Lieque Point (LU-7 / Broken Gap, also known as Tongxuan and Wanlao)
Dispels wind and releases the exterior, disperses lung qi and regulates qi, benefits the throat and unblocks the collaterals. Based on its properties, it is clinically used for colds, respiratory diseases, male and female reproductive system disorders, and neck conditions.
Indications
Trigeminal neuralgia, neurogenic headache, rhinitis, cough, wheezing, sore throat, shortness of breath with insufficient qi, and migraine/bilateral headache. (1) Respiratory disorders: Common cold, sore throat, cough, wheezing, dry throat, itchy throat. (2) Neck disorders: Arm contracture with pain, stiff painful neck, shoulder and back soreness. (3) Male and female reproductive disorders: Difficult urination, febrile urination, hematuria, retention of urine, penile pain, enuresis, dysmenorrhea, retained placenta. (4) Head and facial disorders: Migraine and bilateral headache, trigeminal neuralgia, facial paralysis, facial spasm, etc. (5) Others: Hemiplegia, toothache, fright epilepsy, palm heat, neurogenic headache, etc.
Precise Location
Located on the Lung Meridian, above the styloid process of the radius, 1.5 cun above the wrist crease.
Location Method
Spread both thumbs with the tiger mouths crossed. Press the right index finger on the upper part of the radial styloid process of the left hand – the point is where the fingertip reaches.
Massage Method
① Massage: Rub or press with the index finger pad, or pinch with the index fingernail – first left then right, for 1–3 minutes each side per session. ② Moxibustion: Mild-warm moxa may be used, but rarely in clinical practice. Therapeutic actions: Stops cough and relieves wheezing, unblocks meridians and collaterals, promotes diuresis and relieves strangury.
Compatibility
Stiff neck: Combine with Lieque (LU-7) and Jiaosun (TE-20). Disease overview: Stiff neck refers to discomfort and tightness of the neck muscles and sinews, often caused by external wind-cold invading the Taiyang meridian, commonly accompanied by headache. Massage sequence: Cross the hands so the index finger falls on Lieque of the opposite hand – massage clockwise 20 times, counterclockwise 20 times; then wrap the hands around the head with the thumbs on Jiaosun, massage for 3 minutes. Cough: Combine with Fenglong (ST-40) and Tianchi (PC-1). Goiter: Combine with Hegu (LI-4), Zusanli (ST-36), Qishe (ST-11), Fengchi (GB-20), and Tianchong (GB-9). Throat disorders: Combine with Zhaohai (KI-6). Stiff painful neck: Combine with Houxi (SI-3). External headache: Combine with Fengchi (GB-20) and Dazhui (GV-14). Nasal disorders: Combine with Hegu (LI-4) and Yingxiang (LI-20). Smoking cessation: Combine with Kongzui (LU-6). Childhood enuresis: Combine with Guanyuan (RN-4) and Shenshu (BL-23). Genital pain: Combine with Xingjian (LR-2) and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). Wrist pain: Combine with Pianli (LI-6) and Yangxi (LI-5). Drain heart fire and clear upper jiao: Combine with Quchi (LI-11).
Efficacy & Actions
Lieque belongs to the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian and is the Luo-Connecting point where the collateral separates from the Lung Meridian to connect with the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. It stops cough and relieves wheezing, unblocks the meridians and collaterals, promotes diuresis and relieves strangury, and clears and benefits the throat. It is a commonly used point for conditions where the lung defense system is affected and lung qi fails to descend and disperse. First documented in Lingshu · Jingmai. "Lie" means to arrange, line up, or split open; "Que" means depression or gap. Located in the depression above the styloid process of the radius, it is named Lieque (Broken Gap). It is also known as "Tongxuan" and "Wanlao." As the Luo-Connecting point between the Lung and Large Intestine meridians, it has diagnostic value – when qi is in excess, there may be a swelling or bulging at this point; when qi is deficient, there may be a depression. For various headaches, dizziness, vertigo, or neck conditions accompanied by cough and sore throat, pressing Lieque often produces immediate effects. (1) Treats Male and Female Reproductive System Disorders: As one of the Eight Confluent Points, it connects to the Conception Vessel (Ren Mai), which governs reproduction and the uterus. The Lingshu · Jingmai records that Lieque treats abnormal urination – "deficiency manifests as frequent yawning and enuresis." The Qianjin Yaofang records "pain in the male genitals, hematuria, and spermatorrhea." The Bianque Shenying Zhenjiu Yulong Jing records "irregular qi and blood in women, and retained placenta." Clinically used for penile pain, spermatorrhea, retention of urine, enuresis, hematuria, febrile urination, irregular menstruation, and retained placenta. (2) Key Point for Throat Disorders: The Lung Meridian courses through the throat. As a Confluent Point connecting to the Ren Mai, which also courses through the throat, Lieque effectively treats throat conditions. Often combined with Zhaohai (KI-6) for chronic throat disorders – there is a clinical summary: "Lieque connects to the Ren Mai and governs the lung system; Zhaohai of the Yin Qiao connects to the throat." Together they treat itchy throat, dry throat, sore throat, dry cough without phlegm, and throat ulcers. (3) Key Point for Head and Neck Disorders: The Four General Point Song states: "For head and neck conditions, seek Lieque." Although the Lung Meridian does not ascend directly to the head and neck, the Lung and Large Intestine are internally-externally related, and the Large Intestine Meridian ascends from the hand to the head and neck. As the Luo-Connecting point, Lieque connects the interior and exterior meridians, thus treating head and neck conditions. When external wind-cold invades the body surface, causing fever, cough, and stiff painful neck, Lieque disperses wind, releases the exterior, disperses lung qi, and unblocks collaterals. The Qianjin Eleven Point Song states: "For chest and neck pain, use Houxi and Lieque together" – Houxi connects to the Governor Vessel, and Lieque to the Conception Vessel, harmonizing Yin and Yang for neck conditions. (4) Treats Concurrent Disorders of Lung and Large Intestine: As the Luo-Connecting point, Lieque treats disorders involving both the interior and exterior meridians. When respiratory symptoms (cough, fever, wheezing) are accompanied by digestive symptoms (borborygmus, diarrhea, constipation), Lieque is the most appropriate choice.
Contraindications
The point is located in an area with thin muscle layers – attention should be paid to the needling angle and direction. Insertion through the skin should be quick, then slow; avoid piercing the periosteum, and avoid the radial artery. Moxibustion is permitted but rarely used clinically due to the thin muscle layer and proximity to the radial artery. Direct moxibustion and scarring moxibustion should be avoided.
