Large Intestine Channel Flashcards
What are the main functions of the Large Intestine Channel?
Treats the channel (yang) more than the organ. Associated w/ separation & letting go.
Treats excess/yang; tonifies, nourishes and strengthens.
Treats ‘wei syndrome’ (according to classics): stroke rehab, MS, parkinson’s.
Front-Mu pt of the LI channel?
ST 25 - next to the navel
Back-Shu pt of the LI channel?
UB 25 - level with L4
Lower He-Sea pt of the LI channel?
ST 37 - single best Dx/Tx point for the organ/channel - connects with internal pathway
LI channel description?
index finger up the arm to DU 14 (where all yang channels meet).
Internally: to lower gums, crossing DU 26 to ST ch. on opposite side.
Descends from DU 14 internally through the lung and large int. to ST 37 - Lower He-Sea pt
Secondary LI channels?
Luo (longitudinal) channel - from LI 6 to the ear/teeth.
Sinew channel - along the primary channel, then over the head to the opposite mandible, upper thoracics, sinus and ear.
Luo-Connecting point of the LI channel?
LI 6
LI 2 name / translation? (e.c.)
Er Jian / 2nd Space
LI 3 name / translation? (e.c.)
San Jian / 3rd Space
LI 3 location?
proximal to head of index metacarpal, in hollow next to its shaft
LI 3 notes and indications?
Shu-Stream (Wood) point - treats pain, wind; balances east/west (Wood/Metal).
Microsystem (w/ LI 4): treats head/upper jiao - shoulder, toothache, headache
LI 4 name / translation?
Location?
He Gu / Joining (Uniting) Valley
Various locations in the large zone on back of hand, next to index/2nd metacarpal
LI 4 notes & indications?
Microsystem: closer to the bone - internal/chronic; further from the bone - external/acute; closer to LI 3 - head/upper jiao; towards wrist - hips/lower jiao.
Ipsilateral: treat pain on the left with the points on the right.
Master pt for the face - sinus, eyes, teeth & gums, frontal headaches.
Master pt for the qi - can ache after needling.
Stroke rehab
LI 5 name / translation? (e.c.)
Yang Xi / Yang Stream
LI 5 location, notes & indications?
In ‘anatomical snuffbox’ between tendons of extensor pollicis longus and brevis.
Jing-River (Fire) pt: burning sensation when needled; treats heat/fire in channel - rhinitis, cold cough; calms shen - mania, ADHD
Association with Metal (Jing-River pts on yin channels): treats throat
Treats distal structures: nose, eyes & ears, headache
LI 6 name / translation? (e.c.)
Pian Li / Tilted Passage
LI 6 location, notes & indications?
3 cun proximal to LI 5, on line connecting LI 5 and LI 11.
Treats Wind & Heat.
Opens & regulates water passages.
LI 7 name / translation? (e.c.)
Wen Liu / Warm Flow
LI 7 location, notes & indications?
5 cun proximal to LI 5, on line connecting LI 5 and LI 11.
Xi-Cleft pt: treats the channel more than the organ; yang syndromes - laughter, mania; acute, frontal headache.
Xi-Cleft pts are associated with Xue - treats poison (fire); calms Shen (blood)
Extra points on LI channel?
3 pts - the first is 2 cun above LI 5, then two more every 2 cun above that, in between LI 6 & LI 7.
Treats hemorrhoids.
- Tong Acupuncture
LI 8, 9, 10 names / translations? (e.c.)
LI 8 is Xia Lian / Lower Angle
LI 9 is Shang Lian / Upper Angle
LI 10 is Shou San Li / Arm 3 Li => Fruehauf: the 3 Li are the 3 realms - Heaven, Humanity & Earth.
LI 8, 9, 10 location, notes & indications?
On exact line between LI 5 and 11
1 cun apart; LI 10 is 2 cun below LI 11.
Allied with same-named points on leg: ST 39, 37, 36 (SI, LI and ST He-Sea pts).
Shou San Li (LI 10) paired with Zu San Li (ST 36).
Form a microsystem for treating the whole body - LI 10 = lower jiao, LI 9 = middle jiao, LI 8 = upper jiao.
Best pts on the arm for tonifying; treats low back pain.
LI 11 names / translation, location, notes & indications?
Qu Chi / Pool at Crook.
On lateral elbow in deepest hollow when bent - seen as the navel/center of a LI microsystem.
He-Sea pt – treats deeper, more chronic.
Earth phase – earth tonifies metal - ‘nourishes’ upper limb.
Remember: LI is yang - pts treat the channel more than the organ.
Treats dietary irregularity (Nei Jing) - diarrhea, abdominal pain, dysentary.
Quells wind, heat and thus itching.
Treats yangming fevers (when fever predominates over chills).
Treats hypertension.
How best can we use the LI channel for stroke rehab?
Yangming channel is primary for stroke rehab (LI/ST) - needle deeply to awaken paralysis.
Use in conjunction with scalp Ac (first 2-3 mo), switching to abdominal Ac (gives the scalp a break).
Shaoyang is a secondary channel for stroke.
LI 12 & 13 location, notes & indications?
LI 12: 1 cun above and posterior to LI 11, close to bone.
LI 13: 3 cun above LI 11 (on line to LI 15 on shoulder) (flex elbow).
Useful in treating broad-spectrum back pain (acute or chronic / entire back - Du mai, inner and outer UB channel) - Tong Ac.
LI 15 name / translation, location, notes & indications?
Jian Yu / Shoulder Bone.
At front corner of shoulder, at the top of a large groove in the deltoid when the arm is raised/abducted.
Premier point for shoulder pain, stroke, uticaria, skin Dz.
May needle perpendicularly, up to 1.5 cun deep: this requires moving the elbow a bit away from the torso.
More commonly needled down (towards axilla), which will affect the channel and less the joint.
Extra Point for shoulder: Jian Nei Ling
2 cun below LI 15 - commonly tender with shoulder pain.
LI 16 name / translation, location, notes & indications?
Ju Gu / Great Bone.
In hollow posterior to end of clavicle, medial to acromium process, anterior to scapular spine.
Treats bone – osteoporosis, fractures, leukemia.
Treats chronic (deep) shoulder pain = blood stasis.
Dissipates Phlegm nodules (stubborn condition).
Use caution - proximity to lung.
LI 18 name / translation? (e.c.)
Fu Tu / Support the Prominence
LI 18 location, notes & indications?
Level with the tip of the laryngeal prominence, between the sternal and clavicular heads of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
Sky Window - regulates brain/body, above/below; hyper/hypotension; thyroid.
Divergent/Zheng channel - strong, direct effect via the Heart (psychospiritual aspect).
Caution: use 0.5 cun needle - carotid artery and vein are nearby.
LI 20 name / translation, location, notes & indications?
Ying Xiang / Welcome Fragrance.
In the naso-labial groove, at the level of the midpoint of the lateral border of the ala nasi.
Primary point for sinusitis (common condition).
Needling: angle up along groove to extra point Bi Tong, halfway along nose; use thinner gauge; freehand if possible; UB 7 on top of head is good follow-up/substitute.
Use with LI 4, or better => LI 3.
Used with ST 2 for parasites in China.
