Large Intestine Meridian Acupuncture Points Study

Locations and Functions Flash Cards

Large Intestine Meridian Acupuncture Points Study - Location and Functions "Flash Cards"

Our site currently has acupuncture point location and function information for the 20 points along the large intestine meridian. You can use the following list of "flash cards" as a study tool by viewing the name, seeing if you remember the point location and/or functions, then clicking on the "location" or "functions" tab to check your answer.

To view all locations and/or all functions at once, use the "show/hide" buttons below.

LI 1

.1 cun posterior to the corner of the nail on the radial side of the index finger.
  • Jing Well Point, for heat, pain, stagnation, especially at the opposite end of the channel, for eye and ear pain and inflammation, toothache.
  • Bleed for high fever, coma  

LI 2

On the radial side of the index finger distal to the 2nd metacarpophalangeal joint in a depression at the border of the red and white skin.
  • Shown to increase saliva production and to effect the areas of the brain involved in saliva production. Useful for dry mouth (xerostomia).
  • LI 2 & LI 3 are not used often clinically as LI 4 & LI 11 have broader applications.
  • Sedation Point and Ying Spring Point, treats excess and clears heat from opposite end of the channel, for toothache, eye redness and pain, gum inflammation, sore throat.  

LI 3

On the radial side of the index finger, proximal to the head of the 2nd metacarpal bone.
  • Expel wind and heat particularly from the throat, teeth, mouth, face and eyes.
  • Diarrhea.  

LI 4

In the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.
  • Releases the exterior for wind-cold or wind-heat syndromes
  • Strengthens the wei qi, improves immunity
  • Regulates the sweat glands, for excessive sweating tonify LI 4 then disperse KD 7 and vice versa.
  • Any problem on the face - sense organs, mouth, teeth, jaw, toothache, allergies, rhinitis, hay fever, acne, eye problems, etc.
  • Toothache use both LI 4 & ST 44 - LI for the lower jaw & ST for the upper jaw.
  • Headache, especially frontal a/or sinus (yangming area).
  • Chronic Pain
  • Influence the circulation of Qi and Blood - Use the four gates, LI 4 & LV 3 to strongly move the Qi and Blood in the body clearing stagnation and alleviating pain.
  • Promote labor or for retained placenta  

LI 5

On the radial side of the wrist in a depression between extensor pollicis longus and brevis tendons, found when the thumb is tilted upward.
  • Local point for wrist pain.
  • Classically noted with LI 7 for "seeing ghosts," may be useful in manic conditions.  

LI 6

3 cun above the crease of the wrist on the LI 5 to LI 11 line.
  • Luo Connecting Point, influences the descending and dispersing function of the Lungs - useful for upperbody edema a/or facial puffiness.
  • The Luo channel travels upward to the face effecting the jaw, teeth and ears, tinnitus, deafness, toothache, nosebleeds.  

LI 7

5 cun above the crease of the wrist (LI 5).
  • Xi Cleft Point useful for pain due to stagnation along the meridian in the shoulders, elbows and wrist.
  • Classically noted with LI 5 for "seeing ghosts," may be useful in manic conditions.  

LI 8

4 cun below LI 11 on the LI 5 to LI 11 line.
  • The following relationships exist between the ST and the LI and can be used to treat ST, LI and SI organ problems:
  • SI: LI 8 & ST 39
  • LI: LI 9 & ST 37
  • ST: LI 10 & ST 36
  • Blood in the urine arising from heat in the SI - use with CV 3 & ST 39.
  • Calms the spirit, clear Yang Ming fire - mania, headaches, stroke.  

LI 9

3 cun below LI 11 on the LI 5 to LI 11 line.
  • The following relationships exist between the ST and the LI and can be used to treat ST, LI and SI organ problems:
  • SI: LI 8 & ST 39
  • LI: LI 9 & ST 37
  • ST: LI 10 & ST 36
  • Local point for shoulder, elbow, and arm pain.
  • Stagnation in the large intestine - abdominal pain, dark/difficult urination.
  • Numbness of the limbs - particularly the upper limbs, stroke recovery.  

