Jing-Luo System
Traveling course of the regular meridian
It starts from the dorsal hairy region of the great toe at LR 1 Dadun , runs down along the dorsum of the foot, passes through LR 4 Zhongfeng 1 cun in front of the medial malleolus, ascends to an area 8 cun above the medial malleolus where it crosses the Spleen Meridian, runs Further upward to the medial side of the knee, the thigh and the pubic region, curves around the external genitalia, enters the lower abdomen, runs upward via the stomach into the liver, connects with the gall bladder, ascends through the diaphragm, branches out in the costal and hypochondriac region, goes up and connects with the eye system, runs upward, reaches the forehead, and meets the Du Meridian at the vertex.
The branch from the eye system runs down to the cheek, and curves around the inner surface of the lips.
The branch from the liver passes through the diaphragm and runs into the lung, and links with the Lung Meridian.
Traveling course of the divergent meridian
It diverges from the regular Liver Meridian on the dorsum of the foot, ascends to the pubic region, and converges with the Gall Bladder Meridian of Foot Shaoyang.
Traveling course of the collateral
It separates from the regular Liver Meridian at LR 5 Ligou , 5 cun above the internal malleolus, and connects with regular Gall Bladder Meridian. A branch travels up to the genitals along the leg.
The muscle region
It starts from the dorsal aspect of the great toe and knots upward in front of the internal malleolus. It then travels up along the medial aspect of the tibia and knots at the medial and inferior region of the knee. It continues going upward along the medial aspect of the thigh to the genitals, where it meets other muscle regions.
The cutaneous regions
Point System
There are 14 points on the Liver Meridian, among which the points underlined are commonly used. The range of treatment of the liver points includes liver diseases, gynecological illnesses, genital disorders and diseases along the traveling course of the meridian. Examples are hypochondriac pain, Fullness in the chest, hiccups, vertigo, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, enuresis, dysuria, hernia, swelling and pain in the lower abdomen, Wei (atrophy) and Bi (obstructional) Syndromes of the lower limbs.
LR 1 Dadun (大敦)
Name: Great Thickness. The name refers to the texture of the skin and flesh of the great toe, where the point is located.
Special Group: Jing-Well Point of the Liver Meridian.
Location: On the dorsal and lateral side of the great toe, 0.1 cun posterior to the corner of the toenail (The Liver Meridian of Foot Jueyin).
Actions: Clears liver fire, regulates the Qi and blood of the liver, calms the spirit, and resuscitates.
Indications: Shan Qi or hernia, enuresis, amenorrhea, Ben Lou or abnormal uterine bleeding, uterine prolapse, epilepsy.
Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.1 cun, or prick to induce bleeding.
LR 2 Xingjian (行间)
Name: Traveling Between. It suggests that the meridian travels at the point between the first and second metatarsal bones.
Special Group: Ying-Spring Point of the Liver Meridian.
Location: On the dorsal aspect of the foot, between the first and second toes, proximal to the web margin of these two toes (The Liver Meridian of Foot Jueyin).
Actions: Clears liver fire, cools the blood, calms Liver-Yang, extinguishes liver wind, and unblocks the meridian.
Indications: Headache, dizziness, redness, swelling and pain of the eyes, blurred vision, deviated mouth, hypochondriac pain, Shan Qi or hernia, dysuria, Ben Lou or abnormal uterine bleeding, epilepsy, abnormal menstruation, dysmenorrhea, leukorrhea, wind stroke.
Method: Puncture obliquely 0.3–0.5 cun.
LR 3 Taichong (太冲)
Name: Greater Surging. The name refers to the function of the point as a strategic and important passage for the Qi flow of the whole body, and also implies that the Qi surges strongly into this Yuan-Primary and Shu-Stream point.
Special Group: (1) Yuan-Primary Point of the Liver Meridian; (2) Shu-Stream Point of the Liver Meridian.
Location: On the dorsal aspect of the foot, in the depression distal to the junction of the first and second metatarsal bones (The Liver Meridian of Foot Jueyin).
Actions: Promotes the Qi flow of the liver, regulates the blood, calms Liver-Yang, clears heat, extinguishes liver wind, transforms damp-heat in the lower Jiao, and unblocks the meridian.
Indications: Headache, dizziness and vertigo, redness, swelling and pain of the eyes, deviated mouth, hypochondriac pain, enuresis, Shan Qi, or hernia, Ben Lou or abnormal uterine bleeding, epilepsy, abnormal menstruation, vomiting, hiccups, child’s Fright Wind Syndrome, paralysis or pain of the lower limbs.
Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.3–0.5 cun.
LR 4 Zhongfeng (中封)
Name: Middle Seal. The point is “sealed” in the depression in the middle between two tendons.
Special Group: Jing-River Point of the Liver Meridian.
Location: One cun anterior to the internal malleolus, in the depression on the medial side of the tendon of the tibialis anterior muscle, at the midpoint between SP 5 Shangqiu and ST 41 Jiexi.
Actions: Clears damp-heat from the liver and gall bladder, and drains the lower Jiao.
Indications: Shan Qi or hernia, nocturnal emissions, dysuria, abdominal pain.
Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5–0.8 cun.
LR 5 Ligou (蠡沟)
Name: Woodworm Canal. The point is located on the edge of the tibia, which has a rough surface as though it had been bitten by worms.
Special Group: Luo-Connecting Point of the Liver Meridian.
Location: Five cun above the highest point of the internal malleolus, on the edge of the tibia, between the posterior border of the tibia and the gastrocnemius muscle.
Actions: Frees Liver-Qi and regulates menstruation.
Indications: Difficult urination, enuresis, abnormal menstruation, leukorrhea, paralysis or pain of the lower limbs.
