Three useful Liver Points Location on the dorsum of the foot, in the hollow at the junction of the first and second metatarsal bones note; this point is easily located by running the finger along the space between the big toe and second toe until it falls into the depression at the junction of the bases of the first and second metatarsals. Action: Spreads liver Qi Subdues liver yang and extinguishes wind Nourishes liver blood and liver yin Clears the head and eyes Regulates menstruation Regulates the lower jiao (heater) Signs and Symptoms headache, dizziness, vertigo, insomnia, congestion, swelling/pain of the eye, depression, infantile convulsion, deviation of the mouth, pain in the hypochrondiac region, uterine bleeding, hernia, retention of urine, epilepsy, local foot pain. Commentary Taichong is arguably one of the most important Acupuncture points on the body, if not on the Liver channel because of its ability to treat any kind pain in any location. Taichong is the 12th Heavenly Star point, being added to Ma Dan-Yang's original 11, during the Ming dynasty. Taichong's main action is to promote the free and easy flow of Qi in the body, which is the function of the Liver itself. When Qi is flowing easily, like a mountain stream, disharmony does not arise and there is no illness. Taichong is indicated in all cases of stagnant Qi. Qi stagnation arises in 3 ways; i) suppression of all emotions, but especially anger ii) if the Liver itself is not nourished iii) the presence of a pathogen obstructing the Liver's function. Given the Liver's function, disharmony here has consequences in every other organ and throughout the body. Qi can stagnate anywhere and prolonged Qi stagnation leads to Blood stagnation. In both cases, pain is the symptom. Qi stagnation is indicated by relatively mild, pain that tends to move around. Blood stagnation is indicated by fixed, stabbing, and severe pain. As Qi is the engine that moves blood in all cases of pain, mild or severe, Taichong is indicated. The Liver opens into the eyes so Taichong is indicated for any eye disorder including blurry vision, spots, redness, swelling, drooping eyelids, any kind of pain in the eyes, and any kind of unusual movement of the eyelids. The Liver channel connects with the Du extraordinary channel at Baihui (Du 20), the topmost point on the body and in this manner Taichong is indicated for headache, especially at the vertex and dizziness. Another function of the Liver is to store blood, acting as a reservoir to maintain proper levels of blood in the vessels. In this way, the Liver is closely related to the menstrual cycle. As well, the Liver channel connects with the Ren channel at three points on the lower abdomen which reinforces this connection to the menstrual cycle. Any disharmony in the Liver, then, will give rise to menstrual disorders and pain.
Failure of Qi to flow freely may cause constipation, difficult defecation, or alternating diarrhoea and constipation. Taichong is specifically indicated for this latter condition. Finally, Taichong is paired with Hegu (Li4) in a combination known classically as 'The Four Gates'. The Four Gates are indicated for any painful obstruction anywhere in the body and especially useful for such modern conditions as Fibromyalgia.
Liver 13 Zhangmen (completion Gate) Location directly behind and below the free end of the eleventh rib Action: Harmonizes Liver and Spleen Regulates Middle and Lower Jiao Fortifies the Spleen Promotes the free flow of Liver Qi. Signs and Symptoms abdominal distention, borborygmus, pain in the hypochondriac region, vomiting, diarrhoea, indigestion, Commentary Zhangmen is an important harmonizing point, both to harmonize the Liver and Spleen, and to harmonize the middle and lower Jiao(stomach and intestines respectively). While located on the Liver channel it is also the front Mu point of the Spleen. A front Mu point is where the Qi of a particular organ gathers and collects. Zhangmen is also the Hui Meeting point of the Zang organs. In TCM there are Yin organs - the Zang - Heart, Liver, Kidneys, Spleen and Lungs, and there
are Yang organs - the Fu - Small Intestine, Gallbladder, Urinary Bladder, Stomach and Large Intestines. Together the whole system is known as the Zangfu. * See also, Zhongwan (ren12), which is the Hui-Meeting point of the Fu organs. A Hui-Meeting Point is where the Qi of particular structures gathers and collects, similar to Mu points. In its capacity as both the Front Mu of the Spleen, and the Hui-Meeting point of all the Zang organs Zhangmen's harmonizing influence is particularly strong. The Spleen is responsible not only for the transformation of food and water into Qi, but also for transporting it throughout the whole body. The Liver is responsible for the free flow of Qi in the body, so there is a very close and intimate relationship between these two organs in this regard. Many consider a healthy Spleen to be the key to treating all disharmonies in the body. Virtually any disease or condition may be treated by tonifying and strengthening the Spleen which in turn nourishes the body sufficiently to fight off any kind of pathogen or repair any damaged organ or tissue. Zhangmen's main action is to harmonize Liver and Spleen. Disharmony is characterized by such symptoms as propensity to anger, abdominal distention and pain that is relieved by passing a stool, borborygmus (stomach gurgling), diarrhoea, loss of appetite, alternating diarrhoea and constipation. Zhangmen is also able to fortify the Spleen directly. Signs of Spleen deficiency are weariness of the limbs, fatigue, emaciation, and undigested food in the stool. As well, Zhangmen is indicated for Liver deficiency without Spleen involvement, characterized by such signs as constriction of the oesophagus, chest fullness, and pain in the lateral costal region. The Liver channel is coupled with the Gallbladder channel which controls the sides of the body, important in turning and bending. Zhangmen is a meeting point of these two channels and is indicated for rigidity of the spine, lumbar pain, and difficulty turning and bending. Finally, Zhangmen is indicated for certain kinds of Panic attacks, known in TCM as 'Running Piglet Qi.' Running Piglet Qi is a disorder in which the Qi arises in the lower abdomen and rushes up to the throat with such ferocity that one feels close to death. It attacks then remits. Liver 14 Qimen (Cycle Gate) Location on the mamillary line, in the 6th intercostals space, 4 cun lateral to the midline. A cun is the distance between the 2nd and 3rd knuckle, or the distance at the widest part of the thumb. Action: Disperses and regulates liver Qi Invigorates the blood and disperses masses Harmonizes the liver and stomach Signs and Symptoms hypochondriac pain, abdominal distention, hiccup, acid regurgitation, mastitis, depression, febrile diseases, manic raving, alternating chills and fever, uterine bleeding, post partum disorders, malaria, gallstones, diabetes, running piglet qi, Commentary Qimen is the last point on the Liver channel, and is indeed the last point on the great cycle that begins with Zhongfu (lu1), and passes through every point on every channel in the body. Qimen is the Front Mu point of the Liver, one of only 4 Mu and Shu points that is located on its own channel. A Mu point is where the Qi of a specific organ gathers and collects. Mu points are indicated specifically for organ disharmony, rather than channel disharmonies.
