Library

(28 acupoints on each side)

Diagram of Acupoints on the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian [Image Placeholder]

Dadun (LR1): Located at the tip of the big toe, approximately the width of a leek leaf distal to the nail corner, and within the area of hair growth. This is where the Qi of the Liver meridian emerges, classified as the Jing-Well point. (Needle 2 fen; Moxibustion 3 moxa cones.) Indications: Five types of strangury, seven types of hernia, abdominal distension, urinary incontinence, uterine prolapse, and metrorrhagia that does not stop.

Xingjian (LR2): Located in the webbing anterior to the first metatarsophalangeal joint, between the divergent bones. There are tendons above and below, and small bony prominences anterior and posterior; the point lies precisely in the depression. A pulsating artery can be felt upon palpation. This is where the Qi of the Liver meridian flows freely, classified as the Ying-Spring point. For excess syndromes, reduce method is applied. (Needle 6 fen; Moxibustion 3 moxa cones.) Indications: Vomiting and regurgitation, hemoptysis, blurred vision or reluctance to open eyes, chest pain, Feiqi (mass under the hypochondrium), malaria, cold hernia, metrorrhagia in women, and infantile convulsions.

Taichong (LR3): Located approximately 2 cun proximal to the first metatarsophalangeal joint. A collateral vessel connects horizontally to Dizhui (EX-LE4) across the gap between the second metatarsal bones. The point lies in the depression where a pulsating artery is felt. This is where the Qi of the Liver meridian pours into, classified as the Shu-Stream point. (Needle 3 fen; Moxibustion 3 moxa cones.) Indications: Deficiency consumption with edema, hematemesis, dry throat, sourness pulling into lower abdominal pain, Machang yang (scrofula in the axilla), strangury, hernia, and leukorrhea in women.

Zhongfeng (LR4, also known as Xuanquan): Located 1 cun anterior to the medial malleolus, tucked behind the large tendon in the depression. This is where the Qi of the Liver meridian travels, classified as the Jing-River point. (Needle 4 fen; Moxibustion 3 moxa cones.) Indications: Malaria, five types of strangury, cold hernia, cold feet, flaccidity and cold limbs, tendon spasm, swelling of the scrotum, and pain radiating into the abdomen.

Ligou (LR5, also known as Jiaoyi): Located 5 cun superior to the medial malleolus, this is where the Luo-connecting vessel of the Foot-Jueyin Liver meridian branches off to connect with the Shaoyang Gallbladder meridian. (Needle 2 fen; Moxibustion 3 moxa cones.) Indications: Hernia pain, abdominal fullness, frequent belching, fear and palpitations, shortness of breath, cold and soreness of the lower leg, and irregular menstruation.

Zhongdu (LR6, also known as Zhongxi): Located 7 cun superior to the medial malleolus, in the middle of the fibula. It aligns directly with the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney meridian and serves as the Xi-Cleft point of the Foot-Jueyin Liver meridian. (Needle 3 fen; Moxibustion 5 moxa cones.) Indications: Hernia, lower abdominal pain, and coldness of the lower leg.

Xiguan (LR7): Located 2 cun inferior to Dubi (ST35), in the lateral depression. (Needle 4 fen; Moxibustion 5 moxa cones.) Indications: Pain along the medial aspect of the knee radiating to the patella, and inability to flex or extend the knee.

Ququan (LR8): Located below the medial condyle of the tibia, between the large tendon above and the small tendon below, in the depression. Locate by flexing the knee at the head of the transverse crease. This is where the Qi of the Liver meridian enters, classified as the He-Sea point. For deficiency syndromes, tonify method is applied. (Needle 6 fen; Moxibustion 3 moxa cones.) Indications: Hu hernia (intermittent hernia), pain in the medial thigh, dysuria, blood masses in women, pruritus vulvae, and uterine prolapse.

Yinbao (LR9): Located 4 cun superior to the knee, between two tendons on the medial aspect of the thigh. Locate by curling the foot; look for the groove on the medial aspect of the knee, situated in the middle of the branch of the Foot-Jueyin Liver meridian. (Needle 6 fen; Moxibustion 3 moxa cones.) Indications: Dysuria, urinary incontinence, and irregular menstruation.

Wuli (LR10): Located 3 cun inferior to Qichong (ST30) of the Foot-Yangming Stomach meridian, in the medial thigh where a pulsating artery is felt. (Needle 6 fen; Moxibustion 5 moxa cones.) Indications: Heat closure causing inability to urinate, wind-lao syndrome with drowsiness.

Yinlian (LR11): Located obliquely 3 fen below "Yangshi" (a specific anatomical landmark described as a kernel-like structure in the inguinal fold resembling a sheep's testicle), ascending vertically 2 cun to Qichong (ST30), in the depression of the pulsating artery. (Needle 8 fen; Moxibustion 3 moxa cones. Note: Yangshi refers to the kernel-like structure in the skin and flesh of the inguinal fold beside the genitalia, named for its resemblance to a sheep's testicle.) Indications: Irregular menstruation and infertility in women who have not yet conceived.

Jimai (LR12): Located within the pubic hair region, 2.5 cun lateral to the midline on both sides of the genitalia. Palpation reveals hardness pressing deeply into the finger; severe pressure causes pain radiating up and down. This is the major collateral of the Jueyin meridian, through which Qi circulates. Hence it is called the Jueyin Jimai, which corresponds to the spermatic cord. For patients with hernia and lower abdominal pain, moxibustion may be applied (Puncture is prohibited. Note: This point is recorded in Wang Bing's commentary on the Qifu Lun but is absent in the Jiayi Jing and subsequent texts.)

Zhangmen (LR13, also known as Changping, also known as Xieduan): Located 2 cun superior to the umbilicus and 6 cun lateral to the midline. With the patient lying on their side, flex the upper leg and extend the lower leg; the point is located at the end of the elbow tip where a pulsating artery is felt. It is the Mu-Alarm point of the Spleen and the Hui-Meeting point of the Zang organs. Zang organ diseases are treated here. It is also the intersection of the Foot-Jueyin Liver meridian and the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder meridian. (Needle 6 fen; Moxibustion 7 to 100 moxa cones per day.) Indications: Borborygmus, indigestion, chest and hypochondriac pain, inability to lie supine, accumulations and痞 masses. Extensive moxibustion on the left side treats kidney accumulations; bilateral moxibustion treats pediatric hernia (3 cones suffice for cure). (Commentary: Zhangmen is accurately located at the end of the floating rib. The characters "Da Heng Wai" under Zhangmen in old editions are erroneous. Zhangmen is 6 cun from the midline, while Qimen is 5.5 cun; measurement is based on dividing the distance between the nipples into 8 cun.)

Qimen (LR14): Located 1.5 cun lateral to the nipple, and another 1.5 cun directly downward, in the intercostal space at the end of the second rib, level with Rugen (ST18). (Old texts incorrectly state 1.5 cun lateral to Burong.) It is the Mu-Alarm point of the Liver and the intersection of the Foot-Jueyin Liver meridian, Foot-Taiyin Spleen meridian, and Yinwei Vessel. (Needle 4 fen; Moxibustion 5 moxa cones.) Indications: Restlessness and heat in the chest, Ben Tun (gas attacking upward), bluish discoloration of the eyes with vomiting, cholera with diarrhea, wheezing and inability to lie flat, heart-cutting pain in Shanghan (cold damage), and heat entering the Blood Chamber.