Quchi Point (LI-11 / Pool at the Crook)
Clears heat and releases the exterior, dispels wind and stops itching, harmonizes qi and blood, relaxes the sinews and benefits the joints. Based on its properties, it is clinically used for fever, infectious diseases, skin disorders, neurogenic vertigo, essential hypertension, and motor system disorders.
Indications
Enteritis, abdominal colic, skin allergies, conjunctivitis, sore throat, arm swelling and pain, upper limb immobility. (1) Exterior patterns: Common cold, fever, chickenpox, measles. (2) Skin disorders: Urticaria, eczema, herpes zoster, scabies, psoriasis, acne, erysipelas. (3) Head and facial disorders: Dizziness, head fullness, headache, red and painful eyes. (4) Gastrointestinal disorders: Appendicitis, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, dysentery. (5) Flaccidity/bi-syndrome: Post-stroke hemiplegia sequelae, shoulder-arm pain, elbow pain, finger numbness, finger pain, lumbar pain, knee pain, difficulty lifting the lower limbs. (6) Others: Hypertension, scrofula, manic/psychotic disorders, malaria, etc.
Precise Location
Located on the Large Intestine meridian. Flex the elbow at a right angle; the point is in the depression at the lateral end of the elbow crease, between the bone and tendon. Needle perpendicularly 1–2 cun. Reducing technique is commonly used. Moxibustion is applicable.
Location Method
Sit upright, gently raise the left arm, flex the elbow inward. Use the thumb of the other hand to press downward into the depression at the end of the elbow crease – that is the point.
Massage Method
① Massage: Press, knead, or pluck with the thumb. ② Scraping therapy: Scrape from top to bottom. Lightly hold the other hand below the elbow, bend the thumb, and press vertically with the pad into the point. Press on the left hand first, then the right, once each morning and evening, for 1–3 minutes per session. Therapeutic actions: Clears heat and harmonizes the nutritive qi, dispels wind and unblocks the collaterals.
Compatibility
Hypertension: Combine with Renying (ST-9), Dazhui (GV-14), Taichong (LR-3), and Quchi (LI-11). Disease overview: Hypertension is defined as elevated systolic or diastolic blood pressure (>140/90 mmHg) at rest, often with functional or organic changes in the heart, brain, kidneys, and retina. Diagnosis requires at least 5 minutes of rest, with 2 or more readings >140/90 mmHg on different days. Massage sequence: Knead Renying gently (~1 min), press Dazhui (at least 20 times), push Taichong, and press Quchi. Influenza: Combine with Yingxiang (LI-20), Shaoshang (LU-11), and Quchi (LI-11). Urticaria: Combine with Zhangmen (LR-13), Zusanli (ST-36), and Quchi (LI-11). Head, face and orificial disorders: Combine with Hegu (LI-4). Hypertension: Combine with Taichong (LR-3), Baihui (GV-20), Renying (ST-9), and Neiguan (PC-6). Skin disorders: Combine with Xuehai (SP-10), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), and Fengshi (GB-31). Acute/chronic appendicitis: Combine with Zusanli (ST-36) and Lanwei (appendix point, EX-LE7). Exterior patterns: Combine with Dazhui (GV-14), Fengchi (GB-20), Waiguan (TE-5), and Hegu (LI-4). Flaccidity/bi-syndrome: Combine with Yanglingquan (GB-34). Tidal fever with bone-steaming (tuberculosis): Combine with Dazhui (GV-14), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), Taixi (KI-3), Yongquan (KI-1), Zhaohai (KI-6), and Feishu (BL-13). Malaria: Combine with Dazhui (GV-14), Taodao (GV-13), Houxi (SI-3), and Jianshi (PC-5). Upper limb flaccidity/bi-syndrome: Combine with Jianyu (LI-15) and Hegu (LI-4). Abdominal pain with vomiting and diarrhea: Combine with Zusanli (ST-36) and Tianshu (ST-25).
