Lung Meridian of Hand Taiyin and Its Main Acupoints
手太阴肺经及其主要穴位
I. General distribution of Lung Meridian
1. From the chest to the hand.
2. Along the anterior medial side of the upper limb.
3. Connects with the lung, large intestine, trachea, throat, and the upper orifice of the stomach.
4. Meets the Large Intestine Meridian of Hand Yangming at the radial side of the tip of the index finger and the Liver Meridian of Foot Jueyin at the lung.
II. Main Indications
1. Problems of the lungs, including cough, asthma, and shortness of breath; feeling of fullness in the chest, haemoptysis.
2. Throat conditions, including swelling and pain of the throat, both acute and chronic.
3. Nasal problems, including nasal discharge and obstruction.
4. Exterior patterns, including either wind-cold or wind-heat patterns associated with the common cold.
5. Disorders along the external course of the meridian, including pain, numbness, cold, swelling, redness, or any skin lesions.
III. Main Acupoints of Lung Meridian
LU1 Zhongfu 中府 (Central Palace)
Location: On the upper lateral chest, approx. 1 cun below LU 2, level in the first intercostal space, 6 cun from the midline of the chest.
Classification: Front-Mu point of the Lung Meridian; the Crossing point of the Lung and Spleen Meridian.
Indications:
1. Cough, asthma, wheezing, chest pain
2. Shoulder and back pain
Functions: Disperses heat from the chest and stops cough, regulates and descends Lung Qi.
Notes: LU 1, being a Front-Mu point, is a very important point used in diagnosis and treatment of lung disease. Pulmonary tuberculosis and bronchial asthma patients often have a sensitive reaction at this point.
Needling: Oblique insertion towards the lateral aspect of the chest or subcutaneous insertion 0.5 - 0.8 cun. Moxibustion, cupping or scrapping (刮痧) is applicable. Avoid deep perpendicular insertion or it may cause pneumothorax.
LU2 Yunmen 云门 (Cloud Door)
Location: On the upper lateral chest, above the acromioscapula, in the depression below the acromial end of the clavicle, 6 cun from the midline of the chest.
Indications:
1. Cough, asthma
2. Pain in the chest
3. Pain in the shoulder and back
Functions: Regulates and descends Lung Qi, disperses chest fullness, stops cough.
Needling: Oblique insertion 0.5 - 0.8 cun toward the lateral aspect of the chest or subcutaneous insertion. Do not insert deeply toward the medial aspect to avoid puncturing the lungs.
LU5 Chize 尺泽 (Cubit Marsh)
Location: On the cubital crease, on the radial side of the tendon m. biceps brachii.
Classification: He-Sea point of the Lung Meridian.
Indications:
1.Cough, asthma, hemoptysis (cough up blood), afternoon fever, chest congestion
2.Sore throat
3.Acute abdominal pain with vomiting and diarrhea
4.Spasmodic pain of the elbow and arm
Functions: Clears Lung Heat and descends Lung Qi, expels Lung phlegm, relaxes the sinews, frees the water passages.
Notes: He-Sea points are where the qi of the meridian collects and goes deep into the body. He-sea points are known to indicated treat rebellious qi and diarrhea.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 0.8 – 1.2 cun. When treating acute abdominal pain with vomiting and diarrhea, prick the cephalic vein on LU 5 to bleed.
LU6 Kongzui 孔最 (Maximum Opening)
Location: On the radial palmar aspect of the forearm, on the line joining LU 5 and LU 9, 7 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist.
Classification: Xi-Cleft point of the Lung Meridian.
Indications:
1. Acute hemoptysis (coughing up blood), bleeding hemorrhoids, epistaxis (nosebleed), cough and asthma
2. Sore throat
3. Febrile diseases without sweating
4. Pain in the forearm
Functions: Descends and regulates Lung Qi, stops bleeding, clears heat.
Notes: A Xi-Cleftpoint is the site where the Qi of the meridian is deeply converged. Qi and blood are stored deeply at these particular points. If there appear abnormal reactions at X-Cleft points, it shows that the pathogens have entered the deeper parts of Zang-Fu organs. Thus, they are used for acute, painful symptoms, inflammation, protracted diseases of its pertaining meridian and Zang-Fu organ. Also, Xi-Cleft points of the Yin meridians have hemostatic functions.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 0.5 - 1.0 cun.
