ACUPUNCTURE
Tong Li: TCM Acupoint Guide
TONGLI
Name
Tong Li (Tongli)
Location
When the palm faces upward, the point is on the radial side of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris, 1 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist, 1 cun proximal to HT-7 Shenmen on the line connecting HT-7 Shenmen and HT-4 Lingdao.
Needling
- Straight insertion, 0.5 to 1 cun, causing local distention and soreness, possibly extending along the ulnar side of the forearm.
- Oblique proximal or distal insertion, 0.5 to 1 cun.
- Puncture perpendicularly, 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Command Functions
- Luo-Connecting point
- Ma Dan-yang Heavenly Star point
Actions
- Calms the Shen
- Regulates Heart Qi
- Regulates heart rhythm
- Tonifies Heart Qi
- Benefits the tongue
- Benefits the Bladder
- Activates the channel
- Alleviates pain
Indications
- Palpitations
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Sore throat
- Sudden loss of voice
- Aphasia with stiffness of the tongue
- Pain in the wrist and elbow
- Vertigo
- Unhappiness
- Hysteria
- Dysmenorrhea
- Tonsillitis
- Neuralgia of the arm
- Nervous spasms of the upper limb
- Contractures of the upper limbs
- Windstroke
- Sensations of heaviness of the body
- Fatigue
- Arrhythmia
- Sudden hoarseness
- Headache
- Hypertension due to Heart fire
- Fever with chest discomfort
- Sweating
- Menorrhagia
- Insanity
- Pain in the wrist and arm
- Nervous palpitations
- Palpitations with fear
- Tachycardia
- Nervous palpitations with anxiety
- Fear
- Pharynx and larynx swollen and painful
- Throat Bi
- Eye dizziness
- Psychopathy
- Lack of energy
- Restless Zang disorder
- Vexation and anger
- Sadness and fright
- Depressive disorder
- Pain and agitation of the Heart
- Frequent vexation with burning sensation of the Heart
- Fullness and distention of the chest and diaphragm radiating to the lateral costal region
- Enuresis
- Profuse uterine bleeding
- Paralysis of the four limbs
- Chest pain
- Bradycardia
- Neurasthenia
- Hysterical aphasia
- Psychosis
- Cough
- Asthma
- Headache and dizziness
- Throat blockage
- Palpitations due to nervous fright
- Abnormal uterine bleeding
- Incontinence of urine
- Febrile diseases
- Tendency to sadness
- Heat in the face and throat
- Perspiration
- Aphonia
- Pain in the hands and elbows
- Shortness of breath
- Metralgia
- Chest fullness, disperse; chest emptiness, tonify
- Depression with aphasia
- Somnolence
- Insomnia
- Fear of people
- Thirst
- A bitter taste in the mouth
- Tongue ulcers
- Burning urination
- Hematuria
- Stiffness of the tongue
- Tongue seems tied with difficult speech
- Acute glossitis
- Sudden atony of the tongue
- Metrorrhagia
- Uterine hemorrhage due to fullness
- Hot face without sweating
- Groaning
- Pain and Blood congestion in the eyes
- Frequent yawning
- Vomiting
- Sensation of chills in the Heart
- Heart feels as if lifted upwards
- Pounding of the Heart
- Diminished Qi
- Stuttering
- Head Wind
- Bitter vomiting
- Contraction of the fingers
- Pain of the elbow and upper arm
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| GB-25 Suliao, M-HN-23 Xingfen | Bradycardia |
| UB-15 Xinshu | Cardiac arrhythmia |
| KI-4 Dazhong | Disinterest in talking and a desire to sleep |
| LIV-2 Xingjian, SP-6 Sanyinjiao | Excessive uterine bleeding |
| SJ-17 Yifeng | Sudden loss of speech |
| ST-41 Jiexi | Head Wind, redness of the face and eyes |
| DU-20 Baihui, DU-19 Houding | Pain of the head and eyes |
| UB-58 Feiyang, UB-60 Kunlun, LIV-8 Ququan, SI-2 Qiangu, SI-1 Shaoze | Headache and dizziness |
| SP-11 Jimen, LIV-1 Dadun, UB-28 Pangguangshu, LIV-3 Taichong, UB-40 Weizhong, HT-7 Shenmen | Enuresis |
| PC-6 Neiguan, UB-14 Jueyinshu, UB-15 Xinshu | Irregular Heart rhythm |
Notes
This point has to do with Interior communication. It is used to treat audacity. This point can be used to penetrate a patient's mask to find out what is wrong. It is the point of choice to tonify Heart Qi, and the point of choice for aphasia. A special point for palpitations. It is effective for disturbances of cardiac rate and rhythm.
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.
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