Outer Labor Palace

外劳宫Wài Láo Gōng

Anatomical location

On the dorsum of the hand, opposite PC8 (Laogong), between the 2nd and 3rd metacarpals.

Same point as 109PC · Wài Láo Gōng — Curious Points catalog

Main function

Warms Yang, disperses Cold, regulates the intestines.

Therapeutic indications

Abdominal pain from Cold
infantile diarrhea
stiff fingers
numb hands

Name and classical tradition

Wailaogong, 外劳宫, is the “outer Laogong”: 外, outside; 劳宫 (勞宮) is PC8, the “palace of labor” at the center of the palm. This point is on the dorsum of the hand, directly opposite, between the second and third metacarpals, and takes its name from its counterpart.

It does not appear in any of the classical works we were able to check. It is widely used in Chinese pediatric massage, children’s tuina, and in modern acupuncture for stiff neck, but its first mention remains unclear.

Location of point EX-UE8, Outer Labor Palace — Reusable plate · CC BY-ND 4.0 (opens in a new tab)

View point on the 3D modelEX-UE8 on the anatomy

Needling techniquePerpendicular insertion.

Depth0.3-0.5 cun

MoxibustionApplicable.

PrecautionsNone in particular.

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.