Liver Channel

Ligou LIV-5

Chinese: 蠡沟

Pinyin: Lí Gōu

Location

5 cun above the tip of the medial malleolus, on the medial aspect and posterior to the medial crest of the tibia. 

How to locate

From the tip of the medial malleolus, palpate 5 cun in a proximal direction and locate LIV-5 in a depression directly posterior to the medial crest of the tibia. 

Another method is to divide the distance between the tip of the medial malleolus and the popliteal crease into third. Locate LIV-5 a third of the distance above the medial malleolus. 

Main actions

  1. Invigorates Liver Qi
  2. Clears Damp-Heat from the genitourinary system

Indications

Itching Vulvar sores Shan disorder Vulva swollen Genitalia pain Testicular pain Vaginal itching Testicle swollen Abdominal masses Vagina discharge Genitalia swollen Urinary retention Urinary difficulty Persistent erection Abdominal distension Hypogastric distention

Needling

0.5-1 cun vertically or obliquely in a direction towards the abdomen. 

Commentary for Ligou LIV-5

Ligou LIV-5 is the starting point for the Liver Luo-Connecting Vessel, which runs all the way though the medial aspect of the leg until reaching the pubic area. Therefore, it has a close relationship with the genitourinary system and is used for clearing Damp-Heat there.

The typical manifestations are Shan disorder (Hernial and Genitourinary disorder), which includes itching, swelling and pain of the vulva or testicles, excessive vaginal discharge, turbid urine, difficult or retention of urine and etc. 

It is also used for Liver Qi Stagnation, which causes pain before urination as well as distention in hypogastrium or abdomen. 

Liver Qi Stagnation may also lead to the feeling of throat lump. The symptom normally gets worse under higher emotional stress and some patients are not even able to swallow foods. It is called 'Plum Stone Syndrome' (梅核气）in TCM.