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PATHWAY

The Large Intestine meridian starts at the radial side of the index finger, at LI 1 (Shangyang).

The meridian then runs along the radial side of the index finger and passes between the 1 st and 2nd
metacarpal bones at LI 4. It dips into the anatomical snuff box at LI 5 and continues on the lateral
aspect of the forearm and continues to the lateral end of the cubital crease at LI 11.

The meridian then travels up the arm to LI 15 near the anterior border of the acromion process, then
runs to the back, behind the shoulder, traveling in a medial direction to C7, where it meets the
DU meridian at GV 14 (Dazhui) is located, before going to the supraclavicular fossa (GV 14 is where all
the Yang meridians meet)

There are two branches from the supraclavicular fossa:

i) From the supraclavicular fossa, the meridian travels up the neck and cheek, curves around
the upper lip, crosses the philtrum and terminates at the midpoint of the ala nasi on the
opposite side at LI 20 to connect with the ST meridian.

From the cheek, the meridian internally connects with the lower gums.

***some texts mention that the meridian connects with the Ren meridian at CV 24
(Chengjiang) and with the Du meridian at GV 26 (Renzhong/Shuigou).

ii) The other branch from the supraclavicular fossa runs internally to connect with the LU,
diaphragm and LI before continuing down to ST 37, the Lower He-Sea point of the meridian.
LI 1, 4 , 5, 6, 10, 11, 14, 15, 18, 20

Most of the points have a strong effect on the face, and along the meridian. The distal points have a
good effect for headache and the sense organs: nose, eyes, ears

LI 1

 Location: On the dorsal aspect of the index finger, at the junction of lines
drawn along the radial border of the nail and the base of the nail,
approximately 0.1 cun from the corner of the nail.
 Needling method: superficial, perpendicular or oblique
 Moxa: no
Actions:

 Clears Heat, reduces swelling and alleviates pain


o Congested and sore throat, toothache and pain of the lower
cheek, swelling of the submandibular region
o Numbness of the fingers
 Revives consciousness
o Loss of consciousness from wind-stroke, loss of consciousness

LI 3

 Location: When a loose fist is made, the point is on the radial side of the
index finger, in the depression proximal to the head of the second
metacarpal bone. Massage carefully to find the tender point
 Needling method: perpendicular
 Moxa: yes
Actions:

 Clears Heat in the ST and LI (Yang Ming Heat)


o toothache, congested and sore throat, fever due to Yang Ming heat,
acute pain in the eyes due to heat in Large Intestine meridian, dry
mouth and lips
 Regulates Qi of the Fu organs
o abdominal fullness, borborygmus, diarrhoea and constipation,
heaviness of the body and somnolence
o Acute stiff neck, redness and swelling of the dorsum of the hand,
difficulty in flexing and extending the fingers

LI 4

 Location: On the dorsum of the hand, between the first and second
metacarpal bones, at the midpoint of the second metacarpal bone and
close to its radial border. Ask the patient to squeeze the thumb against the
base of the index finger, and locate LI 4 at the highest point of the bulge of
the muscle and approximately level with the end of the crease
 Needling method: perpendicular
 Moxa: yes
 Precaution: contraindicated in pregnant women
 It is the Yuan point of the LI meridian
Actions:

 Expels Wind Cold and releases the exterior


o Frontal headache, redness, swelling and pain in the eye
 Revives and resuscitates the spirit
 Promotes the free flow of Qi and blood and alleviates pain
o Redness, swelling and pain in the eye, lower toothache, lockjaw
o Amenorrhoea, prolonged labour, delayed labour
o Also for all conditions of the face, eyes, nose, mouth and ears.
Swelling of the face, deviation of the face and mouth, lockjaw,
deafness, tinnitus
 Clear heat from Wei level to protect the body surface.
o sore throat, febrile diseases, eczema and scabies and creeping chills
and fever
o epistaxis, lower toothache, lockjaw, deviation of the mouth and eye,
deafness, mumps, congestion and sore throat, febrile diseases

LI 5

 Location: On the radial side of the wrist, in the centre of the hollow formed
by the tendons of extensor pollicis longus and brevis (anatomical snuffbox).
Ask the subject to extend the thumb to emphasise the hollow of the
anatomical snuffbox; ii. Look carefully to locate the cephalic vein which
runs through the anatomical snuffbox in order to avoid needling through the
vein.
 Needling method: superficial perpendicular
 Moxa: yes

Actions:

 Expels Wind Heat


o Headache, epilepsy and manic depression, febrile disease with
agitation and delirium
 Clears Yang Ming Fire (pathogenic heat in ST and LI)
o Redness, swelling and pain in the eye, deafness, tinnitus,
congested and sore throat due to heat in the LI, cough and
asthmatic conditions
 Benefits the wrist joints
o Weakness and pain in the wrist

Before locating LI 6 we need to locate LI 11 and draw an imaginary line between


LI 5 and LI 11.

