Center of the Circle

环中Huán Zhōng

Anatomical location

Midpoint between GB30 (Huantiao) and GV2 (Yaoshu), in the gluteal region.

Same point as CP84 · Huán Zhōng — Curious Points catalog

Main function

Activates the collateral, disperses stagnation along the course of the sciatic nerve.

Therapeutic indications

Sciatica
low back and buttock pain
paralysis of the lower limb

Name and classical tradition

Huanzhong, 环中, is the "center of the ring": 环 (環), the ring; 中, the center. It takes its name from GB30, Huantiao, "the circling leap," and lies halfway between that point and GV2, Yaoshu, in the buttock.

It is a modern point, included for its use in sciatica and in pain of the lumbar region and hip, and it does not appear in any of the classical works we were able to check. Its name is formed, like those of other recent points, from a neighboring classical point.

Location of point EX-HUANZHONG, Center of the Circle — Reusable plate · CC BY-ND 4.0 (opens in a new tab)

View point on the 3D modelEX-HUANZHONG on the anatomy

Needling techniqueDeep perpendicular insertion.

Depth2-3 cun

MoxibustionUncommon.

PrecautionsArea with deep neurovascular structures: needling by experienced hands.

Protocols for the 20 patterns you see most in practice

Each pattern with its tongue, its pulse, the treatment principle and the points to tonify and disperse. Made for the treatment table, not the bookshelf.