L.I.-1

Shangyang "Metal Yang"

Large Intestine ChannelWell (Jing) PointMetal Point

Location

Actions

Clears Heat
Brightens the eyes
Benefits the ears
Benefits the throat
Expels Wind and scatters Cold
Extinguishes interior Wind and promotes resuscitation
Removes obstructions from the channel

Key point: As a Well point, used (with the other hand Well points) in the acute stage of Wind-stroke to subdue interior Wind - the same emergency role as LU-11 on the Lung channel.

Indications

Heat / Exterior

Heat syndromes without sweating, aversion to cold, fever.

Head & Senses

Blurred vision, tinnitus, deafness, sore throat, painful obstruction of the throat.

Emergency

Loss of consciousness from Wind-stroke.

Musculoskeletal

Pain in the shoulder and back radiating to the supraclavicular fossa, numbness and heat of the fingers.

Clinical Pearls (summarized from Comments)

Treats both exterior Wind-Heat (sore throat) and interior Heat in the Large Intestine.
Eye/ear benefits mainly apply to exterior Wind-Heat cases (e.g. acute conjunctivitis) - contralateral needling is recommended for eye problems.
Name “Metal Yang” - the first point of the Large Intestine (Metal) channel, a natural pair with LU-11's “Lesser Metal”.

L.I.-2

Erjian "Second Interval"

Large Intestine ChannelSpring (Ying) PointWater PointDrainage Point

Location

Actions

Clears Heat
Expels Wind-Heat
Removes obstructions from the channel

Key point: Clears interior Heat in the Large Intestine specifically (constipation, dry stools, fever, abdominal pain) — narrower and more specialized than L.I.-1 or L.I.-4.

Indications

Heat

Febrile diseases, aversion to cold, fever.

Musculoskeletal

Pain and stiffness of the shoulder.

Clinical Pearls (summarized from Comments)

Also expels Wind-Heat in acute exterior invasions.

L.I.-3

Sanjian "Third Interval"

Large Intestine ChannelStream (Shu) PointWood Point

Location

Actions

Expels exterior Wind
Brightens the eyes
Benefits the throat
Regulates the Intestines
Expels Wind and Cold from the channel

Key point: A widely-used point for hand Painful Obstruction Syndrome — being a Stream point, this class is specifically indicated for joint aches.

Indications

Exterior

Aversion to cold, fever, sneezing.

Eyes / Throat

Acute eye pain, painful obstruction of the throat.

Digestive

Diarrhoea from Cold and Dampness, borborygmi.

Clinical Pearls (summarized from Comments)

Brightens the eyes and benefits the throat mainly in the context of expelling exterior Wind-Heat.

L.I.-4

Hegu "Enclosed Valley"

Large Intestine ChannelSource (Yuan) PointMa Dan Yang Heavenly Star Point

Location

Actions

Expels exterior Wind and releases the Exterior
Promotes the diffusing of Lung-Qi, regulates Defensive Qi and sweating
Stops pain
Removes obstructions from the channel
Tonifies Qi and consolidates the Exterior
Harmonizes the ascending and descending of Qi
Benefits the eyes, nose, ears and mouth
Promotes labour
Calms the Mind

Key point: One of the most important points in the entire body — the primary point to expel Wind-Heat and release the Exterior, with a uniquely powerful, direct effect on the face: “The face and mouth are reached by L.I.-4.”

Indications

Exterior

Aversion to cold, fever, sneezing, headache, sweating or absence of sweating.

Face & Head

Toothache, painful obstruction of the throat, facial swelling, deviation of eye and mouth, lockjaw, tinnitus, deafness, eye redness/swelling/pain, blurred vision, nosebleed, nasal congestion, mouth ulcers, tightness of the lips.

Musculoskeletal

Painful Obstruction Syndrome, hemiplegia, arm pain, contraction of fingers.

Gynaecological / Labour

Amenorrhoea, prolonged or delayed labour, retention of dead fetus.

Clinical Pearls (summarized from Comments)

Regulates sweating: tonify L.I.-4 and drain KI-7 to promote sweating; reverse the two to stop it.
“Four Gates” combination with LIV-3 - expels interior or exterior Wind from the head and stops pain; in the author's experience it also soothes the Mind and allays anxiety (esp. with Du-24 and G.B.-13).
Powerful analgesic/antispasmodic action for pain in the channels or organs, especially Stomach, Intestines and Uterus.
Distal point of choice for any face/mouth/nose/ear/eye problem - allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, mouth ulcers, styes, sinusitis, toothache, trigeminal neuralgia, facial paralysis, frontal headaches.
Can (unusually) be used as a tonifying point combined with ST-36 and Ren-6 to consolidate the Exterior - chronic allergic rhinitis from Lung-Qi deficiency, used between attacks.
Harmonizes ascending/descending of Qi: subdues rebellious Stomach-Qi, Liver-Yang or Lung-Qi, or raises sinking Spleen-Qi (combined with Ren-6).
An empirical point to promote labour - hence its contraindication in pregnancy.

