# LI04 Hegu (Junction Valley) – Large Intestine Meridian

合谷 · hé gǔ

Location: On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.

Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

Canonical page: https://acuiq.com/points/li04

## Indications

An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.

Absent Periods, Atrophy Limbs, Atrophy Limbs, Benefit Ears, Benefit Ears, Benefit Eyes, Benefit Eyes, Benefit Face, Benefit Face, Benefit Mouth, Benefit Mouth, Benefit Nose, Benefit Nose, Benefit Regulate Sweating, Chills, Nasal Congestion, Nasal Congestion, Deafness, (infant) Nutrition Deficiency, Infantile Nutrition Deficiency, Yang Deficiency, Yang Deficiency, Deviation Face, Deviation Face, Facial Droop, Facial Droop, Nasal Discharge, Nasal Discharge, Disease Febrile, Disease Febrile, Psychological Disorder, Psychological Disorder, Dysentery, Eyesight / Vision Dim, Dim Vision, Eyesight / Vision Superficial Obstruction, Superficial Obstruction Vision, Fever, Ghost Syndrome Childhood Fright Wind, Ghost Syndrome Childhood Fright Wind, Hemiplegia, High Blood Pressure, High Blood Pressure, Finger Contraction Stiffness, Hand Tendinous Strain Stiffness, Lips Do Not Close Stiffness, Lips Tightness Stiffness, Thumb Sprain Stiffness, Immobility Finger Contraction, Immobility Hand Tendinous Strain, Immobility Lips Do Not Close, Immobility Lips Tightness, Immobility Thumb Sprain, Injury Cold, Injury Cold, Labour Delayed, Labour Delayed, Labour Induce, Labour Induce, Labour Prolonged, Labour Prolonged, Malaria, Mumps, Nosebleed, Pain, Arm Pain, Arm Pain, Bone Pain, Bone Pain, Eye Pain, Eye Pain, Headache, Headache, Headache Global Pain, Headache Global Pain, Migraine, Headache One-sided Pain, Lumbar Spine Pain, Lumbar Spine Pain, Teeth Toothache Inferior Jaw Pain, Teeth Toothache Inferior Jaw Pain, Tendon Ligament Pain, Tendon / Ligament Pain, Pharyngitis, Pulse / Heart Rate Floating, Pulse Heart Rate Floating, Redness, Regulate Sweating, Release Exterior, Release Exterior, Retention Dead Foetus, Retention Dead Foetus, Rhinitis, Excessive Sneezing, Excessive Sneezing, Channel Stagnation, Channel Stagnation, Qi Defensive Stagnation, Qi Defensive Stagnation, Spontaneous Sweating, Spontaneous Sweating, Sweating Excessive, Sweating Excessive, Swelling, Facial Swelling, Facial Swelling, Bi Arthralgia Limbs Syndrome, Bi / Arthralgia Limbs Syndrome, Wind Cold Exterior Syndrome, Wind-cold Exterior Syndrome, Tetanus, Thirsting Excessive, Thirsting Excessive, Tinnitus, Tongue Lotus Flower, Tongue Lotus Flower, Tongue Rigid, Tongue Rigid, Tongue Surface Cracked, Tongue Surface Cracked, Tonsilitis (infant), Tonsilitis Infantile, Mouth Ulcers, Mouth Ulcers, Voice Loss, Voice Loss, Wind, Wind Rash, Wind Rash

## Most often selected alongside LI04

Sourced protocols in the index pairing each point with this one. Corpus frequency, not a combination to use.

- ST36 (Leg Three Miles) – 719 protocols
- LV03 (Great Surge) – 577 protocols
- SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) – 527 protocols
- LI11 (Pond At The Bend) – 405 protocols
- PC06 (Inner Gate) – 396 protocols
- GV20 (100 Convergences) – 372 protocols
- GB20 (Wind Pool) – 245 protocols
- TB05 (Outer Gate) – 240 protocols

