Liver 12: Jimai – ‘Urgent Pulse’

Liver 12, Jimai, Urgent Pulse is a powerful point on the Liver acupuncture channel mainly used for pain and problems with the genitals.

I know few acupuncturists who use it regularly, but then I don’t work in a hospital where it might be more easily accessed.

Location of Jimai

2.5cun lateral and 1cun inferior to Ren 2, medial to the femoral vein.

Needling Urgent Pulse

In the groin, find the femoral artery: it has a strong beat. Medial to that is the femoral vein. This has no beat but is quite wide, up to a finger-breadth across, and often palpable. Liver 12 is just medial to that, in the crease of the groin. Depth? Up to 1 cun, slightly medially.

Moxa: ancient texts, if they mention this point at all, suggest moxa rather than needle.

Perhaps their needling caused a few accidents.

Modern texts suggest needling, for fear of moxa over-heating the femoral artery or setting fire to genital hair.

I haven’t used moxa here, unlike Liver 11 which does benefit from moxibustion.

(By the way, Spleen 12 is lateral to the femoral artery, and level with Ren 2.)

Actions of Jimai

• Pain and problems in the genitals, including Damp (damp-heat and damp-cold)
• Pain in the thigh (medial aspect)
• Prolapse of the uterus
• Clears Cold from the Liver channel

Comment on Jimai

I don’t think I’ve used this point more than half a dozen times in thirty-five years. I say that with no sense of pride. It’s a good point for the actions described, but I don’t seem to think of it.

I can think of several cases of pruritis where I might have tried it.

I don’t think many acupuncturists use this.

For points along the Liver channel, click below:

Click here to find out about the Liver’s functions in Chinese medicine

Click to find out about the liver organ in WESTERN medicine