Method: Puncture perpendicularly or obliquely 0.5–0.8 cun.
LR 6 Zhongdu (中都)
Name: Central Capital. As it is a Xi-Cleft point, the Qi flows into it deeply and abundantly like the traffic in a crowded capital city.
Special Group: Xi-Cleft Point of the Liver Meridian.
Location: Seven cun above the highest point of the internal malleolus, on the edge of the tibia, between the posterior border of the tibia and the gastrocnemius muscle.
Actions: Regulates menstrual flow, drains the lower Jiao, and relieves pain.
Indications: Shan Qi or hernia, Ben Lou or abnormal uterine bleeding, abdominal pain, diarrhea, prolonged lochia.
Method: Puncture perpendicularly or obliquely 0.5–0.8 cun.
LR 7 Xiguan (膝关)
Name: Knee Pass. The point is located near the knee joint and treats knee disorders.
Special Group: None.
Location: one cun posterior to and level with SP 9 Yinglingquan, posterior and inferior to the medial condyle of the tibia.
Actions: Dispels wind-dampness and benefits the joint.
Indications: Swelling and pain of the knee.
Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5–1 cun.
LR 8 Ququan (曲泉)
Name: Spring at the Bend. The point is in the depression when the knee is bent, where the Qi flows like water coming out of a spring.
Special Group: He-Sea Point of the Liver Meridian.
Location: In the depression above the medial end of the transverse popliteal crease with the knee bent, posterior to the medial epicondyle of the femur (The Liver Meridian of Foot Jueyin).
Actions: Clears damp-heat, regulates the lower Jiao, nourishes liver blood, and unblocks the meridian.
Indications: Abdominal pain, dysuria, nocturnal emissions, genital itchiness, knee pain, abnormal menstruation, dysmenorrhea, leukorrhea.
Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.5–1 cun.
LR 9 Yinbao (阴包)
Name: Yin Hidden. The point lies on the medial aspect of the leg and is hidden between the Foot Taiyin and Shaoyin Meridians.
Special Group: None.
Location: Four cun superior to the medial epicondyle of the femur, in the space between the vastus medialis and sartorius muscles.
Actions: Regulates menstruation and the lower Jiao, and frees the flow of Liver-Qi.
Indications: Abdominal pain, enuresis, dysuria, abnormal menstruation.
Method: Puncture subcutaneously 0.5–1 cun.
LR 10 Zuwuli (足五里)
Name: Foot Five Li (half kilometer). In the nomenclature, this point is comparable to LI 13 Shouwuli or Hand Five Li (half kilometer). It is located on the leg 3 cun below ST 30 Qichong.
Special Group: None.
Location: On the lateral border of the adductor longus muscle, 3 cun below ST 30 Qichong.
Actions: Clears damp-heat and drains the lower Jiao.
Indications: Lower abdominal pain, retention of urine, prolapse of the uterus, swelling and pain of the testicles, somnolence, Luo Li or scrofula.
Method: Puncture perpendicularly 1–1.5 cun.
LR 11 Yinlian (阴廉)
Name: Yin Ridge. The point is located on the medial or Yin aspect of the thigh near the upper border of the leg.
Special Group: None.
Location: On the lateral border of the adductor longus muscle, 2 cun below ST 30 Qichong.
Actions: Regulates menstrual flow and drains the lower Jiao.
Indications: Abnormal menstruation, leukorrhea, lower abdominal pain.
Method: Puncture perpendicularly 1–1.5 cun.
LR 12 Jimai (急脉)
Name: Urgent Pulse. The name refers to the location of the point on the side of the femoral artery where a pulse can be palpated.
Special Group: None.
Location: Within the inguinal groove, inferior and lateral to ST 30 Qichong, 2.5 cun lateral to the front midline.
Actions: Frees Liver-Qi and regulates the lower Jiao.
Indications: Lower abdominal pain, Shan Qi or hernia, uterine prolapse.
Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5–0.8 cun. Avoid puncturing the artery.
LR 13 Zhangmen (章门)
Name: Order Gate. The point belongs to the special group of Influential points and is able to impact the Zang organs to create their orderly function. Also, this point is situated on both hypochondriac regions like two doors.
Special Group: (1) Front-Mu Point of the Spleen; (2) Influential Point of Zang Organs; (3) Crossing Point with the Gall Bladder Meridian.
Location: Anterior and inferior to the free end of the 11th rib (The Liver Meridian of Foot Jueyin).
Actions: Frees the Liver-Qi, strengthens spleen, invigorates blood, and transforms dampness.
Indications: Abdominal bloating, diarrhea, hypochondriac pain, abdominal masses.
Method: Puncture perpendicularly 0.5–1 cun.
LR 14 Qimen (期门)
Name: Cycle Gate. The point name implies that the entire cycle of Qi flow in the 12 meridians is finished at this point. It is also the last point of the whole cycle, which gives way, like a door, to the beginning of a new cycle of Qi flow.
Special Group: (1) Front-Mu Point of the Liver; (2) Crossing Point with the Spleen and Yin Wei Meridians.
Location: Directly below the nipple or on the mid-clavicle line, in the sixth intercostal space (The Liver Meridian of Foot Jueyin).
Actions: Regulates the Qi and blood of the liver and spleen, benefits the chest, clears damp-heat, transforms phlegm, and unblocks the meridians and collaterals.
Indications: Distension and pain of the chest and hypochondrium, abdominal bloating, vomiting, hiccups, acid regurgitation, depression, Ji Ju or masses under the hypochondrium, mastitis.
Method: Puncture obliquely along the rib 0.3–0.5 cun.