LR5 (Lǐ Gōu, “Lǐ Gōu”) is the Luo-Connecting Point point of the Liver Channel of Foot Jueyin Meridian. It is located on the medial aspect of the lower leg, 5 cun superior to the prominence of the medial malleolus, in the centre of the medial surface of the tibia. It regulates Liver Qi, clears Damp-Heat from the Lower Jiao, soothes the sinews, and regulates menstruation.
On the medial aspect of the lower leg, 5 cun superior to the prominence of the medial malleolus, in the centre of the medial surface of the tibia.
Subcutaneous or transverse-oblique insertion, directed superiorly or inferiorly, 0.5 to 1.0 cun.
Regulates Liver Qi, clears Damp-Heat from the Lower Jiao, soothes the sinews, and regulates menstruation.
Sudden hernia, swollen lower abdomen, urinary difficulty like retention, frequent sighing, fright and palpitations, qi deficiency, abdominal pain, melancholy, sensation of a lump in the throat, back stiffness and inability to bend, cold and aching in the lower leg and foot, difficulty with flexion and extension of the leg, irregular menstruation, abnormal vaginal discharge (red and white), testicular pain, persistent erection, genital itching, urinary retention, lower abdominal mass hard as a stone,a sensation in the low back like a drawn crossbow.
As the Luo-connecting point of the Liver channel, Lǐ Gōu is essential for treating genitourinary disorders, especially those involving Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao. It is a primary point for issues like abnormal vaginal discharge, genital itching, and urinary difficulty. Its ability to regulate the Liver channel also makes it effective for hernia, testicular pain, and emotional disturbances like depression and frequent sighing stemming from Liver Qi stagnation.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《醫宗金鑑·刺灸心法要訣》 Yīzōng Jīnjiàn · Cìjiǔ Xīnfǎ Yàojué — Golden Mirror of Medicine: Essential Teachings on Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Wu Qian et al., 1742 · 卷一 · 十二經表裡原絡總歌 · 膽經表裡原絡穴主治歌 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
肝經里之絡穴蠡溝，二穴應刺之證即：口苦，胸、脅、髀、膝、外踝諸節疼痛，太息，馬刀癭瘤The text records LR5 as the luo point of the liver channel and says it should be needled for a bitter taste in the mouth, pain in the joints of chest, flanks, hip, knee and outer ankle, frequent sighing, and 'sabre' lumps and goitre-like swellings.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷03 · Source: Wikisource ↗
蠡溝，足厥陰之絡，在足內踝上五寸，別走少陽，刺入二分，留三呼，灸三壯According to this text, LR5 is the foot jueyin luo point, 5 cun above the inner ankle, branching to the shaoyang; needle 0.2 cun, retain 3 breaths, 3 moxa cones.
《黃帝明堂灸經》 Huángdì Míngtáng Jiǔjīng — The Yellow Emperor's Bright Hall Moxibustion Classic, Tang · 卷中 · 側人形第一 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
蠡溝 二穴，在內踝上五寸陷者中。 灸七壯。 主卒疝，小腹腫，小便不利，臍下積氣如卵石，足寒脛酸，屈伸難也According to this text, LR5 lies in the depression 5 cun above the inner ankle, with 7 moxa cones; it was used for sudden shan, lower abdominal swelling, difficult urination, accumulated qi below the navel like an egg-shaped stone, cold feet with aching shins, and difficulty bending and stretching.
LR5 is one of 14 points on the Liver Channel of Foot Jueyin Meridian. Nearby points:
LR5 (Lǐ Gōu) is located on the medial aspect of the lower leg, 5 cun superior to the prominence of the medial malleolus, in the centre of the medial surface of the tibia.
LR5 regulates Liver Qi, clears Damp-Heat from the Lower Jiao, soothes the sinews, and regulates menstruation. Common clinical indications include sudden hernia, swollen lower abdomen, urinary difficulty like retention, frequent sighing, fright and palpitations, qi deficiency, abdominal pain, melancholy, sensation of a lump in the throat, back stiffness and inability to bend, cold and aching in the lower leg and foot, difficulty with flexion and extension of the leg, irregular menstruation, abnormal vaginal discharge (red and white), testicular pain, persistent erection, genital itching, urinary retention, lower abdominal mass hard as a stone,a sensation in the low back like a drawn crossbow.
Subcutaneous or transverse-oblique insertion, directed superiorly or inferiorly, 0.5 to 1.0 cun.
LR5 is a point on the Liver Channel of Foot Jueyin Meridian (Zú Juéyīn Gānjīng).