Lung Meridian
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LU-9
Earth-Tu
Stream-Shu Point
Yuan-Source Point
Safety Warnings
- Dangerous point - requires extra caution
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
Needle Depth
0.2-0.5 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Body Area
Wrist
Location
At the wrist crease (wrist joint space), in the depression on the radial aspect of the radial artery and ulnar to the tendon of the abductor pollicis longus muscle.
Main Actions
- Clears Phlegm
- Descends Lung Qi
- Tonifies Lung Qi and Yin
- Tonifies Gathering Qi
- Invigorates Blood circulation and harmonizes Blood Vessels
- Clears Lung and Liver Heat
Commentary
Taiyuan LU-9 is one of the main points of the Lung Channel. It is more used for chronic, Deficient/Empty and Interior patterns, especially in the case of Lung Qi or Yin Deficiency. Nevertheless, it can still treat acute, Excess/Full or Exterior patterns, but less frequently.
First of all, it is used to clear chronic Phlegm in the Lungs, with typical symptoms like chronic cough with sticky white watery sputum, shortness of breath or wheezing. It is because the weakened Lung Qi fails to push Body Fluids, thus Phlegm-Fluids accumulates. If the Lung Yin is Deficient, then Heat condenses Body Fluids, resulting in Dry-Phlegm in the Lungs with dry throat.
Secondly, together with Shanzhong REN-17, LU-9 is often used to tonify Gathering Qi (the combination of Clear Air and Grain Qi) of the chest. They also tonify the Lungs and the Heart Qi which are housed in the chest. When the Gathering Qi is weak, the patients typically suffer from cold hands, weak voice, yawning and feeling of chest oppression.
The Lungs dominates the overall Qi movement of the body, while Qi is the driver of Blood circulation inside Blood vessels. Due to its being the Gathering (会 Hui) point of the Lung Channel, LU-9 is considered to have influence over all Blood Vessels and pulse. Due to this nature, TCM doctors use LU-9 and area around it to feel pulses on the radial artery. They can feel the movement of Qi within the Blood at this position. Needling this point can stimulate Blood circulation so as to treat cold limbs, chilblains and varicose veins.
The Lungs have a close relationship with the Heart. It is because the Lungs governs Qi, while the Heart controls Blood. They mutually influence each other. LU-9 tonifies Lung Qi to stimulate Heart Qi and Blood circulation in the chest. Therefore, it treats symptoms such as breathlessness on exertion, listlessness and palpitations.
Finally, it can also be used to clear Lung and Liver Heat when Liver Fire rises to the chest and then obstructs the normal Lung Qi descending.
Classical Sources
Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot): "The meeting of the vessels is at Taiyuan" (脉会太渊) - establishing LU-9 as one of the Eight Hui-Gathering Points.
Nan Jing (Classic of Difficulties), Chapter 45: Lists Taiyuan as the Hui-Gathering point of the Vessels, indicating its ability to influence all blood vessels and pulse throughout the body.
Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (A-B Classic of Acupuncture): Indicates Taiyuan for cough, wheezing, hemoptysis, pain in the chest, and disorders of the wrist.
How to Locate
Palpate the joint space by loosely moving the hand. Locate Yaiyuan LU-9 on the radial side of the radial artery in a depression, ulnar to the tendon of the abductor pollicis longus muscle.
Caution
The radial artery runs directly adjacent to this point. Always palpate the artery before needling and insert the needle slightly to the radial (thumb) side of the pulsation. Use shallow insertion only (0.2-0.5 cun). Avoid deep needling to prevent arterial puncture. Bloodletting and cupping are contraindicated at this location due to arterial proximity.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.2-0.5 cun
Needling Directions
Vertical 0.2-0.5 cun. Caution: When palpate for LU-9, avoid the radial artery by gently pushing it to the side.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distension and soreness at the point. Deqi may radiate along the Lung channel toward the thumb or up the forearm. Due to proximity to the radial artery, practitioners should needle slightly to the radial side to avoid the artery while still achieving appropriate sensation.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5-10 minutes; 1-3 cones for direct moxa
Cupping
Contraindicated
Bloodletting
Contraindicated
Gua Sha
Contraindicated
Five Element & Transporting Classification
Five Phase
Earth-Tu
Transporting Type
Stream-Shu Point
Mother-Child Role
Mother (Tonifying)
Special Point Classifications
Yuan-Source Point
Organ & Tissue Associations
Hui-Gathering Point for:
Vessels
Related Resources
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