Dadun Point (LR-1 / Great Thickness, also known as Shuiquan, Dashun, Daxun)
Regulates menstruation and harmonizes the nutritive qi, dredges the lower jiao, and regulates Chong and Ren. Based on its properties, it is clinically used for menorrhagia, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, male sexual dysfunction, hernia, and non-infectious frequent urination and urinary urgency.
Indications
Restlessness, abdominal pain, hernia, enuresis, urinary retention, hypochondriac pain, and menorrhagia. (1) Male and female reproductive disorders: Impotence, premature ejaculation, varicocele, uterine prolapse, vaginal itching, genital pain, metrorrhagia, irregular menstruation. (2) Urinary disorders: Hernia, lower abdominal pain, enuresis, urinary retention, strangury, hematuria. (3) Others: Epilepsy, excessive sleepiness, red painful eyes, etc.
Precise Location
Located on the Liver Meridian, on the great toe (the side near the second toe), 0.1 cun from the nail root margin.
Location Method
Sit upright with feet on the floor, flex the left knee, place the left foot on a chair, lightly hold the toes with the left hand, four fingers below – bend the thumb and press vertically with the thumbnail at the edge of the great toe nail root.
Massage Method
Knead with the thumb pad – a sore, distending, and painful sensation will occur. Apply to both sides for 3–5 minutes each, left first then right. Therapeutic actions: Regulates the liver and kidney, extinguishes wind and opens the orifices, calms the spirit and stops convulsions.
Compatibility
Manic disorders: Combine with Shuigou (GV-26), Baihui (GV-20), Yamen (GV-15), Fenglong (ST-40), and Dadun (LR-1). Disease overview: Mania (Kuáng) presents with agitation, restlessness, aggressive behavior, incessant laughter, and anger; depression (Diān) presents with apathy, muteness, confusion, and stupor – caused by phlegm-qi stagnation or heart-spleen deficiency. Massage sequence: Calm the patient first – pinch Shuigou 10 times, massage Baihui for 1 minute, massage Yamen for 2 minutes, push Fenglong 20 times, then pinch Dadun 30 times. Leukorrhea: Combine with Shenshu (BL-23), Daimai (GB-26), Dadun (LR-1), Zhongji (RN-3), and Dahe (KI-12). Hernia: Combine with Guilai (ST-29) and Dadun (LR-1). Metrorrhagia: Combine with Yinbai (SP-1) and Shiqizhui (EX-B8). Hernia: Combine with Guanyuan (RN-4), Qihai (RN-6), Taichong (LR-3), and Qimen (LR-14). Uterine prolapse: Combine with Baihui (GV-20), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), Qihai (RN-6), and Guilai (ST-29). Impotence: Combine with Guanyuan (RN-4), Taixi (KI-3), and Mingmen (GV-4). Enuresis, strangury, urinary retention: Combine with Zhongji (RN-3), Yinlingquan (SP-9), and Sanyinjiao (SP-6).
Efficacy & Actions
Dadun belongs to the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian and is the Jing-Well point where the meridian qi emerges, corresponding to the Wood element in the five-element theory. It opens the orifices and dispels cold, dredges the lower jiao, regulates Chong and Ren, and soothes the liver and relieves depression. It is a commonly used point for treating male and female reproductive system disorders. First documented in Lingshu · Benshu. "Dun" means thick or gathered. Located on the thick flesh of the great toe – hence the name Dadun (Great Thickness). It is also known as "Shuiquan," "Dashun," and "Daxun." According to ancient medical texts, Dadun treats syncope, restlessness, abdominal distension, heat in the lower abdomen, strangury, hematuria, difficult urination, spermatorrhea, uterine prolapse, metrorrhagia, aversion to light, constipation, manic disorders, infantile convulsions, and hand-foot contracture. For women with genital swelling and pain due to hernia, or men with scrotal and lower abdominal pain, pressing this point provides excellent analgesic and regulating effects. (1) Effective Point for Metrorrhagia: As the Jing-Well point of the Liver Meridian, well points open the orifices and dispel cold. The Liver stores blood – "diseases of the zang organs are treated at the well points." When liver qi counterflow causes the liver to fail in storing blood, leading to reckless bleeding, Dadun soothes the liver, drains fire, regulates the lower jiao, and stops bleeding. The Great Compendium states: "Dadun treats incessant uterine bleeding in women." It is also effective for hematochezia and hematuria, often combined with Yinbai (SP-1) of the Spleen Meridian. (2) Common Point for Reproductive Disorders: The Liver Meridian "courses along the medial thigh, enters the pubic hair, and encircles the external genitalia" – directly connecting to the reproductive system. Dadun warms the liver and lower yuan, treating all genital disorders due to cold congealing the Liver Meridian. It is used for irregular menstruation, uterine prolapse, vaginal itching, impotence, and premature ejaculation – especially effective for impotence. (3) Common Point for Urinary Disorders: Dadun is also effective for urinary disorders – enuresis, urinary retention, strangury, hernia, and lower abdominal pain. The Yulong Ge states: "All seven types of hernia are treated by Dadun." The Tongxuan Zhiyao Fu states: "Dadun removes hernia with deviation." The Lingguang Fu states: "Dadun treats deviation." The Zhenjiu Fengyuan records: "It treats five types of strangury, seven types of hernia, abdominal distension, enuresis, uterine prolapse, and incessant bleeding." Dadun is especially effective for hernia.
Contraindications
Needling Dadun is painful – use with caution in needle-phobic or debilitated patients, with careful technique to minimize pain.