L.I.-5

Yangxi "Yang Stream"

Large Intestine ChannelRiver (Jing-River) PointFire Point

Location

Actions

Expels Wind and releases the Exterior
Stops pain
Clears Heat
Calms the Mind and opens the Mind's orifices
Benefits the nose, ears and eyes

Key point: A milder alternative to L.I.-4 for releasing the Exterior (L.I.-4 is preferred there) — L.I.-5's real specialty is clearing Bright-Yang Fire causing manic/mental symptoms, plus wrist/hand Bi Syndrome.

Indications

Exterior

Aversion to cold, fever, sneezing, febrile diseases.

Musculoskeletal

Wrist pain, contraction of fingers, difficulty raising the elbow.

Mental

Manic behaviour, propensity to inappropriate laughter, “seeing ghosts”, fright.

Head & Senses

Sneezing, nosebleed, tinnitus, deafness, ear pain, eye redness/swelling/pain, lacrimation, toothache.

Clinical Pearls (summarized from Comments)

Frequently used for Painful Obstruction Syndrome of the hand and wrist.

L.I.-6

Pianli "Lateral Passage"

Large Intestine ChannelConnecting (Luo) Point

Location

Actions

Regulates the Lung's Water passages
Removes obstructions from the channel

Key point: The go-to point when the Lung's Water-passage function is disrupted — either acutely (an exterior pathogen trapping Defensive Qi, causing facial/hand oedema) or chronically (Lung-Qi deficiency).

Indications

Fluid

Difficult urination, oedema, ascites, borborygmi with abdominal oedema.

Head & Senses

Toothache, tinnitus, deafness, eye redness and pain, blurred vision, sneezing, nosebleed, deviation of the mouth.

Clinical Pearls (summarized from Comments)

L.I.-7

Wenliu "Warm Gathering"

Large Intestine ChannelAccumulation (Xi) Point

Location

Actions

Clears Heat
Regulates the Intestines
Opens the Mind's orifices
Removes obstructions from the channel

Key point: An Accumulation (Xi) point — best for acute Painful Obstruction Syndrome of the channel and acute Heat conditions of the mouth and face.

Indications

Mouth / Throat

Mouth ulcers, hot tongue, tonsillitis.

Digestive

Borborygmi with abdominal pain, abdominal distension.

Mental

Inappropriate laughter, manic behaviour, “seeing ghosts”.

Head & Face

Headache, deviation of eye and mouth, eye redness and swelling, facial pain, furuncles of the face, toothache, pain in the arm and shoulder.

Clinical Pearls (summarized from Comments)

Opens the Mind's orifices for mental-emotional conditions arising from Heat in the Bright Yang.
Name debated: the author prefers “Warm Gathering” over “Warm Remaining” - reflects the Bright Yang's abundant Qi and Blood (“much Qi, much Blood” = strongest Yang = warmth accumulates here).

L.I.-10

Shousanli "Arm Three Miles"

Large Intestine ChannelNo special Five-Element classification

Location

Actions

Removes obstructions from the channel
Regulates the Intestines
Tonifies Qi

Key point: Nicknamed the “ST-36 of the arm” (“San Li”) — a genuine Qi and Blood tonic in its own right, not just a channel point.

Indications

Musculoskeletal

Pain and rigidity of the arm and shoulder, paralysis or numbness of the arm, atrophy of the arms, contraction and rigidity of the elbow.

Digestive

Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, feeling of cold in the intestines.

Constitutional

Tiredness.

Clinical Pearls (summarized from Comments)

A major point for Painful Obstruction Syndrome, Atrophy Syndrome, and Wind-stroke sequelae affecting the arm.

L.I.-11

Quchi "Pool on Bend"

Large Intestine ChannelSea (He) PointEarth PointTonification PointMa Dan Yang Heavenly Star Point

Location

Actions

Clears Heat and cools Blood
Removes obstructions and Heat from the channel
Resolves Dampness
Regulates the Intestines
Benefits the sinews and joints

Key point: One of only two Sea points of Yang channels (with BL-40) singled out for skin disease — clears Heat and cools Blood, making it a first-choice point for urticaria, psoriasis, eczema.

Indications

Heat

High fever, thirst, hot skin.

Head

Toothache, eye redness and pain, lacrimation, pain in front of the ear.

Digestive

Abdominal distension and pain, vomiting, diarrhoea.

Skin

Erysipelas, urticaria, dry and scaly skin, itching, shingles.

Musculoskeletal

Numbness of the upper arm, Bi Syndrome of arms and shoulder, hemiplegia, contraction of the arm, atrophy of the arm.

Clinical Pearls (summarized from Comments)

Clears interior Heat broadly - used across virtually any organ's interior Heat pattern, notably Liver-Fire.
Resolves Damp-Heat specifically - papular/vesicular eruptions, acne, and Damp-Heat digestive symptoms such as diarrhoea.
Benefits sinews and joints - Bi Syndrome, Atrophy Syndrome, Wind-stroke paralysis of the arm/shoulder.
Name “Pool on Bend”: “pool” refers to its nature as a Sea point (where channel Qi joins the general circulation, like a river meeting the sea); “bend” refers to needling with the elbow bent.

