# GV04 Mingmen (Life Gate) – Governing Vessel

命門 · mìng mén

Location: Below spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra.

Cautions: No specific contraindications.

Canonical page: https://acuiq.com/points/gv04

## Indications

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

## Most often selected alongside GV04

Sourced protocols in the index pairing each point with this one. Corpus frequency, not a combination to use.

- BL23 (Kidney Shu Point) – 96 protocols
- GV03 (Yang Lumbar Gate) – 59 protocols
- CV04 (Original Qi Gate) – 47 protocols
- ST36 (Leg Three Miles) – 43 protocols
- BL25 (Large Intestine Shu Point) – 38 protocols
- BL40 (Middle Of The Crease) – 37 protocols
- SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) – 36 protocols
- BL20 (Spleen Shu Point) – 33 protocols

## Protocols using GV04 (50 best-sourced of 141)

| Symptoms | Points | Course | Source | Kind | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low Back Pain, Disability Low Back | BL23, BL25, BL40, GV03, GV04 | 84 days | doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0000919 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Back Low Pain, Disability Musculoskeletal | BL23, BL25, BL40, GV03, GV04 | 84 days | doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0000919 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 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 | 42 days | doi:10.1186/1471-2474-11-118 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual Pain, Mood Changes, Cold Stagnation | LU07, ST36, SP06, BL23, KD06, CV03, CV04, CV06, GV04 | 9 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep239 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Back Low Pain, Acute Pain, Referred Pain | LI04, BL29, BL30, BL31, BL32, BL40, BL54, BL58, BL62, KD03, GB30, LV03, GV03, GV04 | 1 days | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-241 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Low Back Chronic Pain, Musculoskeletal Pain | BL23, BL24, BL25, GB30, GV03, GV04, GV05 | 21 days | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-14-16 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Enuresis Nocturnal, Bedwetting | ST36, SP04, SP06, SP12, HT07, HT09, BL23, BL28, BL32, KD03, KD05, CV02, CV03, CV06, GV04, GV15, GV20 | 180 days | doi:10.1177/147323000303100611 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Insomnia, Restless Legs Syndrome, Sleep Onset Difficulty, Sleep Maintenance Difficulty, Leg Discomfort Nocturnal | ST36, SP06, SP10, BL23, BL57, KD03, LV03, GV04 | 42 days | doi:10.1155/2015/343201 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 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 | 84 days | doi:10.1136/acupmed-2015-010828 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Back Low Pain, Disability Functional, Back Chronic Pain | LI04, ST36, SP06, HT03, BL23, BL30, BL58, BL60, KD07, TB05, GB41, GV04 | 42 days | doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0850-7 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Lower Back Pain | BL23, BL24, BL25, BL40, GB30, GV03, GV04, GV05 | 7 days | doi:10.1155/2015/808425 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Leg Pain, Low-back Pain, Spinal-stenosis Lumbar, Claudication Neurological | SP06, SP09, BL23, BL25, BL56, BL57, GB30, GB34, GB39, GV03, GV04 | 29 days | doi:10.1155/2015/263898 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| PCOS, Infertility Anovulatory, Hyperandrogenism, Anovulation, Oligoovulation | SP06, SP10, BL17, BL26, KD03, LV03, CV03, GV04 | 63 days | doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1375-4 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Spinal Cord Injury, Bladder Dysfunction Neurogenic, Urinary Retention Chronic | CV03, CV04, CV06, GV03, GV04 | 56 days | doi:10.1155/2016/9245186 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 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 | 28 days | doi:10.1186/s12884-016-1092-8 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Bone Pain, Back Low Pain, Osteoporosis Primary | BL20, BL23, GV03, GV04 | 28 days | doi:10.12659/MSM.909725 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 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 | 116 days | doi:10.1136/bcr-2018-224725 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Chronic Pain, Back Lower Pain | BL23, BL24, BL25, BL40, GB30, GV03, GV04, GV05 | 7 days | doi:10.1155/2018/4510909 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Osteoporosis, Bone Pain, Muscle Weakness, Fracture Risk | ST36, SP06, BL11, BL20, BL23, BL40, KD03, CV04, GV03, GV04 | – | doi:10.1155/2019/2705263 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Proteinuria, Chronic Kidney Disease, Renal Insufficiency, Elevated Creatinine | ST36, SP06, BL20, BL23, CV04, GV04 | 56 days | doi:10.1155/2020/6128673 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Ischemic Stroke, Neurological Deficit, Paralysis Hemiplegia | GV04, GV09, GV14 | 1 days | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000025480 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Motor Dysfunction, Lower Limb Pain, Paralysis Hemiplegia, Contracture Joint, Spasticity Lower Limb Post-stroke | GV03, GV04, GV08, GV11, GV14 | 28 days | doi:10.1155/2021/5511031 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Sciatica, Low Back Pain, Spondylolisthesis Lumbar Degenerative | BL23, BL40, BL54, BL57, GB30, GB31, GB34, GV02, GV03, GV04 | 21 days | doi:10.1155/2022/6016542 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Sciatica, Low Back Pain, Spondylolisthesis Lumbar Degenerative | BL40, BL57, GB30, GV02, GV03, GV04 | 21 days | doi:10.1155/2022/6016542 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Sleep