# Acupoints for Liver Qi Stagnation

15 sourced protocols for Liver Qi Stagnation. Canonical page: https://acuiq.com/symptoms/liver-qi-stagnation

## Protocols

| # | Points | Dosage | Frequency | Source | Kind | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HT07 (Spirit Gate), PC06 (Inner Gate), LV03 (Great Surge), LV14 (Qi Cycle Gate), CV17 (Chest Centre), GV20 (100 Convergences) | – | – | doi:10.2147/NDT.S525238 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 2 | LI04 (Junction Valley), PC06 (Inner Gate), LV03 (Great Surge) | – | – | doi:10.1177/2164956119870444 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 3 | LI04 (Junction Valley), GB12 (Mastoid Process), GB20 (Wind Pool), LV03 (Great Surge), CV04 (Original Qi Gate), CV12 (Stomach Centre), GV16 (Wind Mansion), GV20 (100 Convergences), GV24 (Spirit Court) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20241104-k0005 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 4 | ST40 (Abundant Bulge), LV02 (Passing Between), LV14 (Qi Cycle Gate), CV17 (Chest Centre) | – | – | doi:10.19917/j.cnki.1005-0779.023178 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 5 | LI17 (Celestial Tripod), LI18 (Beside The Prominence), ST09 (Man's Prognosis), ST15 (Roof), ST16 (Breast Window), ST18 (Breast Root), ST25 (Celestial Pivot), ST26 (Outer Mound), ST27 (Great Bulge), SP13 (Bowel Abode), SP18 (Celestial Cleft), HT03 (Lesser Sea), HT04 (Spirit Path), SI11 (Heavenly Gathering), BL14 (Absolute Yin Shu Point), BL16 (Governing Vessel Shu Point), BL18 (Liver Shu Point), BL31 (Upper Bone Hole), KD21 (Dark Gate), XB02T9 (Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - T9) | – | – | Yang Yong-Xuan, clinical point-selection notes | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 6 | SP08 (Earth'S Cure), SP10 (Sea Of Blood), LV02 (Passing Between), LV05 (Woodworm Channel) | – | – | Cai XM, Wu J. The Mind-Tranquilizing and Menstruation-Regulating Method for Acupuncture Treatment of Delayed Menstrual Cycle - A Clinical Controlled Study. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2009, 29(1): 35-38 | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 7 | TB06 (Branch Ditch), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), LV13 (Bright Gate) | – | – | 刘可佳姚伟伟韩超汝焦睿珉赵静洁. 基于《中华医典》的针灸治疗非酒精性脂肪性肝病的选穴规律分析. 中西医结合肝病杂志 ., 2025 [CNKI] | text | Point selection recorded in a clinical text or case report. |
| 8 | ST18 (Breast Root), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SI01 (Lesser Marsh), GB21 (Shoulder Well), LV03 (Great Surge), CV17 (Chest Centre) | – | – | sacredlotus.com | web | Point selection published on a website. Not peer-reviewed — check it before relying on it. |
| 9 | LI04 (Junction Valley), ST18 (Breast Root), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SI01 (Lesser Marsh), TB05 (Outer Gate), GB21 (Shoulder Well), LV03 (Great Surge), CV17 (Chest Centre) | – | – | sacredlotus.com | web | Point selection published on a website. Not peer-reviewed — check it before relying on it. |
| 10 | ST18 (Breast Root), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SI01 (Lesser Marsh), GB21 (Shoulder Well), GB41 (Foot Governor Of Tears), LV03 (Great Surge), CV17 (Chest Centre) | – | – | sacredlotus.com | web | Point selection published on a website. Not peer-reviewed — check it before relying on it. |
| 11 | ST28 (Waterway), SI01 (Lesser Marsh), PC06 (Inner Gate), LV03 (Great Surge), LV14 (Qi Cycle Gate), CV17 (Chest Centre) | – | – | sacredlotus.com | web | Point selection published on a website. Not peer-reviewed — check it before relying on it. |
| 12 | KD14 (Fourfold Fullness), PC05 (Intermediary Messenger), LV05 (Woodworm Channel), CV06 (Sea Of Qi) | – | – | sacredlotus.com | web | Point selection published on a website. Not peer-reviewed — check it before relying on it. |
| 13 | HT07 (Spirit Gate), KD14 (Fourfold Fullness), PC05 (Intermediary Messenger), LV03 (Great Surge), LV05 (Woodworm Channel), CV06 (Sea Of Qi) | – | – | sacredlotus.com | web | Point selection published on a website. Not peer-reviewed — check it before relying on it. |
| 14 | KD14 (Fourfold Fullness), PC05 (Intermediary Messenger), LV05 (Woodworm Channel), LV14 (Qi Cycle Gate), CV06 (Sea Of Qi), CV17 (Chest Centre) | – | – | sacredlotus.com | web | Point selection published on a website. Not peer-reviewed — check it before relying on it. |
| 15 | BL01 (Bright Eyes / Eye Point), GB20 (Wind Pool), GB34 (Yang Mound Spring), GB37 (Bright Light), LV03 (Great Surge), LV14 (Qi Cycle Gate), XH07 (Behind The Eyeball) | – | – | sacredlotus.com | web | Point selection published on a website. Not peer-reviewed — check it before relying on it. |

