibrosis – BL20, BL23, GV04 (doi:10.3389/fneph.2022.1006506 ↗)
Back Pain, Lumbar Pain, Stiffness Lumbar, Back Low Pain, Low Back Chronic Pain, Disability Functional – BL20, BL23, BL25, BL40, BL60, GB30, GB34, GV03, GV04 (doi:10.1016/j.imr.2025.101180 ↗)
Leg Pain, Buttock Pain, Low Back Pain, Mobility Reduced, Spinal Stenosis Lumbar, Neurogenic Claudication – ST36, ST40, BL22, BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26, BL53, BL54, GB30, GB31, GB34, LV03, GV03, GV04, GV05 (doi:10.1016/j.imr.2025.101204 ↗)
Leg Pain, Leg Numbness, Leg Weakness, Radiculopathy Lumbar, Lower-back Pain – BL22, BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26, BL27, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, BL54, GB30, GV03, GV04 (doi:10.3831/KPI.2025.28.4.269 ↗)
Transient Ischemic Attack, Stroke Prevention – GV03, GV04, GV09, GV12, GV14, GV15, GV16, GV20 (doi:10.4103/1673-5374.180735 ↗)
Impotence, Erectile Dysfunction – LU10, SI05, KD02, LV02, LV03, LV04, GV04 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20200519-0008 ↗)
Erectile Dysfunction – ST36, SP06, BL23, BL32, KD03, LV03, CV03, CV04, CV06, GV04 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20201228-0009 ↗)
Spleen Deficiency, Obesity, Phlegm-dampness – ST25, ST40, BL13, BL18, BL23, LV14, CV12, GV04 (doi:10.53469/jcmp.2025.07(07).10 ↗)
Blood Stasis, Lumbar Pain, Disc Herniation Lumbar – BL23, BL36, BL40, GB34, GV02, GV03, GV04 (doi:10.13729/j.issn.1671-7813.Z20180146 ↗)

Other points on the Governing Vessel

GV01 GV02 GV03 GV05 GV06 GV07 GV08 GV09 GV10 GV11 GV12 GV13 GV14 GV15 GV16 GV17 GV18 GV19 GV20 GV21 GV22 GV23 GV24 GV25 GV26 GV27 GV28