Li Gou: TCM Acupoint Guide

Name

Li Gou (LR-5)

Location

On the midline of the medial surface of the tibia, 5 cun above the tip of the medial malleolus, in the depression between the medial crest of the tibia and the gastrocnemius muscle.

Five cun above the prominence of the medial malleolus, immediately posterior to the medial crest of the tibia.

Note: divide the distance between the tip of the medial malleolus and the popliteal crease into thirds; this point lies at the junction of the distal third and the proximal two thirds.

Needling

• Puncture subcutaneously 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
• Straight insertion along the posterior margin of the tibia, 0.5 to 1 cun, causing local distention and soreness.
• Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1 cun.
• Oblique insertion directed proximally toward the abdomen, 1 to 2 cun.
• Slanted insertion pointed upward along the posterior margin of the tibia, 1.5 to 2 cun, for diseases of the trunk. After qi has been obtained, use strong stimulation for a short time, causing distention and soreness that may reach the genitals.

Moxibustion is applicable.

Command functions

• Luo-connecting point
• Master point of blood (menstrual)

Actions

• Promotes the smooth flow of Liver qi and regulates qi
• Resolves Damp-Heat and clears Damp-Heat from the lower jiao
• Clears the channel and benefits qi
• Benefits the genitals and regulates menstruation
• Treats Plumpit qi stagnation

Indications

Genitals and men's health

• All types of sexual dysfunction
• Impotence, premature ejaculation and sterility
• Involuntary spermatorrhea and nocturnal emission
• Pain in the testicles; sudden swelling and pain of the testicles; swollen painful testicles
• Orchitis
• Incessant erection
• Itching, swelling and pain of the genitals; vaginal itching; pruritus vulvae
• Shan disorder and cold shan disorder

Gynecology

• Menstrual irregularity and dysmenorrhea
• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Endometriosis and endometritis
• Uterovaginal prolapse
• Red or white vaginal discharge

Urinary

• Pain before urination; difficult urination
• Retention of urine, urinary retention and ischuria
• Impossible to urinate
• Cloudy urine
• Urethritis
• Enuresis

Liver qi stagnation patterns

• Sensation of a lump in the throat, Plumpit qi stagnation (globus hystericus)
• Unable to swallow; malaise in the throat with a sensation of obstruction
• Hypogastric distention and lower abdominal fullness
• Distention and fullness of the lower abdomen; swelling of the lower abdomen
• Colic, hiccups and dyspnea
• Much belching
• Depression, anxiety, sadness, worry and oppression
• Fearful with lack of energy; fear and fright
• Fright palpitations
• Lower abdominal pain
• Hardness like a stone above the umbilicus
• Energy below the navel with hard knots on palpation like rocks

Lower limb and back

• Painful obstruction of the lower abdomen and inability to walk or stand
• Weakness and atrophy of the leg
• Cold and pain of the feet and lower leg; cold legs
• Leg pain and aching in the shin region
• Wei or Bi syndrome of the foot and shin
• Difficulty bending the legs; cannot bend back
• Difficulty flexing the knee
• Muscle spasms of the back; spasms of the back with the patient unable to bend forward or backward
• Stiff back and low back pain

Skin and sensation

• Feeling of insects crawling on the skin; dreams of things crawling
• Itching anywhere on the body

Combinations

Notes

This point has a specific affinity for the genital and urinary areas, and can be used for any urinary symptom due to Liver qi stagnation.

It is also a good point for itching anywhere on the body, and it anchors and stabilizes.

In a case of Excess, the penis will increase in length: sedate. In a case of Deficiency, the penis will shrink: tonify. This point is special for priapism.