## Point locations

| Point | Name | Meridian | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| HT07 | Spirit Gate | Heart Meridian | At the ulnar end of the transverse crease of the wrist in the depression on the radial side of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris. |
| PC06 | Inner Gate | Pericardium Meridian | 2 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist between tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis. |
| LV03 | Great Surge | Liver Meridian | On the dorsum of the foot in the depression the distal to the junction of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones. |
| LV14 | Qi Cycle Gate | Liver Meridian | Directly below nipple in the 6th intercostal space 4 thumb widths lateral to the anterior midline. |
| CV17 | Chest Centre | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline at the level with 4th intercostal space, midway between nipples. |
| GV20 | 100 Convergences | Governing Vessel | On the midline of the head 5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline approximately on the midpoint of the line connecting apex of the ears. |
| LI04 | Junction Valley | Large Intestine Meridian | On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side. |
| GB12 | Mastoid Process | Gallbladder Meridian | In the depression the posterior and inferior to the mastoid process. |
| GB20 | Wind Pool | Gallbladder Meridian | In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with GV16. |
| CV04 | Original Qi Gate | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 3 thumb widths below umbilicus. |
| CV12 | Stomach Centre | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 4 thumb widths above the umbilicus. |
| GV16 | Wind Mansion | Governing Vessel | 1 thumb width directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline directly below external occipital protuberance in the depression the between trapezius of the both sides. |
| GV24 | Spirit Court | Governing Vessel | 0.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline. |
| ST40 | Abundant Bulge | Stomach Meridian | 8 thumb widths superior to the tip of the external malleolus, lateral to the ST38 about 2 finger breadth (middle finger) lateral to the anterior border of the tibia. |
| LV02 | Passing Between | Liver Meridian | On the dorsum of the foot between 1st and 2nd toe proximal to the margin of the web at the junction of the red and white skin. |
| LI17 | Celestial Tripod | Large Intestine Meridian | On the lateral side of the neck at the posterior border of the scm muscle beside laryngeal protuberance at the midpoint of the line connecting LI18 and ST12. |
| LI18 | Beside The Prominence | Large Intestine Meridian | On the lateral side of the neck, level with tip of the adam's apple between sternal and clavicular heads of the scm muscle. |
| ST09 | Man's Prognosis | Stomach Meridian | Level with tip of the adam's apple where pulsation of the common the carotid artery is palpable on the anterior border of the scm muscle. |
| ST15 | Roof | Stomach Meridian | In the 2nd intercostal space 4 thumb widths lateral to the anterior midline. |
| ST16 | Breast Window | Stomach Meridian | In the 3rd intercostal space 4 thumb widths lateral to the anterior midline. |
| ST18 | Breast Root | Stomach Meridian | On the chest directly below nipple, on the lower border of the breast, in the 5th intercostal space 4 thumb widths lateral to the anterior midline. |
| ST25 | Celestial Pivot | Stomach Meridian | 2 thumb widths lateral to the center of the umbilicus. |
| ST26 | Outer Mound | Stomach Meridian | 1 thumb width below umbilicus 2 thumb widths lateral to the CV07. |
| ST27 | Great Bulge | Stomach Meridian | 2 thumb widths below umbilicus 2 thumb widths lateral to the CV05. |
| SP13 | Bowel Abode | Spleen Meridian | 4 thumb widths below center of the umbilicus 0.7 thumb widths superior to the SP12, 4 thumb widths lateral to the anterior midline. |
| SP18 | Celestial Cleft | Spleen Meridian | In the 4th intercostal space 6 thumb widths lateral to the anterior midline. |
| HT03 | Lesser Sea | Heart Meridian | With elbow flexed, at the midpoint of the line connecting medial end of the cubital crease and medial epicondyle of the humerus. |
| HT04 | Spirit Path | Heart Meridian | When palm faces upward point is on the radial side of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris, 1.5 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist. |