LU7 Lieque 列缺 (Broken Sequence)
Location: On the radial margin of the forearm, superior to the styloid process of the radius, 1.5 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist.
Classification: Luo-Connecting point of the Lung Meridian
Master Point of Ren Meridian (couple with KI6-Zhaohai)
Command point of head and neck
Master Point of Ren Meridian (couple with KI6-Zhaohai)
Command point of head and neck
Indications:
1. Head and neck problems: migraines (central and one-sided), headaches caused by exogenic pathogens, neck rigidity, facial paralysis, toothache.
2. Sore throat, nasal problems.
3. Urogenital system problems: pain in the penis, hematuria, spermatorrhea.
4. Dysmenorrhea.
5. Weakness of the thumb and index finger.
Functions: Releases the exterior, expels exterior Wind, helps descend Lung Qi, benefits the head and neck area, benefits the bladder.
Notes: LU 7 is a main point for releasing the exterior of Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat. The respective Yin and Yang meridians are internally-externally related by Luo-Connecting points. Luo-Connecting points of one meridian can communicate with two meridians. They treat diseases of the collaterals and can be used to treat chronic diseases, especially chronic diseases of the Zang-Fu organs. Clinically, Luo-Connecting points are often combined with Yuan-Source points in the treatment of diseases.
Needling: Insert obliquely upwards 0.3 - 0.5 cun.
LU9 Taiyuan 太渊 (Great Abyss)
Location: On the radial end of the transverse crease of the wrist, where the radial artery pulsates.
Classification: Yuan-Source point of the Lung Meridian
Shu-Stream point of the Lung Meridian
Converging point of Vessels
Shu-Stream point of the Lung Meridian
Converging point of Vessels
Indications:
1. Cough with a large amount of phlegm, asthma with weakness
2. Vascular problems: acrotism (absence or imperceptibility of the pulse); headache; hemiplegia; cold, pain and weakness of the lower extremities
3. Hiccups
4. Wrist pain
Functions: Tonifies Lung Qi and Yin, resolves phlegm, descends Lung Qi, tonifies Gathering Qi, influences the pulse.
Notes: Clinically, Yuan-Source points are of great significance in treating diseases of the internal organs. Yuan-Source points are the sites where the Yuan (Primary) qi of the Zang-Fu organs passes and stays. Puncturing the Yuan-Source points stimulates the vital energy of the regular meridians, regulates the functional activities of the internal organs, reinforces antipathogenic factors and eliminates pathogenic factors. This method of treating diseases deals principally with the root causes. The Yuan (source) point from the affected meridian is often combined with the Luo (Connecting) point of the internally-externally related meridians in use. Shu-Stream points are where the qi starts to pour down the meridian. They are known to alleviate heaviness and pain in the joints. On Yin Meridians, Shu-Stream points are identical to the actions of Yuan-Source points.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 0.3 -0 .5 cun. Keep clear of the radial artery.
LU10 Yuji 鱼际 (Fish Edge)
Location: In the depression behind the thenar eminence of the thumb, about the midpoint of the palmar side of the thumb, on the junction of the red and white skin.
Classification: Ying-Spring point of the Lung Meridian
Indications:
1. Asthma
2. Sore throat, fever, hoarseness
3. Cough, hemoptysis (coughing blood)
4. Hemiplegia
Functions: Clears Lung Heat, benefits the throat.
Notes: Ying-Spring points are where the qi dribbles down the meridian. Ying-Spring points are indicated for heat in the body and changes in the complexion. Ying-Spring points are known to clear heat from the meridian.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 0.3 - 0.5 cun. Keep clear of the radial artery.
LU11 Shaoshang 少商 (Lesser Metal)
Location: On the radial side of the thumb, 0.1 cun distance from the corner of the nail bed.
Classification: Jing-Well point of the Lung Meridian
Indications:
1. Sore throat, cough, epistaxis (nosebleed)
2. High fever
3. Coma, manic disorders
4. Numbness at fingertips
Functions: Expels exterior and interior Wind, benefits the throat and clears Heat, resuscitates.
Notes: Jing-Well points are where the qi bubbles up. Jing-Well points are indicated to revive consciousness. Jing-Well points are known to treat fullness below the Heart and clear Heat.
Needling: Insert obliquely 0.1 cun towards upper direction, or prick the point to bleed.
