How to locate and needle Large Intestine 4 Hegu (Joining Valley)

Large Intestine 4 Location

• Large Intestine 4 is located in the centre of the muscle between the 1^st and 2^nd metacarpal bones, level with the midpoint of the 2^nd and slightly closer to the 2^nd.

Large Intestine 4 Needling

• To needle Large Intestine 4, use an oblique insertion to a maximum depth of 0.5 cun.

Large Intestine 4 TCM Theory

Large Intestine 4 is the Yuan source point for the Large Intestine channel.

The Yuan Source points are where Yuan Qi for that organ pools and can be used to balance the organ and the channel.

The main actions of Large Intestine 4 are:

• As the Yuan source point of the Large Intestine channel to regulate the Large Intestine and the Large Intestine channel.
• It Releases the Exterior and dispels Exterior Wind in cases of invasion by External Pathogenic Factors.
• It clears Heat in cases of Hot Bi where joints or tendons have become inflamed.
• It moves Qi to stop pain.
• It calms the Shen when used in combination with Liver 3 in a combination called the Four Gates.
• Because of its ability to strongly move Qi, Large Intestine 4 is contraindicated in pregnancy.