| SI11 | Heavenly Gathering | Small Intestine Meridian | On the scapula in the depression of the center of the subscapular fossa and at the level of the 4th thoracic vertebra. |
| BL14 | Absolute Yin Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the du mai at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 4th thoracic vertebra. |
| BL16 | Governing Vessel Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV10 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 6th thoracic vertebra. |
| BL18 | Liver Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV08 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 9th thoracic vertebra. |
| BL31 | Upper Bone Hole | Bladder Meridian | On the sacrum at the midpoint between posterior superior iliac spine and posterior midline just at the 1st posterior sacral foramen. |
| KD21 | Dark Gate | Kidney Meridian | 6 thumb widths above the umbilicus 0.5 thumb widths lateral to the CV14. |
| XB02T9 | Hua Tuo's Para-Vertebral Point - T9 | Extra Points: Back | 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the twelve thoracic vertebrae & five lumbar vertebrae in the clinical practice the points located 0.5 - 1 thumb width lateral to the depressions below the spinous processes of the seven cervical vertebra are also used as additional huatuojiaji points. |
| SP08 | Earth'S Cure | Spleen Meridian | 3 thumb widths below SP09 on the line connecting tip of the medial malleolus and SP09. |
| SP10 | Sea Of Blood | Spleen Meridian | When knee is flexed point is 2 thumb widths above the mediosuperior border of the patella on the bulge of the medial portion of the quadriceps femoris. |
| LV05 | Woodworm Channel | Liver Meridian | 5 thumb widths above the tip of the medial malleolus on the midline of the medial surface of the tibia. |
| TB06 | Branch Ditch | Triple Burner Meridian | 3 thumb widths proximal to the dorsal crease of the wrist on the line connecting TB04 and tip of the olecranon the between radius and ulna on the radial side of the extensor digitorum. |
| GB34 | Yang Mound Spring | Gallbladder Meridian | In the depression the anterior and inferior to the head of the fibula. |
| LV13 | Bright Gate | Liver Meridian | On the lateral side of the abdomen below free end of the 11th rib. |
| ST36 | Leg Three Miles | Stomach Meridian | 3 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia. |
| SI01 | Lesser Marsh | Small Intestine Meridian | On the ulnar side of the little finger about 0.1 thumb width from corner of the nail. |
| GB21 | Shoulder Well | Gallbladder Meridian | On the shoulder directly above the nipple at the midpoint of the line connecting GV14 and acromion the at the highest point of the shoulder. |
| TB05 | Outer Gate | Triple Burner Meridian | 2 thumb widths proximal to the dorsal crease of the wrist on the line connecting TB04 and tip of the olecranon the between radius and ulna. |
| GB41 | Foot Governor Of Tears | Gallbladder Meridian | Posterior to the 4th metatarsophalangeal joint in the depression the lateral to the tendon of the extensor digiti minimi of the foot. |
| ST28 | Waterway | Stomach Meridian | 3 thumb widths below umbilicus 2 thumb widths lateral to the CV04. |
| KD14 | Fourfold Fullness | Kidney Meridian | 2 thumb widths below umbilicus 0.5 thumb widths lateral to the CV05. |
| PC05 | Intermediary Messenger | Pericardium Meridian | 3 thumb widths above the transverse crease of the wrist between tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis. |
| CV06 | Sea Of Qi | Conception Vessel | On the anterior midline 1.5 thumb widths below umbilicus. |
| BL01 | Bright Eyes / Eye Point | Bladder Meridian | In the depression the slightly above the inner canthus. |
| GB37 | Bright Light | Gallbladder Meridian | 5 thumb widths directly above the tip of the external malleolus on the anterior border of the fibula. |
| XH07 | Behind The Eyeball | Extra Points: Head | Along the inferior border of the orbit, at the junction of the lateral one quarter & medial three quarters of the infraorbital margin. |

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AcuiQ-authored content (the protocol compilation, symptom and meridian prose, research essays) is licensed CC-BY-4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. 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