LI 6

 Location: 3 cun proximal to LI 5 on the line connecting LI 5 with LI 11


 Needling method: transverse-oblique
 Moxa: yes
 It is the Yuan point of the LI meridian
Actions:

 Removes dampness
o Aching of the hand and arm and oedema due to Lung failing to
descend and clear waste passages.
 Clears heat and fire
o Redness of the eye, epistaxis, tinnitus, sore throat
 Frees the joints and the collaterals.
o Aching of the hand and arm and oedema due to Lung failing to
descend and clear waste passages

LI 10

 Location: Location: on the radial side of the forearm, 2 cun distal to LU 11,
on the line connecting LU 11 with LU 5. Locate with the elbow flexed and
with the radial side of the arm upwards.
 Needling method: perpendicular or oblique
 Moxa: yes
Actions:

 Dispels wind and frees the meridian’s Qi


o Toothache, swelling of cheek, Wei syndrome of the upper limbs
 Regulates the Stomach and Intestines.
o Abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhoea (in general terms to
removes stagnation in LI)

LI 11

 Location: at the elbow, in a depression, midway between LU 5 and the


lateral epicondyle of the humerus, at the lateral end of the transverse
cubital crease. Locate with the arm flexed at a right angle.
 Needling method: perpendicular insertion up to 1.5 cun
 Moxa: yes
 It is the He-Sea of the LI

Actions:

 Dispels wind and resolves exterior syndromes


o Congested and sore throat
 Free flows the meridian’s Qi and stops pain
o Distention and pain of the abdomen, vomiting and diarrhoea
o Toothache, swelling and pain of the upper limbs (Wei syndrome)
 Drains fire and drains dampness (at Wei level)
o Dermatological conditions: urticaria, wind rash, dry skin, scaly skin,
itching of the skin, shingles, eczema
o redness and pain in the eye abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea,
headache, goitre, scrofula
 Clears Heat overall (general antipyretic function)

Find LI 15 first. Abduct the arm to find a depression at the end of the acromion, between the origins
of the anterior and middle heads of the deltoid. Mark this point.

To find LI 14 draw an imaginary line between LI 11 and LI 15.

Then measure the distance between the cubital crease, where LI 11 is and the axillary crease which is
9 cun. Divide this into thirds to find 6 cun. Divide the distal third into thirds to find 1 cun. 6 cun plus 1
cun makes 7 cun up from LI 11 where LI 14 is located on the line between LI 11 and LI 15.

LI 14

 Location: on the lateral side of the upper arm, in a depression formed


between the distal insertion of the deltoid muscle and the brachialis
muscle along the line drawn between LI 11 and LI 15. This point is easier to
locate if the muscles of the upper arm are tensed.
 Needling method: oblique upward insertion up to 1.5 cun
 Moxa: yes

Actions:

 Free flows the meridian and stops pain


o Pain in the shoulder and arm, rigidity of the neck
o Scrofula, goitre (clears Phlegm-Heat)
 Brightens the eyes.
o eye diseases

LI 15

 Location: in the depression which lies anterior and inferior to the acromion,
at the origin of the deltoid muscle.
(SJ 14 is located in the depression which lies posterior and inferior to the
acromion)
 Needling method: perpendicular or downward oblique
 Moxa: yes
 Crossing point of the LI and Yang Qiao meridians

Actions:

 Promotes free flow the meridian’s Qi and stops pain (clears stagnation in the meridian)
o Pain in the shoulder and arm (Wei or Bi syndrome).
 Resolves dampness.
o Faint skin eruptions and urticaria
o Scrofula due to phlegm-damp stagnation

LI 18

 Location: on the lateral side of the neck, level with the tip of the laryngeal
prominence (Adam’s apple) and 3 cun lateral, between the sternal and
clavicular heads of the sternocleidomastoid muscles. To locate the point,
we need to ask the patient to turn their head away from the side to be
needled whilst we apply resistance on the chin.
 Needling method: perpendicular and shallow
 Moxa: no
Actions:

 Regulates Lung Qi
o Cough, asthmatic breathing due to Lung Qi deficiency failing to disperse and descend
the Qi
 Clears the throat.
o Congested and sore throat, sudden loss of voice (either excess or deficient type)
o Scrofula and goitre

LI 20

 Location: in the naso-labial groove, at the level of the midpoint of the


lateral border of the ala nasi
 Needling method: perpendicular or obliquely
 Moxa: no
Actions:

 Clears Fire at Qi level


o Clears bile ducts when obstructed by parasites (biliary ascariasis)
o Itching of the face
 Decongests nasal passages
o Used for all nasal conditions: congested nose, rhinorrhoea, epistaxis, hay fever
o deviation of the mouth and trismus (lockjaw)

LI1* Deafness, toothache, swelling of maxillary region, congested and sore


throat

LI2 Blurred vision, epistaxis, toothache, deviation of the mouth,

LI3* Ache of lower teeth, congested and sore throat

LI4* Headache epistaxis, deafness, toothache, deviation of the mouth,


congested and sore throat

LI5* Headache, redness of eyes, headache

LI6* epistaxis

LI7 Headache puffiness of the face, congested and sore throat

LI8 Pain in elbow and arm

LI9 Motor impairment of upper limb

LI10* Toothache, swelling of the cheek, motor impairment of upper limb

LI11* Motor impairment of upper limb, Pain in elbow and arm

LI12 Pain in elbow and arm

LI13 Pain in elbow and arm


LI14* Pain in the arm

LI15* Pain in shoulder and arm, motor impairment, of upper limbs

LI16 Pain in shoulder and arm

LI17 Sudden loss of voice, congested and sore throat

LI18* Sudden loss of voice, congested and sore throat

LI19 Nasal obstruction, epistaxis, deviation of the mouth

LI20* Nasal obstruction, epistaxis, deviation of the mouth, rhinorrhoea,


epistaxis

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