Zulinqi Point (GB-41 / Foot Facing Tears, also known as Xialinqi)
Discover the exact location and acupressure method for Zulinqi (GB-41 / Foot Facing Tears). Learn its benefits for headache, lumbar pain, irregular menstruation, and eye disorders – the Gallbladder Shu-Stream point and Eight Confluent point – plus classic combinations for comprehensive treatment.
Indications
Headache (migraine, frontal headache), lumbar pain, muscle spasm (contracture), eye disorders (red painful eyes, blurred vision), toothache, throat swelling, deafness, irregular menstruation, dizziness, chest and hypochondriac fullness, breast swelling, axillary swelling, dorsum foot swelling and pain, and herpes zoster.
Precise Location
On the lateral dorsum of the foot, in the gap between the 4th and 5th metatarsal bones, anterior to the 4th and 5th metatarsal junction, in the depression lateral to the extensor digitorum longus tendon of the little toe.
Location Method
Sit upright with feet on the floor. Place the left foot on the seat, extend the left hand, lightly hold the toes with four fingers below – bend the thumb and gently press with the thumbnail posterior to the 4th toe joint.
Massage Method
Knead with the thumb pad – a sore, distending, and painful sensation will occur. Apply to both sides for 1–3 minutes each, left first then right. Therapeutic actions: Transforms wind and cools dampness, soothes the liver and benefits the gallbladder, unblocks the collaterals and relieves pain.
Compatibility
Dorsum foot swelling and pain: Combine with Kunlun (BL-60), Qiuxu (GB-40), Jiexi (ST-41), and Zulinqi (GB-41). Disease overview: The foot is where toxins accumulate most in the body. When excessive toxins are present, calcium is released for neutralization – the closest calcium is in the toes, causing pain. Massage sequence: Press Kunlun and Qiuxu for 3 minutes each; then push and rub Jiexi and Zulinqi back and forth 30 times each. Daily massage before bed yields significant results. Migraine: Combine with Sizhukong (TE-23), Taiyang (EX-HN5), and Waiguan (TE-5). Acute mastitis: Combine with Tanzhong (RN-17), Quchi (LI-11), Hegu (LI-4), and Zulinqi (GB-41). Chest and hypochondriac fullness: Combine with Yanglingquan (GB-34) and Zhigou (TE-6). Irregular menstruation: Combine with Guanyuan (RN-4), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), and Daimai (GB-26). Red painful eyes: Combine with Jingming (BL-1), Fengchi (GB-20), and Taiyang (EX-HN5). Deafness and tinnitus: Combine with Tinggong (SI-19), Yifeng (TE-17), and Zhongzhu (TE-3). Lumbar pain: Combine with Shenshu (BL-23) and Weizhong (BL-40).
Efficacy & Actions
Zulinqi is an important point on the body. According to ancient medical texts, it treats headache, dizziness, dry eyes, body bi-syndrome, alternating chills and fever, chest and hypochondriac fullness, wheezing, heart pain, breast swelling, axillary swelling, stroke with inability to raise the limbs, pain, numbness, fever, contracture, tendon pulling, leg pain, red swollen eyes, toothache, deafness, throat swelling, neck swelling with cheek involvement, wind-induced pruritus, and irregular menstruation. This point belongs to the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian and is the Shu-Stream point where the meridian qi flows (corresponding to the Wood element in the five-element theory). It is also one of the Eight Confluent Points, connecting to the Belt Vessel (Dai Mai). It soothes the liver and benefits the gallbladder, unblocks the collaterals and relieves pain, clears the head and brightens the eyes, regulates menstruation and stops leukorrhea, and transforms wind and cools dampness. It is a commonly used key point for treating head, facial, chest, hypochondriac, gynecological, and meridian pathway disorders. First documented in Lingshu · Benshu. "Lin" means to look down from a height; "Qi" means tears. Located on the lateral dorsum of the foot, this point treats eye disorders and stops tearing – hence the name Zulinqi (Foot Facing Tears). It is also known as "Xialinqi."
Contraindications
Located on the dorsum of the foot, needling depth should be carefully controlled – generally 0.3–0.5 cun vertically. Moxibustion is permissible.
