Pericardium 8 (PC 8) Lao Gong — Palace of Toil

This is the Ying-Spring and Fire point of the Pericardium channel, in the centre of the palm. It clears Heart fire, calms the spirit and is used for mouth ulcers and feverish palms.

Pericardium 8 (PC 8) Lao Gong 勞宮 — Palace of Toil

Location

On the palm, between the second and third metacarpal bones, where the tip of the middle finger rests when a fist is made.

Anatomy

Between the second and third metacarpals, on the lumbrical and interosseous muscles; the common palmar digital artery; the median nerve and palmar digital nerves.

Actions & Functions

  • Clears heat and fire from the Heart and Pericardium
  • Calms the spirit
  • Clears the Stomach and resolves damp-heat

Indications

Mouth and tongue ulcers, feverish palms, cardiac pain, mental-emotional restlessness and mania, foul breath, and vomiting.

Needling

0.3-0.5 cun, perpendicular insertion.

Moxibustion Suitability

Moxibustion is generally not used, as this is a heat-clearing point.

Point Combinations

With HT-8 for feverish palms; with DU-26 for mania.

Classical Text References

The Ying-Spring (Fire) point of the Pericardium, classically used to clear Heart fire.

Cautions & Contraindications

Needling can be quite painful.

Latest Research

Latest peer-reviewed research on this point will be summarised here, with citations linked to PubMed, via our research integration.

About Attilio

Doctor of Chinese medicine, acupuncture expert and author of My Fertility Guide and My Pregnancy Guide.

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PubMed research

Acupuncture Shows Sustained Benefits for Chronic Daily Headache Prevention in Adults, Meta-Analysis Finds

Research summary (Acupuncture): Utility of Acupuncture Therapy for Adult Chronic Daily Headache Prophylaxis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. - Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research, 2026.