POINT LOCATION I

Points of the Large Intestine Channel of Hand-Yangming

LI 1 (Shang Yang) Jing-well pointMetal pointHorary/Nature Point

Location: 0.1 cun from radial corner of index fingernail.

Techniques:Perpendicular 0.1 cunPrick and Bleed

Functions Clears Heat Promotes resuscitationIndications Febrile disease, sore throat, toothache

involving the lower teeth, deafness and tinnitus

Loss of consciousness

LI 2 (Er Jian)Ying-Sping point, Water pointChild/Reduction Point

Location:Radial edge of 1st phalanx of index finger just distal to the knuckle of the MCP joint in a depression on the line where the skin changes color/texture.  Find/needle with hand in a loose fist.

Techniques:Perpendicular 0.2-.03 cunPrick and Bleed

Functions Clears Heat Benefits the throat Subdues swelling and relieves painIndications Sore throat Toothache Fever

LI 3 (San Jian)Shu-Stream pointWood point

Location: Radial edge of 2nd metacarpal bone, just proximal to the MCP joint in a depression on the line where the skin changes color/texture.  Find/needle with hand in a loose fist.

Techniques:Perpendicular 0.5-0.8 cun

Functions Activates the channel and collaterals and

alleviates pain Benefits the throat Expels Wind and clears HeatIndications Pain, numbness of the fingers and hand;

toothache, especially of the lower teeth Sore throat Fever and chills, dry mouth and lips

LI 4 (He Gu) Yuan-Source point, Command point, Heavenly Star pointFour Gates point

Location: Mid point of the 2nd metacarpal bone, inbetween the 1st and 2nd MC, but slightly closer to the 2nd MC.

Techniques:Perpendicular 0.5-1.0 cun

*Contraindicated duringPregnancy!

Functions Expels Wind and releases the exterior Regulates Defensive Qi and adjusts sweating Regulates the throat, neck, face, eyes, nose,

mouth and ears Activates the channel and collaterals and

alleviates pain; Nourishes the sinews Regulates the Uterus and induces labor Calms the Spirit

Indications Exterior patterns: fever, chills, absence of sweating

or sweating without relief of symptoms, cough, floating pulse.

Skin disorders: rashes, measles, acne, skin itching, eczema.

Goiter, lymphadenopathy, sore throat, headache, facial pain or paralysis, stuffy nose, rhinorrhea, epistaxis, sore throat, aphonia (loss of voice), red, swollen and painful eyes, blurred vision, toothache, canker sores tinnitus, deafness.

Pain, atrophy or paralysis of the hands, arm or shoulder

Gynecological disorders: amenorrhea, delayed labor, retention of placenta, difficult labor

Mental disorders: insomnia, mania, depression.

LI 5 (Yang Xi)

Jing-river pointFire point

Location: In the anatomical snuffbox. Stretch the palm flat and stretch the thumb as far toward the back of the hand as possible. Feel the depression between the base of the thumb and the wrist.

Techniques:Perpendicular 0.3-0.5 cun

Functions Activates the channel and collaterals and

alleviates pain Clears Heat Calms the Spirit

Indications Pain of the wrist and hand Headache, sore throat, epistaxis, rhinitis,

tinnitis, eye pain and redness, and toothache

Epilepsy, mania, depressive psychosis

LI 6 (Pian Li)Luo-Connecting Point

Location: One quarter of the distance from LI 5-11 (3 cun proximal to LI 5) and inline between them.

Techniques:Perpendicular or oblique0.5-0.8 cun

Functions Opens and regulates the water passages,

induces urination Clears Wind and Heat Benefits the eyes and ears

Indications Dysuria, edema (particularly of the upper

body) Red eyes, tinnitus, deafness, epistaxis

LI 7 (Wenliu)Xi-Cleft pointLocation: 5 cun proximal to LI 5, inline between LI 5-11. For most accurate location

Use a measure to find ½ distance between LI 5-11. Locate point 1 cun distal to here.

Techniques: ( LI7 - LI9 )Perpendicular 0.5-1.0 cun

Functions Clears Heat & detoxify Regulates the stomach and intestinesIndications Headache, sore throat, facial edema, facial

paralysis, epistaxis, carbuncles Abdominal pain, diarrhea

LI 8 (Xia Lian) Location: L 4 cun distal to LI 11, inline between LI 5 and LI 11.  Use a measure to find the ¼ mark between the two points, go 1 cun distal to this.

Functions Clears obstruction from the channels and

collaterals Expels Wind Regulates the stomach and intestines

Indications Pain or motor impairment of the elbow or

arm Headache, dizziness Abdominal pain and distention, diarrhea,

dyspepsia

LI 9 (Shang Lian)

3 cun distal to LI 11, inline between LI 5 and LI 11.

Functions Clears obstruction from the channels and

collaterals Regulates the stomach and intestinesIndications Pain, numbness and weakness of the arm,

hemiplegia Abdominal pain and distention, diarrhea,

dyspepesia

LI 10 (Shou San Li)

2 cun distal to LI 11, inline between LI 5 and LI 11.

