Large Intestine Meridian of Hand Yangming and Its Main Acupoints
手阳明大肠经及其主要穴位
I. General distribution of Large Intestine Meridian
1. From the hand to the head.
2. Along the anterior lateral side of the upper limb.
3. Connects with the large intestine, lungs, teeth (especially the lower teeth), mouth, nose, and face.
4. Meets the Lung Meridian of Hand Taiyin at the radial side of the tip of the index finger, the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming at the areas lateral to the wings of the nose, and the Du Meridian at DU14-Dazhui.
II. Main Indications
1. Disorders along its external course, including upper hemiplegia, tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, toothache; facial pain, spasm or paralysis; nasal discharge or obstruction, headache.
2. Pain conditions, either along its external course or on the other parts of the body.
3. Exterior patterns, both wind-cold and wind-heat.
III. Main acupoints of Large Intestine Meridian
LI1-Shāngyáng商阳 (Metal Yang)
Location: On the radial end of the distal phalanx of the index finger, 0.1cun (finger cun) distance from the corner of the nail.
Classification: Jing-Well point of the Large Intestine Meridian
Indications:
1. Sore throat, toothache
2. Coma caused by febrile disease
3. Numbness at tip of index finger
4. Deafness
Functions: Clears Heat, revives consciousness, benefits the throat.
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: Shallow insertion 0.1 cun, or prick the point to bleed.
LI4-Hégǔ 合谷 (Joining Valley)
Location: On the dorsum of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones, in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.
Classification: Yuan-Source point of the Large Intestine Meridian
Command Point of the head and face
Command Point of the head and face
Indications:
1. Diseases of the head and face: i.e. external pathogenic headache and bodyache, dizziness, congestion, swelling and pain of the eye, nasosinusitis, epistaxis (nosebleed), toothache in the lower jaw, trismus (lockjaw), deafness, mumps, swelling of the face, facial paralysis, facial tic, swelling of the pharnyx and aphonia (inability to speak).
2. Aversion to cold, fever, febrile disease, anhidrosis (no sweating), hidrosis.
3. Dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, dystocia (difficult or abnormal labor/childbirth).
4. Gastric pain, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dysentery.
5. Hemiplegia, finger spasm, pain in the arm, infantile convulsion, manic psychosis and irritability.
6. Malignant sore, urticaria, scabies.
7. Every type pf pain and psychogenic tense.
8. Use in conjunction with LV 3 (the Four Gates) to strongly move the qi and blood in the body in order to remove stagnation and alleviate pain.
Functions: Expels Wind and releases the exterior, tonifies qi and strengthens immunity, stops pain, regulates the face and head area, induces labor.
Notes: LI 4 is a very common and useful point. It is useful for any condition related to the face and head. It's also particularly useful for Wind-Heat conditions (flu). Finally, LI 4 is known as the pain point in the body. Anywhere there is pain, use LI 4.
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.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 0.5 - 1.0 cun. Do not needle during pregnancy.
LI5 Yángxī 阳溪 (Yang Stream)
Location: On the radial side of the dorsal crease of the wrist, when the thumb is pointed upwards, it is in the depression between the tendons m. extensor pollicis longus and brevis.
Classification: Jing-River point of the Large Intestine Meridian
Indications:
1. Frontal headache, congestion, swelling and pain of the eye.
2. Toothache
3. Weakness of the wrist.
Functions: Expels Wind, clears Yangming Fire, benefits the throat
Notes: Jing-River points are where the qi of the meridian begins to flow more heavily. They are known to treat cough and asthma due to pathogenic cold or heat.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 0.5 - 0.8 cun.
LI6 Piānlì 偏历 (Veering Passageway)
Location: With the elbow flexed, the point is on the dorsal radial side of the forearm, on the line connecting LI 5 and LI 11, 3 cun above the wrist crease.
Classification:Luo-Connecting point of the Large Intestine Meridian
Indications:
1. Dental cavities
2. Deafness
3. Facial paralysis
4. Edema, aching in the dorsum of the hand
Functions: Expels Wind, clears Heat, opens the water passages.
Notes: 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: Perpendicular or oblique insertion 0.5 - 0.8 cun.
