The liver yin and the gall bladder yang are the foot yin/yang meridian partners and are each energetically linked to their named organ. Both are classified under the wood element in the Five Elements.

FUNCTIONS OF THE LIVER YIN ORGAN

REGULATES THE DISTRIBUTION OF QI AND BLOOD FUNCTION Weak liver qi function affects the smooth and unobstructed access of qi and blood to all the organs. It can cause menstrual problems, oedema and pain anywhere along the meridian, such as pain in the breasts and under the lower ribs.

REGULATES DIGESTION If liver qi function is disturbed, all kinds of digestive problems can arise, including bloating, nausea and vomiting.

REGULATES ALL EMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES Sudden, extreme emotions will disturb the liver function.

STORES BLOOD Weak liver function can cause dizziness, weak limbs and muscle spasms, scanty or profuse menstruation and high blood pressure.

CONTROLS THE HEALTHY FUNCTION OF TENDONS Malfunction of the liver can result in stiff joints and difficulty bending and stretching.

LIVER YIN (LIV) AND GALL BLADDER YANG (GB)

THE LIVER YIN MERIDIAN

Recommended qi-points for treatment:

• headaches, dizziness LIV 3, LIV 2
• PMT with abdominal pain LIV 3, LIV 8,LIV 13, LIV 14
• impotence, genital pain and itching LIV 5
• indigestion LIV 13
• medial knee pain LIV 8, LIV 7
• medial ankle pain LIV 4
• anger LIV 3, LIV 2

THE GALL BLADDER YANG MERIDIAN

Recommended qi-points for treatment:

• migraine GB 8, GB 14, GB 20, GB 21, GB 43, GB 44
• ear problems GB 2, GB 12, GB 43
• pain around the ribs GB 34, GB 24
• neck pain GB 20, GB 12
• shoulder pain GB 21
• side lumbar pain GB 25
• hip pain GB 30, GB 29
• side of leg pain GB 31, GB 34
• knee pain GB 34
• outer ankle pain GB 40, GB 39
• sore, red or achy eyes GB 1, GB 20, GB14, GB 43
• emotional upset GB 13

NOTE: problems on these meridians should be treated with Tui Na massage applied along them, with focused kneading of appropriate qi-points and related back shu points BL 18 and BL 19 and front mu points LIV 14 and GB 24.

IS REFLECTED IN THE CONDITION OF THE NAILS Impaired liver function causes pale, brittle, dry or ridged nails.

HAS ITS CONNECTION WITH THE EXTERIOR THROUGH THE EYES Disturbed liver function results in blurred vision, night blindness, and itchy and red eyes.

IS LINKED TO THE ANGER EMOTION Uncontrolled liver qi can cause frustration, depression and severe stress.

FUNCTIONS OF THE GALL BLADDER YANG ORGAN

RECEIVES, STORES AND DISCHARGES BILE As yin/yang partners, the liver and gall bladder strongly interact. Weak gall bladder function causes poor digestion, hypochondriac pain and vomiting.

LIVER yin meridian

LIV 1 is on the inner margin of the big toe just behind the nail, and the meridian ends at LIV 14, between the sixth and seventh ribs directly below the nipple. Opposite are the main Tui Na qi-points, listed from top to bottom. For front mu points, see here.

LIV 14 QIMEN Liver front mu

Below the nipple in the space between the sixth and seventh ribs. It removes stagnation and improves qi-flow; reduces lumps in the breast and eases local chest pain.

LIV 13 ZHANGMEN Spleen front mu

Directly in front of and just below the end of the eleventh rib. It improves interaction between liver and spleen for efficient digestion; tonifies all yin organs.

LIV 8 QUQUAN

On the inner side of the leg, just above the knee crease between two big tendons. Tones the hamstring muscles; treats knee pain.

LIV 7 XIGUAN

Slide up the inside edge of the tibia to where the bone flares – this is SP 9. LIV 7 is 1 cun behind SP 9. Treats medial knee pain.

