Shangyang LI-1 location
LI-1

Shangyang LI-1

Metal Yang · 商阳 · Shāng Yáng
Large Intestine Meridian
Metal-Jin Well-Jing Point Entry Point

Safety Warnings

  • Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only

Needle Depth

0.1–0.2 cun

Needle Angle

45° (Oblique), 90° (Perpendicular)

Body Area

Fingers

Location

On the radial side of the index finger, about 0.1 cun posterior to the nail corner.

Next on channel

Erjian LI-2

Main Actions

  • Clears Heat
  • Expels Wind-Cold in the Channel
  • Expels Wind and restore consciousness

Commentary

Like any Well-Jing points, Shangyang LI-1 is useful in clearing Heat and removing Obstructions in Excess patterns. It is most effective in reducing swelling and ease pain caused by Wind-Heat accumulation.

It can clear both Interior and Exterior Heat. The typical symptoms are toothache, tinnitus, deafness and lower cheek pain. When Exterior Wind-Heat invades, it first attacks the Lungs' Defensive Qi and cause sore throat and painful obstruction of the throat. The Exterior Wind-Heat may also invade eyes and cause acute conjunctivitis. 

Together with other Well-Jing points, it is particularly effective in subdue Interior Wind so as to restore consciousness. In the acute cases, such as Wind-stroke, it is recommended to prick to bleed with needle, lancet or three-edged needle. 

It is also used as a distal point to expel Wind-Cold from the Channel so as to treat Painful Obstruction Syndrome of the shoulder, elbow or back. 

Finally, Shangyang LI-1 connects to the Lung Channel via a branch from Shaoshang LU-11 of the thumb.  It is indicated for some Lung patterns such as Lung Qi Stagnation with coughing or dyspnoea. 

Actually for all the Channels that originates at the fingertip or toes, this principle applies. Their first point (Well-Jing) receive Qi and impact from the related Channels which terminate at the finger or toes.

For example, for all the Channels of the Hand (Yang starts while Yin ends):

  • The Large Intestine Channel of Hand Yang-Ming starts where the Lung Channel of Hand Tai-Yin ends. 
  • Triple Burner Channel of Hand Shao-Yang starts where the Pericardium Channel of Hand Jue-Yin ends.
  • The Small Intestine Channel of Hand Tai-Yang starts where the Heart Channel of Hand Shao-Yin ends. 

For all the Channels of the Foot (Yin starts while Yang ends):  

  • The Kidney Channel of Foot Shao-Yin starts where the Bladder Channel of Foot Tai-Yang ends.
  • The Spleen Channel of Foot Tai-Yin starts where the Stomach Channel of Foot Yang-Ming ends.
  • The Liver Channel of Foot Jue-Yin starts where the Gall Bladder Channel of Foot Shao-Yang ends.

Classical Sources

《灵枢·本输》Ling Shu - Ben Shu: "大肠上合手阳明，出于商阳，商阳，大指次指之端也，为井金" (The Large Intestine corresponds above to Hand Yangming, emerges at Shangyang, Shangyang is at the tip of the finger next to the thumb, it is the Well-Metal point.)

《灵枢·根结》Ling Shu - Gen Jie: "手阳明根于商阳，溜于合谷，注于阳溪，入于扶突、偏历也" (Hand Yangming roots at Shangyang, flows through Hegu, pours into Yangxi, enters at Futu and Pianli.)

《针灸甲乙经》Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing: "在手大指次指内侧，去爪甲如韭叶" (On the inner side of the finger next to the thumb, a leek leaf's distance from the nail corner.)

《针灸大成》Zhen Jiu Da Cheng: "手大指次指内侧，去爪甲角如韮叶" (On the inner side of the index finger, a leek leaf's distance from the nail corner.)

How to Locate

Shangyang LI-1 is located at the junction of two tangents along the proximal and medial borders of the index finger. 0.1 cun from the actual margin of the nail.

Caution

As a Well-Jing point at the fingertip, needling is typically shallow and may cause sharp pain. Use caution with moxibustion due to the thin skin and proximity to the nail. Bloodletting is commonly performed using a three-edged needle or lancet, squeezing 5-10 drops of blood. Avoid excessive bloodletting in patients who are weak, anemic, or have bleeding disorders. Some sources caution against needling during pregnancy due to its strong heat-clearing and qi-moving effects.

Needle Angle

45° (Oblique) / 90° (Perpendicular)

Depth Category

Shallow

Standard Depth

0.1–0.2 cun

Needling Directions

Insert obliquely in a proximal direction or vertically by 0.2-0.3 cun.

Expected Deqi Sensation

Local sharp or pricking sensation at the point. Deqi is typically mild due to the superficial needling depth. When pricked for bloodletting, immediate pain followed by relief is common. Sensation may radiate slightly along the radial side of the finger.

Moxibustion

Questionable

Duration: 3–5 minutes

Cupping

Contraindicated

Bloodletting

Particularly Recommended

Gua Sha

Contraindicated

Five Element & Transporting Classification

Five Phase

Metal-Jin

Transporting Type

Well-Jing Point

Mother-Child Role

Child (Reducing)

Special Point Classifications

Entry Point

Related Resources

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