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Luo-Connecting point
Confluent point of the Ren channel, coupled with Zhaohai Kid-6
Gao Wu command point
Ma Dan-yang Heavenly Star point
Exit point to Hegu LI-4
On the radial aspect of the forearm, approximately 1.5 cun proximal to yangxi L.I.-5, in the cleft between the tendons of brachioradialis and abductor pollicis longus
With the fingers of one hand pinch up the skin over the point and with the other hand needle transversely in a proximal or distal direction, avoiding the cephalic vein
"The Taiyin usually has much Qi and little Blood" (Su Wen 素問 ch. 24) implying this channel should normally be needled.
"The hand Yin and Yang receive their Qi via nearby paths so their Qi arrive swiftly. The depth of piercing must not exceed 2 fen and must not remain inserted for longer than one exhalation" (Ling Shu 靈樞 ch. 12).
"It is needled to a depth of three fen and (the needle) is retained for a duration of three exhalations. It is moxaed with five cones" (Huangfu Mi 皇甫謐, 3rd Century, Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing 針灸甲乙經).
Releases the Exterior and expels Wind
Promotes the descending function of the Lung
Pacifies Wind and Phlegm
Benefits the head and nape
Opens and regulates the Ren mai
Regulates the water passages
Activates the channel and alleviates pain
Shared with Hegu LI-4. Balanced by ䷖ (Fenglong St-40 or Taibai Sp-3).
Also shares a Rising and Falling Hexagram with Taodao Du-13, balanced by Shenque Ren-8.
Hexagram attributions are my own with an explanation given in the glossary.
Superficial Innervation: Lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm from C5 - C6
Dermatome Segment: C6
Deeper Structures: Posterior and superficial radial nerve from C5 - T1 going to thumb
Although this strike is 'only on the wrist', it is quite a nasty one as it creates great pain and Qi drainage. Even heavy finger pressure here as is the case of a lock, will cause great pain. The Qi drainage and pain are so bad that the recipient has to sit down. A strike here will unbalance the balance of Yin and Yang between the lung and colon causing artificial grief with much sobbing. Also, the ability to learn physical things will be impaired and will get worse as time goes by (Montaigue, Dim Mak Locations, Taijiworld.com).
One of the main points for colds and flu
Gao Wu command point for the nape, neck and head.
Lieque is also an archaic term for a lightning flash reflecting the electric sensation it can produce (Bertschinger, 2013, The Great Intent). It is still in common use in the term 列缺霹靂 Lieque Pili, "lightning and thunder".
It is also interesting to speculate whether there is a relationship between this point and the activation of the immune system, metaphorically "calling in the cavalry" who were known as shock lightning troops in ancient military forces. It may also be interesting to note that Guangming GB-34 also has a name that refers to light ("Bright Light") and is the only other Luo that extends outwards over the feet. However, that point has little to do with the immune system but rather to do with the eyes. It could even be speculated that these points represent a differentiation of Wei Qi with Guangming GB-37 representing the T-Helper cells which act as intelligence and information gathering (shedding light and observing the threat) while this point activates the cytotoxic T-cells which act as the cavalry to eliminate the threat.
It is also interesting that both points are indicated for headaches which can feel like a lightning bolt and be easily aggravated by bright light.
Taiyin 太陰 also means "lunar" in Chinese, suggesting that the reason this point has such an influence over gynaecology that it was chosen to open the Ren Mai is due to it being the Luo (Blood) point of the Taiyin (Moon). Its name meaning "Broken Sequence" would make it an obvious choice for disruptions in the lunar blood cycle.
Combined with the other Taiyin Luo Gongsun Sp-4, "Grandfather Grandson," it is easy to see the connection between these points and fertility and a continuous line of inheritance.
列 also translates as "tear apart" being a pictogram of a knife and human remains, from which the idea of a list or sequence is derived (splitting apart a whole activity into pieces or steps of a sequence), and 缺 as "incomplete; deficient; flawed; lacking." This may also suggest its meaning in terms of emotional disorders including the release of grief (a feeling like something has been torn out and left with emptiness), or Ren Mai disorders, often indicated in early life abuse which may also tear out a part of the soul, leaving one incomplete and lacking the ability to receive love.
Ling Shu Ch. 10, On Channels, describes the diseases relating to the Luo emanating from this point as:
Repletion: The palms are hot
Depletion: The patient yawns, breathes with their mouth open and urinates frequently passing only small amounts
(Unschuld, 2016).
Ling Shu Ch. 19, On the Four Seasonal Qi, advises using the channels and Luo vessels for diseases which occur in spring. They are pierced deeply if severe and more shallow if mild.
Ling Shu Ch. 22, On Mania and Madness, advises to bleed this channel in instances of insanity. The original just states the division (eg. bleed hand Taiyin) implying the main channel by omission but since it recommends bleeding the data is being entered under the Luo points unless a specific point is mentioned:
- bleed the vessels of arm Taiyang, Yangming and Taiyin at the onset when the patient is unhappy, the head feels heavy and they stare forward or upwards with red eyes, the heart is vexed and the complexion changes. Treatment is stopped once the colour changes (Unschuld, 2016, says "the colour of the blood changes", Wu & Wu, 2010, says "colour of the patient's complexion").
