Liver Meridian
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LR-5
Luo-Connecting Point
Needle Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique), 10-15° (Transverse)
Body Area
Lower Leg — Medial
Location
5 cun above the tip of the medial malleolus, on the medial aspect and posterior to the medial crest of the tibia.
Main Actions
- Invigorates Liver Qi
- Clears Damp-Heat from the genitourinary system
Indications
Itching
Vulvar sores
Shan disorder
Vulva swollen
Genitalia pain
Testicular pain
Vaginal itching
Testicle swollen
Abdominal masses
Vagina discharge
Genitalia swollen
Urinary retention
Urinary difficulty
Persistent erection
Abdominal distension
Hypogastric distention
Commentary
Ligou LIV-5 is the starting point for the Liver Luo-Connecting Vessel, which runs all the way though the medial aspect of the leg until reaching the pubic area. Therefore, it has a close relationship with the genitourinary system and is used for clearing Damp-Heat there.
The typical manifestations are Shan disorder (Hernial and Genitourinary disorder), which includes itching, swelling and pain of the vulva or testicles, excessive vaginal discharge, turbid urine, difficult or retention of urine and etc.
It is also used for Liver Qi Stagnation, which causes pain before urination as well as distention in hypogastrium or abdomen.
Liver Qi Stagnation may also lead to the feeling of throat lump. The symptom normally gets worse under higher emotional stress and some patients are not even able to swallow foods. It is called 'Plum Stone Syndrome' (梅核气）in TCM.
Classical Sources
《灵枢·经脉》(Ling Shu - Jing Mai): "Foot Jueyin's Luo-connecting vessel is named Ligou. It separates 5 cun above the medial malleolus and connects with Shaoyang. Its branch follows the tibia upward to the testicles and binds at the penis. When Qi rebels, the testicles swell with sudden hernia. When excess, there is persistent erection; when deficient, there is sudden itching."
《针灸甲乙经》(Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing): "Treats sudden hernia with lower abdominal swelling, intermittent severe lower abdominal pain, difficult urination like retention, frequent belching with fear and palpitations, deficient Qi, abdominal pain with depression, sensation in the throat like a mass of flesh, back rigidity unable to bend forward or backward."
《铜人腧穴针灸图经》(Tong Ren Shu Xue Zhen Jiu Tu Jing): "Treats sudden hernia with lower abdominal swelling, sudden lower abdominal pain, difficult urination like retention, frequent belching with fear and palpitations, Qi deficiency, abdominal distress with unhappiness, sensation in throat as if flesh is stuck, back tension unable to bend."
How to Locate
From the tip of the medial malleolus, palpate 5 cun in a proximal direction and locate LIV-5 in a depression directly posterior to the medial crest of the tibia. Another method is to divide the distance between the tip of the medial malleolus and the popliteal crease into third. Locate LIV-5 a third of the distance above the medial malleolus.
Caution
The great saphenous vein runs posteriorly to this point - avoid direct needling of the vessel. Use caution with strong stimulation during pregnancy as this point influences the lower abdomen and genital region. When needling obliquely along the tibia, be aware of the tibial periosteum and avoid excessive depth or force against the bone.
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique) / 10-15° (Transverse)
Depth Category
Medium
Standard Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needling Directions
0.5-1 cun vertically or obliquely in a direction towards the abdomen.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distension and soreness at the point. With oblique insertion directed proximally along the tibia, the sensation may radiate upward toward the knee. Occasionally, patients may experience sensation traveling along the Liver channel toward the groin area. Some practitioners report that deqi can cross to the Gallbladder channel at a similar level on the lateral leg.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5–10 minutes
Cupping
Recommended
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Questionable
Special Point Classifications
Luo-Connecting Point
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