Nei guan

Nei guan (P6, Chinese: 内关) is an acupoint, a point of the skin that is stimulated with various techniques in the practice of acupuncture. It is located on the anterior forearm, two cun above to the wrist crease, between the tendons of palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis muscles, along the pericardium meridian.^[1]

Therapeutic uses and scientific validation

The Cochrane Collaboration, a group of evidence-based medicine (EBM) reviewers, reviewed the use of Nei guan (Acupoint P6) for nausea and vomiting, and found it to be effective for reducing post-operative nausea, but not vomiting.^[2] The Cochrane review included various means of stimulating P6, including acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, transcutaneous nerve stimulation, laser stimulation, acustimulation device and acupressure; it did not comment on whether one or more forms of stimulation were more effective. EBM reviewer Bandolier said that P6 acupressure in two studies showed 52% of patients with control having a success, compared with 75% with P6 acupressure.^[3] One author of an article published in the Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine disagreed.^[4] Another study shows benefit in controlling the symptoms of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).^[5]

References

1. "PC6 Nei Guan". Acupuncture Research and Resource. Retrieved 2007-04-28.
2. Lee A, Done ML. "Stimulation of the wrist acupuncture point P6 for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting". Cochrane Reviews. Retrieved 2007-04-28.
3. "Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy". Bandolier. Retrieved 2007-04-28.
4. Kimball C. Atwood IV, MD. "The P6 Acupuncture Point and Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting". The Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine. Retrieved 2007-04-28.
5. Mayer Resnick. "Acupuncture versus acid reflux: 40% cut in sphincter relaxations brings hope for relief". EurekAlert. Retrieved 2008-06-30.