- If they sleep little, are not hungry, consider themselves extraordinary and are insulting to others then blood is removed from the hand Taiyang, Yangming and Taiyin as well as the Shaoyin point under the tongue (Lianquan Ren-23 which terminates at the Shaoyin meridian in Ling Shu, Ch. 5. Unschuld, 2016, cites a comment that also adds Shenmen He-7, Shaochong He-9 to this). Only vessels that show an abundance are bled, those without are spared.
- If a massive fright causes them to be easily startled, tend to laugh, sing and be happy then blood is removed from the hand Yangming, Taiyang and Taiyin.
- If they have absurd visions and shout then remove blood from the hand Taiyang, Taiyin and Yangming (Wu & Wu, 2010, add foot Taiyang too) and on the cheeks of the head (Unschuld, 2016, describes them as on the foot Taiyin but the channel does not go to here).
- If a major delight causes a person to see demon-spirits and laugh inside but be unable to express it then blood is removed from the foot Taiyin, Taiyang and Yangming, and then from the hand Taiyin and Yangming.
From Ming times this point, as the opening point of the Ren located on the Lung channel, is seen as symbolic of the air rushing down the infant's throat on its first breath and coming into contact with the world. It is indicated for difficulty in relating to the physical, material world along with Renying St-9, Zhongwan Ren-12 and Tainshu St-25. In pre-Ming texts Taiyuan Lu-9 as the source point for Lung was used as the doctrine of Extraordinary Vessel opening points was not yet formulated. This set of points relates to the first Level of Manifestation of the Soul, roughly equivalent to the base or Muladhara chakra and basic consciousness, the awareness of being alive, materiality, the consolidation of Jing and transformation of Qi into Jing (Yuen, 2005, 3 Spirits & 7 Souls).
All of the points in this sequence are related to drawing the breath down to the abdomen. The inclusion of Tianshu St-25, the Front Mu of the Large Intestine, instead of any Kidney points, brings to mind the Su Wen Ch. 8 that described the Large Intestine as "transmitter of the Way".
In Sufism this level would relate to the Valley of the Quest described by Attar in the Conference of the Birds as:
"When you descend into the valley of quest
A hundred difficulties will assail you in that empire;
Here for years you must endeavour, you must try
Because in this field elements inverted lie..."
Here the mystic must set up the foundation with diligent practice and patience as they begin their spiritual journey.
The reference to inverted elements brings to mind several descriptions of inverting the process of creation (from the One to multiplicity) to reattain the original unity in Neidan texts.
Lieque Lu-7 and Ligou Liv-5 release emotions from the mood (Wei-Qi) level in Jeffrey Yuen's system of using the Luo to harmonise emotions.
The full protocol is to:
- Tonify the Yuan-Source point of the Yin meridian that relates to the emotional disposition being expressed.
- Bleed or plum blossom the Luo related to the level of expression (Lieque Lu-7 and Ligou Liv-5 in this example) in a figure 8 (e.g. Right arm -> Left leg -> Right leg -> Left arm) starting with the side with dominant symptoms. If unsure all levels can be released.
- Bleed or plum blossom the Luo of the Yang meridian connected to the Yuan-Source point tonified at the beginning (Yuen, 2004, The Luo Vessels, lecture transcript, NESA; Chin, 2003, The Luo Vessels).
I think of it as tonifying the organ to bring the emotion up and then releasing it from the Luo via its transverse connection, like in a guest-host protocol, with the additional Luo being added to focus on the level of release.
Lieque Lu-7 and Guangming GB-37 have the dual effect of releasing Heat from the palms and feet while directing Blood to Laogong Pc-8 and Chongyang St-42 thus nourishing the Heart and Chong Mai (Yuen, 1995, The Curious Organs, taken from class notes by Avi Magidoff).
Avicenna describes venesection at this point or Pianli LI-6 in his treatise On Venesection:
"The cephalic vein drains more blood from the neck and above, and little from below the neck, but it does not exceed the epigastrium, and it does not significantly cleanse the lower parts." (Aspects of Treatment According to General Diseases, 21st section in Abu-Asab, Amri & Micozzi, 2013, Avicenna's Medicine).
The median cubital or basilic veins are used for the lower body while the accessory cephalic vein (following the arm Yangming Large Intestine channel) has a similar function to the cephalic.
Basic information on location, needle depth, TCM actions, indications and combinations is taken from Deadman et al (2001): A Manual of Acupuncture with additional anatomical information researched by reference to Gray's Anatomy (38th Ed., 1995) unless otherwise referenced. Images were found on acupunctureschoolonline.com and can be traced back to Claudia Focks (2008) Atlas of Acupuncture originally. I cannot claim any credit or rights over them. Other sources should be quoted in the text.
For some of the more unusual terms I have created a glossary here
Steve Woodley Acupuncture & Traditional Medicine
90 Deane Croft Road,
Eascote, Pinner, Greater London. HA5 1SP
Tel/WhatsApp: +44 (0) 7946 174 829
Email: steve@steve-woodley.co.uk