L.I.-12

Zhouliao "Elbow Crevice"

Large Intestine ChannelNo special Five-Element classification

Location

Actions

Removes obstructions from the channel

Key point: A secondary but genuinely useful point — the classic choice for tennis elbow, provided the problem runs along the Large Intestine channel.

Indications

Musculoskeletal

Contraction, numbness and rigidity of the upper arm, pain and rigidity of the elbow.

Clinical Pearls (summarized from Comments)

L.I.-14

Binao "Upper Arm"

Large Intestine ChannelMeeting Point (Large Intestine • Small Intestine • Bladder)Point of the Yang Linking Vessel (Yang Wei Mai)

Location

Actions

Removes obstructions from the channel
Brightens the eyes
Resolves Phlegm and dissipates nodules

Key point: Combines shoulder Bi Syndrome treatment with an eye-brightening action (needle angled upward for that indication) and a Phlegm-nodule-dissipating action for goitre and scrofula.

Indications

Musculoskeletal

Pain and numbness of the upper arm and shoulder, Bi Syndrome, atrophy of the upper arm, inability to raise the arm, contraction and stiffness of the neck.

Eyes

Redness, swelling and pain of the eye.

Phlegm

Scrofula, goitre.

Clinical Pearls (summarized from Comments)

L.I.-15

Jianyu "Shoulder Bone"

Large Intestine ChannelPoint of the Yang Stepping Vessel (Yang Qiao Mai)

Location

Actions

Removes obstructions from the channel
Expels Wind and Dampness
Resolves Phlegm and dissipates nodules

Key point: The major point for shoulder Painful Obstruction Syndrome, and for arm paralysis/Atrophy Syndrome following Wind-stroke.

Indications

Musculoskeletal

Shoulder pain and weakness, Bi Syndrome of the shoulder from Wind and Dampness, inability to abduct the arm, contraction and numbness of the arm, hemiplegia, paralysis, sequelae of Wind-stroke, atrophy of the arm.

Skin

Urticaria from Wind.

Phlegm

Scrofula, goitre.

Clinical Pearls (summarized from Comments)

L.I.-16

Jugu "Great Bone"

Large Intestine ChannelPoint of the Yang Stepping Vessel (Yang Qiao Mai)

Location

Actions

Removes obstructions from the channel
Dissipates nodules

Key point: Usually paired with L.I.-15 for shoulder channel problems — its Yang Stepping Vessel connection gives it a particularly strong Qi/Yang-moving action in the shoulder and upper arm.

Indications

Musculoskeletal

Pain of the shoulder and upper back, difficulty raising the arm, pain of the upper arm.

Phlegm

Scrofula, goitre.

Clinical Pearls (summarized from Comments)

L.I.-17

Tianding "Heaven’s Tripod"

Large Intestine ChannelNo special Five-Element classification

Location

Actions

Benefits the throat and voice
Dissipates nodules

Key point: A local point mainly notable for goitre and thyroid problems.

Indications

Throat

Sudden loss of voice, painful obstruction of the throat.

Phlegm

Goitre, scrofula.

Clinical Pearls (summarized from Comments)

L.I.-18

Futu "Support the Protuberance"

Large Intestine ChannelWindow of Heaven Point

Location

Actions

Benefits the throat and voice
Subdues rebellious Qi and relieves cough and wheezing
Resolves Phlegm and dissipates nodules

Key point: A local throat point (tonsillitis, laryngitis, hoarse voice, vocal-cord nodules, goitre/thyroid) whose respiratory action comes from its Window of Heaven nature — subduing rebellious Qi and regulating Qi flow to and from the head.

Indications

Throat

Swelling and pain of the throat, sudden loss of voice, rattling sound in the throat, difficulty swallowing.

Respiratory

Cough, wheezing, breathlessness.

Phlegm

Goitre, scrofula.

Clinical Pearls (summarized from Comments)

The “protuberance” in its name refers to the hyoid bone (Adam's apple).

L.I.-20

Yingxiang "Welcome Fragrance"

Large Intestine ChannelMeeting Point (Stomach • Large Intestine)

Location

Actions

Expels exterior Wind
Opens the nose
Removes obstructions from the channel

Key point: The classic local point for any nose problem, and — via its Wind-expelling action — also widely used for facial paralysis, trigeminal neuralgia, and facial tic.

Indications

Exterior

Aversion to cold, fever, sneezing.

Nasal

Nasal congestion and discharge, sneezing, loss of the sense of smell, nasal polyps, nasal sores, nosebleed.

Facial

Deviation of eye and mouth, swelling and itching of the face, red-hot eyes.

Clinical Pearls (summarized from Comments)

The author's clinical note: for nasal polyps, sinusitis or loss of smell specifically, he finds the extra point Bitong more effective; L.I.-20 is better at expelling Wind from the face generally.