## Protocols using LI04 (50 best-sourced of 1523)

| Symptoms | Points | Course | Source | Kind | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facial Paralysis, Facial Paralysis, Facial Paralysis, Facial Paralysis | LI04, LI20, ST02, ST04, ST06, ST07, SP06, SI18, TB05, TB17, GB14, LV03, XH18, XH29 | 30 days | doi:10.1016/S0254-6272(09)60061-3 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Analgesia Abdominal, Anesthesia General Adjunct, Anesthesia Requirement Reduction, Analgesia Upper-abdomen | LI04, ST34, ST36, SP06 | 1 days | doi:10.1213/01.ANE.0000142114.72117.E0 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Joint Pain, Stiffness Morning, Arthritis Rheumatoid Juvenile, Stiffness Joint | LI04, ST36, BL40, GB20, GV20 | 6 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nel012 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Neuropathic Pain | LI04 | 35 days | doi:10.1016/j.pain.2006.12.003 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Labor Pain, Anxiety Labor | LI04, SP06 | 1 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nel053 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Knee Pain, Osteoarthritis Knee, Stiffness Knee | LU06, LI04, LI10, LI15, ST34, ST36, ST40, ST44, SP05, SP06, SP09, SP10, SI08, SI10, BL23, BL40, BL60, KD03, KD07, KD10, TB14, GB33, GB34, LV03, LV07, LV08 | 42 days | doi:10.1186/1472-6882-4-6 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Arthritis Rheumatoid, Joint Pain, Stiffness Morning, Joint Swelling | LI04, LI11, ST36, TB05, GB34, GB39 | 70 days | doi:10.1186/1472-6882-7-35 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Low Back Pain, Pelvic Girdle Pain, Sacroiliac Pain, Symphysis Pain, Pregnancy Second Trimester, Pregnancy Third Trimester | LI04, ST36, SP12, BL26, BL32, BL33, BL54, BL60, KD11, GB30, GV20 | 42 days | doi:10.1186/1472-6882-8-34 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual Pain, Pelvic Pain | LI04, ST25, ST29, ST30, ST36, SP04, HT07, BL62, KD03, PC06, LV03, CV04, CV06 | 56 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nem020 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Surgical Pain, Anesthesia Minor-surgery | LI04, ST36 | 1 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nem056 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Dental Pain, Anesthesia Teeth-extraction | LI03, LI04, LI20, ST02, ST04, ST05, ST06, ST07, SI18, CV24, GV26 | 1 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nem056 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fatigue, Dizziness, Palpitations, Headache, Insomnia, Night Sweats, Hot Flashes Menopausal, Diaphoresis, Depression Menopausal | LI04, LI11, SP06, KD07, GB20, CV04, GV14 | 84 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep001 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fatigue, Pain, Joint Pain, Rash Cutaneous, Lupus Systemic | LI04, ST36, SP06, KD07, PC05, GB20, GV14 | 35 days | doi:10.1177/0961203308093921 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Vomiting, Nausea, Photophobia, Headache Migraine, Headache Unilateral, Phonophobia | LI04, ST44, SI03, BL60, PC06, TB05, TB20, GB08, GB13, GB20, GB34, GB40, LV03, GV20, GV24 | 28 days | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-10-25 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Pregnancy Post-term, Labor Induction | LI04, SP06, BL32, BL54 | 14 days | doi:10.1080/14767050902906386 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Allergic Rhinitis, Nasal Obstruction, Sneezing, Rhinitis Persistent, Rhinorrhea, Itching Nasal | LI04, LI20, ST02, ST36, GV23 | 28 days | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-10-54 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Knee Pain, Osteoarthritis Knee, Stiffness Knee | LI04, ST36, SP06, SP09, SP10, KD06, TB05, GB34, GB41, LV03, LV08 | 70 days | doi:10.1186/1471-2474-10-130 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Knee Weakness, Tremor Arm, Epigastric Pain, Fatigue Arm, Stiffness Shoulder, Anxiety Performance | LI04, LI10, LI11, LI14, ST36, HT07, TB05, GB21, GB34, GV26 | 2555 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep210 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Neuralgia Trigeminal, Facial Trigeminal Pain | LI04, LI20, ST02, ST03, ST07, ST36, ST44, ST45, SI18, TB05, TB17, TB21, GB02, LV03, GV26 | 42 days | doi:10.1590/S1807-59322009001200014 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Heel Pain, Plantar Pain, Plantar Fasciitis, Heel Plantar Pain | LI04 | 14 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep186 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Osteoarthritis, Leg Pain, Hip Pain, Spinal Stenosis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Lumbar Spondylosis | LI04, ST36, GB31, LV03 | 84 days | doi:10.2147/ijgm.s3670 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Low Back Chronic Pain, Disc Degeneration, Radicular Pain | LI04 | 21 days | doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2009.09.013 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Labour Induction, Post-term Pregnancy | LI04, SP06, BL67, GV20 | 1 days | doi:10.1111/j.1471-0528.2010.02647.x | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Taste Loss, Dysphagia, Xerostomia, Appetite Decreased | LI02, LI04, ST05, ST06, ST07, ST36, SP06, SP09, CV23, GV20, GV24 | 18 days | doi:10.1177/1534735410378856 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Stiffness Neck, Neck Chronic Pain, Disability Neck, Anxiety Pain-related | LI04, LI10, LI11 | 1 days | doi:10.1155/2011/543291 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Eye Pain, Dry Eye, Ocular Itching, Foreign Body Sensation, Burning, Dryness Eye, Visual Disturbance, Ocular Redness | LI04, LI11, ST01, BL02, TB23, GB14, GB20, GV23 | 28 days | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-11-107 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Paralysis Facial, Sequelae