Below is the pattern differentiation and acupuncture treatment prescription for the signs and symptoms we have learned in this video. There are still a few more things to learn before fully understanding this information. But I will leave these here for those who are interested in taking a peek of what’s coming later or for those who already have some knowledge about pattern differentiation and want to learn more. Until next time! :)
RED & PAINFUL EYES
Taiyang, BL-2, GB-20, LI-4, LV-3
Wind-Heat (+ SJ-5, LU-11)
LV-GB Fire (+ LV-2, GB-43)
HEADACHE
Yangming: ST-8, Yintang, GB-14, LI-4, ST-44
Shaoyang: Taiyang, SJ-23, GB-8, GB-20, SJ-5, GB-41
Taiyang: BL-10, GV-19, GB-20, SI-3, BL-62
Jueyin: DU-20, Sishencong, LV-3, PC-9
Exterior invasion (+ GV-16, LU-7)
Live Yang (+ LV-2, KD-3)
Blood deficiency (+ SP-6, ST-36)
Phlegm (+ ST-40, CV-12)
Blood stasis (+ SP-10, BL-17)
LIN SYNDROME
CV-3, BL-28, SP-6, SP-9
Heat (+ BL-40, LV-2)
Stone (+ ST-28, BL-39)
Blood (+ BL-17, SP-10)
Qi (+ LV-5, LV-3)
Damp (+ CV-4, ST-39)
Fatigue (+ BL-20, BL-23)
DYSMENORRHEA
CV-3, SP-6, SP-8, Shiqizhui, BL-32
Qi stagnation-Blood stasis (+ LV-3, SP-10)
Cold congealing Blood (+ CV-4, ST-29)
Qi and Blood deficiency (+ CV-6, SP-10)
Kidney deficiency (+ BL-23, KD-3)
The Liver Channel of Foot Jueyin
The Liver channel is the Yin-Yang pair channel of the Gall Bladder channel. It’s also the Foot channel of Jueyin.
The Liver Primary Channel
The Liver primary channel starts at LV-1, at the big toe and goes in front of the medial malleolus. It goes up the leg, intersecting SP-6, goes anterior to the Spleen channel until 8 cun above the medial malleolus, and then goes posterior to the Spleen channel.
It passes LV-8 near the medial end of the popliteal crease, encircles the genitals, and enters the lower abdomen, meeting with CV-2, 3, and 4.
It goes around the Stomach and enters Liver and Gall Bladder. It goes through the diaphragm and spreads in the ribs and hypochondriac region. It goes up along the neck, behind the throat to the nasopharynx, and connects with the tissues around the eye. And then it goes to the vertex meeting with GV-20.
A branch from the eye goes down through the cheek and encircles the inner surface of the lips.
Another branch from the Liver goes through the diaphragm to the Lung, meeting with PC-1.
The Liver Luo-connecting Channel
The Liver luo-connecting channel starts at LV-5. It connects with the Gall Bladder channel and then goes to the genitals.
The Liver Divergent Channel
The Liver divergent channel starts at the dorsum of the foot and goes to the pubic region, connecting with the Gall Bladder channel.
The Liver Sinew Channel
The Liver sinew channel starts at the dorsum of the big toe and binds at the anterior aspect of the medial malleolus. It goes along the medial aspect of the tibia and binds at the medial condyle. It goes up the medial aspect of the thigh to the genitals, binding with other sinew channels.
Key Points
The primary channel goes to the vertex, eyes, and inner surface of the lips
The primary, luo-connecting, and sinew channels go to the genitals and the divergent channel goes to the pubic region
The divergent channel starts at the dorsum of the foot
The primary channel goes around the Stomach and enters the Liver and Gall Bladder
Signs and Symptoms of the Primary Channel
Headache
Pain and swelling of the eye
Leg cramps
Signs and Symptoms of the Luo-connecting Channel
For excess, there is swelling and pain of the testicles, colic, abnormal erection, hernia
For deficiency, there is itching of the genital region, impotence
Signs and Symptoms of the Sinew Channel
Pain and stiffness of the big toe, inner aspect of the ankle and leg, impotence, contraction of the scrotum or vagina, persistent erection
Major Acupuncture Points on the Liver Channel
LV-1 regulates Qi in the Lower Jiao, treating Shan disorders, signs and symptoms including swelling or pain of the genital and pain in the lower abdomen. It is also indicated for disorders of urination and menstruation. LV-1 is effective for both excess and deficiency for the disorders of urination. For disorders of menstruation, LV-1 is primarily used for excess condition, such as Heat in the Blood.
LV-2 has actions of spreading LV Qi, clearing LV Fire, and pacifying LV Wind. So this point is commonly used for disorders of the head, such as headache, dizziness, redness or pain of the eyes, and throat painful obstruction.
As it can clear the LV Fire, this point is beneficial for the Fire and stagnant Qi transmitting to the HT, treating disorders of LV and HT, such as irritability, insomnia, and palpitations.
As LV Blood is related to the Uterus, LV Fire can be transmitted to the Uterine Blood. LV-2 can treat disorders of menstruation due to Heat, such as menorrhagia and early menstruation.
LV-3 is the most important point of this channel because it has a wide range of actions and indications. It can treat both deficiency and excess conditions. It can treat both LV organ and LV channel diseases.
It clears the Upper Jiao, treating disorders and head and eyes. It regulates the Lower Jiao and menstruation, treating genito-urinary diseases.
It can drain the excess by spreading LV Qi and subduing LV Yang extinguishing LV Wind. It can also tonify the deficiency by nourishing LV Blood and LV Yin.
LV-4, 5, and 8 spread LV Qi, regulate the Lower Jiao, and clear Heat in the LV channel. LV-4 has additional indications of excessive sighing due to Qi stagnation in the chest and inversion counterflow of the feet.
LV-5 is indicated for plumstone Qi.
LV-8 has additional action of invigorating the Blood and regulating the Uterus, treating infertility, abdominal masses, or amenorrhea due to Bloodstasis.
So, that was the Liver channel. If you have any feedback or questions about the material covered, please don’t hesitate to contact at junhwa@tcmexplained.com.
* The content is provided only for education purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
References
1. Cheng, Xinnong, ed. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion. 3rd ed. Fifteenth Printing 2014. Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 2012.
2. Deadman, Peter, Mazin Al-Khafaji, Keven Baker. A Manual of Acupuncture. 2nd ed. East Sussex, England:Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications, 2007.
3. Kaptchuk, Ted J. The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2000.
4. Maciocia, Giovanni. The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Text for Acupuncturists and Herbalists. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone, 2015.