When digestion goes off track, we often blame the food we ate, rather than the system that’s trying to process it. But what if the issue lies in the internal flow itself? One acupoint, Pass Gate (Guan Men, ST22), is rarely in the spotlight despite being highly valued in clinical practice. Nestled right on the stomach, it’s easy to locate and use—and even easier to overlook. However, once you understand its role, you’ll realize just how central this point is to getting your gut back on track.
How Classic Texts Described Guan Men
Guan Men was first recorded in the “Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing” (“A-B Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion”). Its name offers a blunt warning—“Guan” in Chinese means blockage, signaling a place where things may get stuck. From a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) perspective, the stomach is like a warehouse—its job is to store the food we eat and gradually send it down for the spleen to extract nutrients. If that flow is interrupted, digestion suffers. Stimulating Guan Men is a way to ensure the smooth downstream passage of food and energy so the body can absorb and eliminate as it should.
Gut-Level Results
Guan Men is a reliable ally for people dealing with diarrhea and poor appetite, a combination that signals the digestive system is underperforming. Whether it’s gas, indigestion, or just plain stagnation, this point helps normalize flow. It also addresses borborygmus—the loud, gurgling sounds that indicate gas or trapped food trying to find its way through. When the stomach becomes bloated or distended, or abdominal pain occurs due to food not moving properly, Guan Men can promote downward flow and relieve discomfort. Interestingly, it also assists with water metabolism issues—like frequent urination or difficulty urinating—since an overloaded or stagnant stomach can put pressure on the bladder. It is also used in protocols targeting edema.
Science Confirms the Flow
Modern studies are uncovering how Guan Men works from a biological perspective. In a study tracing nerve connections in rats, researchers found that acupuncture points along the Stomach meridian, including Guan Men, are part of a highly organized neural network in the spinal cord. When a neural tracer was injected into Guan Men, the motor neurons in the spinal cord formed distinct pathways connecting only to other stomach-related neurons and even projected to sympathetic neurons that control internal organ function.
Another study tested acupoint embedding therapy on women with abdominal obesity and digestive problems. Guan Men was one of the main points used. Participants who had absorbable sutures embedded into this and other abdominal points saw improved waist size, body fat, and bowel movements, especially those who received deep-tissue embedding. The therapy didn’t just make them leaner—it made their digestion more regular and efficient.
How to Locate and Activate Guan Men
To find Guan Men, start by measuring four finger-widths up from the navel. From that point, move about two finger-widths to each side. Guan Men is a bilateral point, so there’s one on each side. Gently press around this area—if you feel tenderness or soreness, you’ve likely found the point. This reaction indicates energy blockage or a digestive system asking for support.
Ways to activate Guan Men
- Firm pressure: Press firmly for three to five seconds, then relax for three seconds. Repeat for one to three minutes on each side.
- Circular massage: Massage in small circles with your index finger or thumb for one to three minutes on each side.
- Herbal patch: Apply an herbal patch overnight for longer activation.
- Advanced methods: Acupuncture, cupping, or moxibustion (a gentle heat therapy using dried mugwort) by a trained professional can deepen the therapeutic effects.
Precautions
If you’ve had surgery or injury in the abdominal area, avoid stimulating this region. When using herbal patches, ensure the ingredients are natural and suitable for sensitive skin. Redness or discomfort is your cue to stop.
One Small Point–Big Effect
Guan Men may not be flashy, but it’s an essential tool for maintaining balance in your digestive system. Sometimes, symptoms like bloating or poor appetite aren’t isolated—they’re part of a larger systemic imbalance. Guan Men reminds us that when one part of the body becomes stuck, everything else can slow down as well. Give this point a try, and track how your stomach feels before and after regular use. You may just find it’s the helper your gut has been waiting for.
TCM expert Shihhsiang Hung reviewed this article for accuracy and clarity.
Originally published in Epoch Times on 15 July 2025