Bell's Palsy, Paresis Facial, Contracture Facial, Spasm Facial, Synkinesis Facial, Stiffness Facial | LI04, LI10, LI20, ST01, ST04, ST06, ST09, ST36, TB17, TB23, GB34 | 56 days | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-71 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fatigue, Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, Fibromyalgia, Widespread Pain | LI04, SP06, BL18, BL20, PC06, GB34, LV03 | 9 days | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-59 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Facial Pain, Neck Pain, Ear Pain, Paralysis Facial, Facial Weakness | LI04, ST04, ST06, ST07, SI18, TB17, GB14 | 28 days | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-158 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fatigue Cancer-related, Fatigue Post-treatment, Cancer Breast | LI04, ST36, SP04, SP06, KD03, PC06 | 56 days | doi:10.1186/1472-6882-11-49 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fatigue Cancer-related, Fatigue Post-treatment, Cancer Breast, Mood Emotional-disturbance | LU07, LI04, ST36, SP06, KD03, KD04, LV03, GV20 | 56 days | doi:10.1186/1472-6882-11-49 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Insomnia, Fatigue Cancer-related, Fatigue Post-treatment, Cancer Breast, Sleep Dysfunction | LI04, ST36, SP06, HT07, BL62, KD03, KD04 | 56 days | doi:10.1186/1472-6882-11-49 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fatigue Cancer-related, Fatigue Post-treatment, Cancer Breast, Myofascial Pain, Musculoskeletal Pain | LI04, ST36, SP06, SI03, BL62, KD03, TB05, GB20, GB29, GB30, GB40, GB43 | 56 days | doi:10.1186/1472-6882-11-49 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Hyperactivity, Inattention, Adhd, Impulsivity | LI04, LI11, SP06, LV03, GV20 | 42 days | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-173 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Cough, Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis, Nasal Obstruction, Sneezing, Dyspnea, Rhinorrhea, Rhinosinusitis | LU09, LU10, LI04, LI20, SP03, HT08, GV23 | 35 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep240 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Anxiety, Immune Nk Cell Deficiency | LI04, LI11, ST36, SP06, HT03, HT05, SI03, BL60, KD06, PC06, TB05, GB34, GB43, LV02, CV03, CV04, CV06, CV15, GV20 | 10 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep236 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Pain | LI04, ST36 | 1 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep236 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual Pain, Qi-blood Stagnation, Mood Changes | LI04, SP04, SP06, SP08, SP10, BL32, LV03, CV03, CV06 | 9 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep239 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Infant Colic, Crying Excessive, Fussing | LI04 | 21 days | doi:10.1186/1472-6882-11-93 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Hot Flashes, Vasomotor Symptoms, Menopause Perimenopause, Menopause Postmenopause | LI04, LI11, ST36, SP06, HT07, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23, KD03, PC06, GB34, LV03, CV06, CV17, GV14, GV20 | 84 days | doi:10.1097/gme.0b013e31821f9171 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Neuropathy Peripheral, Burning Feet Pain, Tingling Feet, Feet Numbness, Paresthesia Lower Extremity | LI04, LI11, ST40, TB05 | 14 days | doi:10.1155/2011/920807 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Xerostomia, Dry Mouth Radiation-induced, Salivary Dysfunction | LI04, ST36, SP06, CV24 | 84 days | doi:10.1002/cncr.27382 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Back Low Pain, Acute Pain, Referred Pain | LI04, BL29, BL30, BL31, BL32, BL40, BL54, BL58, BL62, KD03, GB30, LV03, GV03, GV04 | 1 days | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-241 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Back Low Pain, Acute Pain, Referred Pain | LI04, BL23, BL25, BL40, BL52, BL54, BL58, BL62, KD03, GB30, LV03 | 1 days | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-241 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Ankle Pain, Sprain Ankle, Ankle Swelling | LI04, ST36, ST41, SP04, SP05, SP06, SP09, HT07, BL60, BL62, BL63, BL64, KD02, KD03, KD06, GB34, GB40, LV03 | 1 days | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-241 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Headache, Vomiting, Nausea, Migraine, Head Pain | LI04, ST08, ST36, ST40, ST44, SP06, BL02, BL10, BL11, BL60, PC06, TB05, GB02, GB08, GB14, GB34, GB41, LV02, LV03, GV18, GV23 | 1 days | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-241 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Addiction Opiate, Withdrawal Opiate, Craving Drug | LI04, ST36, SP06, PC06 | 10 days | doi:10.1155/2012/739045 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Headache, Myofascial Pain, Temporomandibular Joint Pain, Jaw Movement Restriction | LI04, ST06, ST36, TB05, TB17, TB21, GB02, GB34 | 40 days | doi:10.4317/medoral.17567 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Dry Eye Syndrome, Ocular Discomfort, Tear Film Instability | LI04, LI11, ST01, BL02, TB23, GB14, GB20, GV23 | 28 days | doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0036638 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Hemorrhage Nasal | LU03, LI04 | – | doi:10.1155/2012/268237 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |

---

AcuiQ-authored prose (symptom and meridian descriptions, the wiki, the auricular crosswalk) is licensed CC-BY-4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The assembled protocol compilation is not: build on it with attribution, but do not redistribute it whole as a dataset – https://acuiq.com/terms. The underlying findings are the cited sources' claims – each entry carries its citation; verify against the source before relying on it. Not medical advice: https://acuiq.com/terms