LIV 5 LIGOU

5 cun above the inner ankle bone, just off the edge of the tibia. Treats impotence, and pain and itching in the genitals.

LIV 4 ZHONGFENG

In a depression anterior to the head of the medial maleolus. Treats ankle and foot pain.

LIV 3 TAICHONG

In a depression just in front of the point where the first and second metatarsal bones come together. Improves qi-flow and calms emotions; treats headaches, menstruation problems and PMT, and improves eye health.

LIV 2 XINGJIAN

Between the first and second toes, 0.5 cun behind the web. Treats headache, inflamed red eyes, irritability, anger, menstruation problems and numb toes.

GALL BLADDER yang meridian

This meridian starts at GB 1, in a small depression at the outer corner of the eye, and ends at GB 44 on the outer margin of the fourth toe just behind the nail. Opposite are the main Tui Na qi-points, listed from top to bottom. For front mu points, see here.

GB 1 TONGZILIAO

In a depression at the outer corner of the eye. Maintains healthy eyes and treats soreness, redness and twitching.

GB 2 TINGHUI

In a depression felt when the mouth is open, just in front of the ear, level with the lower border of the tragus. Benefits hearing and treats tinnitus.

GB 8 SHUAIGU

1.5 cun directly above the top of the ear. Treats migraine headaches.

GB 12 WANGU

Behind and below the mastoid process of the skull. Treats headaches, neck tension and ear problems, and calms the mind for good sleep.

GB 13 BENSHEN

3 cun from the midline of the forehead and0.5 cun above the hairline. Calms the mind, treats psychological problems.

GB 14 YANGBAI

1 cun above the midpoint of the eyebrow. Improves qi-flow to the eyes, forehead and brain; treats frontal headaches and twitching eyelids.

GB 20 FENGCHI

At the top of the nape of the neck, in the depression immediately below the base of the skull. It prevents qi and blood stagnation in the brain, reducing the potential for strokes. Treats all kinds of headaches, neck tension, problems affecting eyes and ears, flu and common cold, hypertension, Parkinson’s syndrome and epilepsy.

GB 21 JIANJING

In the middle of a line drawn from the spinous process of cervical vertebra seven to the edge of the shoulder joint (acromion). Relaxes shoulder and neck muscles; treats shoulder pain and tension headaches.

GB 24 RIYUE Gall bladder front mu

Below the nipple, in the space between the seventh and eight ribs. Complements LIV 14, regulating liver and gall bladder qi.

GB 25 JINGMEN Kidney front mu

On the outer lower back at the free end of the twelfth rib. Strengthens and treats the lower back.

GB 29 JULIAO

Halfway between the top and front of the iliac spine to the outer edge of the hip bone. Treats side hip and leg pain.

GB 30 HUANTIAO

One-third of the way along a line from the outer edge of the hip bone to the coccyx. Relaxes the hip joint and buttock muscles; treats local pain and sciatica, and weakness and pain in the lower leg.

GB 31 FENGSHI

On the side of the thigh, just less than halfway (7 cun) from the knee crease to the hip bone (19 cun). Releases side leg tension and pain; treats sciatica.

GB 34 YANGLINGQUAN

In the depression just in front of and slightly below the head of the fibula. Relaxes tendons, ligaments and muscle fascia throughout the body. Treats sciatica and muscle spasm, weakness in the leg, and knee and ankle pain.

GB 39 XUANZHONG

Just in front of the edge of the fibula, 3 cun above the tip of the outer ankle bone. Strengthens ‘marrow’ to build up bones and boost brain function.

GB 40 QIUXU

In a depression, at the lower front edge of the outer ankle bone. Maintains ankle mobility; treats ankle sprain.

GB 43 XIAXI

Between the fourth and fifth toes just above the web. Improves blood flow to the toes; treats dizziness, headache, red and painful eyes.