The Liver's main responsibility is to promote the free flow of Qi in the body. By far the most common Liver disharmony is Qi stagnation. If Liver Qi stagnates then Qi will tend to stagnate in the other organs. Interestingly, retained anger is a prime cause of Liver Qi stagnation. Irritability, propensity to anger, and frequent or heavy sighing are sure signs Liver Qi is stagnant. Between them, Qimen (liv14) and Zhangmen (liv13), cover the 3 Jiao. The San Jiao refers to the action of water passage through the body, rather than to any specific organ. The upper Jiao refers to Heart/Lungs. The middle Jiao refers to Stomach/Spleen. The lower Jiao refers to the Kidneys, Intestines, and Bladder etc...Qimen, then, acts mainly on the middle and upper Jiao indicated for such symptoms as pain, fullness or distention of the lateral costal region (under the rib cage), cough, and sighing. Qimen is especially recommended for breast pain or tenderness accompanying the menstrual cycle. In TCM it is said that Qi moves blood. When Qi moves, blood moves. Prolonged Qi stagnation will lead to blood stagnation and the development of masses or hardness and stabbing pain in the chest, abdomen, and elsewhere. Qimen is able to move both Qi and blood and is indicated in any condition characterized by stabbing muscular pain such as Fibromyalgia, and especially stabbing pain in the region of the Heart. According to the classics if one eats while angry the Stomach and Spleen will be injured. This supports the modern idea that you 'are what you eat.' It was well known to the ancients that emotional turmoil at meal times wreaked havoc on the digestive system, and hence the whole body. Qimen is able to harmonize Stomach and Liver and is indicated for gas, distention, acid reflux, vomiting, and hiccup all signs of Stomach disturbance due to Qistagnation. Finally, Qimen is an important point in the treatment of certain kinds of panic attacks, known to TCM as 'Running Piglet Qi.' In this condition, chaotic Qi arises in the abdomen and rushes to the throat with such ferocity that one loses one's breath and feels close to death.
Mu points are similar to Shu points of the back, in that they are points where the Qi of specific organs gathers and collects on the front of the body. There are 12 Mu points located on the front of the body, one for each of the Zang Fu organs. The front of the body is considered the Yin aspect (soft and vulnerable), whilst Shu points are located on the back or Yang aspect (hard and protective). It could generally be stated then, that all organ difficulties could be treated by choosing either a Mu point or a Shu point (or a combination of the two). Very often in fact, treatment protocols alternate front and back points. Mu & Shu Points Interestingly, while Shu points are all located on the same channel, the Urinary Bladder Channel, Mu points are located on different channels, only three of which are the corresponding channel to the organ. Mu points, like Shu points have the action of balancing the function of its related organ. This means they are indicated, generally speaking, for all disharmonies whether acute or chronic, excess or deficiency. The 12 Mu points are; Lung - Zhongfu (Lung 1) - indicated for all disharmonies of the Lung. Large Intestine - Tianshu (Stomach 25) - indicated for all disharmonies of the Large Intestine and point of choice for Diarrhoea. Stomach - Zhongwan (Ren 12) - indicated for all disharmonies of the stomach and one of the main points to treat collapse of Yang (loss of consciousness). As the Hui-meeting point of the Fu organs has a strong effect on harmonizing all these organs. Spleen - Zhangmen (Liver 13) - indicated for all disharmonies of the Spleen and especially useful for harmonizing the Spleen and Liver at the Hui-Meeting point of the Zang organs has a pronounced effect on harmonizing all these organs. Heart - Juque (Ren 14) - Indicated for disharmonies of the Heart organ. Small Intestine - Guanyuan (Ren 4) - indicated for disharmonies of the Small Intestine and especially useful for fortifying the Kidneys and strengthening Yuan Qi. Urinary Bladder - Zhongji - (Ren 3) - indicated for all disharmonies of the Urinary Bladder. Kidney - Jingmen (Gallbladder 25) - indicated specifically for harmonizing Qi in the body, specifically, Yuan or original Qi housed in the kidneys, and Jing or nutrient Qi produced in the Spleen. Pericardium - Shanzhong (Ren 17) - indicated for disharmonies of the Pericardium, unbinds the chest, and as the Hui-Meeting Point of Qi, indicated for pain and discomfort due to stagnation of Qi in the whole body. Sanjiao - Shimen (Ren 5) - indicated for all disharmonies of water passage in the body. Gallbladder - Riyue (Gallbladder 24) - indicated for disharmonies of the Gallbladder. Liver - Qimen (Liver 14) - indicated for disharmonies of the Liver.