-IBIS-1.5.0-
rx
point
Lv-5: VIII-5: li gou
acupuncture
definition
li gou = woodworm cnal; worm-eater's groove; insect ditch
Luo Connecting point of the Foot Jue Yin (Liver) channel with the Foot Xiao Yang (Gall Bladder) channel
location: 5 cun superior to the tip of the medial malleolus, in the small groove on the medial border of the tibia.
actions: drains the Liver; spreads Liver Qi and disperses Liver Qi Stagnation; benefits the Qi; tonifies Liver and Yang; relieves Obstruction in Lower Warmer; secures Jing (Essence); tonifies and warms Fire of Life function as manifested in sexuality (Finkelstein, p. 74); regulates function of the Bladder; benefits urogenital area and resolves Damp-Heat in the Lower Warmer to stop itching and discharge; regulates menses; relaxes the sinews; frees the channels
indications: mania; fear; anxiety; despair; depression; belching; throat feels obstructed; retention of urine; irregular menstruation; abnormal uterine bleeding; menorrhagia; vaginal discharge, esp. white; uterine prolapse; sexual dysfunction; itching of genitals; orchialgia; orchitis; sudden pain in the scrotum; pain of hernia; muscular spasms in back; back stiff and unable to bend; coldness, aching and pain in lower leg and feet; difficulty flexing knee; skin cold and aching
needle technique:
perpendicular insertion, 0.5 - 1.0 cun, along posterior margin of tibia, producing a local sensation of soreness and distension; or
slanted insertion, 1.5 - 2.0 cun, angled upward along posterior margin of tibia, for diseases of trunk, producing a local sensation of soreness and distension, possibly spreading to the knee or genitals
moxa: 3 - 5 cones of direct moxa; 5 - 10 minutes of indirect moxa with a pole
combinations:
» with CV-3 reduces Fire of the Liver (Finkelstein, p. 74);
» with Ht-2 (+ both) for acne rosacea (McWilliams, et al., Lesson 31, p. 18);
» with TW-6 and GB-34 loosens and disperses Qi in the intercostal region (Finkelstein, p. 74);
» with CV-4 strengthens Yang "at the base", i.e., Kidney Yang (Finkelstein, p. 74);
» with CV-4, CV-3, St-29, St-28, Sp-6 and Lv-6 for menopausal syndrome; also consider St-30 with lower abdominal pain; UB-23 and UB-32 with low back pain; Sp-13 with lower abdominal mass; and/or Sp-8, Sp-9 and GB-26 with leukorrhea (Liu, p. 406)
» with CV-4 and Sp-6 strengthens sexual response (Finkelstein, p. 74);
» with Lv-8 and Lv-3 for orchitis (Shanghai, p. 291).
footnotes