ACUPUNCTURE
Liang Men: TCM Acupoint Guide
LIANGMEN
Name
Liang Men (Liangmen)
Location
- On the abdomen, 3 cun lateral to the midline and 4 cun superior to the umbilicus, level with REN-12 Zhongwan.
- 4 cun above the umbilicus and 2 cun lateral to REN-12 Zhongwan.
Needling
- Perpendicular insertion, 1 to 1.5 cun.
- Puncture perpendicularly 0.8 to 1 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Caution: in thin patients, deep needling may penetrate the peritoneal cavity. Deep needling on the right side may penetrate an enlarged liver.
Actions
- Regulates qi
- Alleviates pain
- Harmonizes the middle jiao
- Transforms stagnation
- Promotes the functions of the stomach and spleen
- Raises the qi
- Stops diarrhea
- Subdues rebellious qi
- Stops vomiting
- Regulates and strengthens the spleen, stomach and middle jiao
- Clears middle jiao heat
- Reduces digestive stagnation
Indications
- Epigastric pain
- Qi accumulation in the lateral costal region
- Abdominal distension
- Slippery diarrhea
- Diarrhea
- Anorexia
- Stomach ache
- Nervous dysfunction of the stomach
- Colic
- Duodenal ulcers
- Chronic loose stools
- Gastric prolapse
- Vomiting
- Poor appetite
- Borborygmus
- Undigested food in the stool
- Gastric pain
- Gastric ulcer
- Acute and chronic gastritis
- Abdominal or hypochondriac pain caused by the accumulation of qi
- Anal prolapse
- Indigestion
- Digestive problems
Combinations
| REN-12 Zhongwan | REN-12 Zhongwan, ST-36 Zusanli, LI-10 Shousanli | PC-6 Neiguan, ST-34 Liangqiu |
| Severe epigastric and abdominal pain, especially in the lateral costal regions | Stomach ulcers | Nervous dysfunction of the stomach |
| ST-44 Neiting | ST-34 Liangqiu | |
| Clears stomach heat, for thirst and a burning feeling in the epigastrium | Acute pain |
Notes
- An important point for treating distension and pain due to qi stagnation.
- A major local point for treating gastric ulcer.
- A wonderful point for someone who feels disjointed or fractured.
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
Spotted an error or a better source? Tell us — corrections are logged on our editorial policy page.
Did this article help you?
Your answer shapes what gets rewritten next.
Keep readingRelated entries
Qu Gu: TCM Acupoint Guide
Qu Gu (Qugu) is on the midline at the superior border of the pubic symphysis. Caution: deep insertion will penetrate a full bladder. Use needles and moxa.
Jia Cheng Jiang: TCM Acupoint Guide
Jia Cheng Jiang (Jiachengjiang) is 1 cun lateral to REN-24 Chengjiang, over the mental foramen of the mandible. Actions: eliminates wind, activates the.
Ze Qian: TCM Acupoint Guide
Ze Qian (Zeqian) is 1 cun distal and slightly medial to LU-5 Chize. Needling: straight insertion, 1 to 1.5 cun. Indications: goiter, paralysis of the upper.
Jian Nei: TCM Acupoint Guide
Jian Nei (Jiannei) is inside the mouth, on the mucosa of the cheek 1 cun posterior to the corner of the mouth, level with the first molar. Actions: clears.
Something this article did not cover?
Ask us directly. We reply within two days, and good questions become public articles.
Ask a question →