Liver 14: last point on Liver channel – Qimen

Liver 14
Liver 14 Point - Copyright Acupuncture-points.org

Liver 14 is the fourteenth and last point along the main acupuncture channel of the Liver and is:

  • the Alarm or Front-Mu point of the Liver
  • the Meeting point of the Liver and Spleen channels with the Yin Wei (linking) channel
  • the Exit point of the Liver channel, and therefore last point of the cycle through all the regular channels

Location of Liver 14

I was taught two ways of finding this point. They are close to one another but definitely different points, although they do seem to work in similar ways.

However, because people have different body shapes, the second location is not always so easy to be sure of (despite it being shown to me very often!). However, I prefer it – when I can locate it accurately.

  1. Between the 6th and 7th ribs, on the mid-clavicular line.
  2. On the inferior edge of the thoracic rib-cage vertically under the nipple (on men) and usually level with a point half-way between Conception Vessel 11 and Conception Vessel 12. On women, or men with huge (and unreliable) breasts, the line to take is the mid-clavicular line. The point is usually located at a notch in the 10th rib. However, whether or not the point is on the mid-clavicular line, it does fall at the level half way between CV11 and CV12 (except on me and quite a few others, it turns out!). This point is called Lower Qimen.

Needling Qimen

When in need of treatment, it is nearly always sore on palpation.

For 1/ above: Insert the needle obliquely, not perpendicularly, up to 1 cun max. If you insert perpendicularly, you may puncture the pleura and cause a pneumothorax.

For 2/ above: insert perpendicularly or obliquely up to 1 cun. Too deep and you could damage underlying tissues.

Needle Sensation at Liver 14

Local to the point. Sometimes upwards towards the nipple.

Moxibustion on Qimen

Moxa: up to 5 cones.

ACTIONS of Liver 14

  • Harmonises Liver and Stomach
  • Moves Blood
  • Spreads Liver qi

 

Harmonises Liver and Stomach

  • Calms an angry digestion or digestion upset by emotions, leading to belching, burping, regurgitation, acidity, hiccough, vomiting food or inability to swallow
  • Tonifies Liver Yin
  • Relieves retention of food
  • Intercostal neuralgia ie pain between the ribs
  • Hepatitis
  • Cholecystisis – inflammation of the gallbladder
  • Hard swelling or distention in the abdomen

 

Moves Blood

  • Regulates the circulation of Qi and Blood
  • Enlarged liver organ from Blood Stagnation
  • Sensation of heat in the chest and heart
  • Pain in the heart organ

 

Spreads Liver qi where Liver Qi stagnates, as often in:

  • Premenstrual irregularities and pain
  • Postpartum difficulties with hiccups and burping
  • Pleurisy
  • Asthma with inability to sit or sleep
  • Distension of chest and abdomen with abdominal gas
  • Distension over the ribs
  • Sighing, irritability, agitation in the chest
  • Difficult breathing and cough from suppressed anger or from long-term anger

Exit Point for the Liver

Used as the Exit point, Liver 14 can ease the flow along all the channels being at the end of one cycle and the beginning of the next.

(Explanation of what I mean by the end of one cycle … Every 24 hours energy is said to travel round the entire acupuncture channel circuit, commencing with the first point on the Lung channel at the top of the chest – Lung 1, Zhongfu, Middle Mansion – and ending at this point, Liver 14 in the lower part of the chest.

Hence the name of the point Qimen – Cycle Gate.)

Naturally, this means that between one circuit and the next the Qi must travel through the lungs, using which our very first breath denotes life and gives hope and joy to our parents.

The time of day, per the Chinese Clock, when this is said to occur is approximately 3am. This is a time renowned for a tendency towards anxious thoughts about life, if not depression and sadness, both of which are often implicated in both Liver and Lung syndromes.)

I find Liver 14 often excellent for Lung problems caused by anger and frustration, when I might use it with Lung 1.

For liver organ disease or where the liver organ seems lethargic, I might use it with the Liver entry point, Liver 1 when it sometimes helps people renew their faith in life.

Hence, perhaps, the translation into English of its name ‘Gate of Hope‘. This gives additional insight to the spirit of the point.

Comments on Liver 14

  • Liver 14 is a powerful Liver point so can be used for most Liver dis-harmonies.
  • Besides tonifying Liver Yin, it is excellent for dispersing excess.
  • If you think you need to have this point treated, please do not attempt to do it yourself! It is all too easy to cause yourself a pneumothorax from a slip of the fingers. See a qualified acupuncturist!

 

To find out about the Liver in Chinese medicine, click here.

Click to find out about the Liver in WESTERN medicine.

For points along the Liver meridian, click below:

 

Liver-1DadunGreat Clarity
Liver-2XingjianWalk Between
Liver-3TaichongGreat Pouring
Liver-4ZhongfengMiddle Seal
Liver-5LigouWoodworm Groove
Liver-6ZhongduCentral Capital
Liver-7XiguanKnee Joint
Liver-8QuquanSpring at the Bend
Liver-9YinBaoYin Wrapping
Liver-10ZuwuliLeg Five Miles
Liver-11YinlianYin Angle
Liver-12JimaiUrgent Pulse
Liver-13ZhangmenSystem Gate
Liver-14QimenCycle Gate
Jonathan Brand colours

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