Shangyang LI-1
Chinese: 商阳
Pinyin: Shāng Yáng
Location
On the radial side of the index finger, about 0.1 cun posterior to the nail corner.
How to locate
Shangyang LI-1 is located at the junction of two tangents along the proximal and medial borders of the index finger. 0.1 cun from the actual margin of the nail.
Main actions
- Clears Heat
- Expels Wind-Cold in the Channel
- Expels Wind and restore consciousness
Needling
Insert obliquely in a proximal direction or vertically by 0.2-0.3 cun.
Commentary for Shangyang LI-1
Like any Well-Jing points, Shangyang LI-1 is useful in clearing Heat and removing Obstructions in Excess patterns. It is most effective in reducing swelling and ease pain caused by Wind-Heat accumulation.
It can clear both Interior and Exterior Heat. The typical symptoms are toothache, tinnitus, deafness and lower cheek pain. When Exterior Wind-Heat invades, it first attacks the Lungs' Defensive Qi and cause sore throat and painful obstruction of the throat. The Exterior Wind-Heat may also invade eyes and cause acute conjunctivitis.
Together with other Well-Jing points, it is particularly effective in subdue Interior Wind so as to restore consciousness. In the acute cases, such as Wind-stroke, it is recommended to prick to bleed with needle, lancet or three-edged needle.
It is also used as a distal point to expel Wind-Cold from the Channel so as to treat Painful Obstruction Syndrome of the shoulder, elbow or back.
Finally, Shangyang LI-1 connects to the Lung Channel via a branch from Shaoshang LU-11 of the thumb. It is indicated for some Lung patterns such as Lung Qi Stagnation with coughing or dyspnoea.
Actually for all the Channels that originates at the fingertip or toes, this principle applies. Their first point (Well-Jing) receive Qi and impact from the related Channels which terminate at the finger or toes.
For example, for all the Channels of the Hand (Yang starts while Yin ends):
- The Large Intestine Channel of Hand Yang-Ming starts where the Lung Channel of Hand Tai-Yin ends.
- Triple Burner Channel of Hand Shao-Yang starts where the Pericardium Channel of Hand Jue-Yin ends.
- The Small Intestine Channel of Hand Tai-Yang starts where the Heart Channel of Hand Shao-Yin ends.
For all the Channels of the Foot (Yin starts while Yang ends):
- The Kidney Channel of Foot Shao-Yin starts where the Bladder Channel of Foot Tai-Yang ends.
- The Spleen Channel of Foot Tai-Yin starts where the Stomach Channel of Foot Yang-Ming ends.
- The Liver Channel of Foot Jue-Yin starts where the Gall Bladder Channel of Foot Shao-Yang ends.