Yinlian Point (LR-11 / Yin Edge)
Discover the exact location and acupressure method for Yinlian (LR-11 / Yin Edge). Learn its benefits for irregular menstruation, lower abdominal pain, leukorrhea, and infertility – the Liver meridian point – plus classic combinations for comprehensive treatment.
Indications
Irregular menstruation, lower abdominal pain, medial thigh pain, leukorrhea with red and white discharge, female infertility, and lower abdominal pain.
Precise Location
On the medial thigh, 2 cun directly below Qichong (ST-30), at the groin root, below the pubic tubercle, at the lateral border of the adductor longus muscle.
Location Method
Stand upright with hands on the thighs, palms facing the legs, four fingers together and flat on the lower abdomen – the point is where the ring fingertip rests when the little finger is at the groin root.
Massage Method
Bring the four fingers together and knead from bottom to top – a distending, sore, and painful sensation will occur. Apply to both sides for 3–5 minutes each, left first then right, or simultaneously. Therapeutic actions: Regulates menstruation and stops leukorrhea, unblocks and regulates the lower jiao, and regulates qi and activates blood.
Compatibility
Leukorrhea (with red and white discharge): Combine with Shenshu (BL-23), Daimai (GB-26), Dadun (LR-1), Yinlian (LR-11), Zhongji (RN-3), and Dahe (KI-12). Disease overview: Leukorrhea is caused by improper diet, overwork, worry impairing spleen qi, or excessive sexual activity, aging, and chronic illness impairing kidney qi. The spleen and kidney fail to transform water-damp, the Belt Vessel loses control, or rich foods generate damp-heat, emotional distress leads to liver depression and spleen deficiency with damp-heat descending, or external damp-toxin/cold-damp invasion. Massage sequence: Massage Shenshu for 2 minutes; massage Daimai for 3 minutes; pinch Dadun and Yinlian 30 times each; massage Zhongji and Dahe for 3 minutes each. Female infertility: Combine with Zhishi (BL-52), Zhongji (RN-3), Dahe (KI-12), and Yinlian (LR-11). Irregular menstruation: Combine with Huaroumen (ST-24), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), Mingmen (GV-4), Yinlian (LR-11), and Shenshu (BL-23). Lower abdominal pain: Combine with Guanyuan (RN-4) and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). Medial thigh pain: Combine with Xuehai (SP-10) and Yinlingquan (SP-9).
Efficacy & Actions
The Zhenjiu Wenda by Wang Ji of the Ming Dynasty states: "Yinlian is below Yangshi (a superficial lymph node in the groin), 2 cun from Qichong." The Shengji Zonglu states: "Yinlian is located in the artery 2 cun below Qichong. It treats female infertility – for those who have not borne children, three cones of moxibustion can bring pregnancy." Thus, this point is highly effective for irregular menstruation and leukorrhea with red and white discharge. This point belongs to the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian. It regulates menstruation and stops leukorrhea, unblocks and regulates the lower jiao, and regulates qi and activates blood. It is a commonly used key point for treating gynecological and lower abdominal disorders. First documented in Zhenjiu Jiayijing. "Yin" refers to the yin meridians and the medial side; "Lian" means edge or margin. Located on the medial thigh at the edge of the transverse crease – hence the name Yinlian (Yin Edge).
