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POINT: LIV-5 (LIVER-5)

NAME: LIGOU

English: Woodworm Canal
Also Known As: Gourd Ditch
Insect Ditch
Wood Border
Insect Gate
Drain of the Calf
Draining Shells
Worm-Eater's Groove

LOCATION:

  • 5 cun above the tip of the medial malleolus, on the midline of the medial surface of the tibia.
  • Located 5 cun superior to the vertex of the medial malleolus on the medial border of the tibia.
  • 5 cun above the medial malleolus of the ankle in the trough between the posterior margin of the tibia and the gastrocnemius muscle.
  • 5 cun above the prominence of the medial malleolus, immediately posterior to the medial crest of the tibia, in the depression between the medial crest of the tibia and the gastrocnemius muscle.
    Note: divide the distance between the tip of the medial malleolus and the popliteal crease into thirds; this point is located at the junction of the distal third and proximal two thirds.

NEEDLING:

  • Puncture subcutaneously 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
  • Moxibustion is applicable.
  • Straight insertion along the posterior margin of the tibia, 0.5 to 1 cun, causing local distention and soreness.
  • Slanted insertion pointed upward along the posterior margin of the tibia, 1.5 to 2 cun for diseases of the trunk. After Qi has been obtained, use strong stimulation for a short time, causing distention and soreness possibly reaching the genitals.
  • Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1 cun.
  • Oblique insertion directed proximally toward the abdomen 1 to 2 cun.

COMMAND FUNCTIONS:

  • Luo-Connecting point
  • Master point of Blood (menstrual)

ACTIONS:

  • Promotes the smooth flow of Liver Qi
  • Resolves Damp-Heat
  • Clears Damp-Heat form the Lower Jiao
  • Benefits Qi
  • Clears the channel
  • Regulates Qi
  • Benefits the genitals
  • Regulates menstruation
  • Treats Plumpit Qi Stagnation

INDICATIONS:

  • Hypogastric distention
  • Pain before urination
  • Retention of urine
  • Cloudy urine
  • Sensation of a lump in the throat "Plumpit Qi Stagnation"
  • Unable to swallow
  • Menstrual irregularity
  • Pain in the testicles
  • Feeling of insects crawling on the skin
  • Dreams of things crawling
  • Cannot bend back
  • Difficulty flexing the knee
  • Violent pain in the abdomen
  • Can't walk or stand
  • All types of sexual dysfunction
  • Impotence
  • Premature ejaculation
  • Sterility
  • Involuntary spermatorrhea
  • Nocturnal emission
  • Uterovaginal prolapse
  • Orchitis
  • Vaginal itching
  • Endometriosis
  • Abnormal uterine bleeding
  • Muscle spasms of the back
  • Lower abdominal fullness
  • Urinary retention
  • Depression
  • Itching, swelling and pain of the genitals
  • Sudden swelling and pain of the testicles
  • Incessant erection
  • Shan disorder
  • Distention and fullness of the lower abdomen
  • Cold and pain of the feet and lower leg
  • Colic
  • Hiccups
  • Dyspnea
  • Anxiety
  • Sadness
  • Stiff back
  • Dysuria
  • Hardness like a stone above the umbilicus
  • Difficulty bending the legs
  • Cold legs
  • Red or white vaginal discharge
  • Enuresis
  • Hernia
  • Pruritis vulva
  • Weakness and atrophy of the leg
  • Endometritis
  • Swollen painful testicles
  • Low back pain
  • Ischuria
  • Impossible to urinate
  • Urethritis
  • Aching in the shin region
  • Leg pain
  • Wei or Bi syndrome of the foot and shin
  • Spasms of the back, patient cannot bend forward or backward
  • Fearful with lack of energy
  • Malaise in the throat with sensation of obstruction
  • Energy below the navel with hard knots on palpation like rocks
  • Lower abdominal pain
  • Dysmenorrhea
  • Much belching
  • Fright palpitations
  • Fear and fright
  • Worry and oppression
  • Cold shan disorder

COMBINATIONS:

LIV-8
Ququan
LIV-3
Taichong

REN-3
Zhongji

SP-7
Lougu
REN-3
Zhongji
UB-36
Chengfu
UB-67
Zhiyin

Orchitis

Reduces Liver Fire

Eliminates Damp-Heat from the genitals

Difficult urination

Seminal emission

LIV-9
Yinbao

HT-8
Shaofu

HT-7
Shenmen
REN-14
Juque

Irregular menstruation

Plumpit Qi stagnation (globus hystericus)

Fright palpitations with diminished Qi

GB-25
Jingmen
LIV-4
Zhongfeng

 

 

Swelling of the lower abdomen

 

 

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

NOTES:

  • This point has a specific affinity for the genital and urinary areas.
  • It can be used for any urinary symptom due to Liver Qi Stagnation.
  • In case of Excess, the penis will increase in length - sedate.
  • In case of Deficiency, the penis will shrink - tonify.
  • This is a good point for itching anywhere on the body.
  • This point anchors and stabilizes.
  • This point is special for priapism.