The following chart outlines traditional Chinese medicine based acupuncture and acupressure points along the Large Intestine meridian.

 

LI1 point, Shang yang (Shang Yang)

Location: On the radial end of the distal phalanx of the index finger, .1cun (finger cun) distance from the corner of the nail.

Health Issues Supported: Deafness, toothache, swelling of the jaw, pain and swelling of the throat, stupor, heat disease.

Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Clears Heat, revives consciousness, benefits the throat.

LI2 point, Er jian (Second Space)

Location: When a loose fist is made, this point is on the radial side of the index finger, in the depression distal to the metacarpo-phalangeal joint.

Health Issues Supported: Visual dizziness, nosebleed, toothache, dry mouth

Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts:  Clears Heat, reduces swelling, relieves pain.

LI3 point, San jian (Third Space)

Location: When a loose fist is made, this point is on the radial side of the index finger, in the depression proximal to the metacarpo-phalangeal joint.

Health Issues Supported: Lower toothache, pain and swelling of the throat.

Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Clears Heat and wind, benefits the eyes and throat.

LI4 point, He gu (Union Valley)

Location: On the dorsum of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones, in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.

Health Issues Supported: Headache, nosebleed, deafness, toothache, dry mouth, other diseases of head and face, excessive, or lack of perspiration, sores, difficult childbirth.

Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Expels Wind and releases the exterior, tonifies qi and strengthens immunity, stops pain, regulates the face and head area, induces labor.

LI5 point, Yang xi (Yang Ravine)

Location: On the radial side of the dorsal crease of the wrist, when the thumb is pointed upwards, it is in the depression between the tendons m. extensor pollicis longus and brevis.

Health Issues Supported: Headache, red eyes, deafness, toothache.

Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Expels Wind, clears Yangming Fire, benefits the throat

LI6 point, Pian li (Veering Passage)

Location: With the elbow flexed, the point is on the dorsal radial side of the forearm, on the line connecting LI 5 and LI 11, 3 cun above the wrist crease.

Health Issues Supported: Nosebleeds, edema, facial paralysis, deafness.

Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Expels Wind, clears Heat, opens the water passages.

LI7 point, Wen liu (Warm Flow)

Location: With the elbow flexed, the point is on the dorsal radial side of the forearm, on the line connecting LI 5 and LI 11, 5 cun above the wrist crease.

Health Issues Supported: Headache, facial swelling, pain and swelling of the throat, abdominal pain.

Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Clears Heat and detoxifies, expels Wind, benefits the throat.

LI8 point, Xia lian (Lower Ridge)

Location: With the elbow flexed, the point is on the dorsal radial side of the forearm, on the line connecting LI 5 and LI 11, 4 cun below the transverse cubital crease.

Health Issues Supported: Arm and elbow, abdominal pain.

Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts:  Clears Heat, expels Wind, regulates the Small Intestine.Clears Heat, expels Wind, regulates the Small Intestine.

LI9 point, Shang lian (Upper Ridge)

Location:   With the elbow flexed, the point is on the dorsal radial side of the forearm, on the line connecting LI 5 and LI 11, 3 cun below the transverse cubital crease.

Health Issues Supported: Paralysis of the upper limbs, abdominal pain.

Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Stops pain, regulates the Large Intestine, activates the meridian.

LI10 point, Shou san li (Arm Three Li)

Location:   With the elbow flexed, the point is on the dorsal radial side of the forearm, on the line connecting LI 5 and LI 11, 2 cun below the transverse cubital crease.

Health Issues Supported: Toothache, swelling of the cheeks, paralysis of the upper limbs, abdominal pain.

Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts:  Regulates Qi and Blood, tonifies Qi, activates the meridian, stops pain.

LI11 point, Qu chi (Pool at the Bend)

Location:   With the elbow flexed, the point is on the lateral end of the transverse cubital crease, at midpoint between LU 5 and the lateral epicondyle of the humerus.

Health Issues Supported: Pain and swelling of the throat, paralysis of the upper limbs, abdominal pain, swelling and pain in the knee, depressive psychosis, headache, pain in the eye.

Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Clears Heat, cools Blood, resolves dampness, expels, exterior Wind, regulates Qi and Blood, activates meridian, relieves itching.

LI12 point, Zhou liao (Elbow Bone Hole)

Location: With the elbow flexed, the point is on the lateral side of the arm, on the border of the humerus, 1 cun above LI 11.

Health Issues Supported: Upper arm and elbow pain

Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Activates the meridian, stops pain, benefits the elbow.

LI13 point, Shou wu li (Five Li Arm)

Location: On the lateral side of the arm, on the line connecting LI 11 and LI 15, 3 cun above LI 11.

Health Issues Supported: Upper arm and elbow pain

Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Activates the meridian, stops pain, alleviates cough, resolves dampness and phlegm.

LI14 point, Bi nao (Upper Arm)

Location: On the lateral side of the arm, superior to the insertion of m. deltoideus, on the line connecting LI 11 and LI 15, 7 cun above LI 11.

Health Issues Supported: Upper arm pain.

Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Activates the meridian, benefits the shoulder and scapula, alleviates pain.

LI15 point, Jian yu (Shoulder Bone)

Location: When the arm is abducted 90 degrees laterally or forward, the point is on m. deltoideus of the shoulder, in the depression of the anterior superior portion of the shoulder.

Health Issues Supported: Shoulder and upper arm pain, paralysis of the upper limbs

Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Benefits the shoulder joint, expels Wind-Damp and Wind, alleviates pain, circulates qi in meridian.

LI16 point, Ju gu (Great Bone)

Location: Benefits the shoulder joint, expels Wind-Damp and Wind, alleviates pain, circulates qi in meridian.

Health Issues Supported: Shoulder and upper arm pain

Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Activates the meridian, alleviates pain, moves Qi and Blood, benefits the shoulder.

LI17 point, Tian ding (Celestial Tripod)

Location: On the lateral side of the neck, on the posterior border of m. sternocleidomastoideus, lateral to Adam's apple, at the midpoint of the line connecting LI 18 and ST 12.

Health Issues Supported: Sudden loss of voice, pain and swelling of the throat

Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Benefits throat and voice.

LI18 point, Fu tu (Protuberance Assistant)

Location: On the lateral side of the neck, on the side of the Adam's apple, between the sternal head and clavicular head of m. sternocleidomastoideus.

Health Issues Supported: Sudden loss of voice, pain and swelling of the throat

Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts:  Benefits throat and voice, relieves cough.

LI19 point, He liao (Grain Bone Hole)

Location:   On the upper lip, right below the lateral margin of the nostril, level with DU 26.

Health Issues Supported: Nasal congestion, nosebleed, wry mouth

Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Dispels Wind, opens nasal passages.

LI20 point, Ying xlang (Welcome Fragrance)

Location:   At the midpoint lateral to the border of the ala nasi, in the nasolabial groove.

Health Issues Supported: Nasal congestion, deep source nasal congestion, nosebleed, wry mouth

Acupuncture and Acupressure Impacts: Dispels Wind, opens nasal passages, clear Heat.