Techniques:Perpendicular 0.8-1.2 cun

Functions Activates the channel and collaterals and

relieves pain Regulates the stomach and intestines TonificationIndications Paralysis, pain, numbness and weakness

of the arm Abdominal pain and distention, diarrhea,

dyspepsia Chronic Fatigue

LI 11(Quchi)He-Sea point Earth PointGhost pointHeavenly Star pointMother/Tonification Point

Techniques:Perpendicular 0.5-1.5 cun

Location: At the lateral end of the cubital crease.  With elbow fully flexed: Find the lateral tip of

the crease. With the elbow only partially flexed:Locate LU 5

and prominence of lateral epicondyle of the humerus. Point is ½ distance between these 2 points.

Functions Activates the channel and collaterals to

relieve pain Clears Heat Cools Blood, expels Wind, drains

Dampness Subdues Rebellious Qi to relieve vomiting

and diarrhea

Indications Paralysis, pain, numbness and weakness

of the elbow and arm Fever, thirst, sweating Eczema, urticaria, erysipelas, skin itching Abdominal pain and distention, vomiting,

diarrhea, constipation, dysentery, dyspepesia

Tranquilization & Hypertension

LI 12 (Zhou Liao) Location: Flex the elbow to 90 °. Palpate the lateral epicondyle of the humerus and the humeral shaft. Run finger down the humeral shaft until you feel the curve begin. Locate LI 12 here.

Techniques: (LI12 – LI13 )Perpendicular 0.5-1.0 cun

Functions Removes obstruction from channels and

collaterals to relieve painIndications Paralysis, pain, numbness and weakness

of the elbow and arm

LI 13 (Shou Wu Li)

3 cun proximal to LI 11 (6 cun distal to tip of axillary crease), inline between LI 11 and LI 15.  Measure proportionally or use hand cun.

Functions Removes obstruction from channels and

collaterals to relieve pain Regulates Qi, transforms Phlegm Subdues Rebellious Qi

Indications Paralysis, pain, numbness and weakness

of the elbow and arm Scrofula, goiter Cough, dyspnea

LI 14 (Bi Nao) Lateral side of the upper arm in a depression formed by the distal insertion of the deltoid muscle. Tense muscle to see more easily. Inline between LI 11 and 15.

Techniques:Perpendicular or oblique upwards 0.8-1.5 cun

Functions Clears heat and benefits the eyes Regulates Qi and transforms Phlegm Removes obstruction from channels and

collaterals to relieve pain

Indications Redness, swelling, and pain of the eyes Scrofula, goiter Pain or paralysis numbness of the arm,

pain and stiffness of the neck

LI 15 (Jian Yu) Crossing point of the LI and the Yang Qiao Mai

Depression anterior/inferior to the acromion – at the origin of the deltoid.

Techniques:• Perpendicular 0.8-1.5 cun

• Oblique latero-inferior 1.0-2.0 cun

Functions Removes obstruction from channel and

collaterals to relieve pain Expels Wind, clears Heat, regulates Qi and

Blood Regulates Qi and transforms Phlegm

Indications Pain or paralysis and numbness of the

arm, pain and stiffness of the neck Frozen shoulder & other shoulder

disorders Urticaria Scrofula, goiter

LI 16 (Ju Gu) Crossing point of the LI and the Yang Qiao Mai

Upper aspect of the shoulder in a depression medial to the acromion process. Between the lateral extremity of the clavicle and the scapular spine.

Techniques:Perpendicular 0.5-0.7 cunOblique latero-inferior 1.0-1.5 cun*Avoid deep needling.

Functions Removes obstruction from channel and

collaterals to relieve pain Regulates Qi and transforms PhlegmIndications Pain and numbness of the shoulder,

hemiplegia Scrofula, goiter Urticaria

LI 17 (Tian Ding)

1 cun inferior to LI 18 on the posterior border of SCM.

Techniques:Perpendicular 0.3-0.5 cun

*Avoid needling towardsThe jaw or spine.

Functions Clears Heat and benefits the throat Regulates Qi and transforms PhlegmIndications Sore throat, sudden loss of voice Goiter, scrofula, thyroid disorders

LI 18 (Fu Tu) Window of the Sky point

Between sternal and clavicular heads of SCM, level with the laryngeal prominence.

Techniques:Perpendicular 0.5-0.8 cun*Avoid needling towardsThe jaw or spine.

Functions Clears Heat and benefits the throat Regulates Qi and transforms Phlegm Subdues Rebellious Qi Promotes Qi and bloodflowIndications Sore throat, sudden loss of voice Scrofula, goiter Cough, asthma, hiccup Stroke

LI 19 (Kou He Liao)

On the face, ½ cun lateral to the midline of the philtrum, level with the border between the upper 1/3 and lower 2/3 of the philtrum.

Techniques:Oblique 0.3-0.5 cun

Functions Expels Wind and benefits the nose Indications Stuffy nose, rhinorrea, epistaxis Facial paralysis

LI 20 (Ying Xiang)

Crossing point of LI and STIn naso-labial groove level with the midpoint of the lateral edge of the ala nasi (wing of the nostril).

Techniques:Oblique 0.3-0.5 cun, Penetrate to Bitong

Functions Opens the nasal passages Expels Wind and HeatIndications Nasal or sinus congestion, rhinorrea,

epistaxis Swelling, pain or itching of the face or

lips, facial paralysis