Heart Meridian
View all acupuncture points on this meridian and explore the channel pathway.
View meridian
HT-5
Luo-Connecting Point
Safety Warnings
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
Needle Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular), 45° (Oblique)
Body Area
Forearm, Wrist
Location
On the radial side of the tendon of flexor carpi ulnaris muscle, 1 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist when the palm faces upward.
Main Actions
- Calms the Mind
- Tonifies and regulates Heart Qi
- Benefits tongue, eyes and head
- Benefits the Bladder
- Benefits the Uterus
Indications
Fear
Anger
Anxiety
Aphasia
sSadness
Red eyes
Eye pain
Red face
Enuresis
Headaches
Dizziness
Depression
Stuttering
Palpitations
Restlnessness
Loss of voice
Heavy periods
Blood in urine
Tongue stiffness
Burning urination
Commentary
One of Tongli HE-5's main functions is to tonify Heart Qi. It is the major point for treating any symptoms of Heart Qi Deficiency and many disharmonies that related to the Heart Channel and its connecting Channels.
For example, as the Luo-Connecting point, the Heart Luo Vessel connects to the Small Intestine Channel and further influences the Bladder Channel through Greater Yang. Thus it is able to treat enuresis, burning sensation on urination or bloody urination.
Similarly, it can also treat heavy menstruation by clearing excessive Heart Heat in the Uterus through Uterus Vessel.
Tongli HE-5 is able to calms the Mind as well, so that it treats mental issues such as sadness, mental restlessness, anger, fright, depression and agitation.
Since the Heart Luo Connecting Channel runs up to the Head, mouth and eyes. Stimulating Tongli HE-5 clears Heart Heat and benefits these areas. Therefore, it treats symptoms such as loss of voice, aphasia, stuttering, stiff tongue, eye pain, red face, headache and dizziness.
Classical Sources
Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot), Chapter on Channels (经脉篇): First classical reference to Tongli, establishing it as the Luo-connecting point of the Heart channel that "branches off to connect with the Small Intestine channel."
Yi Zong Jin Jian (Golden Mirror of Medicine, 医宗金鉴): "Tongli treats sorrow and fear, dizziness, and heart pain" (通里治悲恐，目眩，心痛). Also states: "Tongli point mainly treats febrile disease, facial heat without sweating, vexation, palpitations and fright" (通里穴主治温病，面热无汗，懊憹，心悸惊恐).
Qian Jin Yao Fang (Thousand Gold Prescriptions, 千金要方): Records the point name as "Tongli" and details its use for heart-related conditions and speech disorders.
How to Locate
The flexor carpi radialis muscle has a distinct tendon which can be easily palpated ulnar and proximal to the wrist crease. It attaches to the pisiform bone. Tongli HE-5 is located directly on the radial side of the tendon, 1 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist when the palm faces upward. Shenmen He-7, Yinxi HE-6, Tongli HE-5 and Lingdao HE-4 are all located on a line on the radial aspect of the tendon at 0.5 cun intervals.
Caution
Do not needle too deeply to avoid injury to the ulnar artery and ulnar nerve which run in this area. When retaining the needle, the patient should not flex the wrist. Standard depth is 0.3-0.5 cun perpendicular; deeper oblique insertion (0.5-1 cun) requires more care and experience.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular) / 45° (Oblique)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needling Directions
Vertically 0.3–0.5 cun or obliquely 0.5–1 cun in a proximal or distal direction. Caution: Needling may be painful.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distention and soreness at the point, with possible radiation extending along the ulnar side of the forearm. Some patients may feel the sensation traveling toward the wrist or up toward the elbow. The point can be somewhat sensitive to needling.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5–10 minutes
Cupping
Questionable
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Questionable
Special Point Classifications
Luo-Connecting Point
Related Resources
Browse All Points
Explore the complete collection of acupuncture points across all meridians.
View all meridians