Acupuncture Points of Large Intestine Meridian
Shangyang (Jing-Well Point, LI 1)
Location: On the radial side of the index finger, about 0.1 cun posterior to the corner of the nail.
Indications: Toothache, sore throat, swelling of the submandibular region, numbness of fingers, febrile diseases with anhidrosis, loss of consciousness.
Method: Puncture 0.1 inch, or prick the point to cause bleeding.
Hegu (Yuan-Primary Point, LI 4)
Location: On the dorsum of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones, approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.
Or, place in coincident position the transverse crease of the interphalangeal joint of the thumb with the margin of the web between the thumb and index finger of the other hand. The point is where the tip of the thumb touches.
Indications: Headache, pain in the neck, redness, swelling and pain of the eye, epistaxis, nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, toothache, deafness, swelling of the face, sore throat, parotitis, trismus, facial paralysis, febrile diseases with anhidrosis, hidrosis, abdominal pain, dysentery, constipation, amenorrhea, delayed labour, infantile convulsion, pain, weakness and motor impairment of the upper limbs.
Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1 inch. Moxibustion is applicable. Acupuncture and moxibustion are contraindicated in pregnant women.
Shousanli (LI 10)
Location: On the line joining Yangxi (LI 5) and Quchi (LI 11), 2 cun below the cubital crease.
Indications: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, toothache, swelling of the cheek, motor impairment of the upper limbs, pain in the shoulder and back.
Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.8-1.2 inches. Moxibustion is applicable.
Regional anatomy
Vasculature: The branches of the radial recurrent artery and vein.
Quchi (He-Sea Point, LI 11)
Location: When the elbow is flexed, the point is in the depression at the lateral end of the transverse cubital crease, midway between Chize (LU 5) and the lateral epicondyle of the humerus.
Indications: Sore throat, toothache, redness and pain of the eye, scrofula, urticaria, motor impairment of the upper extremities, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, febrile diseases.
Method: Puncture perpendicularly 1.0-1.5 inches. Moxibustion is applicable.
Jianyu (LI 15)
Location: Antero-inferior to the acromion, on the upper portion of m. deltoideus. When the arm is in full abduction, the point is in the depression appearing at the anterior border of the acromioclavicular joint.
Indications: Pain in the shoulder and arm, motor impairment of the upper extremities, rubella, scrofula.
Method: Puncture perpendicularly or obliquely 0.8-1.5 inches. Moxibustion is applicable.
Yingxiang (LI 20)
Location: In the nasolabial groove, at the level of the midpoint of the lateral border of ala nasi.
Indications: Nasal obstruction, hyposmia, epistaxis, rhinorrhea, deviation of the mouth, itching and swelling of the face.
Method: Puncture obliquely or subcutaneously 0.3-0.5 inch.