LI 10

2 cun below LI 11 on the LI 5 to LI 11 line.
  • The following relationships exist between the ST and the LI and can be used to treat ST, LI and SI organ problems:
  • SI: LI 8 & ST 39
  • LI: LI 9 & ST 37
  • ST: LI 10 & ST 36
  • Shoulder, elbow & wrist pain issues, general achiness in these areas.
  • Paralysis in the upper limbs.
  • Less dispersive & more tonifying than other LI points.
  • Epigastric & abdominal pain, ulcers, vomiting.
  • Tong Ren/Tam Healing System: Abdominal issues, any digestive issues, pain in the arm/shoulder/neck, builds energy level.  

LI 11

At the lateral end of the transverse cubital crease midway between LU 5 and the lateral epicondyle of the humerus.
  • Reduction of high fevers, patients with the 4 bigs, combine with LI 1, LI 2 or LI 4.
  • Damp Heat skin diseases, red, itchy, oozing & inflamed (hives, herpes zoster, acne), may be used with UB 40 for any skin disease.
  • ST Excess Issues, burning diarrhea.
  • Elbow and upper limb disorders, pain and inflammation, atrophy, tremors - expels wind dampness from the channel.
  • Hot flashes a/or menstrual issues with heat in the Blood.
  • Expels summer heat with UB 40 & SP 10, for heat stroke add SI 3.
  • Tong Ren/Tam Healing System: Useful for any blood circulation issue (raynaud's, anemia, etc.), skin problems (hives, itchiness), tennis elbow.  

LI 12

With the elbow flexed, on the radial side of the upper arm 1 cun above LI 11 at the border of the humerus (1 cun superolateral to LI 11).
  • Local point for pain in the elbow and/or upper arm, tennis elbow.  

LI 13

3 cun above LI 11 on the LI 15 to LI 11 line.
  • Local point for pain in the elbow and upper arm.
  • Difficulty breathing, cough, vomiting of blood.
  • Scrofula  

LI 14

On the radial side of the upper arm, 7 cun above LI 11 at the insertion of the deltoid muscle.
  • Local point for pain in the shoulder and upper arm.
  • Weakness in the upper arms
  • Benefits the eyes - redness, swelling, pain.
  • Scrofula  

LI 15

Anterior and inferior to the acromion in a depression found with the arm abducted.
  • Shoulder Disorders, rotator cuff injuries, adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder, any ROM issues.
  • Seminal emission due to taxation.  

LI 16

In the upper aspect of the shoulder between the acromial extremity of the clavicle and the spine of the scapula.
  • Adjunctive point with LI 15 for shoulder issues, particularly chronic issues related to blood stasis.
  • Resolve Blood stagnation in the chest & lungs, vomiting a/or coughing of Blood.  

LI 17

On the lateral side of the neck, 1 cun below LI 18 on the posterior border of the SCM.
  • Sore throat, loss of voice, sensation of something "stuck" in the throat ("plum pit qi").
  • Tong Ren/Tam Healing System: Used to effect the circulation within the carotid artery.  The left side is used more for physical complaints and the right side more for psychological issues due to the internal connections of the common carotid. Useful for alzheimer's, brain tumors, dyslexia, MS, and many brain issues related to circulation as well as the full range of psychological issues. 
  • Falls into the category of Window of the Sky points within the Tam Healing system.  

LI 18

Level with the tip of the Adam's Apple between the sternal and clavicular heads of the SCM.
  • Window of the Sky Point for sudden loss of voice with qi obstruction in the throat.
  • High blood pressure, for which Window of the Sky Points are sometimes indicated, may also be useful for low blood pressure.
  • Tong Ren/Tam Healing System: Used to effect the circulation of the common carotid artery as well as effect the vagus nerve.  Due to the connection with the vagus it is useful for lung, esophagus, heart, stomach, intestine and gall bladder issues - reflux, palpitations, digestive issues, etc. 
  • Falls into the category of Window of the Sky points within the Tam Healing system.  

LI 19

Directly below the lateral margin of the nostril at the level of GV 26
  • Sinus congestion.
  • Nasal polyps, sores.
  • Nosebleed (combination with GV 23 and LI 19)  

LI 20

In the nasolabial groove, level with the midpoint of the lateral border of the ala nasi.
  • Loss of smell or taste, nasal discharge, any nose a/or sinus issues, nasal polyps, rhinitis, sinusitis, allergies. Often combined with LI 19 and other local points.
  • Tong Ren/Tam Healing System: Sinus issues, often combined with LI 17 and the huatuo of C3.  

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