Dadun LR-1 location
LR-1

Dadun LR-1

Great Mound · 大敦 · Dà dūn
Liver Meridian
Wood-Mu Well-Jing Point Entry Point

Safety Warnings

  • Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only

Needle Depth

0.1–0.2 cun

Needle Angle

45° (Oblique)

Body Area

Toes

Location

On the lateral side of the dorsum of the great toe terminal phalanx, between the lateral corner of the nail and interphalangeal joint.

Previous on channel

Zuqiaoyin GB-44

Next on channel

Xingjian LR-2

Main Actions

  • Regulates Qi in the Lower Bruner, Liver and genitals
  • Resolves Damp-Heat in the genitourinary system
  • Regulate menstruation
  • Restores consciousness

Commentary

Dadun LIV-1 is the most famous point for treating Shan diseases, which is a broad category of symptoms that are under Hernial and Genitourinary disorders. They can be categorized into three groups: 

  • Hernial type diseases featured by a protrusion of an Organ or tissue out of the abdominal cavity
  • External genitalia diseases of women or men
  • Severe abdominal pain together with constipation and various of urination issues 

The Lower Burner is one of the most obvious place influenced by LIV-1. 

First of all, it resolves Damp-Heat in Lower Burner so as to repair urinary function and external genitalia disharmony. The typical symptoms it can treat are: swelling and pain of the genitalia, pain in the penis, retraction of genitals, swelling of testicles, swelling and redness of vulva, retention of urine, bloody or turbid urine as well as difficult, painful and frequent urination. 

Secondly, it clears Heat in the Blood so as to regulate menstruation. The typical manifestations are: irregular periods, excessive Uterus bleeding or prolapse of the Uterus. 

As the Well-Jing point of Liver Channel, Dadun LIV-1 restores consciousness as well, especially under the attack of acute Wind stroke. 

Finally, Dadun LIV-1 connects to the Gall Bladder Channel via a branch from Zuqiaoyin GB-44 of the 4th toe. It can be influenced by the Gall Bladder Channel. 

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

Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot): Lists Dadun as the Jing-Well point of the Liver channel where Qi 'bubbles up' at the extremity.

Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture): 'Dadun treats hernia, contraction of the genitals, difficulty urinating, irregular menstruation, and uterine bleeding.'

Yu Long Ge (Jade Dragon Song): 'For the seven types of hernia, take Dadun.'

Sheng Yu Ge (Victory Song): 'After moxibustion on Dadun, hernia is eliminated.'

Tu Yi (Illustrated Wings to the Classic): 'Contraindicated for moxibustion during pregnancy, both before and after delivery.'

Qian Jin Yao Fang (Thousand Gold Prescriptions): 'For yin swelling and pain, apply 3 cones of moxa at Dadun; for urinary incontinence, apply 7 cones; for bloody urine, apply 3 cones.'

How to Locate

LIV-1 is located at the junction of two tangents along the proximal and lateral borders of the big toe, 0.1 cun from the actual margin of the nail. The other point Yangbai SP-1 is at the medial corner of the big toe.

Caution

This point is typically painful to needle due to its location near the nail root with limited subcutaneous tissue. Use only shallow insertion (0.1-0.2 cun) to avoid periosteal contact. Classical texts caution against moxibustion during pregnancy. The point is excellent for bloodletting with a three-edged needle, particularly for acute conditions and excess heat patterns. Ensure proper sterilization as this area is prone to infection.

Needle Angle

45° (Oblique)

Depth Category

Shallow

Standard Depth

0.1–0.2 cun

Needling Directions

Insert obliquely or vertically by 0.1-0.2 cun. For Excess patterns, prink to bleed. Caution: Painful point

Expected Deqi Sensation

Sharp, stinging sensation at the point with possible distension or tingling radiating along the big toe. Due to its location at the nail corner, deqi is typically brief and intense. Some patients experience a sensation traveling up the medial aspect of the foot.

Moxibustion

Recommended

Duration: 5–10 minutes

Cupping

Contraindicated

Bloodletting

Particularly Recommended

Gua Sha

Contraindicated

Five Element & Transporting Classification

Five Phase

Wood-Mu

Transporting Type

Well-Jing Point

Mother-Child Role

Mother (Tonifying)

Special Point Classifications

Entry Point

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