Answer to 2024 2nd Quarter Name That Point
Name That Point – Katja Görts, DVM, CVA, CVC, CVCH, CVWH
In both, equine and canine patients I am located in the depression on the caudal midline between the dorsal
border of the external anal sphincter and the ventral tail base where the Governing Vessel and Conception Vessel meet. I am innervated by the caudal rectal nerves which origins from the most caudal segments of the sacral plexus sometimes overlapping the origin of the pudendal nerve. The caudal rectal nerves supply sensory fibers to the rectum, anus, and perianal skin and motor fibers to the dorsal perineal striated musculature. Also, the sacral (sympathetic) splanchnic and the pelvic (parasympathetic) splanchnic nerves are closely related to me. The pelvic splanchnic nerves are currently discussed controversially as recent genetic research indicates they belong to the sympathetic nervous system too. Anyway, the close relation to the autonomic nervous system might explain my strong effect on autonomic functions like gut and bladder motility and also my remarkable mind calming properties.
From the TCVM point of view, I am good for treating obstructions of both the Governing and Conception Vessel, regulating the intestines, resolving Damp Heat, and calming the Mind. Western veterinary indications include defecation problems, rectum prolapse, other gastrointestinal and urogenital disorders, spinal cord and brain issues, epilepsy, and anxiety. The Deadman lists the ‘five type of hemorrhoids’and the ‘five types of painful urinary dysfunction’ as indications. Also, besides others, ‘heaviness’ and ‘shaking of the head’, ‘pain of the heart’, mania, tetany, and mad walking.
The author finds me very helpful in animals with food-retention, constipation, and hypomotility of the gastro-intestinal tract. In Dr. Watson’s clinic, I am called the ‘poopy point’. I work particularly well for horses with post-surgical paralytic ileus and recurrent large colon/caecum compaction, cats with yin deficiency constipation, and stool retention in newborns. But surprisingly enough, due to my regulating nature even patients suffering from diarrhea and elderly patients with urgency to pass stools or urine benefit from me being treated. Also, counterflow of ingesta, like rebellious stomach Qi, gastric reflux, etc. respond very well to my stimulation. Furthermore, with internal wind conditions like epilepsy or paroxysmal gluten‐sensitive dyskinesia (PGSD) in dogs and headshaking in horses, I can have a substantial calming effect. In addition, I am said to improve breeding performance in male animals, which might be because of the close relation to the pelvic splanchnic nerves which are also known as nervi erigentes.
In humans, one would need a chaperone to treat me. In animals, we guess the patient owner fulfills this duty.
The author likes to emphasize that despite all due caution needling me is very well tolerated by most patients.
I am Chanqiang, Long Strong or GV-1.
References:
- Xie H, Preast V, Xie´s Veterinary Acupuncture, 1st edition. Ames, IA:Wiley-Blackwell, 2010
- Deadman P, Al-Khafaji M, Baker K, A Manual of Acupuncture, 2nd edition. Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications, 2015, Hove, East Sussex, England
- IVAS Flash Cards 2022
