Liver Channel

Zhangmen LIV-13

Chinese: 章门

Pinyin: Zhāng Mén

Location

On the lateral side of the abdomen, below the free end of the 11th rib.

How to locate

Press the flexed elbow at 90 degree against the lateral aspect of the thorax, so that the tip of the olecranon points to the free end of the 11th rib.

Or palpate along the lower border of the rib cage until finding the free end of the 11th rib. LIV-13 is located on its anterior and inferior border. 

Main actions

  1. Invigorates Liver Qi
  2. Harmonizes the Liver an Spleen

Indications

Diarrhea Belching Ribs pain Borborygmi Constipation Loose stools Abdominal pain Abdominal distension Epigastric distension Hypochondrial distention Undigested food in the stools

Needling

Veristically 0.5-1 cun or better obliquely in a lateral direction. 

Caution: Peritoneum, hypertrophied Organs (right: Liver, left: Spleen).

Commentary for Zhangmen LIV-13

Zhangmen LIV-13 is often used to treat Liver Qi Stagnation. Typically, the pulse is Wiry on the left and Weak on the right.

LIV-13 can be used to strengthen the Spleen as well as harmonize the Liver and Spleen together. 

The Rebellious Liver Qi may then invade the Stomach and the Spleen and make the Qi in these two Organs to go the opposite direction as they should. For example, Rebellious Spleen Qi can cause loose stools, diarrhoea and abdominal distension. Rebellious Stomach Qi gives rise to undigested food in the stools, belching, and epigastric distension.

Finally, it treats Spleen Yang Deficiency, especially if moxibustion is used in additional to needling.