Liver Meridian of Foot Jueyin_visibleholism-Gateway to learning classical Chinese acupuncture

Acupoints of the Liver Meridian of Foot Jueyin

足厥阴肝经及其主要穴位

I. General distribution of Liver Meridian

1. From the foot to the head.

2. Along the anterior to the Spleen Meridian eight cun above the inner ankle bone before but between the Spleen Meridian of Foot Taiyin and the Kidney Meridian of Foot Shaoyin.

3.Connects with the liver, gallbladder, lung, stomach, external genitals, throat, eyes, inside of the cheek and lips.

4. Meets the Gallbladder Meridian of Foot Shaoyang at the dorsal surface of the big toe, the Lung Meridian of Hand Taiyin within the lung, and the Du Meridian on the vertex of the head.

II. Main indications

1. Diseases of internal zang fu organs, including Liver, Spleen, Heart, Lung, and Stomach.

2. Disorders of the external genitals, including impotence, persistent erection, prolapse of the uterus, swelling and itching in the external genital region.

3. Diseases of the five sensory organs, including glaucoma, myopia, optic atrophy, globus hystericus, and oral ulcer.

4. Mental problems, including loss of consciousness, hysteria, manic or depressive mental disorders.

5. Diseases on the external course of the Meridian, including pain along the medial side of the lower limbs, inguinal hernia, dysmenorrhea, pain in the chest and hypochondriac region, pain on the vertex of the head.

III. Main acupoints of Liver Meridian

LV1 Dàdūn 大敦 (Large Pile)

Location: On the foot, on the lateral side of the end of the great (big) toe, 0.1 cun from the corner of the nail.

Classification: Jing-Well point of the Liver Meridian

Indications:

1. Hernia

2. Enuresis

3. Dysmenorrhea, functional uterine bleeding, prolapse of uterus, amenorrhea

4. Epilepsy, loss of consciousness

Functions:Regulates Liver Qi, regulates menstruation, resuscitates, resolves Damp-Heat, benefits the genitals.

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:Oblique insertion 0.1 - 0.2 cun, or prick to cause bleeding. Supplement with Diagnosis to Systematic Compilation of the Internal Classic says: "moxibustion is contraindicated in pregnancy and postpartum."

LV2 Xíngjiān 行间 (Moving Between)

Location: On the dorsum of the foot, proximal to the margin of the web between the 1st and 2nd toes, at the junction of the red and white skin.

Classification: Ying-Spring point of the Liver Meridian

Indications:

1. Redness, swelling and pain of the eye, glaucoma

2. Insomnia, epilepsy

3. Irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis, morbid leukorrhea

4. Dysuria, painful urination

Functions:Clears Liver Heat, expels interior Wind, subdues Liver Yang, regulates Liver Qi, benefits the Lower Jiao.

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:Oblique insertion 0.5 - 0.8 cun.

LV3 Tàichōng 太冲 (Great Flatland)

Location: On the dorsum of the foot, in the depression proximal to the 1st metatarsal space.

Classification: Yuan-Source point of the Liver Meridian
Shu-Stream point of the Liver Meridian

Indications:

1. Headache, vertigo, redness, swelling and pain of the eye, wry face

2. Depression, pain in the hypochondrium, abdominal distention, hiccup

3. Weakness, numbness and pain of the lower extremities, difficulty in walking

4. Irregular menstruation, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis, hernia, enuresis

5. Epilepsy, infantile convulsion

6. Acute lower back sprain

Functions:Regulates Liver Qi, subdues Liver Yang, regulates menstruation, calms the Shen, nourishes Liver Yin.

Notes: LV 3 is a very important and commonly used point. It is often coupled with LI 4 (known as the 4 Gates) to effectively move Qi and Blood throughout the body.

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 0.5 - 0.8 cun.

LV5 Lígōu 蠡沟 (Woodworm Ditch)

Location: On the medial aspect of the lower leg, 5 cun above the tip of the medial malleolus, on the middle of the medial aspect of the tibia.

Classification: Luo-Connecting point of the Liver Meridian

Indications:

1. Pruritus vulva, persistent erection

2. Irregular menstruation, morbid leukorrhea

3. Dysuria, hernia, swelling and pain of the foot

Functions:Regulates Liver Qi, resolves Damp-Heat in Lower Jiao, benefits the genitals.

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:Subcutaneous insertion 0.5 -0.8 cun.

LV8 Qūquān 曲泉 (Spring at the Bend)

Location: On the medial aspect of the knee, when the knee is flexed, the point is in the depression on the medial end of the transverse popliteal crease, on the posterior border of the medial epicondyle of the femur, on the anterior portion of the insertion of m. semitendinosus and m. semimembranosus.

Classification: He-Sea point of the Liver Meridian

Indications:

1. Lower abdominal pain, dysuria

2. Spermatorrhea, prolapse of uterus, pruritus vulva, pain in the external genitalia

3. Irregular menstruation, morbid leukorrhea, dysmenorrhea

4. Pain in the medial aspect of the knee and thigh

Functions:Nourishes Liver Blood and Yin, moves the Blood, resolves Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao, benefits the genitals.

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 1.0 - 1.5 cun.

LV13 Zhāngmén 章门 (Camphorwood Gate)

Location: On the lateral side of the abdomen, below the free end of the 11th floating rib.

Classification: Front-Mu point of the Spleen Meridian
Crossing point of the Zang Organs

Indications:

1. Abdominal distention, diarrhea

2. Pain in the hypochondrium, abdominal mass

Functions:Harmonizes the Liver and Spleen, regulates Liver Qi, regulates the Middle and Lower Jiaos.

Notes: Front-Mu points can be used to treat diseases of the affected Zang-Fu organ, and those of Yang meridians and collaterals. They treat diseases of Six Fu-organs and diseases of yang meridians. An adverse reaction when a Front-Mu point is pressed can help make a diagnosis.

Needling:Patient lying in lateral position and with the superior leg flexed and the inferior leg extended, puncture perpendicularly o.5-0.8 cun. Do not puncture deeply to avoid injuring the internal organs, especially in case of hepatomegaly and splenomegaly.

LV14 Qīmén 期门 (Cycle Gate)

Location: On the chest, directly below the nipple, in the 6th intercostal space, 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline.

Classification: Front-Mu point of the Liver Meridian
Crossing point of the Liver and Spleen Meridians and the Yin Wei Vessel

Indications:

1. Depression, irritability

2. Distention and pain of the chest and hypochondrium

3. Abdominal distention, hiccup, acid regurgitation

Functions:Harmonizes the Liver and Stomach, regulates Liver Qi, moves the Blood.

Needling:Oblique or subcutaneous insertion 0.5 - 0.8 cun.