LI7 Wēnlīu 温溜 (Warm Flow)
Location: With the elbow flexed, the point is on the dorsal radial side of the forearm, on the line connecting LI 5 and LI 11, 5 cun above the wrist crease.
Classification:Xi-Cleft point of the Large Intestine Meridian
Indications:
1. Acute abdominal pain, borborygmus
2. Toothache
3. Aching shoulders and back
4. Facial paralysis, swelling of face
Functions: Clears Heat and detoxifies, expels Wind, benefits the throat.
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.
LI10 Shŏusānlĭ 手三里 (Arm Three Li)
Location: With the elbow flexed, the point is on the dorsal radial side of the forearm, on the line connecting LI 5 and LI 11, 2 cun below the transverse cubital crease.
Indications:
1. Abdominal pain, diarrhea
2. Paralysis of the upper extremities
3. Stiff neck
4. Pain - * Tapping the needle on this point can stop aching and distention sensation caused by incorrect needling technique.
Functions: Regulates Qi and Blood, tonifies Qi, activates the meridian, stops pain.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 0.8 - 1.2 cun.
LI11 Qǖchí 曲池 (Pool at the Crook)
Location: With the elbow flexed, the point is on the lateral end of the transverse cubital crease, at midpoint between LU 5 and the lateral epicondyle of the humerus.
Classification: He-Sea Point of the Large Intestine Meridian
Indications:
1. All febrile diseases, fever, sore throat, malaria
2. Hemiplegia, pain and motor impairment of the shoulder, swelling and pain of the knee
3. Headache, dizziness, redness, swelling and pain of the eye, blurring vision, toothache
4. Irregular menstruation, rubella, eczema, urticaria, erysipelas
5. Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea
6. Depressive psychosis and madness
7. Scrofula
Functions: Clears Heat, cools Blood, resolves dampness, expels, exterior Wind, regulates Qi and Blood, activates meridian, relieves itching.
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.
LI14 Bìnào 臂臑(Upper Arm)
Location: On the lateral side of the arm, superior to the insertion of m. deltoideus, on the line connecting LI 11 and LI 15, 7 cun above LI 11.
Classification: Crossing point of the LI, SI, and UB Meridians with the Yangwei (Linking) Meridian.
Indications:
1. Diseases of the eye: photophobia, burning pain, feeling of heaviness, redness, swelling and pain, diminishing vision, difficulty in differentiation of colors.
2. Scrofula
3. Pain in shoulder and arm
Functions: Activates the meridian, stops pain, benefits the eyes, dissipates phlegm nodules.
LI15 Jiānyǜ肩髃(Shoulder Bone)
Location: When the arm is abducted 90 degrees laterally or forward, the point is on m. deltoideus of the shoulder, in the depression of the anterior superior portion of the shoulder.
Classification: Crossing point of the LI Meridian with the Yangqiao Meridian.
Indications:
1. Paralysis of the upper extremities, pain and motor impairment of the shoulder
2. Scrofula, rubella
Functions: Benefits the shoulder joint, expels Wind-Damp and Wind, alleviates pain, circulates qi in meridian.
Needling: Perpendicular or oblique downward insertion 0.8 - 1.5 cun.
LI18 Fútū 扶突 (Support the Prominence)
Location: On the lateral side of the neck, on the side of the Adam's apple, between the sternal head and clavicular head of m. sternocleidomastoideus.
Indications:
1. Hiccups
2. Paralysis of the upper extremity, pain and limitation of the shoulder
3. Sore throat, scrofula, goiter
Functions: Benefits throat and voice, relieves cough.
Needling: Perpendicular insertion 0.5 -0.8 cun. Caution: Any deeper needling may puncture the jugular vein or carotid artery.
LI20 Yíngxiāng 迎香 (Welcome Fragrance)
Location: At the midpoint lateral to the border of the ala nasi, in the nasolabial groove.
Classification: Crossing point of the LI and ST meridians.
Indications:
1. Nasal congestion, epistaxis
2. Wry face, itching of the face
3. Biliary ascariasis
Functions:Dispels Wind, opens nasal passages, clear Heat.
Needling: Perpendicular or oblique insertion 0.3 - 0.5 cun. No moxa
