Origins of the Four Gates

One of the most common messages I’ve received on the practice Facebook page is ‘Why the Four Gates?’

I was looking for a simple image for the practice. Something with a sense of centre, because acupuncture practice is about bringing things back towards a state of balance, but also something that depicted outward connection - into the fullness of life and the wider world.

I also wanted to respect the cultural lineage of the medicine. I practice in a 21st century city, Cambridge, which also values its own links with its academic past. My practice is focussed on resolving modern problems, but I am very happy to acknowledge the deep roots from which these solutions emerge.

一切氣病，先開四關。

For all types of qì disease, first open the Four Gates.

四關，是氣血陰陽進出之要道，氣血通達，則關道暢通無阻，經絡調和，風停痛止。

The Four Gates are the main thoroughfare for qì and blood, yīn and yáng to enter and exit. When qì and blood are unobstructed, the gates in the road will have nothing to hinder them, the channels and luò vessels will be harmonious, and wind and pain will stop.

My teacher said that “opening the Four Gates is like opening the windows and doors of the house and letting everything blow through”

Chinese medicine and acupuncture are methods with a long history of research and development which continues to this day. If you’d like to experience the resolution and ease that acupuncture treatment can provide, please get in touch to arrange an appointment.

1. History of the Four Gates, Lorraine Wilcox, 2024

2. Acupuncture point images (c) Peter Deadman

It wasn't always this way though. This article by Lorraine Wilcox, published in 2024, traces the roots and evolution of the use of Four Gates in Chinese medicine from early texts through to modern practitioners.

These days, the Four Gates refers to two pairs of acupuncture points: Large Intestine4 [Hegu] in the hands and Liver3 [Taichong], in the feet. These points form part of many acupuncture treatments.