Large Intestine Meridian
View all acupuncture points on this meridian and explore the channel pathway.
View meridian
LI-5
Fire-Huo
River-Jing Point
Safety Warnings
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
Needle Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular), 45° (Oblique)
Body Area
Wrist
Location
On the radial side of the wrist. When the thumb is tilted upward, it is in the depression on the wrist joint space (wrist crease) between the tendons of extensor pollicis longus and brevis muscles.
Main Actions
- Expels Wind-Heat
- Clears Fire
- Calms the Mind and opens the Mind's orifices
- Benefits nose, ears and eyes
- Eases pain in the wrist joint
Indications
Commentary
Like Hegu LI-4, Yangxi LI-5 is also able to expel Wind-Heat and release the Exterior at the beginning stage of an Pernicious Evil Invasion (eg: common cold). Typical symptoms are aversion to cold, fever or sneezing. However, its effect is less strong.
Similar to LI-4, it also has influence on the face and sensory Organs. It is able to treat sneezing, nose bleeding, tinnitus, deafness, ear pain, lacrimation, toothache as well as redness, swelling and pain of the eye.
It clears Heat in the Large Intestine and is applied in febrile diseases. When there is Fire in the Bright Yang, it causes manic behavior, uncontrolled and inappropriate laughing or fear. Yangxi LI-5 clears this Fire so as to calm the Mind and open the Mind's orifices.
Finally, it is able to treat Painful Obstruction Syndrome of the hand and wrist joint by opening the Channel.
Classical Sources
Ling Shu (灵枢·本输): The original classic where Yangxi is first documented as one of the Five Transporting Points of the Large Intestine channel, classified as the River-Jing point where "qi flows more abundantly."
Yi Jing Li Jie (医经理解): "Yangxi is on the upper side of the wrist, between two tendons in a depression; xi (ravine) is where water flows, and this is the ravine through which Yang qi passes."
Hui Yuan Zhen Jiu Xue (会元针灸学): "Yang refers to Yang of Yang, xi refers to water—a small water channel where Yang qi is hidden, hence named Yangxi."
How to Locate
Hold the hand in a horizontal position and abduct the thumb. Yangxi LI-5 is located on the wrist joint space (wrist crease) in the depression between the tendons of extensor pollicis longus and brevis muscles. It is more palpable by moving the wrist.
Caution
Avoid the superficial cephalic vein and branches of the radial artery when needling. Do not needle too deeply to prevent damage to the wrist joint capsule or fascia, which could cause restricted wrist movement. Scarring moxibustion (direct moxa that leaves scars) is contraindicated at this location.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular) / 45° (Oblique)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needling Directions
Obliquely or transversely 0.5–1 cun Caution: Avoid the superficial cephalic vein.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distension and soreness at the wrist, with possible sensation radiating toward the thumb or along the forearm. Deqi typically manifests as a mild aching or heavy sensation in the anatomical snuffbox area.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5–10 minutes
Cupping
Questionable
Bloodletting
Recommended
Gua Sha
Questionable
Five Element & Transporting Classification
Five Phase
Fire-Huo
Transporting Type
River-Jing Point
Mother-Child Role
Child (Reducing)
Related Resources
Browse All Points
Explore the complete collection of acupuncture points across all meridians.
View all meridians