Large Intestine Channel

Shousanli LI-10

Chinese: 手三里

Pinyin: Shǒu Sān Lǐ

Location

When a fist is made, with the ulnar side downward and elbow flexed, the point is 2 cun distal to Quchi LI-11 of the line joining Yangxi LI-5 and Quchi LI-11. 

How to locate

With the hand supinated, the line connecting Yangxi LI-5 and Quchi LI-11 runs alongside the radial margin of the forearm. However, with the arm pronated, it transverses the forearm.

The forearm is recommended to be in a midposition with flexed elbow. Shousanli LI-10 is located 2 cun distal to Quchi LI-11 on the line connecting Yangxi LI-5 and Quchi LI-11. 

Main actions

  1. Regulates the Intestines
  2. Removes Obstructions from the Channel
  3. Tonifies Qi

Indications

Fatigue Arm pain Vomiting Diarrhoea Arm atrophy Wind-stroke Arm numbness Arm stiffness Shoulder pain Arm paralysis Abdominal pain Elbow stiffness Elbow contraction Shoulder stiffness Feeling of cold in the lower abdomen

Needling

Vertically 1–2 cun

Commentary for Shousanli LI-10

Shousanli LI-10 is a major point of the Large Intestine Channel. It is widely used to treat intestine disorders such as abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhoea. 

Furthermore, it is a very important point in treating Painful Obstruction Syndrome, particularly in arms, hands, elbows and shoulders. It eases pain and stiffness there. It can also be used for atrophy or Wind-stroke syndromes. 

Finally Shousanli LI-10 tonifies Qi, like the arm version of Zusanli ST-36 (Foot Three Miles) which is very powerful in Qi and Blood tonifying.