Disturbance, Restless Legs Syndrome, Lower Limb Abnormal Sensation, Urge Movement Legs | ST36, SP06, SP10, BL23, BL57, KD03, LV03, GV04 | 18 days | doi:10.1016/j.bj.2021.05.005 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Bone Pain, Osteoporosis Primary, Fracture Fragility | BL23, GV04 | 90 days | doi:10.1155/2022/1268876 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 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 | 28 days | doi:10.1186/s12967-023-04250-z | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Post-operative Pain, Anal Pain, Anxiety Post-operative, Constipation Post-operative | BL57, GV01, GV02, GV04 | 2 days | doi:10.1016/j.joim.2020.08.001 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Osteoporosis, Back Low Pain, Muscle Weakness Skeletal, Sarcopenia | BL18, BL23, BL25, GV03, GV04 | 28 days | doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20210812 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Urination Frequent, Painful Urination, Urination Urgent, Perineum Pain, Chronic Prostatitis, Prostatitis Chronic, Erectile Problems | ST36, CV03, CV04, GV04 | 30 days | doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20210278 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 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 | 28 days | doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1330054 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Sciatica, Low Back Pain, Disc Herniation Lumbar, Sensory Disturbance Lower Limb | BL23, GV03, GV04 | 13 days | doi:10.2147/JPR.S457724 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Insomnia, Hypertension, Alopecia, Limb Pain, Diarrhea Chronic, Spasm Muscle | BL17, BL23, BL40, BL57, BL60, GB20, GV04, GV08, GV14, GV16, GV20 | 14 days | doi:10.3389/fendo.2025.1543991 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Memory Impairment, Attention Deficit, Cognitive Impairment Vascular, Sequela Stroke | GV03, GV04, GV09, GV14, GV16, GV20, GV24 | 28 days | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000044257 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Sciatica, Lumbago, Leg Pain, Lower Back Pain | BL22, BL23, BL24, BL25, BL52, GV03, GV04, GV05 | 30 days | doi:10.3831/KPI.2012.15.006 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 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 | 70 days | doi:10.1186/s13052-015-0155-1 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fatigue, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Headache, Insomnia, Shoulder Pain, Lumbar Pain, Cervical Pain, Limb Numbness | BL23, GB20, GB21, GV03, GV04, GV17 | 38 days | doi:10.3831/KPI.2021.24.3.122 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Opioid Dependence, Withdrawal Insomnia, Withdrawal Anxiety, Withdrawal Craving, Withdrawal Restlessness | GV04, GV09, GV10, GV11, GV14, GV20 | 10 days | doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.767613 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Arthritis Rheumatoid, Joint Pain, Stiffness Morning, Inflammation Joint | ST36, BL20, BL23, GV04, GV14 | 84 days | doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.829409 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Memory Impaired, Cognitive Impairment Mild | GV04, GV09, GV14, GV20 | 84 days | doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.942682 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Memory Impaired, Cognitive Impairment Mild | CV04, GV04 | 35 days | doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.942682 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Renal Failure Chronic, Renal Fibrosis | BL20, BL23, GV04 | 36 days | doi:10.3389/fneph.2022.1006506 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Back Pain, Lumbar Pain, Stiffness Lumbar, Back Low Pain, Low Back Chronic Pain, Disability Functional | BL20, BL23, BL25, BL40, BL60, GB30, GB34, GV03, GV04 | 28 days | doi:10.1016/j.imr.2025.101180 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 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 | 42 days | doi:10.1016/j.imr.2025.101204 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 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 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Transient Ischemic Attack, Stroke Prevention | GV03, GV04, GV09, GV12, GV14, GV15, GV16, GV20 | 42 days | doi:10.4103/1673-5374.180735 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Impotence, Erectile Dysfunction | LU10, SI05, KD02, LV02, LV03, LV04, GV04 | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20200519-0008 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Erectile Dysfunction | ST36, SP06, BL23, BL32, KD03, LV03, CV03, CV04, CV06, GV04 | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20201228-0009 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Spleen Deficiency, Obesity, Phlegm-dampness | ST25, ST40, BL13, BL18, BL23, LV14, CV12, GV04 | – | doi:10.53469/jcmp.2025.07(07).10 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Blood Stasis, Lumbar Pain, Disc Herniation Lumbar | BL23, BL36, BL40, GB34, GV02, GV03, GV04 | 20 days | doi:10.13729/j.issn.1671-7813.Z20180146 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |

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AcuiQ-authored prose (symptom and meridian descriptions, the wiki, the auricular crosswalk) is licensed CC-BY-4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The assembled protocol compilation is not: build on it with attribution, but do not redistribute it whole as a dataset – https://acuiq.com/terms. The underlying findings are the cited sources' claims – each entry carries its citation; verify against the source before relying on it. Not medical advice: https://acuiq.com/terms