Lung Meridian
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LU-2
Safety Warnings
- Dangerous point - requires extra caution
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
Needle Depth
0.5–0.8 cun
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique), 10-15° (Transverse)
Body Area
Chest, Shoulder
Location
On the antero-lateral aspect of the chest, below the lateral extremity of the clavicle, about 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline in the centre of the deltopectoral triangle.
Main Actions
- Disperses chest fullness
- Descends Ling Qi and stop cough
Indications
Commentary
The functions of LU-2 is fairly similar to Zhongfu LU-1, but less strong. It can clear Excess of all kinds from the Lungs, whether due to Exterior pathogenic factors (e.g. Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat) which penetrate in the Lungs, or to internally generated disharmonies such as Phlegm-Heat, Qi Stagnation and etc.
On top of that, it can also be used to treat Painful Obstruction Syndrome of the shoulder, especially these caused by Wind invasion. In this case, the patients fail to adduct their arm. For example, they are not able to move their arm over close to the body towards the opposite side.
Classical Sources
《素问·水热穴论》 (Sù Wèn - Discussion on Water and Heat Points): First recorded appearance of Yunmen as an acupuncture point.
《针灸甲乙经》 (Zhēn Jiǔ Jiǎ Yǐ Jīng - Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): "Treats shoulder pain with inability to raise the arm, pain radiating to the supraclavicular fossa."
《铜人腧穴针灸图经》 (Tóng Rén Shù Xué Zhēn Jiǔ Tú Jīng - Bronze Figure Classic): "Treats shoulder pain with inability to lift the arm." Also warns that deep needling can injure the Lung, causing counterflow breathing and dyspnea.
Name explanation: Yún (云) means "cloud" and refers to Lung Qi, as the Lungs are the uppermost organ (the "canopy" of the five zang organs). Mén (门) means "gate" or "door." This point serves as the gateway where Lung Qi emerges and disperses like clouds in the sky.
How to Locate
To locate the deltopectoral triangle, ask the patient to extend their hand forwards whilst you apply resistance to it. It is bordered on top by the clavicle and laterally by the coracoid process (within the deltoid muscle). Yunmen LU-2 is in the center of the triangle, at a clearly palpable depression in the thoracic wall.
Caution
CRITICAL: Risk of pneumothorax. The apex of the lung lies directly beneath this point. Never needle deeply or in a medial direction toward the center of the chest. Always needle obliquely or transversely toward the lateral aspect of the chest. Maximum safe depth is 0.5-0.8 cun. The cephalic vein, thoracoacromial artery and vein pass through this area, and the axillary artery lies inferiorly. The lateral cord of the brachial plexus is also in proximity.
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique) / 10-15° (Transverse)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.5–0.8 cun
Needling Directions
Transverse-obliquely to a maximal depth of 0.8 cun. Caution: Risk of pneumothorax if needling in a medial direction.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distension and soreness, with possible radiation to the anterior chest and axilla. Deqi sensation typically spreads downward along the medial arm following the Lung channel pathway.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5–10 minutes
Cupping
Questionable
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Questionable
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