Efficacy & Actions
Quchi belongs to the Large Intestine meridian and is the He-Sea point where the meridian qi enters. According to the five-element theory, it corresponds to Earth. It clears heat and releases the exterior, dispels wind and stops itching, harmonizes qi and blood, relaxes sinews and unblocks collaterals, clears the head and brightens the eyes, and regulates the stomach and intestines. It is one of the most important points in the body, with broad clinical applications. Reducing technique is commonly used. First documented in Lingshu · Benshu. "Qu" refers to the bent elbow. When the elbow is flexed, a depression appears resembling a shallow pool – the Large Intestine meridian qi flows here like water entering a pool – hence the name Quchi. It is also known as "Guichen," "Yangze," and "Hongchi." When symptoms such as colicky abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea occur due to improper diet, wind-cold, or other causes, massaging Quchi can help alleviate them. The Jiayi Jing states: "Quchi treats lingering heat after febrile disease, chest fullness, preauricular pain, toothache, red and painful eyes, neck swelling, chills and fever, thirst with sweating upon drinking (or dry hot skin without drinking), blurred vision, wrist urgency, fever, manic episodes, flaccidity with severe contractures, convulsions, and manic psychosis with tongue protrusion." (1) Common Point for Colds and Fever: The Lung and Large Intestine are internally-externally related; Yangming is abundant in qi and blood, and the Lung governs the skin and body hair. Needling Quchi releases the exterior and reduces fever, and opens the defensive yang. It is commonly used for wind-heat exterior patterns or early-stage warm diseases, often combined with Dazhui (GV-14), Fengchi (GB-20), Waiguan (TE-5), Yemen (TE-2), and Hegu (LI-4). A classical case from the Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: In the spring of Wuwu, an official had a nodule on his arm the size of a persimmon, neither red nor painful. The physician said it was a toxic swelling. The author diagnosed it as a phlegm nodule and needled Quchi, applying six Yin numbers plus 14 moxa cones – within days the nodule resolved. (2) Key Point for Skin Disorders: The Large Intestine meridian is internally-externally related to the Lung, which governs the skin and hair; Yangming governs the muscles. Skin diseases often arise from internal blood heat combined with external wind-warmth pathogens accumulating in the skin and interstices. Quchi disperses and drains, guides qi and blood, and reaches the exterior. It clears blood heat, resolves dampness and toxicity, activates blood and disperses wind – earning it the title "First Point for Skin Diseases." The Ma Danyang Twelve Heavenly Stars Song records: "Quchi is taken with folded arms ... wind, skin lesions, and leprosy throughout the body – needling brings immediate relief." It is used for urticaria, eczema, scabies, chickenpox, acne, herpes zoster, psoriasis, and skin abscesses, often combined with Xuehai (SP-10), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), and Fengshi (GB-31). (3) Key Point for Head, Face and Orificial Disorders: The Miscellaneous Diseases Point Method Song states: "For disorders of the head, face, ears, eyes, mouth and nose, Quchi and Hegu are the primary points." It effectively treats sore throat, toothache, red and painful eyes, stye, parotid swelling, acne, melasma, facial paralysis, and epistaxis. (4) Common Point for Bi-Syndrome: Ancient and modern physicians use this point for sinew and bone disorders affecting all joints. It is commonly used for upper limb immobility, arm swelling and pain, knee pain, lumbar pain, and post-stroke hemiplegia sequelae. (5) Regulates the Stomach and Intestines: As the He-Sea point, "He treats rebellious qi and diarrhea" – it coordinates gastrointestinal qi movement. Used for abdominal pain with vomiting and diarrhea, borborygmus, dysentery, and appendicitis, especially acute conditions, often combined with Tianshu (ST-25), Zusanli (ST-36), Shangjuxu (ST-37), and Zhongwan (RN-12). (6) Key Point for Hypertension: This point circulates without stagnating, connects upper and lower, and guides qi and blood. Yangming is abundant in qi and blood; Quchi as the He-Sea point clears the head and eyes, effectively treating dizziness, head fullness, and headache. Its blood pressure-lowering effect is recognized in acupuncture, often combined with Baihui (GV-20), Neiguan (PC-6), and Taichong (LR-3), using lifting-thrusting and twisting reducing technique.
Contraindications
Quchi has a blood pressure-lowering effect and should be used with caution in patients with hypotension.